A Journey to Ancient Rome, the Maison's Origin

This is the Fall/Winter 2015-16 Paris Haute Couture collection. However, Valentino chose to present it not in Paris, but in Rome, the brand's ancestral home. On the morning of the final day of Paris Couture Week, we flew directly to Rome via charter. This season's collection theme was "MIRABILIA ROMAE" (Wonders of Rome).

Creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli draw inspiration from Rome's history and cityscape. Their aim was to translate the mysterious beauty woven by Rome, a city built over a millennium, into fashion. Immediately upon arriving in Rome, we were taken to a 19th-century villa that once belonged to the Medici family, who ruled this area. The frescoes preserved within its walls are now part of Valentino's archive. The villa, a private Medici residence, featured a library filled with vintage books, an atelier where opera props were crafted, and a basement that once served as a secret religious chapel. Byzantine motifs, which influenced the designers, adorned the walls and ceilings. The Fall/Winter 2015-16 Valentino collection was an endeavor to showcase the entirety of Valentino's brand narrative.

The show, which began at 8 PM, featured an outdoor stage set up in front of Valentino's headquarters, near the Spanish Steps. Adjacent to it, a new boutique had just opened. Following last year's white in New York and red in China, this season's theme was black. Silhouettes of long dresses in black chiffon and lace appeared, subtly illuminated by the setting sun. Delicate, thin belts and headbands crafted from tarnished gold added a refined touch. Velvet and gold mini dresses were paired with inlaid capes. The collection felt both classic and contemporary, a fusion of Rome and modern Valentino.

In the dinner venue, prepared in the courtyard of the old villa, Maria and Piccioli greeted each guest personally. Surrounded by guests adorned in Valentino dresses, it was a day to be immersed in "MIRABILIA ROMAE" late into the night.