Runway Report: Valentino Fall 2015

You probably live on planet Mars if you haven’t seen or heard of Valentino in the past few hours. Somewhat refreshingly, not for the flawless show it held at Paris Fashion Week, but because Hollywood’s leading men Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson made a surprise appearance on the runway ­­– strutting in dapper mode, closing the brand’s SS15 show in the most entertaining manner fashion has seen in a while.

But before we jump back on board with the excitement, let’s spend a few moments appreciating the fine work produced by co-designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Picciolo who, let us not forget, have been go-getters in the game for long enough to know a thing or two about exciting the crowd, or more aptly, the world.

Inspired by Gustav Klimt’s life companion Emilie Louise Floge and designer Celia Birtwell (wife of Ossie Clark and muse to David Hockney) because of their “singular approach to life” and “strength and depth to feminine grace” – as per show notes – the 84-solid collection started with a medley of black and white checkerboard prints coming in oversized knits and skirts with patchwork coats. But it was beautiful lace, made in collaboration with illustrator Celia Birtwell, in a palette of pale blue, red, gold and subtle touches of khaki that stole the show, followed by a stunning silk chiffon red gown. Silhouettes were mostly narrow and lean but hey, it wouldn’t quite be Valentino if it were any other way.

The standout look was, of course, “the Zoolander one”, by which most people mean Owen Wilson’s pajama set topped with a grey coat (that was oh-so-fashionably sitting on his shoulders).