Couture for every day? Whynot, declares Valentino

Vests, trench coats and chino pants brought the house down at Paris Couture Week

Pierpaolo Piccioli, Italian haute couturier of Valentino’s latest collection, was the smashing climax at Paris Couture Week. He was given a three-minute standing ovation by hardened fashion editors and discriminating clients.

What brought the house down were the daywear, vests, trench coats and chino pants that asked the question, “Can couture be worn daily ?”

Valentino delivered a timely lesson on how to stay relevant. Seeking to combine artisanal tradition with contemporary ideas, Piccioli unveiled a collection which harked back to the glory days of glamour, yet still echoed modern dress codes.

In essence, it looked to the past to inform the future. The history of haute couture is its reason for being in the present day, and the only way it will survive.

Among the finest looks on the catwalk were floor-sweeping capes, coats crafted entirely from feathers and elaborately embellished corset dresses, along with decadent color combinations of tomato and cerulean or violet and pistachio, curry and fuchsia.

Gowns were made of refined materials such as taffeta and moiré, lace and intarsia, and embellished with Alessandro Gaggio’s unique jewelry designs.

While the sexy numbers and grand gowns may have stolen the show, it was the inclusion of casual wear which ensured this offering was more current than costume.

Cargo pants—Asymmetric ruffled top in tomato red worn with milk chocolate pants

Taffeta—Gunmetal gray gownwith white inset worn with caramel leather gloves

Bow blouse—Halter neck top, cape and wide palazzo pants

Think pink—Tailored man’s shirt tucked into wrapped skirt

Mixed prints—Valentino’s electrifying daywear

Halter neck—Long dress in black and white silk georgette, a timeless design

Big ribbon—Slim silhouette of maxilength skirt and cashmere top