Christine Tjia

Thanks to D.D., I came to know this very rare opportunity in Singapore, in fact first in Asia! One hundred pieces from renowned Italian Maison, Valentino Garavani are featured in a curated exhibition at Resort World Sentosa till 13 Feb 2011.

‘Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future’ is developed by Paris’ celebrated institution Les Arts Décoratifs - by the current Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who worked alongside Valentino himself for a decade before their appointment. The exhibition is titled so to underline the importance of the maison through history.

The exhibition offers fascinating glimpse of the haute couture world including the pieces that were worn by princesses, Hollywood celebrities and members of the high societies around the world such as Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, among many.


























"The Oscars 2001 would be remembered as the  year the stars went vintage. Bagging an Oscar for her performance in 'Erin Brockovich' by Steven Soderbergh, Julia Roberts received the thumbs up for her appearance in this black vintage gown with white piping and sheet inset. Simply yet really classy looking piece!" - My fave, fave, fave!!!


This dress is actually from FW 1992 collections but the fact that Julia Roberts are able to wear in Oscars 2001 and still looks fabulous is just another classic example of how timeless Valentino's designs are.

"Sporting the iconic Valentino red, Jennifer Aniston turned up at the 'Along Came Polly' London premiere 2004 in this strapless (covered by the jacket in this picture) prom dress that had a classic 1950's look. A refreshing sight from Jen's usual laidback chic look in black."



























"If vintage summed up the star's choice at the 2001 Oscars, strapless would be that for the 77th Annual Academy Award in 2005. Cate Blanchett was no exception, or at least, halfway. Gracing the occasion in this one-shoulder pale yellow silk taffeta gown accompanied by a satin burgundy bow sash, the Australian star took home the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in the Aviator, in style."

Valentino's collections has effortlessly proven that he is indeed the undeniable ambassador of elegance. His gowns are timeless and glamour - an exquisite work of art. The exhibition is simply a sheer enchantment at every turn. A rows of 100 models painted in gold showcases and each tilt of its arms and angle of its faces accomplishes exactly what Valentino in mind when he designed his clothes.

Sophisticated shapes with sovereign grace as well as alluring styling in constructed pieces that portrays femininity and sensuality with a touch of classicism and romanticism. His designs accentuate the silhouette - giving it fluidity, femininity and sensuality.

His collections includes embellishments of rich embroidery, iridescent glass beads, classic rows of organza petals, pleated tulles and voiles, fringes quilted collar, ostrich feather cuffs, edged with shirred tulle boa, sumptuous fabric - the list will go on and on, which simply took my breath away.

Valentino Garavani was born in Voghera, south of Milan. At the age of 18, he went to Paris in 1950 to study École des Beaux-Arts and at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.

Two years later, he found an apprenticeship with Jean Dessès fashion house, where he entered into the the high society of the French cinema. He frequented clientele that included the royal family from Egypt and Greece, notably Queen Federica.

In 1957, Valentino joined Guy Laroche for two years. With the funds from his parents, he opened his own couture house in the heart of Rome - Il Via Condotti.

For his first collection, he launches a distinct color - vivid, fiery yet passionate: the bright poppy red that became known in the fashion industry as "Valentino red". This probably is not new to you but the inspiring story behind it may be. (At least, it was to me.) His signature red was reported inspired by a flashback from his teenage years during a trip to Barcelona, when Valentino attended an opera and marvels at the woman sitting down in their booths forming a basket of red flowers. The famous red collection was inspired from a flashback! By a basket of red flowers!! I was awed how the brains of these geniuses work ...

Soon enough, his talents were well recognized and Valentino started to dress the ladies of the international best-dressed crowd such as Rita Hayworth as well as one of the period's great icons, Audrey Hepburn and many more.

At the age of thirty six (so young!), Valentino was at the height of his glory. In less than ten years of design, he had consistently seduced his audience with his timeless concept of elegance in the current interpretation of fashion trends.

On September 4 2007, Valentino announced that he would retire fully from the world stage after his last ready-to-wear show in Paris on October 4 the same year and his last Haute-Couture show in Paris at the Musée Rodin on January 23 2008.

Leaving the exhibition, 

Of all most, I am in awe of Valentino Garavani.

"I always considered that my work was similar to the one of a writer. Over the years, I only write one story, the one of my style, where each collection represents a chapter to another, but the main characters are always the same, as the people and things that inspire me. The protagonist of my story is always the same. Fashion n themes evolves as the story progresses, but the woman behind the pleats, and embroideries, and the bows remain the same. The title of this exposition, the Past/Present/Future, matches my conception of fashion, which is staying faithful to a personnel style that ignores the requirements from the outside world. This is the approach I followed by instinct, and one that, I hope, served me well for almost 50 years." Valentino Garavani


Pics:
http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/EntertainmentNightlife/ShowsEvents/ValentinoRetrospective
http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/Maria%20Grazia%20Chiuri%20Pier%20Paolo%20Piccioli%20Valentino%20Alessandra%20Facchinetti.jpg
http://resortsworldsentosablogs.blogspot.com/2010/11/valentino-retrospective-stars.html
http://shopping.insing.com/gallery/valentino-retrospective-exhibition/id-846e0200/290692#bd
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUyxBXRkWgxg_LZfwuSRITFfAexM247OpAubXjEsq2ng7rGN1EVIUdU1gNudEME8Nb3xZjaWtGPvSBR7KEo-XNIITN9hN6CSigHGBoEbuNP8HTvHVbXEGJZBQ7MmSO59aft5cUA/s320/65+-+Portrait+VALENTINO+mat.jpg