BALLET, movement and living in the moment – that was the inspiration behind Valentino’s AW16 collection. And the audience was most definitely living in the moment when seeing this dream of a collection parading down the catwalk to the sound of piano music.
Ballet influence was evident throughout the show, from flowy dresses with spaghetti straps worn on top of leotards and short dresses with tutu skirts paired with polo neck jumpers to pink tights or midi-skirts worn with leggings, ribbon tied around the waist and soft ballet pumps. Some of the ballet slippers had chains wrapped around the ankles adding a bit of edge and some were transformed into boots on heels or sandals with a PVC strap and velvet ribbon wrapped around the ankle.
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli didn’t just stick with the prettiness of ballet – they paired the soft with the tough. The nude and powder pink with black and navy. Tulle skirt with heavy boots and studded cross body bags on a short strap or leather biker jacket. Navy, black and brown tailored coats also brought a bit of strict military aesthetic, contrasting the softness of the ballet inspiration.
The offering was also very textural. Plush velvet dresses, long fur coats, PVC coat and clear circle dress and skirt, leather pleated skirt and leather dresses or shearling jacket embellished with metal rectangles.
There were dresses covered with prints as well. Ruffled chiffon dresses were adorned with geometrical tribal print with metal tribal jewellery worn throughout the show, sometimes embellished with sequins, black dresses were covered with star print or sequins forming a star pattern and classic florals also appeared. The show was then closed with a series of nude chiffon gowns encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
by Sara Hesikova
Images courtesy of Valentino