Valentino: The King of the Designer Vintage April 19 2022

Recently I was clicking through some of the Met Gala’s best looks (because that’s what people do when they’re waiting for a meeting to start…don’t they?) and came across Rachel McAdams’ name. (Yes, I am just that late to catching up on big events like the Met Gala—it’s been a busy month!)  Being a firm believer in both Sherlock Holmes and Mean Girls, I clicked—and immediately fell in love with the Valentino gown she wore for the event.  It’s somehow modest yet sexy, solid yet sheer, metallic yet light.  And then, when you think you’ve taken in all the details, you notice the gold of the chiffon skirt is actually words—lines from Dante’s Divine Comedy, to be exact. How can any of those things be wrong?

Rachel McAdams at the 2016 Met Gala wearing Valentino. Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com.

The creators of that delightful little ensemble were Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, who up until very recently were both the creative directors of Valentino. The two have been sharing that role at Valentino’s house of fashion since 2008 and continue to churn out unique, creative, and chic designs that have remained a mainstay for the world’s most fashionable people.

Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. Image courtesy of valentino.com.
Chiuri and Piccioli first met while they were students at Rome’s European Institute of Design, and then worked together at Fendi’s design studio. The duo was recruited by Valentino Garavani himself in 1999, when the designer hired them as accessory designers.  The two continued to work their way up, and when Valentino retired in 2007, the pair was appointed co-creative directors.  While the Valentino house had long been a respected and well-known line, when Chiuri and Piccioli took over, the line developed a contemporary spin that’s hard to ignore.  Sort of like those swirling lines of Dante incorporated into Rachel McAdams’ Met Gala dress…  Their pieces are sure to become coveted Designer Vintage in the next 20 years.  Chiuri recently left Valentino to take over at the house of Dior. Piccioli will stay at Valentino!
Valentino Rockstud flap bag for sale at Rice and Beans Vintage.

For some great vintage Valentino finds be sure to check out Rice and Beans Vintage—have you seen the red hot studded flap bag? Vavavoom!

Written by Heather Cox for Rice and Beans Vintage.