I promise I'll quit with all these coffee table books... just this last one and I'll try to keep my absurd fascination to a minimum.
I checked out Valentino today at the library and as soon as I started skimming through the pretty pages, I instantly fell in love. I hadn't really ever acknowledged Valentino's work, mostly because I'm so overly obsessed with Yves Saint Laurent (my all-time favorite designer), so I never really bothered to research the other designers that have been around for just as long.
As I was blithely admiring the nearly magical designs in this book, I realized Valentino had a thing for creating themes and variations... line, surface detail, and volume. All of his collections seem to represent a single chapter with unique emotions, ideas, and motifs. The looks change every chapter, but somehow, this glamourous woman behind all these extravagantly designed pieces, remains the same. A story with the same inspiration throughout...
Variation- Line:
Fall/Winter 1992- Black velvet evening gown with white satin ribbons that pipe and stripe the black tulle train.
Fall/Winter 1992- Black voile top with crossed-over black satin ribbons in front and around the waist and a flounced tulle skirt. ( I would pretty much urinate all over myself if I ever owned this... so beautiful!)
Fall/Winter 2005- Strapless black satin gown with white satin ribbons and two bows. Train made of shirred pleats and embroidered with beads and sequins for a feathery effect.
Variation- Surface Detail:
Spring/Summer 1993- Evening gown entirely appliqued in beige silk crepe braids in decorative motifs on the bodice and sleeves, in vertical bands on the hips, and in fringes with pearls on the cream-colored chiffon peeping out on the bottom.
Fall/Winter 2007- Empire dress with draped bodice, sheath with ribbed darts and triangular train made of pink silk crepe. Cape entirely composed of pink organdy petals. ( Imagine this gorgeous cape in a shade of gray or a bright yellow... now that would be perfect to say the least).
Fall/Winter 1960- Dress with train and bolero of black silk velvet with pleated black tulle ruffles
Variation- Volume:
Fall/Winter 2002- Red taffeta strapless evening gown, embroidered with velvet roses
Spring/Summer 1982- Strapless black taffeta cocktail dress with balloon skirt in black and white checkered taffeta fabric.
Spring/Summer 1960- Cocktail dress of black faille with bouffant skirt, embossed with white silk roses.
Some more favorites: (sorry for the photo overload, just inspired)
And finally, the PERFECT skirt...