VALENTINO at Halle Freyssinet, 13th Arrondissement
The Valentino show was located more than thirty minutes away from the other Paris Fashion Week shows, in a rather unattractive, slightly industrial part of Paris. In spite of this, the actual space – reminiscent of a warehouse in New York City’s meatpacking district – and Show that followed more than made up for any inconvenience in the journey. Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli sent the models down a wooden runway, while projecting charcoal gray and white visual art images that moved and morphed on the walls all around the tent.
The models were dressed in a gorgeously neutral and softly shaded palette of pale pink, nude, and dove gray. Valentino’s signature bows and rosettes adorned skirts, jackets and dresses made of organza and leather. I feared that some of the pieces were a bit too voluminous to be very wearable, and the Philip Treacy designed sky high stilettos adorned with upwards reaching wing-like appendages were too much (not something I say very often about shoes). But, fans of Valentino’s handbags would surely be pleased with this latest collection of buttery leathers adorned with bows and rosettes. My favorite piece was a fabulous pale pink organza top with a big swirly rosette across the front that tied diagonally across the back in a large bow. I also really liked a series of several small mini black dresses. On the whole, Valentino’s Spring 2010 was romantic and elegant.
