Reinventing Valentino, Smoothly

by Melissa Alvarado Sierra

 

Alessandra Facchinetti wowed the audience with her first ever haute couture collection for Valentino and the injection of a subtle, almost imperceptible touch of her own, leaving out any doubts of whether she could fill the legend’s shoes. Made-to-measure couture is a new world for Facchinetti, whose experience was solely in ready-to-wear until now. ”Working with the ‘atelier’ is much more like working with a family. They really create things with me. I’m not alone and they are not alone doing their job,” the 35-year-old told reporters after the show at Valentino’s headquarters in Place Vendôme.

 

Not only was Facchinetti’s silhouette based on architecture, like the jacket and skirt sculpted with stiffened silk at the beginning of the show, but she was also inspired by van Dyck. Elements such as fine lace, wool embroidery and delicate buttons in fading colors made a clear reference to the painter’s work. It was a splendid collection, a fresh start for Alessandra Facchinetti and new energy for the house of Valentino.

 

van Dyck and Facchinetti’s take

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My  personal favorites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images: style.com