PARIS - Perhaps you could call Giambattista Valli's collection at Paris Couture Fashion Week Fall 2011 a retro line, but that wouldn't be the right world for it. It was too posh for that. Still, the designer paid tribute to looks of past couture and he tried to make them old Hollywood glam, while also making them fun and playful. Lots of floral applique and embroidery, feathers, and cream fabrics, seemingly inspired by Audrey Hepburn or some other cute 50s sweetheart. He often bordered the line between casual and couture, using easy fabrics like white poplin for a shirtdress but formal fabrics lame tweed for a skirt. Later, there were ostrich feathers but they were coupled with coral and crystal and later with lace and a dresscoat that was both serious but also bold and colorful with a lemony skirt. There were the flowy fabrics, but also the stiff and structured ones.
Models: Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, Aymeline Valade, Melissa Tammerijn, Kinga Rajzak, Tati Cotliar, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Sasha Pivovarova, Ruby Aldridge, Joan Smalls
