When you think of Valentino, what is the first thing that crosses your mind? Intricate cocktail gowns? Tons of color and vibrance? Pure class and elegance? This season, fashion duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli did not present the expected, and instead fashioned a line we never knew we craved.  

Inspired by Africa, the pair launched their collection with earthy tones and tribal beats. They took a step away from couture, and a step towards vitality. A dark burgundy silk robe, paired with a tribal necklace, opened the show and was soon followed by colorful frills and motifs. Just like fashion, Africa is a diverse and colorful place. It is unpredictable and full of innovation.  

Black leather dresses, which were covered in gold studs, managed to both take us back to our roots and start a new trend. Suede long coats and sheer lace shirts came next: could the Valentino woman be the next Nubian queen? 

Bright geometrical shapes started to pop all over long gowns, as to remind us that nothing can exist without order. Tigers and elephant soon strolled out on turtle-necked gowns, which were accessorized with intricate leather bucket bags. Leather fishnets morphed into tribal wear while cuff necklaces and stiff trims were turned into couture. As Kwame Nkrumad once said “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because African was born in me” – and today, we are Valentinian.

Leonore Dicker