Haute Couture SS19: Giambattista Valli

MORE is always more, at least according to the world that Giambattista Valli has created for his SS19 Haute Couture show.

A glittering runway of white and iridescent sparkles creates an aura of wonderment, a feeling that only escalates as Valli‘s creations glide down this shimmering catwalk.

Valli has designed a series of garments that embody the very soul of Haute Couture. At every turn, spectators eyes are bedazzled by intricate embellishment, assemblages of feathers and ceaseless amounts of rouched tulle. Excess drips from every model — some heavily beaded from shoulders to wrists, others swathed head to toe in glittering satin. Hemlines begin to lengthen until they are sweeping the toes of the spectators that line the sparkling runways.

Puffed sleeves featured on both dresses and capes, as well as iridescent patterns that catch the same rainbow glimmer as the runway. Bows were a prominent  feature, worn as headpieces, in place of shoulder pads and as a centre feature on both dresses and capes.

But it was the tulle creations in particular, that stole the show. A collective intake of breath could be felt as the first piece in angelic cream organza made its way down the catwalk, as if moulded by angels. The bodice was entirely embellished with glittering accents and layers upon layers of tulle floated down the dress and along the runway as if existing in the most beautiful dream. The tulle gowns were regularly interrupted by thigh-skimming dresses with accents of gold thread and black sequins, continuing the gleam of grandeur that shone from the tulle — each dress was a fashion moment of its own.

A distinctly oriental theme was introduced by the Sikke hats that adorned the heads of many of the models, elevating the garments with an air of sumptuous international appeal. Glittering jewellery dripped from the earlobes and collarbones of the models, the perfect — and arguably — only accessory to equal such extravagant and glamorous gowns.

Valli has created a collection that encapsulates the luxuriously overindulgent qualities of aute Couture, whilst ensuring each and every piece never looses its sweetness, down to the very last drop (or tulle hemline).

by Lucy May McCracken