GIAMBATTISTA Valli presented a collection of formalised frivolity in Paris this season. This contradiction of kinds came about in the use of a bashfully elegant black on white that dominated, set off in some instances by dustings of table cloth florals, and licks of lace and thin ribbon trims on flowing dresses with rose-tinted gypsy soul. Cute would be an understatement.
Perfectly at home with this style however, Valli was able to revel in it. Producing charmingly light pieces for the day that don’t do ones speaking for them though do shift a bit of this responsibility to the flesh. With spaghetti straps and bralettes galore, Valli was able to incorporate some of the racier trends of the day with his chaste creative direction, delivering more confection than contention.
The construction of SS17 was equally soft around the edges, with fabrics smooching the skin in simple cuts from back to front. Valli doing what it says on the tin, the brand didn’t necessarily give us any challenge or even make an effort to experiment during a time in which everyone is trampling over each other to do so but this contentment had a reciprocal effect which was welcome come the final hurdles of a long season.
by Livia Feltham
Images courtesy of Giambattista Valli