Valentino Turns Venice Into an Artful Fashion Stage — Bringing the Magic Back

An Open-Air Dream Inspired by Artists

By Shelby Hodge // Jul 23, 2021

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The Valentino Haute Couture Collection Fall/Winter 2021 was presented in Venice's Gaggiandre in the Arsenale, an ancient shipyard, during the Biennali. (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

Two large-scale brushstroke paintings by British-born American artist Jamie Nares provided inspiration for this gown and cloak that closed the Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2021 presentation in Venice. (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

Five works by artist Patricia Treib were incorporated into this duchess satin gown by Valentino created from more than 100 fabrics applied with micro-draped elements to simulate the brush strokes of the artist (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

The Valentino Haute Couture taffeta gown features 750 pleats, each made by hand. (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2021 presented during the Venice Biennale (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2021 presented during the Venice Biennale (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2021 presented during the Venice Biennale (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

The Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2021 collection was presented in Venice's Gaggiandre in the Arsenale (Photo by Andrea Avezzù, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.)

Forsaking Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2021, Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli took his vibrant collection to the watery environs of Venice for a presentation that had social media lighting up with images of the billowing ballgowns and pieces that became canvases for a cadre of contemporary artists. The latter embraced the maestro’s fresh vision of the fusion between fashion and art. Thus the collection name Valentino Des Ateliers. The results were spectacular.

Seventeen artists contributed works to the collection with 15 of the 55 women’s pieces inspired by the artists. None was more stunning than the grand finale selection — a two-piece ensemble based on two large-scale brushstroke paintings by British-born American artist Jamie Nares. The peau de soie cape with printed Mikado applications and red cady dress with printed crêpe appliques were inspired by Nares’ Blues in Red and It’s Raining in Naples.

Valentino‘s description? “The 5-color screen print uses heavy inks to echo the gestural work of the artist. Given the great size of the piece, the printing frames had to be custom-built and printed by hand. The garment is treated with the same technique on silk cady, 700 hours for the creation, 107 meters of fabric.”

Beyond the requisite Valentino reds, the new collection brimmed with a bold palette that ranged from “cyclamen,” “pistachio green” and “neon rose,” to “button yellow.” Pieces were embellished with sequins, rhinestones, micro top stitches, tube pearls and feathers, all embodying the chic elegance that defines the Valentino oeuvre.

MM4_0088 — Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2021 presented during the Venice Biennale (Photo courtesy of Valentino)

The collection was presented at the semi-open air Gaggiandre in the Arsenale, a historic structure comprised of two cavernous shipyards and a dock. The original structure dating back centuries served, without any decor, as a frame for the designs. The models walked down a runway made from floating barges while singer and songwriter Cosima gave a live performance.

SHOP

Swipe

Grove Hill

Eighteen Forty Two

MacKenzie-Childs

Verdadero Tequila

Pecos Jane

Zilker Belts

Zilker Brewing

Hutson Clothing Co.

Zadok Jewelers

“Venice was part of the vision I had from the very beginning,” Piccioli says. “It was the only place in the world in which to present such a collection, a context where nothing can be added or subtracted. The light and power of Venice are the perfect setting in which I’d love to immerse my work.’

The presentation coincided with the Venice Biennale which saw the Arsenale also hosting the International Art and Architecture Exhibitions as well as the International Dance, Music and Theater Festivals.