Valentino adds subversive twist to classic gowns for Paris show
Models present creations by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
Italian fashion label Valentino subverted classic evening wear for its Paris Haute Couture show on Wednesday, displaying traditional gowns with unexpected twists.
The designs, from Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, at first glance looked to be paying respectful homage to the classics, with traditional lines and forms.
But some of the designs in the show, in the salons of the Salomon Rothschild Hotel, revealed subversive touches.
A model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
One dress had crimson red ruffles around the skirt that were slightly too big and pronounced to be in keeping with traditional design.
Another featured a shawl with oversized ruffles that crowded out the model's face. A pair of elbow-length gloves, worn with an otherwise classic gown, sported exaggerated ruffles sprouting from their tops.
Playing on the traditional use of feather decorations, a pink dress had ostrich feathers sprouting from the waist and extending to the wearer's chin, framing her face.
A model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
Gowns in silk and satin had scoop backs that were more daring than the classic designs they took their cue from: they revealed the tops of the buttocks.
Earrings were classical but with exaggerated proportions, in the form of feather fans the size of a fist that nestled on the models' collarbones on the end of long chains.
Valentino, owned by Qatari investment vehicle Mayhoola, has long been a go-to label for celebrities, with a reputation established by its now retired founder Valentino Garavani.
Models present creations by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
Current creative chief Piccioli’s bouffant dresses, and oversized designs in sumptuous taffeta and vibrant colors, have earned him plaudits from the fashion world and a clutch of awards.
(Reporting by Noemie Olive; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Models present creations by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirValentino's designer Pierpaolo Piccioli gestures as he walks the runway during his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA model presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirModels present creations by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirModel Saskia de Brauw presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirModel Irina Shayk presents a creation by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirModels present creations by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirModels present creations by Valentino designer Pier Paolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois LenoirModels present creations by Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 collection show in Paris, France January 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
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