I watched 'Valentino: the last emperor' again last night and my god everything was so beautiful I wanted to cry. Since Valentino has left I think the brand itself has declined a lot- which was really inevitable. The really defining features of Valentino's designs are slightly missing, they aren't as intricate and are strangely less feminine.
The Valentino Fall 2012 collection breaks my heart. I think it's way too harsh with the black thick leather being included in most pieces. Maybe I just fell too in love with the sheer and light fabrics Valentino brought back during the late 2000's, but the silhouette of these are really unflattering and to be honest leave me imagining the matrix rather than haute couture. Even when they do manage to add laces and a more feminine look (spring 2012 collection pictured on the right), it still doesn't quite hit Valentino's standards- The neckline and sleeves give a kind of boxy look, and the material in the opaque parts of the dress seem too think. They've got a hell of a lot to live up to, trying to continue the brand without the original designer, and while the new designs can be beautiful in them selves, I inevitably find myself comparing them to Valentino's and the new ones lose, ever. single. time.
I understand your feeling. I keep comparing the original Dior to Galliano, and Chanel to Lagerfeld.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, Valentino does seem way off lately. The SS 2012 kind of reminds me of Lagerfeld's Chanel though. But yes, the FW 2012 is just ugly. The leather didn't do good at all. :(
I do the exact same thing with Chanel and Lagerfeld as well! I get attached to the original designer of a brand, which means the ones who take over have to work extremely hard to live up to their standards. A hard job to do, but I'd like to believe it can be done! haha
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