Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVI

Valentino Autumn/Winter 2014/15 F ashionsmaycomeandgo,buttruestyleisunique;it’s acelebrationoftheself.Awoman’sstyleexpresseswho she is on the world stage. And now, taking as inspirationagroupoffascinatingandunconventionalwomen, comes the new collection from the venerable house of Valentino. For the Autumn/Winter 2014/15 collection of Valentino, creative directorsMaria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were inspired by unconventional womenwhoseworkswere deeplyrootedinmomentsofgreatchange.Intheinternational centreofRome,intheheadydaysofthelate60sandearly70s, Giosetta Fioroni, Carol Rama and Carla Accardi were artists who recounted profound and feminine themes, describing fantastical emotions, whilst forging connections with Italian culture and expressing their own individuality. From the unique images of these artists and their enduring, significant and universal themes, Chiuri and Piccioli and the team at Valentino captured the purity of sentiment, the fresh and joyous energy, the playful tone, and the thrill of living in changing times that these artistic and expressive women embodied. And in true Valentino tradition, the creative team condensedthesethemesintoadazzlingcollection,whereeach outfit is a work of art. The textured surfaces – lavishly printed, decorated with intarsia, andbeautifully embellished – express the collection’s kaleidoscopic character and vital unpredictability. The silhouette is sleek and graceful, along vertical lines that flow– longorshort–withahighwaist,alwaysintenseandexpressive. The garments in the collection display an architectural simplicity: sleek kimono shapes, long skirts, capes, mini- dresses and full gathered skirts. On these pieces, lavish embellishmentswith striking tactile and visual effects suggest personal interpretations and flights of fancy: oversized floral prints, Commedia Dell’Arte diamond patterns, stripes and geometric shapes. Fringes sway on hemlines. Metallic butterflies and flowers are arranged, light and serene, in a camouflagepattern.Flowers,geometriccompositionsandlace alternate and are combined on almost imperceptible, ultra- light fabric. Vivid colours are blended instinctively to create the palette. Impeccable grey comes to life with vibrant notes of orange, red, fuchsia and green, illuminated by metallic glimmers. Materials are classic: double wool, ultra-light silk, crêpe and leather. Oversized flowers and diamond shapes run across square-toedpumpswithchunkyheelsandonsmallshoulder bags. Fur inserts and trimdecorate ankle boots perfect for the autumn/winter season. In time-honouredValentino tradition, this is serious couture. The tulle and lace embroidery dresses that have become somethingofasignatureforChiuriandPiccioliarejoinedthis season by young, modern, day-chic looks; an inventive mixtureofmaterials;andaforayintoedgierthemeswithblack leather. The Pop Art print of oversized, brightly coloured circles adds an element of pure fun as well, as seen in a chic raincoat, in a streamlined knitwear top paired with a long, fringed black leather skirt, and in 60s-inspired ankle-strapped shoes and booties. The liberating joy of being yourself: it’s what true style is all about. And this collection is in turns dramatic, bold, demure, feminine,ortheatrical;there’ssomethingforeveryenthralling expression of the self. 1 8 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I