GUESTS MAKE A STYLISH ENTRANCE AT VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE SHOW
Fall Couture Fashion Week in Paris wowed viewers with its lavish and eagerly awaited collection of clothing for the season. Amongst some of the most talented fashion houses to showcase their collections was Valentino Haute Couture. The Italian creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, titled his Valentino show "Un Château" or "A Manor." Bridging together contrasting aesthetics of couture and more casual clothing, each look had the perfect balance of loud and more subdued pieces.
Source: Vogue Runway
At the illustrious French estate of Château de Chantilly, renowned for once housing the former Duke of Aumale, Henri d’Orléans, in the mid-1800s, the collection took center stage. Embracing its regal surroundings, the show had an air of tranquility and sophistication. Drawing inspiration from the intricacies of royal life, the designs seamlessly blended grandeur with everyday practicality. While "Un Château" captivated the audience, the guests themselves presented a captivating spectacle, showcasing their noteworthy ensembles.
Celebrities from Emma Chamberlain to Florence Pugh sat front row outside of the Chantilly, France estate. Staying true to the show's theme, guests wore an amalgamation of refined suit combinations and luxurious gowns. Whether it be an all-black look or a shimmery skirt and shoes, onlookers of the collection did not fail to impress with their attire. Here are some of the best celebrity moments from the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023-24 show:
Elena Perminova
Elena Perminova, the world-renowned Russian supermodel, was one of the few guests permitted entrance at the Valentino show. Known to appear on red carpets in light colors, Perminova stuck to her comfort zone with her light-pink Valentino look. However, her selection of accessories and pieces personalized her ensemble in a way that deviates from her usual style.
Elena donned a shimmering pink dress that echoes the aesthetic of overalls, albeit in a decidedly elegant manner. The texture echoes that of a mermaid tail, changing color with different angles of light. Under, she wore an oversized white button-up folded at the sleeves. With a black tie addition, the top elevates this look tenfold. It brings an edge that elevates her appearance from a regular outfit to a sophisticated, yet girly garb. Her darker hot-pink bag acts as a surprise that heightens and excites the outfit.
Source: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images
Sharon Alexie
French influencer, Sharon Alexie, strutted the manor floors before the Valentino clothing was unveiled. Both an advocate and supermodel, Alexie's presence was known and deeply appreciated at the show. While seemingly simple, her look is anything but ordinary. The plainness is necessary to intensify the precise fit and detail of the dress. It would be pointless to choose an element of this look that is the best. Each detail builds off the other, creating a cohesive and noteworthy piece.
The shape of the dress itself is simple but fits Alexie as if it was handmade for her. The cape that drapes to the floor is a showstopper in this look. It acts as an addition to the dress, but so flawlessly blends into the original shape. The cherry on top of this look is the clasped bow made of silver and white pearls. This accentuates the precise neckline and provides a necessary detail to the simplicity of the black dress. With a silver bag to match the bow, this look comes together impeccably with an ideal amount of components.
Source: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images
Naomi Ackie
The British actress, Naomi Ackie, known for her work in The End of the F***ing World and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2022) optimistically arrived at the Valentino show. Her poise and confidence matched the energy of the show– Ackie has a fierce nature to her that is prominent in Valentino models. Her look mirrors her strength in its boxy structure and graceful material.
Paying homage to the Power Suit, the top of the look has shoulder pads that extend past Ackie's actual shoulders. The suit is seen throughout the collection bringing a bold and assertive energy to the otherwise delicate clothing. But what makes this look so special are the minute feminine details. One might see the top of Ackie's jacket and think the rest will follow suit (literally) with strong pants to match. However, her jacket crops perfectly on her torso, leaving some room for her skin to breathe. A high wasted skirt finishes off the outfit, accentuating her natural body. The fusion of the suit jacket and the delicate bottom makes this look pop.
Source: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images
Jeremy O-Harris
Jeremy O-Harris, the Tony-nominated playwright and actor, was bold in his choice of clothing for the show. Known for his funky red-carpet looks, O-Harris rarely disappoints. Whether it be a feathery jacket or bright pants, he walks into events with ease and grace. This is no different from the way he wore pieces for Valentino.
O-Harris came in a form-fitting suit with a white button-down and slim black pants. A thinner tie and black Valentino belt with gold embellishments sit atop the clothing, adding some needed details. The home run of this look is the all-white trench coat that covers most of O-Harris' body. It takes up space in his outfit, yet works so well with each piece. This jacket resembles a lab coat, featuring a vibrant white color that immediately captivates one's attention. It cuts off just above his ankle, highlighting his flat leather boots.
Source: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images
Florence Pugh
The pièce de résistance of all the looks goes to nonother than British actress Florence Pugh. Her professional accolades are remarkable, from winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress to starring in the box office hit, Don't Worry Darling (2022). Pugh is usually one to watch on red carpets, wearing glorious and risky pieces. Not to our dismay, she once again delivered a chic look worth noting.
Pugh arrived in style with a perfect periwinkle-colored dress. The airy feel of the dress is striking even with the extensive amounts of fabric it seems to have. The texture is sheer and silky, making it flow easily in the wind. Pugh used this to her advantage when posing for photos, allowing the dress to take on its own form. The dress's flexibility could be compared to the infamous Marilyn Monroe white flowy dress created by William Travilla. Pugh wears frew undergarments, introducing a shapeless flow to the silhouette. With her simple shaved hairstyle, one is focused on the elegance of Florence wearing this dress.
Source: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images
The beauty and craftsmanship of the Valentino Haute Couture show are undeniable, evident from a glance at its captivating display. But the guests' clothing is just as impressive. Staying true to the show's royal yet ordinary aesthetic, the guests combined two concepts in their looks. With simple color palettes and detail-oriented elements, their pieces are difficult to overlook. Each individual incorporated their unique style into their outfit, elevating their overall appearance. Whether with a suit or a flowy gown, many did not disappoint in their ability to show up in style while embodying Valentino's theme for "Un Château."