With one million rose blossoms in bloom, flawlessly trimmed topiaries, and a sprawling, eight bedroom Louis XIII-style estate lit up in bright pink lights, Valentino Garavani was beaming last Friday evening, as he celebrated the opening of his much anticipated archive collection at his famed home, Château de Wideville, just thirty minutes outside of Paris. Photographed by model-turned-photographer Astrid Muñoz, the night was a dazzling and memorable end to the 2010 Fall Couture shows in Paris. “Val’s Halla,” the title of the celebration given by Vogue magazine’s online collaboration, Style.com, perfectly described this most indescribable of nights.
Elizabeth Hurley, Claire Danes, Jane Fonda, Blake Lively, Anna Wintour, and fellow fashion
designer Marc Jacobs, were only a few of the starry eyed celebrities who toured, ate, and danced the night away to the spinning genius of DJ Jesus (the on-again, off-again current squeeze of Madonna). The archives of Valentino’s work, on display in one of the many accompanying château cottages, showcased over 10,000 pictures, original sketches, and works by Valentino. “I remember every detail, every dress,” the designer was quoted saying, “Every drawing reminds me of a period, of a moment. It fills me with joy.”
After a record six decades in the business, Valentino gave the world something more than just great fashion; he reinvented beauty with a softness and grace that transported women from lovely to gorgeous in one breath.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Valentino Garavani; Natalia Vodianova; Astrid Muñoz; Jessica Alba (Château Wideville).
Posted by : Courtney O’Kane Academy of Art University Alumna at 03:24 AM (IST)
