Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022-23 Haute Couture collection presentation took place at the iconic Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome.
Returning to the House’s home city Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli fittingly named this collection “The Beginning” as a mark of respect to where the Maison first started.
“The history of Valentino enjoys the absolute privilege of love, the infatuation of anyone who works here.” Explained Piccioli in the show notes. But this collection wasn’t just about the history and the beginning of the Maison, it was highlighting a full circle ending with the moment we are at today. Piccioli has worked at the Maison for some 23 years now and has grown with the house as much as it has grown himself, so he took this opportunity to celebrate the moment at which the House is at today and all the opportunities that come with that.
With this collection, he focused on the theme of beauty and its ability to express freedom and not follow rules. He wants to encourage the world to embrace beauty of all kinds, and all shapes and sizes and to broaden the spectrum of beauty as we know it. “The power of beauty makes it possible to imagine a future where people, the intrinsic value of our humanity, are at the centre of everything. Beauty is resilience.” Said the Creative Director.
As the crowd settled at the bottom of the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome anticipation grew for the spectacular show that was to come. This is the first event of its scale and size to take place on the Roman landmark and attracted visitors from all around the world including a host of celebrity guests. Local residents and tourists peered from their offices, home or hotel windows to try and catch a glimpse of the action.
At the top of the steps stood singer and performer Labrinth who provided a spine-tingling live soundtrack to the presentation. As his voice echoed out around the area models began to descend down this iconic structure.
The collection featured a full-colour spectrum of light, flowing garments, catching the air as they moved, adding to the dramatic effect. The elegant pieces evoked opulence and a sense of superiority. A total of 102 looks for both women and men captured the essence of beauty in old, new and innovative ways.
He took inspiration from some of the house’s archives but made sure they were relevant for today. From sharp tailoring in bold colours, to elegant dresses that could be worn from day to night. Further inspiration came from Art Deco architecture and Roman mosaics, capturing the moment perfectly.
