PARIS (Reuters) – Giambattista Valli paid tribute to the innate style and seemingly effortless chic of the iconic Parisian woman during her fashion show in the French capital on Monday, as the Italian designer celebrated her 15th anniversary.
A model presents a creation by Giambattista Valli as part of her women’s ready-to-wear Fall / Winter 2020/21 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, March 2, 2020. REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes
Valli, who lives in the city, said he was inspired by the everyday looks around him. He also turned to references such as the black and white photos of 20th century photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson and the late French actress Arletty.
The collection included little black dresses, black and white suits, nightgown-style dresses in pink muslin decorated with flowers and ostrich feathers – essentials in the Parisian wardrobe.
“I wanted to share the vision of the girl I have seen in the last 20 years that I have lived in Paris,” Valli told Reuters after the show. “This childlike attitude, independent, unique and at the same time very attractive, very free.”
“The Parisian can go out without makeup, without tights, with her boyfriend’s moccasins – she is very free,” added Valli, adding that each look in the series was intended to embody different Parisian personalities.
Italian model Bianca Brandolini, American designer Rick Owens and François-Henri Pinault, head of the Kering conglomerate, as well as the Artemis group, owner of the Valli brand, were among the guests of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
French model Ines de la Fressange, who has long walked the runway for Chanel and is known as a benchmark for French style, said that loose-fitting evening pants, embroidered with flower and sequin patterns, were among her favorite looks.
“It’s elegant, there’s a connection to the past that I really like,” she said of the show.
Born in Rome 53 years ago, Giambattista Valli worked for Ungaro from 1998 to 2004, then launched his own label in 2005.
Last fall, he became one of the last designers to create a collection in collaboration with the street chain H&M, which presented puffy tulle dresses that made him a success on the red carpet.
Paris Fashion Week, the final leg of the month-long runway season that started in New York before moving to London and Milan, ends Tuesday.
(This story corrects Valli’s property in par 6)
Report by Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Sarah White and Lisa Shumaker