Reinaldo Herrera, Arbiter of Style for Vanity Fair, Dies at 91

Resourceful Editorial Strategies: Insights from Reinaldo Herrera

Reinaldo Herrera, a figure known for his strategic guidance in the publishing world, offered invaluable assistance when Mr. Carter assumed leadership of the magazine in 1992. His expertise was again sought in 1996 when Mr. Carter aimed to commission writer Sally Bedell Smith for an article focusing on the Rothschilds, the prominent European banking dynasty. The death by suicide of a family member at a Paris hotel that July seemed a potential point of entry. However, gaining discreet access for Ms. Smith to the funeral service presented a challenge, which Mr. Herrera adeptly resolved.

Gaining Access: A Lesson in Discreet Infiltration

“Secure a nondescript dark vehicle with a driver, wear a simple black dress, an unadorned black hat, black gloves—all to cultivate ‘the look.’ Simply enter and act naturally,” Mr. Herrera advised Ms. Smith. This advice proved successful, allowing her to attend the service unnoticed.

Navigating Editorial Disagreements: The Hitchens-Mother Teresa Controversy

Mr. Carter recounted one instance of editorial friction concerning a critical piece by Christopher Hitchens targeting Mother Teresa. Published in 1995, Mr. Hitchens’ article strongly criticized Mother Teresa—the Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 1979, later elevated to sainthood—labeling her a “Vatican fundamentalist,” a supporter of dictators, and a “presumable virgin,” among other critiques. Mr. Carter recalled, “Reinaldo charged into my office, exclaiming vehemently, ‘You’ve gone too far. I am cancelling my subscription!’ My response was, ‘You cannot do that; you are on the complimentary list.’”

Mastering Royal Protocol: Entertaining Princess Margaret

Mr. Herrera also instructed Mr. Carter in the nuances of entertaining Princess Margaret. He emphasized the necessity of having ample Famous Grouse whisky and barley water on hand for a dinner party at Mr. Carter’s residence, which Mr. Herrera advocated for to promote the magazine’s European edition.

The Dinner Party and its Extended Duration

Due to royal protocol, as Mr. Herrera meticulously explained, no guests were permitted to depart before the Princess. As she remained past midnight, the evening proved underwhelming, Mr. Carter noted in his memoir, “When the Going Was Good” (2025). Describing the aftermath, Mr. Carter added, “The relief evident on the faces of the attendees,” including entertainment executive Barry Diller and Peggy Noonan, the former speechwriter for President Reagan and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, “mirrored the expressions of airplane crash survivors upon reaching the tarmac.”