Valentino couture fall 2016 collection was Elizabethan themed, and on occasion of William Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary there was inspiration from his plays such as Romeo and Juliet and The Merchant of Venice.
Models played roles of priests, clergymen, princelings and princesses. The theme was set in the Renaissance period were they wore high ruffled neck collars, bodices, puffed sleeves and long robes inspired by Catholicism. Long skirts, high waisted trousers, taffeta capes, bubble hems with knee high boots all came in abundance.
Details included fragile latticework necklines, gold and pearl-embroidered brocades; but the final curtain call showcased a voluminous blood red ruffle cloak over a matching blood red ruffled dress. The collection was poetic, dramatic and grand; very much like Shakespeare’s plays.
