VALENTINO at Halle Freyssinet, 13^th Arrondissement

The Valentino show was located more than thirty minutes away from the other Paris Fashion Week shows, in a rather unattractive, slightly industrial part of Paris.  In spite of this, the actual space – reminiscent of a warehouse in New York City’s meatpacking district – and Show that followed more than made up for any inconvenience in the journey.  Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli sent the models down a wooden runway, while projecting charcoal gray and white visual art images that moved and morphed on the walls all around the tent. 

The models were dressed in a gorgeously neutral and softly shaded palette of pale pink, nude, and dove gray.  Valentino’s signature bows and rosettes adorned skirts, jackets and dresses made of organza and leather.  I feared that some of the pieces were a bit too voluminous to be very wearable, and the Philip Treacy designed sky high stilettos adorned with upwards reaching wing-like appendages were too much (not something I say very often about shoes).  But, fans of Valentino’s handbags would surely be pleased with this latest collection of buttery leathers adorned with bows and rosettes.  My favorite piece was a fabulous pale pink organza top with a big swirly rosette across the front that tied diagonally across the back in a large bow.  I also really liked a series of several small mini black dresses.  On the whole, Valentino’s Spring 2010 was romantic and elegant.