MILAN FASHION WEEK: BALLY FALL/WINTER 2010

Bally showed their Fall/Winter 2010 looks this past weekend in Milan. Designer Brian Atwood delivered--this being his last show at the helm of the brand.

A look from Bally's Fall/Winter 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection.

WWD reports that Atwood "had a vision--Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo waiting on a train station platform on a foggy winter eve. He imagined them wearing outerwear. . . " While Dietrich and Garbo cloaked their unapologetic sensuality in mystery, Bally would have us cloak ours in blanket cutouts and aviators made of the finest cashmere, mink or jersey bonded lamb nappa; palazzo trousers in double-sided stretch gabardine; and silk dresses with delicate pleating and draping.

Mae Python Bag

Bally's bags are, in keeping with tradition, a compelling fusion of form and function. One would think that the clean lines would be lost in the shadow of tactile leathers such as grommet covered nappa, antiqued deer, sprayed python and leopard print pony, but the richly textured hides only highlight the construction. Note the brands iconic red/white trainspotting stripes (a nice homage to the company's Swiss roots) is still prominently featured, but subtly incorporated.

Anny Shoe

And then there are the shoes. This season's shoes are a nod to the archive pieces of the 1900s through the 1930s, with thoroughly modern proportions. As is typical of this luxury brand, construction is completed using only the finest glove nappa or lizard.

Click "Read more" below to see more of Bally's Fall/Winter RTW collection. Thanks to Brittany at Bally for the photos!

VALENTINO, THE MOVIE.

There's a pug missing! You'll know who and why when you see the movie . . .

Filmed over the course of two years, "Valentino: The Last Emperor" is really a documentary about the legendary designer and his relationships with fashion, his beloved Giancarlo Giammetti, and his dogs--6 pugs: Milton, Monty, Maude, Margot, Maggie and Molly--not necessarily in that order of importance; Valentino once declared: "I don't care about the collection. My dogs are much more important." If Valentino were not a designer, he would surely be a comedian. I didn't expect to laugh as much as I did throughout this movie.

Directed by Vanity Fair writer and editor, Matt Tyranauer, the movie gives us insight into the tension between Valentino and the new CEO, Matteo Marzotto, whose family controlled the Valentino brand since 2002. In my opinion, the most thrilling aspects of the movie centered on Valentino Garavani's last haute couture show and the spectacular 45th anniversary Valentino retrospective in Rome. Valentino: The Last Emperor is showing in selected cities. Click here for locations and ticket information.

Yours truly at Valentino Corporate Offices in Milan.

Since it doesn't quite look like I will get to a GlobeShopper Italy post, I thought I'd share these pictures, taken several years ago on a trip to Milan. In addition to being geeked about experiencing the culture and food of northern Italy and getting the opportunity to travel to (shop at Serravalle!) neighboring cities, and Switzerland (for more outlet shopping at Foxtown), my Milan experience was truly magical because my travel companions and I met with representatives from Valentino--specifically the CEO of the Marzotto Group--at the Valentino offices.

A little bit of heaven. Heading towards the Valentino friends and family room. We couldn't believe our luck! 
 

And, as if that was not enough, he invited us back to the friends and family showroom (depicted above), where everything was 50% off. Write-downs of 50% were not typical back then! And, then there was swag: bags made from vintage Valentino scarves. My bag is made from a scarf from the Fall Winter '69 - '70 collection. Our visit to Valentino made Milan unforgettable!