EXCLUSIVE: Giambattista Valli Is Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week’s Next Guest Designer
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MILAN — Giambattista Valli will be the next guest designer to bring his bridal creations to Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, headlining the fair’s upcoming edition, scheduled for April 17 to 21.
Valli has designed bridalwear throughout his career, especially through his haute couture atelier, but formally introduced a dedicated line, called “Love Collection,” in 2021.
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The Barcelona show marks the first time Valli will show the line on the runway.
As this edition’s guest designer, Valli follows in the footsteps of Elie Saab and Viktor & Rolf, who showed at the bridal fair in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Valli show is to be held on April 17 as part of the Bridal Night gala at a still undisclosed venue, the one-night event that kicks off the five-day trade show.
Valli told WWD that hitting the Barcelona stage will allow him to reach a wider audience, “almost like inviting a new group of friends to a celebration, not only in terms of industry and retailers, but also when it comes to brides-to-be, who are always very watchful and whom the influence of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week will be able to inspire.”
“Staging a fashion show also gives me the chance to better narrate my vision; the production, the music, the location will add to the story and to the emotions I want to portray,” he added.
His bridal creations, imbued with a romantic, feminine and whimsical flair, have been worn by celebrities and socialites alike, many of them part of Valli’s inner circle, including Jessica Biel, Charlotte Casiraghi, Margherita Missoni and Caroline Vreeland.
The made-to-order “Love Collection” is typically unveiled once a year, each lineup comprising about 15 to 20 gowns and accessories. It includes evening dresses such as mousseline draped silhouettes and ruffled lace and organza numbers, as well as tailored suiting and short frocks.
In the latter category falls Amal Clooney’s wedding gown — a short, embroidered macramé number she donned for her marriage to George Clooney. Asked about his bridal muses, the designer said Clooney “perfectly represents the essence of the Valli woman” and “gave life to an iconic moment” when she wore his gown.
“When I make wedding dresses with my haute couture clients, I always say that it is always like I’m a shrink in a therapy session. I have to listen to wishes, childhood fantasies and insecurities to create the dream dress. Therefore the muses are all the women I dressed and my different experiences with them,” he offered. “I’d like to lighten-up the process of a wedding, to make happy times effortless and carefree.”
“It’s an absolute privilege for the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week to welcome one of the most beloved haute couture and international fashion firms. Its participation will strategically position Barcelona as a destination for haute couture brands beyond Paris,” said trade show director Albasarí Caro.
The upcoming edition of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week will be held at the city’s Montjuïc venue, with fashion shows animating the showcase during the first four days. Organizer Fira de Barcelona expects the actual trade show — held at the fairgrounds on April 19 to 21 — to gather about 300, mainly international, exhibitors.
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