PFW – Valentino A/W 2013 collection

Inspired by Flemish artists, Valentino’s A/W 2013 collection made for a stunner of a show. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli gave us a mixture of colours, textures and prints that left us wanting more.

The show opened with a series of simple, structured black baby-doll dresses with white collars, and evolved into a palette of reds, blues and creams with stripped-down make-up and hair in a simple braid, letting the clothes do the talking. Necklines were square and cropped like a portrait, framing the face and contrasting the delicate embroidery and tapestry-like prints. The show featured a mismatch of textures, from blue and red leather dresses and long leather coats, to lace collars and cuffs, to the eye-popping scarlet fur coat with oversized collar. The show ended with scalloped edges, long-flowing dresses and chiffon inserts, all the while in keeping with the pure, ethereal, portrait-like feel seen throughout.

The collection showed the elegance and femininity we’re used to seeing from Valentino, and while we can’t see the collection being quite ready-to-wear, the pieces were a masterpiece in their own. If you haven’t already, we urge you to watch this must-see of a show.

 

Sara Exall