PARIS — The experimentalism and audacity of 1980s club kids inspired Valentino, one of the last high-octane shows of this Paris Fashion Week couture season.
Thousands of fans lined the Pont Alexandre III bridge on a chilly Wednesday night to scream as their idols went in and out – from K-pop star Suga of BTS fame to Anne Hathaway and Kylie Minogue.
But screams also echoed inside the aptly named Bridge Club venue as supermodel Kristen McMenamy took a tumble as she walked the runway. Director Baz Luhrmann also spoke to The Associated Press about his Academy Award nomination for “Elvis.”
All eyes now look toward Fendi on Thursday, to cap the season:
VALENTINO LE CLUB COUTURE
The iconic sound of 80s´ hit “Fade to Grey” by Visage echoed through the stone arches of the underground club venue, as fashion insiders – including Anna Wintour and couture favorite Luhrmann – tapped their feet and watched on.
It was a co-ed show for club kids.
In an irreverent take on classical couture, designer Pierpaolo Piccioli played with Valentino codes to make micro tops out of tulle bows, jumpsuits out of thousands of feathers and evening jackets out of metal beading.
He had a lot of fun along the way, lining the myriad designs with polka dots in the spirit of ’80s euphoria.
Sheer lace trenches and ruffled poet´s blouses – almost straight from the wardrobe of late Visage singer Steve Strange – had guests reaching for their cameras.
Minogue, who looked thrilled, said the show was about how “to break free of the rules and inhabit your true self … You´re in Paris tonight. You´re in the middle of it all.”
Valentino continued its club couture at the iconic Maxime´s with a couture DJ set, as guests were whisked away by limousines to escape the screaming crowds.
