Valentino turned to the dark and luxurious for its couture collection in Paris, with a strong focus on embroidery and embellishment. Models walked the runway in floor-length gowns in colours from black to maroon red. The high notes of the collection came from the softer, longline dresses with floral patterns against soft nude and peach.
Much of the collection looked fit for the red carpet, with ruffled dresses and small trains reminiscent of wedding dresses. Some of the gowns also featured high shimmer with a slight foil effect.
An ethnic influence was clearly evident in a vast selection of heavily embroidered coats and opulent above-the-knee dresses featuring Christmas-party shimmer of gold and silver. To take us into the evening, the Art Deco-style collections showcased effortless glamour with gowns featuring gold embroidery, soft velvet and luxurious chiffon.
High necklines were a common trend across the couture collection, indicating that, from head to toe, the dresses should speak for themselves.
Click here to see more of Valentino's autumn/winter 2012/13 haute couture collection.
