The twin of this dress was Look 70 on the Spring 2016 runway. In 2016 Valentino was headed by both Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. They had stepped into Mr Valentino's shoes and were breathing new life into the brand. The show was based on Africa as its inspiration and at this period of time the world was watching refugees attempting the journey to Italy. In the Vogue review for this collection Maria and Pierpaulo were quoted as saying; 'We probably feel that the greatest privilege in doing our work is that fashion can give a message,” said Chiuri. “We think every person coming here is an individual, and we can show that we can improve ourselves by understanding other cultures.'... 'The message,' added Piccioli, 'is tolerance. And the beauty that comes out of cross-cultural expression.' Many of the pieces fused Italian and African traditions, 'They met in the textiles'. This dress was one of the simplest of the show but is also one of the most beautiful and best cut with its simple monastic lines. 

The dress is made from a high end silk crepe that is entirely cut on the bias. This is what lets it move so beautifully over the body once it is on. When you walk, the fabric and that back cape catch the air and billows out around you. The colour is a deep hunter green and the dress is the twin of the runway version so you can see exactly how it moves in the video added here. It is constructed so that it drapes on the body perfectly. The dress is suspended from the shoulders by straps that curve up from the fabric of the bodice at the front and then change to skinny little straps that run down the back. It plunges into a low V at the front and the back is deeply scooped so that your entire back is left bare. It skims over the waist and then the skirt falls to the floor in a sweeping expanse of fabric. The skirt is cut beautifully and gradually widens out as it nears the hem. That and the bias cut of it is what gives it the floating effect it has when you move. A low back panel of silk is set to follow the lines there and this panel is what gives the dress its caped feel. The dress has this clever wrap effect to achieve this at the back with the back panel simply snapping into place along the side of the waist. I love that where it snaps into place it creates the slightest fold that gives shape to the waist area. And how that same effect is done on the other side as well even though that side is sewn into place. The precision in cut to have these match and sit like that should not be underestimated. It is very beautiful. It has not been worn and still has it original Valentino hang tag. It is stunning and a beautiful example of how simple doesn't have to mean boring by any means. Excellent condition

Unlined with inner finished fresh seams. The inner dress has a low set zipper at the back and then the back panel wraps and closes with snaps at one side of the waist. Tagged a Valentino 38. The easy cut should fit a range of sizes. If you are not very big busted this might work on a medium as well. Original hang tag attached.

Bust: open at each side so variable. Each triangle is about 6" across at the base
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from the top of the shoulder to the front hem, 64" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3860

Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2016 Valentino Runway Collection, Look 70. Model: Bara Podzimkova.  /  (4) Italian actress Vittoria Puccini in Spring 2016 Valentino silk-cady gown to the 60th David Di Donatello award in Rome.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.