A FEW DAYS AGO, Pierpaolo Piccioli presented his Fall 2018 Haute Couture collection for Valentino at the
Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris. With references to Greek mythology, 17th and 18th century painting, the films of Pasolini and the photographs of Deborah Turbeville, medieval armor, James Joyce’s Ulysses and even Ziggy Stardust, Piccioli did indeed, take “a free approach with fabrics, embroideries, colours … [and went] very instinctively.” [WWD] At one point, the designer even described a piece as “Renaissance meets Versailles meets ’60s whatever.” [Vogue] Whatever his influences and approach may have been, the result was utterly and startlingly magical. And while there were unforgettable moments in the entire collection, the one that stood out the most was a frothy billowy gown made of pale pink feathers that fluttered softly with movement and was worn by Kaia Gerber, her hair in the most fantastical teased coif by Guido Palau. It was one of those moments where time stood still. The show’s breathtaking finale, it was rumoured, brought Valentino Garavani (retired from the house since 2008) to tears. “That is what couture is for me, a place where you [can express] your vision of beauty, your intimate dreams” Piccioli said. And what a dream it was.
A few favourite looks from the rest of the Valentino Fall Couture 2018 collection…
