The Valentino Resort 2018 runway show took place yesterday in New York and Pierpaolo Piccioli took on a reference perfectly suited to the location; hip hop culture.
The show notes cited urban metamorphosis and the concept of identity as a construction in progress as sources of inspiration. Merging of cultures was key to the show, exploring contradictory ways of being in the melting pot of hip-hop; sport and freestyling, rhythm and spontaneity.
Of course, athleisure has pretty much saturated the fashion market in recent seasons, but Piccioli’s take on the sportswear influence, cut in jersey and hammered silk, in sumptuous shades of green, red and pink, injected new life to the subject and were instantly covetable. Pleated tracksuits, long zip front track dresses, drawstring waists and expert use of print, colour and layering of sheer fabrics brought the show together in a gorgeous fusion of streetwear and signature Valentino style. The collection was spot-on in terms of relevance, mood and desirability; a highlight of Resort season to be sure.
