Valentino Gets Inspired by the Sixties for an Upbeat Fall 2014 Collection (Runway Review)

The Scene: The big news at the show was that Anna Wintour sat in the second row after the front row became too crowded.

The Inspiration: Women of the late-Sixties Roman art scene.

The Look: With a Sixties inspiration, this season’s Valentino collection was Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli’s most upbeat to date. Though they kept many of their 18th century silhouettes (think long clerical capes and dresses with long sleeves), there were plenty of graphic, bold, colorful patterns and even a few party dresses in the mix (a long sleeved pink dress with collar-area cut-outs was particularly beautiful). In keeping with the Sixties theme, there were also A-line skirts, collared tops and dresses and plenty of colorblocked striped separates. Among the season’s best looks were fringed leather skirts, a series of capes, coats in oversized floral and geometric patterns and a series of cheer paneled and embroidered eveningwear. Word has it that Valentino Garavani teared up at the end of the show because he “really found the essence of Valentino with a good new touch,” according to WWD.

The Accessories: Below-the-knee boots, heeled sandals with ankle straps, heeled booties with a 60s graphic motif, flat clutches, handbags with braided handles, bucked bags and oval-shaped bags with “V” imprinted on them and a large strap

The Beauty: Hair was parted in the middle and worn back in a ponytail held tight with tiered elastics, while makeup was kept very natural.

The Takeaway: The perfect balance of severity, which naturally comes with the 18th century silhouettes the design duo have long favored, and lightheartedness via graphic, colorful Sixties-inspired patterns. 

images: IMAXtree


X