Valentino: Master of Couture

On a January snowy weekend my flatmates and I decided to cross Waterloo Bridge (believe me it was a brave action with that weather) and visit the Somerset House to see the fascinating Valentino: Master of Couture Exhibition.

Personally, this experience was very emotional, since the fashion designer Valentino Garavani is Italian and he represents a great achievement for the Italian name in fashion. 
He dressed stars such as: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Meryl Streep, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, and many others.

The Exhibition will be on until the 3rd March, so, if you haven't been there yet hurry up and reward your sight with 130 examples of legendary style.
Since we weren't allowed to take pictures I've tried to find some of the most significant pieces in the show.

I think the structure of the exhibition is the element that immediately caught my attention.

First of all, visitors have the possibility to read newspapers cuts and personal letters from Jackie O., Grace Kelly, Sofia Loren, and many others to Valentino.
I found these very useful for whom is interested in the world of fashion because they take us, even if for a little time, back to the past, through the history of both Valentino's career and the lives of some of the most iconic women in the world.

After this first passage the visitors will go upstairs and find themselves protagonists of a very fancy catwalk. While we walk in the middle of the room Valentino's creations surround us along with elegant chairs reporting names of celebrities to suggest the idea of a real fashionshow.

In the last part spectators can admire the awesome and extremely elaborate wedding dress Valentino made for Princess Marie Chantal of Greece in 1995.
Last, but not least, we have access to the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum, which makes us recall his entire career, especially through the words of his business partner and friend Giancarlo Giammetti.

Now I'll leave you to the pictures hoping they'll trigger your curiosity.

A/W 1967/68 Green satin one shouldered evening gown with sequin and strass embellishment. Worn by Jacqueline Kennedy on an official visit to Cambodia.

S/ S 1968 White ecru georgette evening dress with lace appliqué detailing. Worn by Jacqueline Kennedy for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.

 

A / W 1992/93 Black velvet and tulle evening gown with white ribbon detailing. Worn by Julia Roberts, actress, to the 2001 Oscar Ceremony.

A / W 2002/03 Red taffeta dress with remboursé train detail. Worn by, actress, Anne Hathaway to the 2011 Oscar Ceremony.

S / S 1959 Red tulle evening dress with corsage detailing in the skirt using rose couture technique.

Wedding Dress of Princess Marie Chantal of Greece

 "I am like a freight train. Working on the details, twisting them and playing with them over the years, but always staying on the same track." 

Valentino Garavani