Valentino Menswear A/W Collection 2012/2013

Valentino got the menswear shows underway - not in Milan but at Florence's Pitti Uomo - as it presented its menswear collection via a catwalk show for the first time since the man himself retired. The label's creative directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, revealed this season's collection was inspired by "the world of couture". 

"This collection is close to the values of beauty and luxury of the brand, but our man is definitely far from what he was before," Piccioli told STYLE.COM. "Beauty is individual and luxury is understated. You need a workmanship culture to buy a couture piece as you would need it to buy a sartorial jacket with the kind of innovation that takes place when tradition meets technology."

Against the juxtaposing backdrop of mammoth Renaissance frescoes and even more mammoth digital LED screens, Clement Chabernaud set the pace with the opening look; a double-breasted, sand coloured trench with an inflated silhouette, crisp collared shirt and tightly tied tie, topped off by what was to become the obligatory Valentino man clutch. With this their second menswear collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli paid respectful homage to the house’s rich archive with classic pieces and a keen eye for meticulous detail. Gloves reigned supreme, as the Valentino man looked every bit the enigmatic Italian Bond villain (albeit a sock-less one). Highlights came in the form of a head to ankle bottle green look (suit, leather gloves and purse) and several pretty impeccable black overcoats, worn best nonchalantly draped over ones shoulders. Very Valentino.

Valentino