Giambattista Valley

The designer Giambattista Valli considers the seven years in which he was lucky enough to work with Emmanuel Ungaro to be his main success in life. He was born in 1966 in Rome. He is Italian by birth, but lives and works in Paris. And when in his youth he felt a craving and talent for the study of art, he immediately went first to the European Design Institute, where he studied art history, and then to London at the Saint Martin School of Art. Here he studied drawing. Before becoming Ungaro's assistant, Valli collaborated with Roberto Cappucci, then Fendi, Krizia. He represented the collections of the House of Ungaro for many years, and opened his own business almost forty years old, in 2005. Valli often reiterates that he is always looking for femininity for his creations. In his concept, femininity is divided into several categories. One of them, the brightest, to which he ranks Russians, Brazilians and women in Los Angeles.

Janbattista has a special relationship with Russians. He believes that for some time Russian women succumbed to the influence of Europe, but today they have become more daring, decisive and original, they know how to show themselves, their sensuality, and confidence. He admires the greatest wealth of Russian art and culture. Wally says that in such wealth it is impossible not to find inspiration for original ideas. Many ideas taken from Russian culture, stories often become familiar in the fashion world.

Yes, one really should agree with his thoughts, which are based on knowledge of Russian history and culture. Indeed, now, especially in the latest collections of many designers, we can see exactly the Russian style. Let's remember at least Pavlovo shawls or our Russian felt bootsor maybe those Russian ornaments that adorn the collections of many designers. You can't list everything ...

Valli attaches great importance to accessories, because a bag or glasses are not as expensive as a haute couture dress, and the opportunity to join your favorite brand becomes much greater. Moreover, accessories can be changed frequently, creating different looks. Shoes, according to Gianbattista Valli, are a unique piece of jewelry. He knows how to appreciate exclusivity and luxury, he loves to surround himself with his favorite things. Valli lives in a house that once belonged to one of the courtiers of Louis XVI. He also has a house in Rome. But by nature he is a traveler, and therefore spends a lot of time on trips to interesting and fascinating places in the world, drawing inspiration, borrowing something unusual and original.

Wally says about himself that he is "... a terrible hoarder ...". Wherever he goes, he brings jewelry, souvenirs, fabrics, jewelry. Once he had a chance to become the owner of an old pearl necklace, in which each pearl is different from one another, and each is good in its own way. And most likely, as he himself thinks, his style was formed from all those acquisitions with which his houses are inundated. When creating her collections, Valli not only follows new trends, but also brings her own personality. By nature, Gianbattista Valli is an emotional person, so some ideas arise under the influence of emotions, and some he carries for a long time, thinks, suggests, compares. It happens that he works at night when no one is distracting, it helps to concentrate, to find an original solution. For him, the understanding of glamor, chic and femininity develops in the guise of the Ungaro woman, a sophisticated intellectual, confident in her femininity, who loves luxury, glamor, and chic.

Gianbattsita Valley loves Italy, where craft is elevated to the level of art. But he also loves old Paris, where he feels an extraordinary closeness to himself of what once happened there, those dramatic events that are so vividly described in history. And he knows history firsthand.Gianbattista Valli loves to read, especially appreciates old literature, adores old and rare books and acquires them. One of the main influencers for Valli in the modern world of fashion is John Galliano.

Valli is one of those designers trying to save haute couture, which is why he preaches de luxe ready-to-wear. And he hopes that it will succeed, because, as he himself says, "... the world is full of well-earning women or men who support them, who understand that a lady wearing a dress created just for her looks perfect ...". But he also approves of such products as Zara, H&M, Mango, which he considers to be well-tailored mass production, moreover, often updating their collections.

Gianbattista Valli is Italian in spirit, emotional and passionate, has another passion - shoes. "This is the basis of a silhouette, a pedestal for a woman." He admires the craftsmanship of Italian shoemakers and confidently declares that Italian shoemakers are the best in the world. He collects shoes, buying up ladies' shoes wherever he goes - at flea markets. His shoe workshops are all in Italy, because, according to Valli, this is where the highest quality materials and workmanship are guaranteed.

Wally's silhouette, whatever it may be, always emphasizes femininity. In the latest collections, he is dominated by the image of a gentle girl in a flower garden, printed floral prints, frills, flounces, basques. Femininity "... can be expressed in any silhouette" - thinks Gianbattista Valli. He is especially interested in the historical theme of the Russian aristocrat. He is attracted by everything in this image - and “... a light face, light brown hair, ... I adore these combinations. And the names! Masha, Polina, Dasha - poetry! At auditions, I distinguish Russian models instantly - and I always choose them. "