GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE - FALL 2011
AMAZING EVENT
Roman fashion designer Giambattista Valli (say JOM BA TISTA with a soft j) has joined the most elite club in the fashion world. With the staging of his Fall 2011 Collection in Paris this month, Valli is the latest addition to Parisian Haute Couture (literally - High Sewing in English). With only 12 other designers in the world showing fashion for Fall at this made-by-hand level of luxury, this is major news for couture fashion and for Valli. Valli's timing couldn't be better, as this was the first season that John Galliano was not designing Couture. Galliano's dismissal from Dior (and his own namesake label) this Spring left a black hole in Couture as he was the strongest designer working in the medium. 
French Couture is the most regulated fashion industry in the world. All garments called Couture must be made by hand, in fact if a piece can be made by machine - it cannot be considered Couture. Controlled by the Federation Francaise de la Haute Couture (formerly known as the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture) few designers can every hope to become a member of this elite group. The most obvious reason is talent, the most practical reason is funding. In order to even be considered, 
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE - FALL 2011a designer must meet some rigid criteria such as - dedicating 15 employees solely to creating Couture, showing two collections per year (Fall & Spring) containing at least 35 looks of day and evening wear, & starting each creative process with a fitting on a live model. There are more, but these three usually eliminate many a talented young designer.
Giambattista Valli
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI WITH JOSEPH BOITANO OF SAKS 5TH AVENUE is no stranger to the designer world or the glamour of Parisian fashion. Valli was the creative director for French House Emanuel Ungaro for about 5 years in the 90's, and launched his own collection of ready to wear in 2005 in Paris. (He also has a moment with Krizia prior to Ungaro - but just as when Alber Elbaz tried to work with Krizia- it didn't last long). Since the launch of his collection, Valli has developed a loyal following of socialites, debutantes, and red carpet starlets. 
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE - FALL 2011 All the girls love Giambattista! One look at his collection and you know why. Valli has a rebellious edge that he buries in beauty and sophistication. The results flatter anyone who wears them. With his first Couture collection, he chose to pay homage to the craft - even showing two dresses built from the famous dressing gowns worn by showroom models. The black and white looks set a theme for several looks in this beautiful collection. Cool coral, the palest cream, and the chicest red were also strong on the runway. Not to mention an exotic leapard print that will have the ladies that love those prints - panting.
Enter Saks 5th Avenue and group SVP & GMM - Joseph Boitano. Boitano has an eye for
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE- FALL 2011 relevant fashion, and for over 30 years he has been shaping the retail landscape for the wealthiest women in America. Not surprising to learn, he was the man responsible for all designer collections at Bergdorf Goodman for years before Saks was able to Lure him away (and just a few blocks down 5th avenue) in 1999. Since that time, Boitano has helped Saks regild some of that retail Gold that Saks has been known for since 1924. Exactly what he has done with Giambattista. In addition to carrying Valli's RTW collection, Saks 5th Avenue is having exclusive special order events with Valli's couture collection. Saks is the first store in the U.S. to preview the collection and clients will view 35 of the 45 
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE - FALL 2011actual Couture samples via informal modeling, and ultimately order from the looks. The brainchild of Boitano, this is clearly as luxurious a retail experience as you will find anywhere. Beyond this would mean making a Couture appointment in Paris.
This truly celebrates the history of New York Fashion and the history of Saks 5th avenue. After all, before the invention of Ready To Wear in the early 60's (credited to Yves Saint Laurent), department store buyers would attend the Couture shows twice a year in Paris. The buyers would make their selections, and then the store would enter into contracts with the fashion houses to produce these looks for a set period of several weeks or a few months. The store would buy one sample and have their own pattern makers recreate the look. Private in-store fashion shows for best customers was a regular event back in New York. (Vintage shoppers will have seen labels like "Christian Dior for Saks 5th Avenue" for example). This really is a coup! Bravo to Saks & Mr. Boitano, and of course to you Mr. Valli for creating a most beautiful collection.
The Couture samples will be at the Saks 5th Avenue Flagship store on Tuesday and Wednesday -July 26th & 27th. Don't miss this most special fashion event. Call your sales associate now and have them book you an appointment. To find out more about the show or Valli's collection call Saks at 212-753-4000, (ask for the Giambattista Valli boutique on the 3rd Floor). Of course if you are in New York or the tri-state area, stop by Saks to see these works of art for yourself! (The collection moves to Saks Chicago on Michigan Avenue for two days during the first week of August).