Haute Couture FW18: Valentino

Diana Bell-Heather   |   05-07-2018

 

Pierpaolo Piccioli closed Haute Couture week to a standing ovation for his mythology-inspired Valentino FW18 show.

 

Before models graced the runway in dresses as big as the hair, the designer shared his vision in the show notes, particularly focusing on the idea of ‘time’ and the two meanings of it in Ancient Greek, Chronos and Kairos. The former refers to chronological or sequential time, while the latter signifies a proper, or opportune, time for action. Seems like Piccioli wanted to overlap the present and the past to translate his vision of real haute couture, ‘pictured in a daydream, brought to life through emotions.’

 

 

Hence, he mixed the Greek with inspirations from the Renaissance period as well as Versailles and the swinging Sixties. The spectacular fusion of brocade, pearls, velvet, embellishment and silk crafted into exaggerated shapes took over 1,200 hours to make, but none of it looked overdone and theatrical – Piccioli made sure everything was in proportion, head to toe.

 

Staged at Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, an array of dreamy dresses including a voluminous feathered gown modelled on Kaia Gerber, signature Valentino red strapless silhouette and deep golden full skirt dress with vivid textural embroidery were spectacular, but for wearability Piccioli also offered just as beautifully designed separates. The long or cropped wool trousers – in colours of burgundy, gold, pastel green and purple – were paired with capes, coats and cropped jackets, while pencil and pleated skirts were styled with slouchy boots.

 

 

Piccioli  let his wildest imagination run free, proving once again that true Haute Couture dares to turn dreams into reality.

 

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