While certain designs from the Valentino Spring 2014 haute couture collection reminded me of Renaissance women and subjects fit for Pre-Raphaelite paintings, the actual inspiration this year was the opera. The show opened with a nod to La Traviata; Giuseppe Verdi's score was embroidered in black on the long, full skirt of a parchment-colored tulle dress. The story was often told in embroidery--my favorites being the menagerie of animals: the snake, the delicate butterflies, even a peacock appeared in feathered glory. View the full collection here.
CONVERSATION