Valentino S/S 2019 Paris Fashion Week Women's
Scene setting: Guests were back yesterday to the grand Hôtel des Invalides on the Rive Gauche, where a few days ago the First Céline show by Hedi Slimane took place. This time, though, the Valentino show was on the opposite corner of the building, far from the gilded Napoleonian dome and past a little jardin à la Française. A permanent tent was established there a few years ago and works as a conservatory of sorts, featuring an array of cacti, succulents and other exotic plants which, alone, gave us a clue of the collection we were about to see.
Soundbite: ‘I've been reflecting a lot lately about the idea of paradise, and especially about the way artists throughout history have gone to these far away lands to explore their art and their identities', Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli said backstage after the show. He warned, however, that this collection was all but an exercise in escapism. ‘I think it's more about being able to further become oneself. At the end of the day, you can do that anywhere.'
Best in show: And become more himself, Pierpaolo did. His collection was one surprise after another, starting with a series of sepulchral black gowns (Kristen McMenamy opened the show in a bustier taffeta number with puff sleeves) which progressively morphed into an explosion of colour in the form of sequined and feathered chiffon, silk and tulle dresses. But if these could at first be mistaken for fairytale princess gowns, they were effortlessly brought back to earth with the help of accessories including feathered slide-ons, raphia totes, straw hats and coppery hoop earrings. On the way out, an enthused editor stated 'I would wear everything'. That was the definitive review.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Fernanda Dovigi creates a plush Aspen mountain chalet
Fernanda Dovigi’s revamped Aspen mountain chalet brings contemporary art and design to après-ski
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Space Un celebrates contemporary African art, community and connection in Japan
Space Un, a new art venue by Edna Dumas, dedicated to contemporary African art, opens in Tokyo, Japan
By Nana Ama Owusu-Ansah Published
-
Get to know Issey Miyake’s innovative A-POC ABLE line as it arrives in the UK
As A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake launches in London this week, designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae gives Wallpaper* the lowdown on the experimental Issey Miyake offshoot
By Jack Moss Published
-
Valentino’s new Beijing exhibition explores the role of fashion
‘Re-Signify Part Two’ juxtaposes items from the Valentino archive and the work of contemporary artists such as Cao Fei, Xu Zhen, and Nick Knight
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Scene-stealing runway sets from S/S 2022 womenswear shows
From giant roulette wheels to Olympic diving boards and multi-city synchronized extravaganzas – our pick of the best fashion show sets from S/S 2022 womenswear
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Valentino Des Atelier Haute Couture sees fashion and art collide
Seventeen contemporary artists enter a dynamic dialogue around dressing to create Valentino’s A/W 2021 Des Ateliers Haute Couture collection
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Milan Fashion Week A/W 2021: designers riff on romp and relaxation
Milan Fashion Week offered a wardrobe for life after lockdown, by brands including Fendi, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino and Giorgio Armani
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Sweats and sequins: the duality of dressing at Milan Fashion Week S/S 2021
Brands from Dolce & Gabbana to Valentino considered post pandemic dressing, with escapist and pragmatic silhouettes presented with aplomb
By Nick Vinson - Art Direction Last updated
-
A decade of fashion show history in pictures
British photographer Jason Lloyd Evans shares his favourite backstage images, from the runway shows of Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Armani, Proenza Schouler, Versace and more
By Jason Lloyd-Evans - Photography Last updated
-
Louis Vuitton A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Chanel A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
By Laura Hawkins Last updated