Into the Fold: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2017

Giambattista Valli’s Haute Couture collection had us itching to whip out the iron, steamer, blow dryer, or any other device used for getting the kinks out of fabric. Are you too busy to straighten out your couture gowns after your luggage has been delivered from the Gulfstream? Have you recently unloaded the help? Are you unable to find a global version of Madame Paulette? Giamba to the rescue: The designer appeared intent on making folded creases en vogue. Désolé, but this is probably not the kind of thing that’s going to catch on with this clientele.

But the gowns? Another story entirely. Valli can turn out a gown that will empty the deepest of pockets, and happily so. The minidresses with the flowing trains were glam to the absolute max, and the finale gowns are only fitting for three environments: the red carpet, the chateaux, or Le Bal des Débutantes. These are the kind of dresses that firmly establish one’s social status.