MID - DAY
It’s difficult to define style. It’s not what you’re wearing but how you wear it. It’s a personal thing & reflected in the way you arrange your house, your taste in flowers, books & art - It’s the personal stamp you give to everything you touch. How do I want to look – elegant, feminine and glamorous.
For me it’s very important to be an individual - for me that is what a style diva is – if you use a stylist you reflect the stylist and not yourself. What you wear should be an extension - a reflection of who you are, of your inner self. A person who needs a stylist lacks individuality.
Style is a whole combination of things. Not only what you’re wearing but how you act. Its attitude, its movement, it doesn’t have anything to do with beauty, wealth or labels. Some women can spend thousands of dollars and not look elegant at all and then you see someone else in a nothing dress and she has it.
The most important accessory for any woman is a full-length mirror.
The fashion of Valentino takes the form of a dream that emits beauty and style. It’s an aesthetic transfer of idealized perfection that, once touched by real people and the surrounding world, comes to life with feeling and emotion.
It’s a dream that over the last 40 years has scattered and spread amongst millions of clients--women who are captivated by the eternal romanticism of Valentino.
The fullest expression of this aesthetic ideal is without a doubt the Haute Couture, the original source for the creative research and development of all of the Valentino collections, from prêt-à-porter to accessories to perfume.
For Valentino, Haute Couture has always signified quality, precision in cuts and draping, attention to details and to the choice of accessories. It embodies the highest tradition of Italian creativity and craftsmanship.
Drawing upon incomparable values of the past while possessing a unique understanding of the present is what allows Valentino clothes to be both classic and ultra modern at the same time. Continuity is maintained, but always pushed forward.
The phenomenon of vintage, which has exploded in the last few years, as well as the continued success of pieces created over forty years ago, all point to this fact. The Jackie frock coat, designed for the then-First Lady, is still a “piece de resistance” in the collections, desired by women the world over.
Similarly, accessories, for both men & women have been re-launched using original fabrics, prints and decorative elements of past couture, have had an extraordinary success. A sparkle of glamour is effortlessly brought to every day life.
The unmistakable signatures of the Valentino world—Red and the V logo- become instant symbols of this glamour.
From the very first steps taken into the magical world of Valentino fashion, Red plays center stage. It is a symbol of creative freedom, of the bond between sensuality and femininity. Valentino’s red is the red of poppies (frequently printed on his clothing), of auras, of women dressed in red summer cotton. It heralds from Spain, but also from China.
V is the symbol of singularity in his fashion. A fashion which began forty years ago when the logo had not yet become an object of press attention, but a symbol of style.
V, on prints, knits, jacquard, engravings, applications, jewelry, buckles, broaches and watches.
V, as a sign of recognition.
V, as in Valentino.
Valentino Garavani:
The Main line of Valentino for both men & women. The accessory collection is a part of the Valentino Garavani label.
Valentino Roma:
For young women between the ages of 25 to 35, Glamorous, chic yet affordable.
Valentino White label:
For the young “yuppy man” …. age 25 to 35.
Valentino Red:
The diffusion label for both men & women was created for the younger generation for age 15 years upward. The clothes have the chicness of the main label & reflect the essence of Valentino but is young, trendy & very affordable. Prices start at Rs 5000 upwards.
Valentino is priced the same in India as it is in Europe. Valentino was the ideal choice for the Indian market because it caters to all age segments & has something for the older traditional consumer to the young hip teenager.
The accessories are ideal for sarees, trousseaus & traditional wear - so it adapts to Indian tradition.
Unlike other emerging markets - China, Russia, Dubai - India has consistently had its share of super wealthy customers. Western Luxury brands aren’t new to India either. In their heyday, the maharajas were enthusiastic customers for Louis Vuitton trunks and Boucheron and Cartier jewels as well as Osler Chandeliers. What has changed radically is that there is a burgeoning middle class of 300 million people growing by 25 million each year.
In spite of the maharajas’ opulent purchases of old, India has had a tradition of fiscal conservatism, of saving rather than spending. Yet the combination of a GDP rising at 8% per annum and one of the world’s youngest populations (more than 200 million people between the ages of 15 & 24) means spending power has shifted to those with a fever for fashion. Add to that the booming media in the world’s largest democracy bringing brand awareness, plus the reduction of once punitive import taxes and India starts looking like a retail gold mine.
Fifteen years ago, India was much more traditional. We had two TV channels. Now we have more than 80. The Internet, the media changed so much.
Mafatlal Luxury has the franchisee & distribution of Valentino for India.
Our 1st store is at the Shangri-la hotel, New Delhi & we are looking for the right location to open Valentino in Mumbai & then thereafter in the metro cities.
The lack of ideal retail space is the biggest hurdle faced by the Indian retailer, especially the luxury retailer. Unfortunately we have no Via Montenapoleone or Rue de Faburge st honore.
It’s a big mistake to intellectualize fashion. Fashion is for the eye, not for the head, unless it s a tiara.
Retail therapy is the best stress buster…… there is no better therapy than Retail Therapy.
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