Valentino revealed their Haute Couture collection at the palatial Galleria Colonna, Sala Grande in Rome. Code Temporal, the brainchild of creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli and artist Robert Del Naja, centers around transcending time and ritual.

While the setting looked straight out of a Renaissance painting, Valentino’s collection had a contemporary feel. Italian supermodel Mariacarla Boscono opened the show, pink sleeves peeking out underneath a perforated ivory cape. Most of the models were outfitted in swaths of silk and cashmere in minimalist structures. While simple silhouettes dominated the collection, head-turning pieces like an open-side top adorned with rose-like bijouterie and healthy doses of sequins added texture and contrast. The color scheme was mainly neutrals accented by pops of vivid colors.  Eye-catching details like metallic platform shoes and gold face paint were consistent with the theme of redefining classics.