Unveiling Valentino Pre-Fall 2023 collection, “Urban Riviera”, the iconic fashion house takes a bold stance against extravagant fashion shows with a lookbook presentation.
As many brands travel the globe to showcase their cruise and Pre-Fall collections with exuberant displays, Valentino chose to present its Pre-Fall 2023 collection, “Urban Riviera”, through a lookbook accompanied by press notes. This decision, which may be interpreted as a statement against the extravagance of fashion shows, left observers wondering about Pierpaolo Piccioli’s intentions, as he was unavailable for interviews.
The lookbook revealed a luxurious wardrobe infused with a twist of cool, reflecting Piccioli’s vision of a diverse and multifaceted wardrobe. In an email, the designer confirmed his fascination with the idea of “a wardrobe as a vocabulary of various and diverse semantic layers“. He highlighted the importance of personal selection and taste in creating one’s vision.
The “Urban Riviera” collection features separates that exude an effortless sophistication. The designer embraced counterintuitive styling, drawing from the boundary-breaking codes of the new generation to expand Valentino’s haute self-representation. The Paris show’s focus on demystifying black tie formality was replaced by a pragmatic approach in this collection, with pieces designed for polished ease and stylish mismatches.
Examples of these chic combinations include a brocade full-circle skirt paired with a masculine striped shirt and a simple V-neck jumper, and a leg-baring gray wool bodysuit worn with a chic navy peacoat. An embroidered full skirt was paired with a fitted striped marinière, while a mermaid trailing skirt adorned with sequined florals was given a casual touch with a dove gray jersey sweatshirt.
The collection also introduced broad-shouldered masculine pantsuits in a monochrome palette, punctuated by bold evening wear in bright green, Valentino red, and the new Pink PP hue. Sleek long dresses with side bow-knotted cut-outs and fluid jumpsuits with wide palazzo pants added vitality to the lineup, exuding the glamorous charisma of haute dolce vita ingrained in the house’s codes.
Pierpaolo Piccioli’s vision of luxury is anything but quiet. Although the designer did not elaborate on the collection’s theme, his “Urban Riviera” collection speaks for itself, capturing the essence of the Valentino brand while showcasing a refreshing blend of pragmatism and high fashion.
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