Tired of Trends and Ironic Fashion? Turn to Giambattista Valli

There have always been clothes, but there hasn’t always been fashion. When fashion first arrived on the scene in royal palaces, it was commanded by very few gatekeepers who were tasked with defining what it was and then sharing versions of it with the masses. Since its opulent origins in the courts of Versailles, fashion has branched in infinite directions, many of them in defiance of the status quo or what well-heeled people call “good taste”. In fact, in 2018, some of the most fashionable stuff you’ll find is downright ugly — and it’s intended to be.

But when women want to feel beautiful, they reach for beautiful clothes, not interesting clothes, not challenging silhouettes, not strange shapes. Beautiful fashion can be a bit predictable at times, but thankfully there are still a few talented minds still working in the industry who are capable of bringing innovation to their respective ideas of beauty. Giambattista Valli is one of the best, ranking straight up there with Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino and Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen in his quest for crafting truly beautiful clothes.

For Spring/Summer 2019, Valli flaunted how very capable he is at creating beautiful clothes, while keeping an experimental method at the fore. While he is the designer known best for his high/low ballgowns – something of a brand signature – and leggy looks that put the “gam” in gamine, he took a more sophisticated approach for the season. Inspired by Yoko Ono, Valli led his show with a grown-up, creamy suit, subtly trimmed in tiny studs.

For Spring/Summer 2019, Valli flaunted how very capable he is at creating beautiful clothes, while keeping an experimental method at the fore.

While his familiar mini dresses, done with Victorian flourishes of ruffles, embroidery, and lace, were on offer, so were a surprising variety of ankle-length dresses cut to pristine proportions. A little bit of rock ‘n roll was also asserted on a few animal-printed looks, studded trousers, and tough sleeveless tees featuring sunburst embroidery.

Valli’s typical flou — pretty floral prints, colorful embroidery, and lots and lots of ruffles — soon saw an innovative new partnership with collaged snakeskin paneling and leather fringe. These pieces were key to elevating his work to new heights, opening up new territory for the designer to explore.