VALENTINO Haute Couture S/S 2011

The Valentino's Haute Couture collection designed by Pier Paolo Piccioli e Maria Grazia Chiuri is very romantic and youthful. Willowy long gowns and shorter flirty dress in nude and pastel colors, some pink floral print, and only two outfits in "rosso Valentino". It's a collection made only with slightly over the knee or long full skirts, no pants for Valentino's Couture woman. Dresses seem to be extremely untouchable by using fabrics such as lace, crepe, mousseline, organza, tulle and gazar.

VALENTINO SS 2011 Ad Campaign Preview

For the 2011 spring/summer campaign, the two fashion designers, Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri, wanted to focus on très chic mood of Valentino's apartment in Place Vendome in Paris, headquarters of the fashion house. The apartment was chosen as the location for the black and white shots signed by David Sims.

It's a very sophisticated and feminine campaign, it embodies the ethereal mood of the collection. Tre models portrayed by Sims: Freja Beha Erichsen, Caroline Brasch and Julia Saner. The idea was to tell, using a film-like atmosphere, the stories of three different women showing moments of their private life in the comfort of their homes.

CALENDAR OF HAUTE COUTURE SPRING-SUMMER 2011

Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, Haute Couture Fall/Winter  2010-11

Haute Couture in Paris will start Monday, January 24. Alexis Mabille will be the name that will open four days of fashion shows, followed by Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani Privé, Chanel, Givenchy, Valentino and many others. The last day will be January 27 and the Haute Joaillerie's collections will be presented.

Here is the complete schedule, day after day.
Ecco il calendario completo, giorno dopo giorno.

Monday, January 24.
10.30 am Alexis Mabille
11.30 am Christophe Josse
12.30 am Bouchra Jarrar
02.30 pm Christian Dior
04.30 pm Alexandre Vauthier
06.00 pm Giorgio Armani Privé


Tuesday, January 25.
10-12 am Chanel
02.30 pm Stéphane Rolland
04.00 pm Atelier Gustavo Lins
05.00 pm Givenchy
06.00 pm Adeline André
07.00 pm Maurizio Galante
08.00 pm Julien Fournié


Wednesday, January 26
10.00 am On aura tout vu
11.00 am Franck Sorbier
12.30 am Elie Saab
02.30 pm Jean Paul Gaultier
04.00 pm Maxime Simoens
05.00 pm Maison Rabih Kayrouz
06.30 pm Valentino


Thursday, January 27
Boucheron
Chanel Joaillerie
Chaumet
Dior Joaillerie
Van Cleef & Arpels

Gap/Valentino

The Italian fashion house and the American high-street giant have produced a limited-edition collection of seven styles to celebrate Gap's first store openings in Italy, in Rome and Milan, this month.

Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have fuse the heritage of both brands (think sportswear, khakis and athleticism versus feminine, bows and couture ruffles).

The result is a grey-marl hoody with an exaggerated frill around the hem, and statement combat trousers with slim legs, a bow-tied waist and frills that tumble over the hips. Even the trademark Gap parka is transformed with origami-like stand-up frills.

The collection will be available from November 27 at Gap's flagship stores and at Dover Street Market in London.

The countdown has begun!