Italian luxury group Valentino has just premiered its fall-winter 2021 couture collection virtually from Cinecitta, Rome on Tuesday, July 21, 10PM MNL time– and it was Cirque du Soleil meets haute couture.

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Titled “Of Grace and Light”, Valentino‘s fall/winter 2020-21 couture show unveiled 15 gowns in a mini fashion film streamed live from the famed Cinecittà Studios. The presentation was also in collaboration with British photographer Nick Knight and filmmaker Britt Lloyd, who were  in London during the show directing the show via Zoom. Aside from its circus-like inspiration, the showcase was also in reference to the rich history of Italian film-making.

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The fashion performance took its audience into the utopian imagination of the fashion house’s creative director since 2008: Pierpaolo Piccioli. The show had the models majestically floating in the air doing delicately choreographed movements against a pitch-black background– wearing resplendent long and flowing white couture gowns. Some were casually sitting, gloriously swaying in the air, others were standing, slightly dancing on majestic swings–as they all donned elaborate creations with ruffles, feathers, taffetta and chiffon details.

The gowns were four or five metres long, perfectly showcasing the craftsmanship involved in creating the entire collection. For some pieces, up to 4,000 hours of stitching by hand and 350 metres of fabric were needed to finish them.

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Some parts of the show featured images of flames, bouquets of flowers, and other natural elements projected onto the surface and in effect, onto the models’ whimsical gowns. One model/performer stole the spotlight with her graceful moves that showcased the only one in the collection with intricate silver fringes. The collection highlighted a wide range of haute couture creations: from sublime pieces with layers and layers of ruffles, sequined bodysuits, to imperial flowy, longer-than-life skirts and capes, as well as gowns with elaborated trains, frilly collars or voluminous shoulders– all inspiring a celestial feeling.

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Piccioli told reporters on Zoom that the show was envisioned to send a message of hope and positivity especially in this time of uncertainty. “It came out at a tough moment but I believe our job is not to reflect the moment but rather react to it. Couture is made for emotions. It’s not for walking, it’s for dreams,” he shared.

You may watch the entire show here:

You may follow Valentino on Instagram @maisonvalentino.

Image Source: Valentino