Carmen Marc Valvo: ‘La Belle Époque
By Mari Davis
Photos by Javier Mateo

NEW YORK, Feb 11, 2005/ FW/ --- With the soundtrack alternating between the Blue Danube and The Windmills of Your Mind, Carmen Marc Valvo presented his best ever collection yet composed of 33 breathtaking looks that give you goose bumps because of their ethereal beauty.

Inspired by the “romance and beauty of La Belle Époque, the era between 1871 to 1914, when Europe experienced a time of continuous peace for over 40 years, and considered by many as the second wave of the industrial revolution wherein science and art moved forward in an unprecedented pace, La Belle Époque is “believed by many to be an unparalleled era of luxury and opulence and the last age of elegance.”

Opening with a chocolate cashmere pinstripe suit matched with a chocolate mink capelet and worn with a chocolate cavalino boot, Carmen Marc Valvo set the tone for this groundbreaking collection, like the era that inspired it.

Rich in detail like ruching, tiny vertical pleats, intricately woven ribbon bodices, the New York based designer evoked luxury and wealth with a certain coquetry, much the same as John Singer Sargent’s Madame X portrait, an artist and a painting, respectively, from that era.

With the rich colors of fall and the obligatory black and shades of white as the main color palette on luxe fabrics like chantilly lace, velvet, cashmere, chiffon and organza, the collection, like the soundtrack alternated between daywear and evening wear, from traditional to edgy, converging into a delicate silhouette that is sensual and innocent at the same time.

Breaking new grounds on the use of fur as trim, Carmen Marc Valvo used it as an embellishment on a cardigan jacket and as a top piece, used like an oversized necklace in gown made of horizontal ribbons that ends into sheered skirt right at thigh level.

Fur stoles were carelessly strewn on a bustier topped cocktail dress and strapless gown, giving a feeling of nonchalance. Knits were styled with leather gloves, adding a very modern and hard edge to the collection.

Everything gelled and Carmen Marc Valvo kept it tight, so when the designer took his bow at the end of the show, he received a much-deserved standing ovation from a full-capacity crowd at the Tent in Bryant Park.

Carmen Marc Valvo

Carmen Marc Valvo

Carmen Marc Valvo

Carmen Marc Valvo