Valentino’s Stupefying Savoir Faire

The dress manifested a neon dream that glinted in the darkness.

One of the most magnificent moments, at the 93rd Academy Awards, was when American actress Zendaya strutted in that alluring lemon yellow dress, by the renowned Italian fashion house – Valentino. The dress manifested a neon dream that glinted in the darkness. Made to perfection, it soon became the hottest Oscar dress this year; as Zendaya flaunted her midriff in it. The choice of colour, by Valentino, was also sporadic and was attuned with the penchant for surprise element, that creative director, Pier Paolo Piccioli brings in his creations. “We thought that yellow could be the most unexpected colour for a dress, with such a shape, and kind of very couture draping; and that if there were one who could wear it flawlessly, it was Zendaya”, he wrote on Instagram describing the chiffon dress, that took 300 man-hours to be created. Another Valentino creation, that dazzled at Oscars, was Carey Mulligan’s gold sequin work statuette gown, that matched with the actress’s risk-taking persona. The gown was an ode to astounding feminine beauty, that bets a ranch for daunting roles in life and nails it with opulence. This was not the only daunting dress from Valentino. Cynthia Erivo’s Golden Globes 2021 sculptural neon green gown also manifested a boldness and playfulness; when it came to choosing the colours and design.

All three dresses expressed Valentino’s penchant to consciously amaze us, by radically changing the fundamental codes in designing and merging art with fashion. This stupefaction is realized through Piccioli’s proclivity, for striking bravery that acts as a guiding force for themes of romance, opulence and urbanity in his creations. For instance, Piccioli’s Haute Couture SS21 collection and Haute Couture Beijing explores this boldness with luxury. Both the collections revive a synergy between high octane colours, like neon green and fuchsia, gold, silver, orange and yellow with high end designing that came with towering heels, sequin gowns and taffeta skirts.

Both the collections revive a synergy between high octane colours, like neon green and fuchsia, gold, silver, orange and yellow with high end designing that came with towering heels, sequin gowns and taffeta skirts.

The audaciousness translates to a more liberating face in Collezione Milano Collection, with radically cut dresses and statement Roman Stud bags; suggesting a forward-moving energy. It’s indeed a call to action, to unite, rise up and emerge triumphant with boundless individuality. Piccioli’s audacious vision meets romance, in the Valentino Diary Rose campaign, that features Arazzo printed shirts and accessories. It’s relaxing silhouettes and texture matches with dreamy women’s pre-spring 2020 collection too. Indeed, Valentino has moved forward since its inception from ‘jet-set-chic’ formula, to a more contemporary and daring streak. However, the brand has not deviated from its old codes of bringing glamour. Under Piccioli, it has simply moulded glamour to harbinger freedom and fearlessness with incredible energy.