Between 7 August 2010 until the 14 November 2010, The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane is hosting the world’s one and only Valentino Retrospective – an exhibition exploring the works of acclaimed Italian fashion house Valentino.

I can’t even begin to describe the decadence and absolute beauty of the 100 exquisite haute couture gowns on display for the Brisbane art scene and all its fashion junkies. Or should I say ‘followers’ considering the sheer elegant nature of this exhibition deserves and attracts an elegant crowd.

The fabrics range from crocodile skin, to furs and more delicate ones such as crushed silk, draped chiffons, organza, and velvet. Do not even get me started on the beading, as my words could not possibly describe the intricate, immaculate, and simply amazing hand beaded trains and bodices of pearls, crystals, and feathers.

The exhibition spans across more than five decades. Some of the dresses even date back to the 1960′s with an array of Valentino’s most recent works scattered in between

Upon entry of the exhibition you’re greeted with an amazing blush pink evening empire dress with a train made of silk crepe and finished with a cape composed of pink organza petals. And if you have no idea what I just said, then all you need to know is that it’s absolutely breathtakingly stunning! The dresses are placed in colour order providing a rainbow feast for the eyes. There is even a podium dedicated to the famous ‘Valentino Red’ that Valentino has become internationally recognised for.

As I walked around, I couldn’t help but notice that Julia Roberts famous 2001 Oscar dress was over in the middle and that the yellow dress with the plum sash on the podium once belonged to Cate Blanchett on the red carpet. There was also a lemon and pink floral design with green silk trim that looked just like the one Audrey Hepburn wore and then in the next room was the famous black velvet Jaqueline Onassis dress. Each accompanying plaque told me that my suspicions were right and that each of these dresses and many more were once worn by these perfectly groomed leading ladies. It’s really a testament to the man himself for dressing such an amazing calibre of women.

Valentino was famous, before he retired in 2008, for creating garments that suited and echoed the symmetry of the female form. The exhibition only escalates the beauty of his ability to design dresses that strike the perfect balance between fashion, form and volume. His very first piece to be published in American Vogue that is featured in the exhibition encapsulates this balance with a simple black, full length shift dress with a zebra print bolero completing the look.

The exhibition really highlights the absolute precision and consideration that Valentino put into every design. The sheer elegance and embellishments on these gowns is extraordinary and most definitely worth a trip to Brisbane. Even if you must catch a train, then a plane and then a magic unicorn made of confectionary just to get there!

At the end of the day, I urge you to get to the Valentino Retrospective exhibition even if it means giving up a leg or an arm because it certainly is the most visually picturesque exhibition I have seen in a long time. I literally had to pick my chin up off the floor as I was dragged out kicking and screaming at gallery closing time.

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Featured Contributor: Georgia Canning

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