Valentino Haute Couture SS 2016 – a collection that takes Haute Couture to another level. Mesmerised by the choice of delicate fabrics and perfectly orchestrated colour palette, we watched the latest creations of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli as they put the Parisian fashion scene under their magical spell. The SS16 collection speaks of the borderline between the Eastern Byzantine and a Western Classic with the use of tattered touches on velvets, pleats exclusively handmade as if ready to melt away, patchwork composed of opulent weaving, animals and hand-painted volutes, while the models walk barefoot on the floor covered with rose petals.

This is the image of a goddess who walks the world West to East respectfully acknowledging the essence of each culture she comes across, be it her wearing a long white Grecian dress adorned by the elegant gold jewellery or a more eastern Japanese style Kimono with the rich and intricately-embroided illustration of dragons. Yet, in the midst of all this opulence, Valentino manages to keep the collection down to its essence, totally abandoning the fanfare and the glitz. This is the image of purity, simplicity, and effortless elegance. This is a collection that is romantic, and anything but superficial. Brilliant work from Maison Valentino.