Mood board: Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli took their 18th century babe-in-the-woods girls and gave them a healthy dash of cool new edge for next autumn. Working in graphic slashes of austere black and white, the designers whipped up checkerboard and umbrella stripe motifs across their usual prim silhouettes and introduced edgier materials like tough girl black leather.
Best in show: As usual, the pickings were rich for our favourite looks, but one fur coat - created from a patchwork of baby blue, blood red, beige and black tuffs that resembled an intricate mosaic tile - was particularly memorable. However, the Ben Stiller/Owen Wilson Blue Steel finale will no doubt go down in fashion history.
Finishing touches: Valentino loves a sweeping gown but the house always manages to keep things cool with edgy footwear. Next winter sees a block heeled boot in shiny black patent leather split up the front with a monster sized gold zipper.
