Valentino to stage couture show

The show must go on. The traditional Paris Couture Week of runway shows has officially been cancelled but that isn't stopping Valentino from hosting its couture show to a set of Italy-based reviewers. Valentino is still participating in digital couture week, and on July 8 at 6 p.m. they will reveal the inspiration for the collection. In addition, they will be hosting a runway show on July 21 at Cinecittà Studios.

After having one of the worst coronavirus infection rates in the world, Italy has managed to "flatten the curve" as they say, and slowly began reopening businesses in late April. Lockdown and travel restrictions have been heavily relaxed in the country so far, with businesses taking safety and sanitation measures to ensure the health and wellness of citizens and employees. With some travel restrictions still in place. Without a large international audience, this is expected to be one of Valentino's smaller scale shows.

Valentino's couture shows are typically staged at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild and are quite the theatrical endeavor. Despite the change in location and new format, Valentino isn't letting anyone rain on their couture parade.

Digital Couture Week will take place from July 6 to 8 with video format presentations. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, Paris' governing fashion body, has yet to reveal a schedule of who will be participating, but some notable absences will be on the calendar. Givenchy won't be joining couture week this year as they just named Matthew Williams their creative director. Jean Paul Gaultier will also be postponing his collection, which was to be guest designed by Sacai designer Chitose Abe.

photo: via Valentino.com