He was the prodigious young man who Emanuel Ungaro adopted as a disciple before he created his own haute couture maison in 2005 and became one of the most sought-after creators of Hollywood stars. Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Kendall Jenner, Zendaya and Jennifer Lopez rely on their taste when they have to step on the red carpet, but also personalities such as Queen Rania of Jordan or Amal Clooney turn to Giambattista Valli, who they say is the most French of Italian designers. And also Carlota Casiraghi, granddaughter of the legendary Grace Kelly, who commissioned her wedding dress for her religious wedding ceremony in 2019, two years before she decided to create her first bridal line, Love Collection.
A retailer and friend of mirrors, as he declared years ago to the New York Times, Giambattista Valli presents his third Love Collection exclusively on the catwalk in Barcelona, a city that he considers “the world capital of bridal fashion.” At 56 years old, Valli continues to support timeless, eternal and natural fashion that pursues a fusion of the sophisticated and the spontaneous, of haute couture and ready-to-wear, of the Parisian and Roman inspiration that makes up the DNA. of his firm, one of the most recognizable and admired on the international scene.
And these influences are reflected in a romantic, feminine and innovative collection like the one that will be shown at the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, the event organized by Fira de Barcelona with the support of the Department of Business and Labor of the Generalitat of Catalonia and of which will be its great protagonist. Valli answers the Magazine's questions by email before giving the finishing touches to the garments that she is going to exhibit this April 18 at the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona, an emblematic building that brings together more than five centuries of history, arts, architecture and culture.
It is the first time that you will present your creations from the Love Collection 2025 in a fashion show. Why in Barcelona?
I chose Barcelona and Bridal Fashion Week for the debut of my Love Collection 2025 for several reasons. Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week attracts a diverse audience of fashion enthusiasts, designers, buyers and media from around the world, providing an excellent platform to showcase my creations to a global audience. Additionally, Barcelona's romantic and cosmopolitan atmosphere aligns perfectly with the theme of my collection, which celebrates love and romance.
What news will it show?
What you will see is a climax of silhouettes, a comprehensive display of my vision of bridal wear; from pieces characteristic of Valli's DNA, to completely new and unpublished ones and also haute couture. I always say that creating and choosing a wedding dress is like a therapy session where I listen to my clients and try to interpret their childhood dreams and fantasies into something tangible and that is why I want to propose a show where everyone can be inspired.
Haute couture, ready-to-wear and also bridal fashion. How do you apply your innovative style to wedding outfits?
I think it's about dressing dreams to give shape to a moment of deep joy and happiness, which transcends rituals and institutions. And it seems to me that I have achieved it, that that has been the key to my success with all the brides I have worked with so far.
Can you go beyond the classic style in bridal outfits? Is it difficult to break with the typical image of this type of dresses?
What I really want is to skip formalities and create a dreamy moment that leaves you speechless.
What is the bride Valli like?
A Giambattista Valli wedding dress is quite a statement. Brides come to me because they observe and like my signature. The Love collections embody a sense of timeless elegance and femininity, while maintaining an air of romance. The Valli bride is characterized by her grace and sophistication, and has a penchant for luxurious details, such as delicate embroidery and fabrics. She exudes confidence as she embraces the romantic side of her. She is a vision of timeless beauty, her dress reflects her personality and captures the magic of the moment.
Tulle, organza, macramé... the fabrics and materials in your proposals are really special: which ones do you like to work with the most? Is there one you would like to try that you haven't used yet?
Each fabric suggests different volumes, so I choose the fabrics that will best capture the silhouette I have outlined.
