RUNWAY: Valentino SS19

Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli took branding and logos to a new level today at the Parisian label's Spring/Summer 2019 runway show. There was nary a garment without some form of Valentino branding, from the iconic circular 'V' logo to the name itself showing up as pattern (from checkerboard to argyle to chevron). This combined with a strong cast of people of color wearing these inspired-from-the-streets looks of baggy tracksuits, oversized bombers and gender-neutral garments. Though Valentino is one of the most venerable and highly regarded high fashion labels in the world, this urban and street-friendly effort from Piccioli felt authentic and that might have to do with the aforementioned cast, who seem like the type of men and women who would actually wear these clothes could they afford it. And that, friends, is the rub of high fashion.