Valentino – Celebration to 45 years of design

I have heard this to be the most important fashion event of 2007. Gold plated invitations are already in the mail to the lucky participants of the two day, 5 event, celebration of Valentino’s 45 years in the fashion industry. Many are claiming Valentino the King of fashion and the exclusive event is destined to bring together modern nobility from the four corners of the earth. July 6th to July 8th will days of fashion shows, dinners, private meetings and a historical representation of the career of Valentino. The backdrop is the city of Rome.

The entire area around the Coliseum will be adorned with images of the stylist’s designs. The fortunate holders of the gold invitations will be ushered to the Museum Ara Pacis at 11 AM on the sixth for a press conference and tour. That evening at 7:30, the second invitation opens the doors for the grand opening of the presentation, Valentino’s 45 years of Style. The evening could not conclude without dinner. The fortunate few, holding the third invitation, whisk off for dinner at the Tempio di Venere by the Arch of Constantine.

The following day does not start until 5 PM. Valentino is presenting his 2008 Fall/Winter collection. The location says how important this collection is. The Show will take place athe Monumentale S. Spirito in Saxia. The events conclude with a Grand Gala Dinner at the Galleria Borghese.

No doubt this is a once in a lifetime event. I believe my personal invitation must have been sent to the wrong address so if someone receives it for me please forward it here in Dallas.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Womens Spring Summer Valentino href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fashion" rel="tag">Fashion Travel Italy

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Valentino & Wolford – Top Women’s designers make a deal for exclusive fashion

I have long wanted to write about Wolford stockings. Raffaella introduced me to Wolford and after numerous afternoons spent in the foyer of the Wolford store in Rome or Milan I have learned to appreciate the intricate designs, fine weaves and luxurious silks and satins used by the Austrian house. Of course it is not the stockings themselves that I appreciate but they way they caress and accentuate a beautiful pair of legs. Wolford has recently signed on with Valentino RED to design a series of stockings and body suits with the top line designer. The cooperative agreement will last for 2 seasons and will be available from July 2007.

There goes my bank account!

The president of Wolford, Holger Dahmen, expressed his satisfaction regarding the agreement, “With this stupendous collection, result of the cooperation with Valentino, we intend to satisfy the requests of a clientele demanding and fashion savvy who is looking for an exclusive design and the highest quality.”

Valentino commented, “Since my first designs I have employed unique and elaborate stockings: embroidered, printed with vibrant colors or decorated in various ways. Stocking are an important element in the looks I create and I am very happy to be able to offer them to women, thanks to this agreement with a premier producer of women’s stockings like Wolford who is able to translate my ideas and vision in unique products of the highest quality.”

Stocking, lingerie and designer clothes just seem like a natural fit together so I would only why it took them so long. Valentino brings refined, classic and clean details to the quality products of Wolford. He incorporates bows, ruffles, pois and plissé to perfectly accentuate a woman’s femininity. The familiar colors of black and ivory, along with the traditional Valentino Red, emphasize intricate designs, comfortable and flattering fabrics. The entire line is purely feminine, with a touch of sobriety, making these designs perfect for both work and pleasure.

You can find the new Valentino-Wolford line beginning in July 2007 at Wolford or Valentino stores and later in the year at Neiman Marcus.

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Italian Women’s High Fashion Spring-Summer 2007 – Valentino

Images of Jacqueline Kennedy seducing the world, the women of Sean Connery’s James Bond, and the grand festival at Woodstock must have been in the mind of Valentino while designing his Spring-Summer 2007 line. White and variation of white are the dominant colors interrupted occasional by cream or lavender tones. Soft fabrics and flowing forms accentuating the feminine body are the basic textures. Fluffs and frills, in different degrees, intersect with traditional embroidery and lace. Shoulder pads and square backed jackets are back, perhaps to balance the extra volume of the fluffs on the otherwise form hugging designs. This line is a reminder of the elegance of the sixty’s balance light and airy shoulders leading into pronounced splits revealing the beautiful body just enough in a “see, can’t see” illusion.


The Spring Summer 2007 Valentino line offers an interesting twist on the tube dress. The initial impression is that of a familiar line, something you could see in a James Bond movie with Sean Connery but a closer look reveals tantalizing transparent fabrics revealing silhouette images of what is lying just underneath the veil thin cloth. The ridged silk ribbons enhance the tease. While these outfits would most likely not be appropriate for business wear they would be perfect for most nights on the town including the more formal settings.










As in all things, fashion is about balance and what can accentuate a concept, when the compliment becomes the focus things can go very bad. Ladies, I do not pretend to have even a minimal understanding of the beauty and grace that Valentino creates but I do know what I like. These outfits with the mega fruffles are too much. Somehow I relate the outfits to women. A few extra pounds are exciting, accentuating the femininity of a woman’s body but when the pounds are significant, the creases and rolls dominate the overall vision and I lose interest.


I like the return of the shoulder pads on most women. They give me the impression of a strong and fit woman. I really do not know why but I prefer the wide, slightly muscular or toned shoulders rather than the weeping willow structure. The shoulder pads evidence the shoulder and the shoulder jacket brings attention immediately to the neck and face. Valentino also plays on this concept with fabrics that widen the shoulder instead of just bringing it up. I have noticed this in several designer lines this year.











The form fitting sixties styles are sexy. Valentino has taken the populous look and made it high fashion with some truly exuberant laces and silks. These are elegant, truly works of art. They will not be appropriate for anything except the formal occasion however when you walk into the room with this on you will be the center of everyone’s attention. I would not be surprised to see this on the Diva walks in Hollywood this spring.


Finally these are my favorites, they are provocative, elegant, sexy, playful, down to earth, and feminine. They can be worn by the “I am beautiful” and the “Stupendously Intelligent Geek” and will seem appropriate in both situations. Whether you are coy or an extrovert these designs will adapt to your personality and your look. Sometimes a designer creates a work of art where everything just comes together in perfect balance. They may be a bit much for the everyday work environment but wouldn’t it be fun to try?





Tags: High Fashion Spring Summer Fashion Valentino Milan Women's Fashion Italian Fasion Travel Italy

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Shoes, shoes, shoes – Valentino Winter 2007

by Raffaella.

The Valentino 2007 Winter Women’s Collection has a little something for everyone. There are open shoes, heeled shoes, ballerina shoes and boots. I have always considered the open shoes, those shoes that show the foot and/or toes, intriguing yet, at the same time, accessories that not every woman can wear, and not because of how much they cost.

Sandals evidence the foot, as the décolleté frames the breasts. If the foot is not beautiful, perhaps has some small imperfection, this model accentuates the small defect and makes it look like ten extra pounds in last season’s bikini. Sandals are for those women with beautiful feet. If we can get over the perfect foot syndrome, open shoes and sandals should be worn exclusively without stockings. Since this is the Winter wear, the only solution for those who suffer the cold as I do would be a very high quality stocking, veil thin. Personally, if I cannot go without stockings, either because of the weather or because I have not had time to get my tan up to snuff, I will not wear sandals.


This sandal is elegant, perfect with a cocktail dress or formal evening gown. It may be hard to match with something less elegant. It would be marvelous with some of the Valentino High Fashion outfits.




“More than a sandal, not quite a shoe.” There is very little skin showing, a transparent lightweight stocking could work here. The design is not too formal thus it is flexible and could easily accompany a nice tailleur or a black leather outfit. I would not wear these shoes with pants, these shoes merit to be seen.




This model is aggressive. The woman who wears these shoes must have both beautiful feet and ankles. The elaborate leather pattern pulls the attention to the foot while the ankle band initiates the eye on that upward journey of a nice pair of legs. If the foot or ankle disappoint, the vision is interrupted and the scenic view becomes a somewhat annoying drive in a neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks.




Décolleté shoes with heels are more in line with my idea of winter footwear. This first model is the one that I would choose out of the entire line, since I do not consider my feet worth be framed for the world to see.






Winter, grey sky, a misty rain falling continuously throughout the day, a cold chill blows through the seams of my forest green raincoat as I walk through Largo Augusto. These shoes are versatile; they will work with both professional and not too formal evening attire.





Elegant yet versatile, not limited to just evening or cocktail occasions, this shoe can be the protagonist or a compliment. This shoe is appropriate in professional occasions as well as the evening dinner. The black and white contrast creates just enough distraction to make these shoes playful while maintaining a formal aura.




The Ballerina shoes are not part of my repertoire, however I can appreciate their attraction. Only taller women should wear Ballerina shoes. On the rest of us, Ballerina shoes can make us look like ducks, with feet, perhaps, a bit too long for the rest of our body. Paris is heavy into the Ballerina shoes this year but, for me, I will stay with my heels.










I love boots, all kinds of boots. These boots with a large base for the foot are comfortable even on the longer days. The heel is high enough to give a bit of length to the leg yet not so high that it is difficult to walk. I would wear something short with these boots, leaving enough space to evidence the playful bow.






Tags: Winter Fashion Valentino Women's Fashion Women's Accessories Women's Shoes Italian Fasion Travel Italy

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Valentino Alta Moda – Women’s Fashion Fall/Winter 06-07 High Fashion

There is always a bit of a conflict, show the Pret a Porter line or the High Fashion designs. This becomes even more difficult when the subject is one of the greatest of Italian Fashion. Valentino’s designs this year of both lines are unique and timeless. It would be a shame not to present one or the other. Valentino’s High Fashion line is inspired by epic Russian Folklore costumes. Adding a bit of a contemporary flair and the Valentino touch and these outfits become a perfect addition to any wardrobe. It may be that the fashion conscious will be able to identify this year’s designs in the coming years but that is not a reason to take a close look at the line.

Valentino toned down the Marie Antoinette influenced Russian Czar period design, eliminating the ruffles and puffs, changing the basic fabrics to Satin, Silk, and Lace. Valentino created a line that can be worn by the 20 something grad at her first job to the forty plus top manager who has arrived and knows it. These outfits are aggressive yet feminine and all are discretely provocative. I imagine the Black Widow, Mata Hari, and Jacqueline Onassis wearing these outfits. They are sexy while maintaining the appropriate décor of formal occasions.

Each line has something for everyone. Most do not consider High Fashion for the work environment but this is the rule in Italy. It depends on the type of company but generally if you work for a well-established company then you can and sometimes should wear High Fashion. The rule is clean lines and not outlandish, inside these rules just about anything goes. The dresses I consider most appropriate for the workplace range from the black widow to work killer II.The more formal occasions such as business meetings, PR outings or cocktails after work are covered with the black line. The designs are still clean but flaring skirts may be a bit difficult sitting behind a desk. When the occasion is up on the feet these are perfect. Formal, business minded, clean lines yet just enough improvisation to say this is a special occasion.
Formal occasions such as a night at the opera or a wedding are amply covered by the white satin and lace and white velvet designs. If you are going to a wedding and want to make an impression that everyone will remember, even the bride for outdoing her outfit, then any of these will do. They are grace and style. Formal to the hilt.

Finally we have my favorites. These are the ones I would choose for Raffaella. I find them intriguing, full of grace, class and style. They are provocative. They say to me, “Come and fight for me! I am worth it.”

Tags: Winter Fashion Valentino Women's Fashion Italian Fasion Travel Italy

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Valentino – Women’s Fashion Fall/Winter 06-07 Pret a Porter

The Italian fashion world expresses the widest range of personal taste and tendencies. The Women’s Fall/Winter 2006- 2007 Fashion Shows have been truly marvelous, unique and imaginative. Some designers have been inspired by the epic 50s, 60s and 70s, while others have chosen nationalistic themes, revisiting folkloristic costumes with a modern twist. I have attempted to show some of the not so famous designers but it would be a fashion sin not to talk about the stalwarts of the industry. Valentino cannot be overlooked. He has presented two primary women’s lines, the Pret a Porter and the High Fashion.

Valentino’s Pret a Porter designs widely use black and white. The outfits seem to be a mix between schoolgirl uniforms and cocktail dresses. Frilly lace, puffs, elaborate fabrics and chiffon intermingle creating a contemporary work of art. I am not sure if this lady is ready for the trip to Paris and an evening dinner in Milan or if she is the new kid on the block preparing to take the bull by the horns. The designs are intriguing, classic yet contemporary, clean lines combined with the femininity of ruffled lace. This lady is a mystery yet exudes a confidence of her capabilities and her culture. She does not quite fit in with everyone else. She is color and fire, yet somehow soft and accommodating.

The first group I call scolaresca, which means schoolgirls. Clean and to the point, these outfits play on the contrast of black and white. The line is then offset, even turned inside out with ruffled lace or a diagonal design in the fabric. Just as an optical illusion your mind plays tricks on you. Is she professional, an aggressive man-eater, or soft and cuddly, walk on the beach with the sound of the waves splashing at your feet?

The second group I see as professional attire but just as the rest of this year’s designs the contradictions are evident, or is that subliminal, it is hard to decide. Black and white remain the contrast colors, while the cut is surely business, sequins seem to be a perfect fit. For the more aggressive look, perhaps on a colder day the leather top just seems to be appropriate. This woman is sure of herself and her capabilities. She is sexy without being obvious. She understands that the clothes evidence who she is instead of defining her. She does not need lingerie showing through or cleavage popping out to say that she is Woman!

The third group of designs is more casual in nature. Not that they could not be worn to work, just they are playful, colorful and lively. They are those clothes that say, “Hey look at me, I am fun!” They are the extroverts of the group and they are effective. Several years ago Raffaella brought home several pairs of bright print pants. One with depicted a bamboo field and the other tropical orchids, both on a white background. Men, women, children could not take their eyes off of her. In the elevator I would here young girls asking their mothers where they could find pants like that. At other times women would stop us in the store just to ask where she found them. Still today those pants have the same success, I expect Valentino’s designs will be none the less.

My favorites are the cocktail dresses. They are combined with silk and lace blouses or soft knits with sequins. I particularly like the blue marine highlights that sparkle on the dark background. The elbow length leather gloves are a must on with these dresses. They give an extra elegance to an already fascinating design. Even with these outfits I pick up some contrast. I get the feeling that in these classic cocktail dresses fit for an evening at the Casino of Monte Carlo or a party on some big shot’s yacht have a Gothic message. No matter what the concept is they are very hot.
Finally, you cannot talk about Valentino without the traditional Valentino Red. Although evening attire these dresses are not to be overlooked. The design is Valentino, it cannot be confused.

Tags: Winter Fashion Valentino Women's Fashion Italian Fasion Travel Italy

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