Review: Valentino, Renewed, Refreshed & Modern

Photo: Valentino Haute Couture.

Since Valentino has left his brand, new designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have completely revamped the brand. It pretty obvious that they're trying to generate a younger audience with this Haute Couture collection. since Spring 2009 we've really seen the shift from classic Valentino into this new age of the label. i love where Maria & Pier are taking the brand, with the state of alot fashion houses i think that its smart to switch up things a bit. now where celebrity & media focus is at an all time high you want to create clothes that you know young stars will wear.

Style.com Called the collection "Garden Of Eden in Cyberworld" and i dont think i could have put it anymore perfectly. The clothes themseleves were very romantic with the ruffled chiffon and pastel colors. But then you get this space age feel with the blue sprayed shoulders & eyes, the fantasy tribal styling and the overall warrior feel you kind of got. but with all of that it was still feminine and ver very modern. Usually when you think of Couture, you think of heavy beading and embroidery, and gowns. but this collection showed you a different side. and i have to say one of my favorite collections from Valentino to date.

+Favorite Runway looks+

Couture. And No, Not Juicy.

My grandmother always said, "if you dont know what your talking about, then close your mouth" i wish alot of people would have listened to my grandmother. Many things bother me, but this has to be one of the highest on my list. when people have fashion lines and add "couture" to them as if they really slaved away in an Atelier to make those horrendous things they call fashion. Biggest and saddest example, Juicy Couture. The most wretched brand in the land. whoever knew that bubble gum colored velour sweatsuits could be couture? did you fall for the joke? i didnt.

To design couture, to become a couturier, one must be certified by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and follow these rules:

1. Design made to order for private clients, with one of more fittings
2. Have an atelier in paris that employs at least 15 people full time.
3. Each season present a collection with atleast 35 looks for day and night.

The only certified couturiers in paris are, Adeline André, Anne Valérie Hash, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Dominique Sirop, Franck Sorbier, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maurizio Galante and Stéphane Rolland. There are four correspondent members: Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela and Valentino.