Valentino Spring 2008 – Valentino’s Final Curtain Call

Spring 2008 marks the end of an era, as Valentino presented his last ever ready-to-wear collection for the season, before his retirement earlier this year. So if any of you out there have harbored any vague fantasy about owning a Valentino (unlikely, but that’s why they call it a fantasy,) this is probably the last chance you’ll ever have.

The show progressed in a parade of vibrantly hued coats, light day suits, floral prints, tiered confections, gauzy draped gowns, belted shifts, intricate pleating, decadent lace detail. This last collection is undeniably Valentino; feminine and opulent, classic, tastefully elegant, timeless, yet still brilliantly au courant.

It was a star-studded event, attended by celebrities Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu, and designers Emmanuel Ungaro, Miuccia Prada, and Alber Elbaz (to name a few.) Many came to pay tribute to the industry icon who has dressed many famous stylish women throughout history (including the wedding gown of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ that caught and captured the fashion world’s attention.)

Valentino’s ultimate contribution to fashion, is his signature: the crimson red gown. The show’s finale highlighted the iconic piece with a stream of models all wearing red gowns, flanked the designer as he made his final walk down the runway.