Giambattista Valli held his women’s ready-to-wear autumn-winter 2023 collection at Palais de Tokyo. His ready-to-wear shows are far more bright, white in setting, with long spaces, while his Haute Couture shows are squarer in shape with dark lighting. With a mixture of mostly solid color silhouettes and lots of gold, Valli did surprise with a few floral ensembles.
Speaking to MF fashion, Valli noted that he was inspired by Josephine de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s wife. A queen of both France and Italy, she was known for her love of art, as she worked with painters, interior decorators, and artists. She created her own style at the Château de Malmaison, and though she Napoleon annulled their marriage after five years, her tastes and legacy in art still lives on. Valli was drawn to her French-ness and her Italian-ness.
Opening the collection with black and white looks, you begin to see the French inspiration by look five. A very wearable collection, which is ready-to-wear, pieces are practical. There aren’t many red-carpet looks, just a handful, but that can be left to the Giambattista Valli AW23 Haute Couture collection.
It’s very noticeable how Valli chose a mainly black and white color palette to work with. But, he sprinkled in some blush pink, some deep blues, red, and taupe tones.
Men’s looks are also in the collection. Embroidered jumpsuits, easy casual dressed up looks like white pants matched with a long sweater, or a fitted jumpsuit with low cut neckline. Could it be that the House of Giambattista Valli will now start incorporating men’s looks, the way Pierpaolo has for Valentino or Elie Saab has for his brand?
A fun collection of relaxed glamorous looks of flowing dresses that seem to give off a 70s nod, bouclé wool jackets, and Valli has paired them with large Swarovski earrings- statement pieces that stand out.
Valli has followed suit with other Paris Fashion Week designers who have created collections inspired by notable women. From Maria Grazia, to Gabriela Hearst, and now Giambattista, all are saying the world has already produced some inspiring women in history. Let’s honor them.