Giambattista Valli Spring 2009

Giambattista Valli’s Spring/Summer 2009 RTW collection was, undeniably, one of my favorites. It embraced the fifties with a newer sense of luxurious romanticism; after all, that particular decade was one that epitomized femininity of a woman. Austerity, softened glamour, and classicality of Jackie-O, Audrey Hepburn, and ballerinas.

Presented were renditions of the iconic pieces of women’s fashion: the high waisted skirt and shorts, the little black dress, molded capes, A-line silhouetted dresses, the raise-waisted  sack dresses. All of which were done with modern touches: the demure v-neck, slitted fronts, layers of tulle, flower prints, and girlish bows here and there. The collection leaves the first impression of conservative idealism; yet Valli’s coy placements of thigh high slits and low v-necks make for unbelievable cocktail frocks with couture-like formality. Structured yet frothy – a bit reminiscent of a Starbucks vanilla bean or strawberries and creme frappucinos for an inimitable touch of sweetness and airy feminity.

I imagine myself as an editor in these dresses and structured capes, Blahniks clacking in the marble halls of the Conde Nast building, Chanel 2.55 slung on the crook of my arm with papers and Blackberry in hand. Pretentious of me, yes, but I simply cannot help imagining these dresses on women of high executive power – from editors, to CEOS, to presidents of companies, to the likes of Michelle Obama. The power each of these dresses present is subtle yet implicative in a single glance; its balance of liquid-like satin and brocade and matte fabrics providing for both modern and historical ideals of femininity. It marks the role of the woman past in petticoats and modest cuts, and that of the woman present in its simplicity. Every pieces is swoon-worthy. (I’ve been pining over each and every model’s ensemble down the runway…)

And of course. Valli ended with quite the epic set of gowns – gowns of indescribable delicate couture, seemingly fitting only for the steps of the Louvre or for debutante balls with princes and princesses. The extravagance of the seemingly endless trains of tulle gowns and floral-inspired ruffles had an ethereal effect on the runway; the lightness of the colors and fabrics overtly decadent and opulent yet possessed a lightness that made the collection seemingly paradoxical out of context.

Oh la la, mon dieu! The shoes!! Currently and will always be dying over the platform sandals and pumps. Forevermore. My sentences become incoherent upon seeing these shoes; never have anything been so swoon-worthy, so perfect. It’s quite official: Giambattista Valli’s SS 2009 shoes are the best yet. Classic, sophisticated, feminine, and versatile – qualities that define the ideal shoe for every woman. From patent, to embellished with sequins, to reptile-print shoes in black, grayish-taupe, and pink…

Yes I’d like one of each now. Merci!

And we end with beauty. Coiffed hair of exaggerated proportions a bit like that of Oscar de la Renta and Yves Saint Laurent. Toned down, the hair would be quite perfect for work and evening outings – simple yet so stunning. The makeup was equally elegant; I do love the persistence in striving for natural beauty, touched up with only a bit of liner, mascara, brown shadow, and a neutral, nude-mauve lip.

“It’s about a metamorphosis. There’s a big change going on in these times”. – Giambattista Valli

It is. Without a doubt. The collection is a representation of the metamorphosis of a woman; a tribute to who she was in the past, and an acknowledgement of of nostalgic longing for those good times – times sans the economic crisis. It is an optimistic outlook on the predicament of our time; forget the darkness and bleak outlook on the financial state of the world. Embrace the ideal form of luxury; live for today. Dress for today.

bisous,

La C.

P.S.: Thank you, Najeema for leaving me the “Your Blog is Lovely” award!