Valentino Redefined Romance For Spring 2021
A new kind of fashion fantasy
- by
Kathryn Madden
From the outset, there was something fundamentally different about this year’s Valentino spring/summer presentation. It was held in Milan.
Typically, the Italian house shows in Paris – the capital of couture and runway romanticism – but this year creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli brought the collection home in a show of support for the local industry and people.
The setting was different too: a raw-edged industrial factory rather than a perfectly polished French salon. And then there were the clothes: sumptuous and sophisticated, but a little more sensible than we’ve come to expect from the house.
Neat tunics and tailored shorts breezed past mannish blazers, lace shirts and crochet sundresses, while chic straight-leg jeans – thanks to a collaboration with Levi’s – were paired with sheer, ruffled blouses.
There were old favourites too; namely a re-creation of the iconic Rockstud flat worn with nearly every look, and a stream of ethereal kaftans and cape dresses to close out the show. Floaty chiffon, lush florals and shades of marigold, mauve and fuchsia proved the breath-takers we’d been waiting for.
Things might be different, but we can always dream.
Kathryn Madden
Kathryn Madden is the Deputy Features Director of marie claire magazine, and spends her days writing about feminism, fashion and everything in between. She’s also written for Grazia, InStyle, Qantas and Home Beautiful, and is the editor and founder of Lonely Continent.
