Style & beauty - February 2008

Viva La Valentino

The first time I laid eyes on a Valentino gown I was 8 years old and I came across an image in my father's Sunday newspaper. It made my young breath gasp and was the start of a life-long love affair.

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There in all it's grainy glory was a picture of the most beautiful and glamorous woman I had ever seen wearing the most beautiful and glamorous dress I had ever seen. The caption read "Viva La Valentino" and so the affair began.

Consequently, January 23rd proved to be a day of great sadness and loss when Valentino staged his final couture show and retired after 45 years.

This final show was a brilliant display of Valentino's mastery of design, craftsmanship, glamour and elegance and certainly left his devotees wanting more. One fashionista very aptly stated his retirement was "at the summit of his glory and his talent". Absolument!

The show began with superbly tailored suits and coats in the palest sorbet colours of blue, peach and yellow and feminine floaty dresses all matched with elegant elbow-length gloves adorned with the same floral design.

Cocktail dresses, finished with skilful draping, in lace and satin trimmed with bows, beading, embroidery and flowers were sublime and showed Valentino's timeless sense of chic and elegance.

The oversized Philip Treacy garden-party hats were in perfect harmony with the collection's floral theme as were his elegant crocodile clutches. (Even the over-sized white 'safari' hat added a special élan).

The collection ended with signature glamorous gowns in satin, chiffon and tulle in colours of sky blue, mint, violet and champagne and of course white.

For the finale a video projected a myriad of models modelling the same signature red Valentino dress.

Valentino took his final bow and waved - an elegant ending to a very elegant career.

For those of us who love him, life will be a little less beautiful without the master of glamour and beauty, Valentino Garavani.

Esma Versace Styling and Events p 0417 442 616 e versacestyle@ozemail.com.au