Set within the stunning Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the Giambattista Valli Spring/Summer 2022 collection is a work of art in and of itself. The bright and pastel color palette beautifully brings out the floral embroidery and prints, instantly transporting you to a fresh spring day spent fawning over a Matisse. The mini skirts and dresses in off-white, pale pink, and teal and donned with ruffles and tulle, exude a flirtatious femininity fit for a spring picnic or garden party—you can practically hear the girls giggling now. The fine tailoring and colorway—apropos for the warmer seasons—celebrates the importance of having a bit of fun without sacrificing the appeal of a beautifully made garment.    

 

 

Strutting to an upbeat pop soundtrack, maxi and mini dresses and skirts provide ample frill and flounce, giving the pieces movement to bounce along to the music. Ruffles, tulle, and feathers in colors apt for candy—soft bubblegum pink and seafoam green—feels youthful and reminds the wearer to never forget your sense of play. One thin strapped, coral pink, floor-length dress filled to the brim with ruffles is flirty and playful to its core, while one mini dress in pale pink and red may be of a more 1960’s style minimalism, but is just as coy. 

 

 

As with many of the shows this season, Giambattista Valli remains on par with showing a bit of skin. Dresses long and short feature skin with round cutouts and scoop necklines, creating intrigue that is at once contemporary and romantic. Gorgeous sheer fabric, in tulle or lace with embroidered floral detailing, does not stray away from revealing the garments underneath. Nor does it shield from the appeal of dressing up for oneself, which has been forgotten for too long over the past couple years. 

 

 

The very spring collection is not solely about play, however, and embraces the joy of dressing for the everyday. Tweed vests and skirt sets in cream and gold, along with wide-leg white trousers, a blazer, and embroidered jackets and vests, are timeless staple items that embrace practicality and fine tailoring. Also a tad flirtatious in their own right, these pieces pair well with sheer embroidered tops and cut-out bodysuits. 

A romantic vision befitting of spring and summer, Giambattista Valli’s collection is a welcome reminder of how a bit of floral embroidery and pastel colors can instantly transport you to a warm day of play—at the park, or for that matter, the museum. You just might perfectly blend into a Renoir.