Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future

Venue: GoMA, South Bank, Brisbane
Dates: 7 August - 14 November 2010
Cost: Adult $20; Concession $16; Member $15; Secondary students $10;
Child (12 years & under) FREE; Family (1–2 Adults & Children aged 13–17) $50
Season tickets also available

Click on the images for a larger view

A major retrospective exhibition featuring designs from the House of Valentino will be showing exclusively at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Brisbane from this month.

Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future incorporated a stunning array of Valentino Garavani’s haute couture designs from the late 1950s through to his final collection in January 2008, as well as recent creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli – appointed in October 2008 Creative Directors for Valentino – highlighting the future direction of this most esteemed fashion house.

Valentino was the first couture house outside of Paris to be officially recognised by the French Government. ‘The retrospective of 100 ensembles includes some of the most important haute couture creations originally shown in the exhibition ‘Valentino: Themes and Variations’ at Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, in 2008,’ he said.

‘The exhibition explores Valentino’s techniques and recurring motifs such as ornamentation, the use of geometric and animal prints, frills, folds and pleats as well as the creative possibilities of volume, surface and line.

‘Garments worn by Hollywood stars and high society figures such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and others will be displayed along with the stunning black and white gown Julia Roberts wore to the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001.

‘In addition to a number of ensembles from Valentino’s noted ‘White Collection’ from 1968, the exhibition features a selection of signature ‘Valentino red’ dresses, including one from the couturier’s first collection — ‘Fiesta’, a strapless cocktail dress in draped tulle from Spring/Summer 1959.

‘The exhibition, curated by Pamela Golbin, curator-in-chief for the Fashion and Textiles collection of Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, also considers the future design direction of the Valentino label with five recent creations from the House of Valentino’s new creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli.

Valentino Evening gown Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2004–05, Model 142 | Strapless black shantung evening gown piped with black lace and black sequin embroidery, top embroidered with black beads and fringes, train and cascade lined in red satin; fabric: Bucol | Collection: Valentino Archives | Photograph: Jean Tholance

‘We are honoured to be the exclusive Australian venue for this extraordinary exhibition that will engage followers of Valentino and fashion lovers from all over the country,’ Mr Ellwood said.

A hardcover companion to the exhibition, published by Rizzoli, celebrates Valentino Garavani’s 49 year career, focusing on his most important and emblematic haute couture designs. Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future is available for purchase at the Gallery Store and online.

The exhibition was designed and realised by Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, with the assistance of the Valentino fashion house; and organised in Australia by the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia.