FASHION EXHIBITION NEWS: VALENTINO IS COMING TO LONDON

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Gowns displayed in Rome, 2007 from the Valentino archive in his favourite colour red (image from nytimes.com)

A very quick post from me today as I have just got back from Eton Dorney where I saw Katherine Grainger and Anna Grainger storm to a brilliant victory in their race to win Gold while Alan Campbell, Geroge Nash and William Satch came in to take Bronze in their races- it was just awesome. This made me think that post-Olympics London is going to be rather miserable. Then, I remembered that London Fashion Week is just around the corner and then we have privilege of welcoming Valentino: Master of  Couture in November. Somerset House is taking on what will surely be one its biggest fashion exhibitions to date, complete with 60 metre catwalk and gowns spanning the career of (now retired) Valentino Garavani. The seminal Rome 2007 exhibition of Garavani's work is one every fashion lover wishes they'd seen. Some were lucky enough to have that opportunity but those of us who missed out will now get the chance to see the work one of the Emperor/ Master himself in the city which is arguably the fashion world's creative hotbed right now.

"An evening dress that reveals a woman's ankles while walking is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen"
I adore the Valentino: The Last Emperor documentary which followed Garavani in the run-up to the Rome exhibit and his retirement. In this excerpt, there is a beautiful mid-air performance from dancers dressed in Valentino gowns. Enjoy!

Valentino: Master of Couture, is at Somerset House, London from 29 November to 3 March