A fashion show… at a club… only Mr. Pierpaolo Piccioli is capable of such a statement.
Turning the clothing into a social opportunity is the creative director’s fresh focus. He understands how closely everyday fabric warps into the everyday event that revolves around people. Allowing stars to mingle and collaborate, whether it be A-list celebrities like Florence Pugh or designers just starting out, Valentino welcomed a warmth that not many designers have done yet.
Pont Alexandre, a hot spot in Paris when people are out on the town, hosted a crowd of young and old, and everyone in between. Inclusivity took the front and center of the stage when it came to Piccioli’s mission statement that dealt with the democracy that is fashion. “It’s all about the feeling of having something for yourself, showing this freedom of being whoever you want to be.”
From mood boards to the haute couture runway, the man behind Valentino’s continuous innovation, revealed the inspiration of ‘gender-bending’, a concept that derives from these venues. He pulled from the 1980s, but loosening the reins from how that specific time operated compared to today. He made sure Mr. Valentino’s originality remained intact, but his genius brain opened new doors for Valentino to welcome more members to their family that is rich in empathy and compassion and engineering a modern take on what it looks like in a sociable world in 2023.
The club only stood as a metaphor, not a scene for replicating what happened in these clubs. Valentino presented the same mode of models who effortlessly walked the runway in tiny pelmet skirts, dark Parisian sexy black transparent lingerie dresses, and cutaway bodysuits are a few of the highlights taken from attendees based on what the female models were paired with. Colorful suits with metallic embroidery were where the men shined with their lack of typical black and white suits.
Ironically, Piccioli chose “Black Tie” as the theme, but that is the unexpected factor that comes with haute couture. Front row guest, Florence Pugh, read the designer’s mind when she arrived in a cropped grey crewneck and an all-out sequin Valentino maxi skirt. Not to mention, the bottom piece of clothing was completely transparent. She wore a matching thong that instantly stole the attention.
Pugh follows everything Valentino depicted haute couture to be: flexible.
His overall message came through to us that “beauty can be chosen, styled, and invented any which way with clothes.” In simpler terms, wear whatever you want!
Nudity is a controversial topic that floats around in fashion, but it is more about embracing humanity more than anything and going with the natural gravitation towards exposing skin.
Valentino’s previous over-the-top bows, giant ruffles, and other forms of coverage by his designs took a slight detour with Piccioli and his eighty-nine looks in this individuality-based collection.
