I am obsessed with Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s take on the iconic Valentino Rockstuds for S/S 2021. He is making them bigger and better than ever, as the Rockstud take on gargantuan proportions. So-called Roman studs, Roman architecture inspired this iconic motif able to manifest the Maison’s bourgeois and punk essences. Here I combined my new bag with a beautiful cape dress and long gloves. This is one of my favorite looks of the season. For another outfit inspiration with the bag, click hereplease.
In 2009, Valentino caused a fashion frenzy when its creative directors at that time power duo, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri, came up with what would be one of the maison’s most fortuitous accessories: the Rockstud sandals. With their dainty shape and small pyramidal studs, the shoes were immediately loved by fashionistas around the globe.
Me with some Rockstud details
Now in the creative directorship solo, Piccioli is celebrating the style’s 10th anniversary with a new program called Valentino Garavani Rockstud X. Categorized as an «open lab» the series will see Piccioli collaborate with a rotating cast of guest designers on the Rockstud. First up: the conceptual British designerCraig Green (see cover photo). Already known for his partnerships with Moncler and Adidas, this is the first time Green has reached the upper echelons of the fashion world, where arguably Valentino reigns. The Valentino x Craig Green collaboration product will be unveiled in early January 2021 while the product is set to launch in stores around late February 2021.
However, you don’t need to wait until February to get your hands on something very beautiful from Valentino. For S/S 2021, Piccioli is making the Valentino Rockstud bigger and better than ever, as the Rockstud take on gargantuan proportions, embellishing gladiator sandals and bags that will be a big hit. So-called Roman studs, Roman architecture inspired this iconic motif able to manifest the Maison’s bourgeois and punk essences.
For the VALENTINO Bluegrace collection, blue motifs historically used in Dutch pottery decorate dresses in tulle, crêpe de chine and brocade for the Pre-Fall 2020 collection.
Pierpaolo Piccioli looks to the past to sculpt a new present, balancing the renowned Dutch pottery motifs and archive influences on soft silhouettes. Fabrics are enriched with feathers, pleats and lace embroideries, following the Maison’s timeless codes to shape a new day-to-night aesthetic.
Unexpected accessories and spontaneous combinations mix with solemn couture charm, meeting a dynamic idea of modernity. Last week, I had the chance to explore the collection first hand in the VALENTINO store in Zurich.
Exploring the new collection in a vibrant green look from Valentino S/S 2020.
The store was filled with some amazing pieces and decorated with floral arrangements in white and blue that were gifted to the customers.
F/W 2018 saw the birth of Moncler’s innovative Genius line – a groundbreaking series of monthly drops in which the iconic French house teams up with trailblazing designers of the moment. The F/W 2019 offering included Richard Quinn, Simone Rocha and 1952 presenting their signature take on Moncler’s key house codes with vibrant patterns from Quinn, elegant British florals from Rocha and bold colour palettes from 1952.
For the newest capsule, Moncler Genius has partnered with no other than Valentino’s Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli who states dreaminess, extravagance and traditions as inspiration behind those to-die-for pieces. The colour-block motif used for this collection – an exclusive pattern from Lemlem founderLiya Kebede, whose work supports African artisans.
My favorite pieces are below – this gown is an avant-garde alternative to classic eveningwear along with the amazing ski jackets that are perfect for every day.
In the end of last week, it was announced that Maria Grazia Chiuri had left Valentino, where she was co-creative director with partner Pierpaolo Piccioli. One day later, we knew where she would head to. It is quite breaking news: she will be the new artistic director at Dior, which marks the first woman in the fashion label’s 59 year history to take this position. Chiuri takes the place of Raf Simons who departed in October (for the previous post, click hereplease).
Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri take a bow after the Valentino couture show on Wednesday.
Somehow, it feels quite sad. Chiuri worked with Piccioli for 25 years, first at Fendi then behind the scenes at Valentino. In 2008, they were named creative directors in 2008 and brought the label into a new era.
Think of all the famous «Rockstuds» that gained a huge following… romance with a twist of coolness, that is what there collections have been made of. The Valentino sales rose constantly, in the first quarter of 2016, already by 9%.
It is sure that LVMH, Christian Dior’s parent company, is hoping for Chiuri bringing the same success there. She beat other contenders for the highly prized job, including Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton and ex-Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz.
Her first ready to wear collection will take place on September 30 in Paris.
During Paris Fashion Week, I attended the launch of Valentino‘s newest scent: VALENTINO DONNA. Dressed in a bottle adorned with iconic Rockstuds, it embodies all that is at once classic and contemporary.
On my way to the fragrance presentation in Valentino dots.
Luminous and sensual, the scent, features a contrast of subtle ingredients that, when combined, create something that is truly unique. Created with old oriental techniques and comprising top notes of bergamot with middle notes of rose essence and iris, the perfume finishes with the lasting aroma of leather, patchouli, vanilla and a white musk accord.
Antoine Maisondieu and Sonia Constant explain their inspiration for Valentino Donna.
Created by perfumers, Sonia Constant and Antoine Maisondieu, VALENTINO DONNA is mysterious, exquisite and timeless, like a couture object, making it the perfect addition to your fragrance wardrobe for the season.
The rose, that is especially Sonia’s fingerprint, is used as three different extracts. Rose Absolute, the purest quality of Rose Oil and natural Rose Water Extract, which is created with the help of a new technology at Givaudan. It is the first time it is used in a fragrance.
Eau de Parfum 100 ml (165 CHF), 50 ml (115 CHF) and 30 ml (82 CHF)
Shower Gel 200 ml (57 CHF), Body Lotion 200 ml (64 CHF) and Deodorant 100 ml (54 CHF)
In stores now.
Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey during the presentation at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris.
The face of the campaign is French actress Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, who embodies the Valentino Donna in the film, directed by Louis Garrel. Italy’s cinematic history has played an important role in the creation of the movie. Inspired by films like ‘Roma’ and ‘La Notte’, the commercial is shot very well. Rome is the source of inspiration and the historic home of the House of Valentino. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli design for a modern, but traditional woman, strong and sensitive, determined and caring. Have fun watching it below!
Today, I would like to share with you VALENTINO‘s very special New York capsule collection designed by Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. The collection shows the love and passion they have for the city that never sleeps.
It includes men’s and women’s ready to wear and accessories and is available only in NYC in the new 20,000 square feet store, situated at 693 Fifth Avenue.
Right in time for the holiday season, the collection will also include a Christmas ornament decorated with a red heart, which will also come in white camouflage.
Valentino’s Fifth Avenue store opened its doors in August 2014 and marks an important step in the development of the brand’s worldwide retail network expansion. The store concept combines old and new in order to generate a Palazzo atmosphere, steering away from the pure showroom and promoting a new architectural format in place of a more traditional retail boutique structure.
Tomorrow another unique event is happening in New York: a very special Haute Couture show that you can watch live here on Sandra’s Closet at 8pm EST. It is the first time an Haute Couture gets live streamed, so it is very exciting, and believe me, you will not be disappointed.
In June 2014, Cash & Rocket will return for its third consecutive year, and this time the amazing Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioliwant to make this journey even bigger and better and are once again participating in the charity event, which will take place from June 5th to 8th, 2014.
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli with me
Seventy women from the worlds of fashion, music, cinema and business will begin the car tour from the striking Piazza San Marco of Venice which ends in London, with stops along the way in Geneva and Paris. The donations collected will help support three important humanitarian organizations – Shine On Sierra Leone, OrphanAid Africa and Sumbandila – to support African children and their families with health assistance and educational programs in Sierra Leone, Ghana and South Africa.
For the occasion and to further support the project, Maison Valentino will donate 20% of proceeds from the sale of several products from the Rouge Absolute Signature capsule collection and six other special products especially created by Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Maria Grazia Chiuri, Co-Creative Director, came in first last year raising the most amount of money and she is determined to beat her own personal record. She will be personally involved in fundraising monies and will drive one of the thirty-five red sports cars that will travel 1600km, from Venice to London.
“As a woman and mother, I am very happy to be able to help other women and children. I am profoundly convinced that it is essential to give them an opportunity for development and education, which gives me a chance to give back what I have received” – Maria Grazia Chiuri.
The Valentino team can be followed along the different stages of the race through the dedicated donation website Just Giving. Let’s help Maria Grazia to win once again first place and to collect the most donations!
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are a dream team and their S/S 2014 collection for Valentino is a divine piece of art (You can still watch the video here).
Like last season, when I had been already overwhelmed by their designs, they showed craftsmanship, sophistication, elegance and beauty in their 72 (!) looks on the runway. After an impromptu visit to the Rome Opera workshops, the duo was compelled to create a glamourous and opulent repertoire. The collection is a journey admits elements borrowed from imaginary ethnic groups. Embroideries, lace, capes, ponchos, fringes, leather, veil-like dresses, take all part in this outstanding collection.
Combining ancestral austerity and sensual opulence, the designer duo has created an amazing and ever-changing look based on today’s modern woman that we will surely spot everywhere on the streets next summer!
Let me show you my favourite collection for the new season: VALENTINO. Watching this runway show in Paris along with celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, my heart was beating faster and I was thinking: those pieces have to find a way into my closet!
Inspired by the paintings of Flemish Old Masters (Vermeer in particular), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s latest collection is absolutely exquisite.
Of course, punk is the trend of the season, but my heart beats for those little white collars and the amazing feminine dresses. The outstanding embellishments are blended with materials: carpet textures, embroidery inspired by Delft ceramics, and chiné and jacquard motifs that reproduce them on knitwear.
And to live my grunge moment, I will invest in the famed rockstud accessories to match.
Valentino’s ad campaign for F/W 2013 was shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and shows how fashion meets art in perfection: striking portraits set against ornate still life images of flowers, food and accessories.
Framed by the lovely designer duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.
I was so happy to visit the Valentino showroom the next day after the show to explore this amazing collection up close. The moment I saw and felt the details, the outstanding craftsmanship and beautiful designs, I have been even more in love with the collection, if that is anyway possible… Great news is that most of the pieces are hitting the stores now.
To shop, just click on the highlighted text below! Have fun!
Me with some Rockstud details
Exploring the new collection in a vibrant green look from Valentino S/S 2020.
With lovely Gianfranca Addis, Store Manager Valentino Zurich.
