Giambattista Valli commemorated their tenth Haute Couture anniversary this FW season. In a show held at the prestigious Place Vendome, the collection, titled “L’Instant”, was presented against a backdrop of party balloons, in a dark, mirrored setting reminiscent of New York’s Studio 54. The collection also marks the Italian designer’s triumphant return to Paris’ couture runway, having been absent since 2019.
A Valli girl shows her love for opulent glamour, she loves tulle and the word ‘simple’ seems to be axed from her vocabulary. The first three crystal trimmed dresses, in white, and featuring ostrich feathers, that made their way down the runway can best be described as a palette cleanser, refined, fabulous and exuding a clear sense of glamour. They were the starter to the main course, a body of dresses and garments, full of color and volume, yet somehow, although dense and expansive, so free, light and airy.
From embroidered silk designs, to crystal appliqués, metallic sequins and floor-length silhouettes, to opera feather coats and brocade mini-dresses, each look reminded you of the power of Haute Couture and, in this case, Valli’s command of techniques and his incredible skill in dress making.
The tulle skirt
The collection’s color palette included a beautiful chocolate brown, emerald green and bright hues of orange, yellow, pink and turquoise. The juxtaposition of the turquoise ostrich feather dress, complemented with a black taffeta black belt, featuring a dramatic, extended floor-length bow that forms a long train was a spectacular display of enchanting beauty. Likewise, Valli’s floral affects, created through intricate pleats, featured as sleeves, and capes and a bubble gum mini dress captured the attention of everyone in the room.
The house concluded the show with six final looks, featuring different variations of the iconic Valli tulle skirt, this time paired with the atelier’s white robes — paying homage to the power of the collective that forms the backbone of the Valli Maison. From the expansive volumes, to the intricacies of pleats, crystal appliqués and embroidery, this season Valli proved once more that couture is alive and well, and that the Valli woman is here to stay.
