Paris Fashion Week: Valentino’s grand tour

Reporting from Paris —  Street style is really giving the runways a run for their money in Paris this season.

The white carpet leading up to the Valentino show Tuesday afternoon in the Tuileries was so thick with looky-loos waiting to snap pics of look-at-mes, it might as well have been a runway. In fact, by the time the show was over and we were all exiting -- including blog star Bryanboy, dressed in a shorts romper and carrying the latest Louis Vuitton trunk bag, and another personality with a plush flower pot atop her head -- the photographers had pulled up chairs and formed their own pit to better catch the action.

Yet, despite the distractions, the afterglow of the show stuck with me.

Reading about George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s Venetian wedding already had me dreaming of Italy, then Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaulo Piccioli showed a collection that went down like a fine aperitivo and left me dreaming of la dolce vita all the more.

They were inspired by the tradition of the Grand Tour, a trip traditionally taken by wealthy Europeans to explore classical Italy. But really, the point seemed to be to create clothes with a sense of history, and stir emotion, which they accomplished by putting forth an astounding display of artisanal craftsmanship.

First, let’s start with the white eyelet embroidered tunics, pinafores and playsuits, and the high-waist maxi-dresses rich with colorful floral embroidery, like something from a bride’s trousseau, passed down through generations. For the honeymoon? Romantic mini dresses in postcard and paisley scarf prints; double linen coats over blouses and flared trousers, and gladiator sandals that lace up the leg.

Sailor-style culottes, macrame knit sweaters, and silk organza evening gowns dotted with starfish or coral branch embroidery suggested a glamorous seaside escape, as did marine-themed jewelry woven into the hair.

The only thing missing? A Clooney to call your own.

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