PARIS, Mar 6, 2005/ FW/ – ‘For me couture is the essence of solitude...I am alone with my pencil, imagining a woman who may exist or not, but exists for me…for ready to wear I am looking for a different result…I want my clothes to walk the streets. They become real through the women who wear them.’ Valentino

The fall winter 2005/06 collection from the Italian designer that has inspired dress sense for decades, femininity is endlessly glamorous, lush and simply beautiful, from daytime to evening detailing dominates this contemporary wardrobe inspired by 19th century sailors.

Sixties silhouettes are long and lean with hemlines kept above the knee for skirts and dresses while trousers flare slightly to flatten and soften the female form in a collection where jeans are also essential as velvet becomes the new denim and pockets are decorated and vary from leather to embroidery.

Luxury is not simply a texture or fabric, it is also form, design and feel, where fur is fundamental for warmth and used as lush decoration on jackets sleeves and coat linings.

Valentino manages to transform timeless elegance and sensuality into seemingly effortless modernity. Jackets are small and fitted accentuating the upper torso with puff sleeves and often matched with other girly delicates like ruffled blouses and perfect pleats.

The volume plenty cape becomes the new coat, like the camel braid tweed version worn with swakara vest, white silk georgette shirts and camel colored large ribbed velvet jeans.

This collection was also the occasion to give press and buyers an opportunity to experience his new fragrance; Valentino. ‘I saw the need for a new feminine fragrance that reflects and celebrates today’s woman-her power, her femininity, her complexity.’ Valentino.

From leather to lace, expression comes from sophistication. Valentino’s wardrobe is sensual, feminine and elegant, perfectly light and romantic in its graceful entirety.

Valentino

Valentino

Valentino

Valentino