Valentino in Paris        

 I was taken with Valentino’s fall collection after seeing one piece from it. Kate Bosworth donned one of the ruffled gowns (in a stunning coral shade) for Vanity Fair’s post-Oscars bash. The one-shouldered gown seemed to float around the actress, and made her absolutely glow. After seeing that frock, I could not wait to fall in love with the rest of the collection. It turns out Bosworth’s gown was an excellent sample piece, as nearly all the pieces in Valentino’s show shared similar characteristics – dramatic ruffles, light fabrics, and Valentine (or Valentino) colors.

There were asymmetrical, high-collared coats in winter white; lush fur coats in black, white, and multi-hued incarnations; casual, office-appropriate shirt-and-pant combos, and stunningly simple cocktail dresses – but the majority of the collection was focused on the Valentino evening gown. Delicate butterfly accents at hips and shoulders brought a fresh, youthful element to the classic gowns, while boudoir fabrics like lace and chiffon kept the dresses delicate and airy, instead of being weighed down by heavy ruffled details. The house of Valentino has a fantastic way of making pieces that would look equally enchanting and appropriate on a diplomat’s wife (such as Michelle Obama) and a flirty ingénue (like the fresh-faced fashionista, Carey Mulligan). No matter your age or style, Valentino’s collection is something to dream about.