With a revolutionary gesture, almost punk in this historical period, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Valentino pay homage to the city of Milan and its cultural heritage with a digital co-ed show staged at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano founded by Giorgio Strehler and Paolo Grassi, reopened for the occasion. A declaration of intent by the Roman fashion house that offers its support to Italian theaters that have been forced to close for over a year due to the emergency caused by the COVID19 pandemic.
With Cosima‘s voice singing Sinead o’Connor’s stunning Nothing Compares 2U, accompanied by strings and piano from the Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra, Valentino presented the Women’s and Men’s Fall/Winter 2021/2022 collection entitled “Valentino Act Collection”.
A total performance, which was able to convey all the expressive and romantic power that fashion possesses through the sensual contrast between black and white, a symbol of clear-cut and breaking choices.
“In black and white I wanted to summarize all the colors, for a more evident sensuality, but all without redundancy. And for a new romanticism that I hope the new generations will like because without clichés”.
All this is reflected on the clothes, abrupt and unexpected cuts like those that Lucio Fontana, mentioned by Piccioli, made famous with his works.
A completely empty and dark theater, illuminated only by the eyes of oxen that follow the models that parade from the stalls until they reach the stage where they then stop and remain on stage.
The dualism of black and white interspersed with gold, women and men wear the same garments in what is a “shared wardrobe”, a decisive and contemporary choice: gender is eliminated becoming fluid and full of contaminations, such as men’s jackets that become capes thanks to sartorial expedients.
The Fall/Winter 2021/2022 “Valentino Act Collection”, lays the groundwork for a new form of romanticism that feeds on contrasts and represents a re-birth for the Italian fashion house with the hope that it can involve everyone, indistinctly, as soon as possible.