The Grand Palais. Oh, the Grand Palais. This is where the world’s greatest Couturiers make dreams come true, where the newest Haute Couture collections are previewed to only the most prestigious and the click clack of Manolo Blahniks hit the floor. Above all, the Grand Palais is where the best designers like Giambattista Valli set themselves apart. Here, ideas are brought to life and the evolution of Couture is born. In the Grand Palais the latest innovations in Couture that will be all over your favourite glossy fashion magazines are showed; and this year everyone is loving Giambattista Valli… and we are too.
Giambattista Valli’s latest collection was everything that embodies edgy elegance. All womanly and masterful, forty-seven looks were shown in what was evocative of an Italian garden. An abundant floral patterned dream reflected in the over head mirrors that floated like silvery clouds.
With natural inspirations in mind, Valli’s pretty tree of life emerged. Silk embroidered flowers, corsets made up of delicate petals, silk faille and ruffles paraded down his runway. Opening the show, the designer put a twist on our idea of what Haute Couture is. Transparent and delicate, black, full skirts were layered over black trousers and cinched with a thick waist-band and a cropped black jacket; dare we say it was almost matador-eqsue? Black was a recurring theme as was the use of soft pleats across tops and trousers and cummerbund style waist bands gave each look that ‘edgy elegance’. Although everything was mindfully combined with the feminine ethos of Valli’s brand, the insinuation of a new era was very apparent. Frills often defined the shoulders and sleeves of garments and rose prints were mixed in too.
Surprisingly for a Couture collection there was little use of beading until look twenty four when it arrived in full force. A high waisted mini skirt and matching jacket were heavily embellished all over with gold, cream and aqua blue beading forming curved shapes. Create the look with Joel & Son with the spectacular beaded fabrics below:
Bows were all over the show, not just in the hair but around the necks and waists of models, and of course, in true Giambattista Valli style, he swathed his models walking the typical sugar almond finale in foaming tulle. This was to no disappointment. Although we are excited with his modern take on the fashion movement, Valli’s classic array of sugary white, canary yellow, perfect pink and baby green oozing everywhere is always welcome.
Joel & Son have a fantastic selection of Tulle, please come in store to see our full collection!
Layers and layers and layers as far as the eye could see. Tulle is here to say. Giambattista Valli said so.
All photographs used are for illustrative purposes only
