Photo credit: Gianni Pucci / GoRunway.com

With this collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccoli, the pair of Roman designers who have inherited Valentino’s storied house are unlocking its potential, carefully cutting its culture free of anything staid, ladylike, and chichi. Remarkably, they’ve done that while staying true to Valentino’s authority over lace, day-dresses, perfect coats, and evening columns, dispensing with fuss and froufrou to make all of it imaginable in ways that will go straight to the heart of the way modern girls dress.

Clever details and refinement were found throughout the collection like appliquéd lingerie-fine lace, knife-pleated chiffon, narrow rouleaux python belts, super-fine straps on shoulder-bags, and slim-heeled, ankle-strapped shoes—which while ladylike and sophisticated, never seemed insufferably dainty.

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Well known retailer, The Gap, collaborates with Valentino, Italy’s finest Haute Couture brand on a range of glamorous khaki outfits. “It brings together the iconic world of Valentino and Gap’s fashion staples, synthesizing the current trend of combining luxury with basics”. “As we open our first Gap stores in Milan and Rome, we’re thrilled to be welcomed by the house of Valentino, with its unique position in Italy’s fashion heritage and to work with Maria Grazia and Pier Paolo, and their modern, fresh take on women’s style”, enthuses Gap’s Stephen Sunnucks. Rejoice with couture versions of parkas, cargo wear and skirts.

Paris Fashion Week 2011, proved to be as elegant and magical as the city itself this year. Many designers opted for softer, flowing looks, using sheer materials, and draping fabrics instead of overly complicated construction.  The colors seemed to vary widely from soft nudes to bright blues, and just about everything in between.

Knee length A-line dresses and high slits seemed to be a very common thing amongst the designers as well.  Let’s hope that our favorite starlets opt for age appropriate frocks hence 50 plus should not wear thigh bearing looks.   You can also do a well constructed mini dress like Lanvin if the slit isn’t for you, pair it with an eye catching shoe (see Dior) and you are set!

Leave it to Kenzo and Alexander Mcqueen for the theatrics, and awe-inspiring, haute couture aesthetic All of the pressure was left on Sarah Burton last season after the untimely death of Mcqueen, and she managed to pull through with grace and ease. She may not have given us the usual over the top theatrics as her predecessor did, but the nature inspired line was still dramatic and enchanting enough to remain true to brand and keep you wishing for more. Overall, the Paris shows maintain their reputation as the one of the most inspiring markets and as shoppers make way to the racks this spring, they will be able to take advantage of a broad spectrum of wardrobe for their age and shape.