THE Valentino show for AW15 started off small and ended big. The black and white beginning was very minimal including the bare make-up of the models with only a hint of brown eye-shadow and hair clipped at the back with a single strand gently hanging loose. Monochrome geometrical stripes and checkers and separates with focus on a refined cut set a quiet mood when slowly a bit more excitement started sneaking in.

Long fur coats and gilets started to come out, followed by dresses in colourful lace and feather print. Delicate pretty dresses with pussy bows were playing with transparency and were worn with big jumpers, leather coats or military capes that contrasted their delicacy. The collection celebrated the two sides of femininity – gentle and soft and strong and seductive. A thin belt with a simple “V” buckle was added to accentuate the female figure, tulle was used as a major material and black leather stripes or occasional fringe gave an extra edge to otherwise girly dresses.

Embellished royal-worthy dresses with gold embroidery, along with ones covered in blooming floral print, colourful embroideries or a big Chinese dragon hit the runway closer to the end. This season the designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli presented only one traditional Valentino red dress.

The grand finale was an unexpected appearance from actors Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as their characters Derek Zoolander and Hansel McDonald from the film Zoolander on the runway. This was to announce a sequel, Zoolander 2, which is currently in production. It seems like Chiuri and Piccioli are trying to appeal to a new market and it might be working.

Images courtesy of Style.com

Published 12/03/2015 at theglassmagazine.com