Valentino "Un Château"
HAUTE COUTURE FALL/WINTER COLLECTION 2023- 24
A journey of reinterpretation in a Metaphysical Castle
Imagine a place that is just an idea, a representation, a metaphor. It's not just a castle, but 'A Castle' itself. It is not limited to geography or a specific era, but expresses an essence of life, a symbol to be explored, questioned and then redefined. At the Valentino Autumn/Winter 2023 Haute Couture show, for Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli, this "Castle" becomes a metaphysical entity, a context that can be reinterpreted. A witness to times gone by, it bears the traces of past lives. Once a symbol of elitism and social status, it can now reject its history and be rethought. This "Château", nameless and universal, can be a place open to all, becoming a forum for a new equality, a celebration of beauty, uniqueness and freedom.
Enchanting Splendor
The silk crepe dresses are majestic, with long capes and graceful stoles slipping off the shoulders. Applied or openwork arabesque motifs adorn these refined outfits. The Valentino Autumn/Winter 2023 show features an imaginary "Castle", a symbol of authentic life. Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli expresses an enchanting vision, blending modernity with the splendour of the past. The château bears witness to bygone times, rejecting its former elitist status to reinvent itself. Haute couture plays on appearances, offering the illusion of casual jeans in pearl-embroidered silk. Men, too, embraced this easy elegance with sophisticated trousers and wool coats. A skilful tour de force turns each exceptional garment into a wearable, deceptively simple outfit. The show embodied beauty, equality and freedom, uniting elegance and practicality in a sparkling couture ballet.
