Explore every side of what makes a woman.
“Throughout an aesthetic choice, it is possible to represent a whole identity. This is the power of fashion and this is the power of human beings.”
Pierpaolo Piccioli, Creative Director of Valentino
Since Pierpaolo Piccioli took over the creative reins of Valentino in 2016, he has been re-signifying the codes of the Maison to explore new realms and depths in the brand’s evolution and making it relevant to audiences. His interest in humanism – the human connection and excellence that underscores every stage of each creation – from the savoir-faire to the runway and then the storefront, shows in his campaigns. The Pre-Fall Roman Palazzo campaign is no exception, with its focus on the faces, manners and bodies of a group of women to explore the definitions of femininity in the Maison’s latest Alcove collection.
The portrait of a generation is brought to life against the backdrop of the Roman palazzo, usually decadent and glamourous, but now made more intimate and spontaneous, with a painterly, ethereal feel to it. Couture is made meaningful even in the everyday, and caters to the desire for individuality. Femininity is also no longer one-dimensional in definition, and the collection reflects that. Acknowledging that everyone has different sides at different times, the diverse collection doesn’t follow predefined categories, swinging from tailored coats to sweatshirts with applied roses, and foulard motifs to denim, with colours ranging from classic nudes and monochromes to brilliant hues and bright shades.
The accessories in the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Alcove collection particularly stand out. Mesh meets leather and rockstuds in the form of provocative kitten heels and alluring pumps, while strappy booties covered in rockstuds perfect the balancing act of sensuality and attitude.
Codes of the Maison are renewed when the iconic rockstud and V-Logo merge to create a new star – the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Alcove Double Handle Bag. At once bold and captivating, the studded V-logo takes centrestage, flanked by two iconic twist lock closures that secure two separate compartments lined with Valentino’s signature red nappa leather. Truly a representation of the Maison’s savoir-faire, the bag, which comes in a micro, small or medium size, is a masterful assembly of 98 separate pieces. A sneak peek at the attentive detail and craftsmanship is available through a series of short videos – “Mastery Tales” – that showcase the extraordinary savoir-faire of Italian artisanship and techniques of the Maison, with Chapter 3 focused on this new bag silhouette.
Explore the Valentino Garavani Alcove collection further with an interactive virtual exhibition that transports you to the Roman Palazzo Art Residency. Digitally explore three exhibition rooms and a scenic terrace while finding the clues to enter a secret room. The 360-immersive experience can be accessed on Valentino Insights, a virtual realm created last year to connect the Maison and its fans across the world.
Images courtesy of Valentino, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
