Cuban rhythms in the spring collection by Valentino
Interest in the exotic island of Cuba has been constantly growing since 2015, when the heads of state of the USA and Cuba shook hands and agreed to better diplomatic relations between the two countries. This interest is not only found among travellers heading to Cuba to discover the unique atmosphere which may soon be lost for good.
Cuba also provides inspiration to fashion designers such as Stella McCartney, Chanel and now the Valentino brand which has introduced its spring collection for 2017. This is full of colours and life just like the exotic Cuba.
When Valentino allows itself to be carried away by things exotic
The creative directors of the luxury Valentino brand, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Piepaolo Piccioli have taken a metaphorical trip to the island of Cuba in their own fashion. The low-key winter collection has given way to colour prints and unique embroidery. Lace dresses are complemented by large wooden beads.
The national flower of Cuba is the white lily, which appears in colour prints on uniquely cut dresses in the spring collection by Valentino. Apart from lilies, tropical motifs such as pineapples, parrots, butterflies or hibiscus flowers and other vegetation crop up in the collection. We find these motifs on elegant spring dresses, jackets and trousers.
Inspiration from the 50s and 60s
There are a lot of culottes and sleeveless dresses ending at most just below the knee. You can also see inspiration from the 50s and 60s in the collection, this above all being in A-line dresses and skirts which reach all the way down to the ankles. Are the designers maybe trying to point out that Cuba was a country trapped in isolation for a long time?
The individual items of clothing are accessorised using handbags with plant motifs. The whole collection thus comes across as incredibly fresh and jolly, radiating joie de vivre in the same way that this is radiated by the smiling Cubans.
