Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2011: Giambattista Valli debuts

You know you have a winning show when Anna Wintour comes backstage afterwards to personally congratulate you. This is exactly the type of praise Giambattista Valli received after presenting his first haute couture show in Paris. Showing over 45 pieces (large by couture standards – Givenchy only presented 10). Held at the galerie de la Madeleine, Valli’s debut attracted many of  the fashion savvy including Margherita Missoni, Olivia Palermo, Caroline Sieber and Eugenie Niarchos.

The collection was incredibly wearable for couture, including wide legged pants and power suits teamed with poplin blouses. There were also some stunning coats and capes, in particular a white cape matched with a floor length black dress and a black cape swathed in feathers. The gowns did not disappoint either, following a long column silhouette, perhaps inspired by Valli’s Roman origins, they came in deep shades of magenta and orange. Prints were not forgotten either including  leopard and jaguar, which were applied to the floor length gowns also. Embellishment was not left out either, with stunning coral coloured jackets dotted with sequins and crystals and delicate Lily of the Valley flowers appliqued to add a delicate touch.

Having trained with Emanuel Ungaro and being responsible for dressing Queen Rania of Jordan and Victoria Beckham the only question we are left asking after the show, is why did he wait so long to produce a haute couture collection?

Katie Hill loves writing about fashion from all over the world. A self-confessed shopaholic, she is always seeking out the lastest news and newest trends.