Valentino took drama to its height at its Wednesday spring couture collection in Paris, where Celine Dion wept theatrically as a solemn Naomi Campbell swept past to close the house's show in a see-through black organza gown.
Naomi Campbell closes the show. (Picture: Instagram)
The VIP crowd that was surrounded by multicoloured perfumed flowers whooped during a standing ovation as snow fell outside.
On couturier Pierpaolo Piccioli's request, Valentino's seamstresses named each and every couture dress after a flower or emotion.
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)
This detail reveals the preciousness that the designer and his atelier bestowed on the 65 carefully constructed looks, in which each model was transformed into a silken bloom.
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)
A surreal red rose hood opened the collection, enveloping the model's head. Later gowns were less unusual or daring, producing a display in which Piccioli offered a more classical interpretation of floral couture.
A Flower Opening. (Picture: Instagram)
Wednesday's effort lacked some of the vigour of Piccioli's standout collection last season, but it was poetic, thoughtful and colour-rich.
Aquarelle floral print on a draped pant look sported billowing sleeves that harkened to the Italy-based house's touchstone of the Renaissance.
A dramatic tiered pant-gown shimmered with floral lace encrustations and pearls. It took some 620 hours to make, according to the program notes.
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)
Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019. (Reuters)