Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week SS 2013: Valentino

The Haute Couture Fashion Week was the main event of the past week. With so many beautiful shows it's difficult to pick a favorite, but in my eyes at least I'll always have a penchant for Valentino. The designer duo made up of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli closed the series of fashion shows with a beautifully crafted collection and transported us into a fantastic garden. During the fittings, Maria Grazia Chiuri described the collection as a dream, "We really wanted to create a dream, something really fantastic, magic, fairy tale. Couture is a fream, and we love to dream. Why not?".

Why not start from the inspiration of secret gardens with mazes, mosaics and romantic flowers then? It sounds like a perfect match for the flowy and ethereal floor length gowns that are the Valentino trademark. In my opinion one of the most interesting details of the collection could be found on the opening look (the red and nude colored gown below). The raised decorative pattern on the fabric suggested elaborate wrought-iron gates as if marking the entrance into this fantastic secret garden. Tulle, chiffon, lace and embroidery were the main fabrics used to give the onlookers a feeling of the delicate flowers and birds. The finale of the show was spectacular with the scattered models walking very fast giving an illusion of exotic birds or flower fairies in flight. Enjoy the show!

I really enjoyed this collection, so classic Valentino - some of the best gowns in the world if you ask me!

Photos: Marcus Tondo for GoRunway.com