Suited up in head-to-toe pink, Zendaya looked impeccable when she arrived at the Valentino show during Paris Fashion Week. The “Euphoria” star donned a double-breasted blazer with floral embroidery, matching trousers, and a plunging buttonless blouse – all from the Italian luxury fashion house. She tied the look together with a pair of hot-pink platform heels, embracing one of spring’s biggest shoe trends. The power look was a symbol of beauty and elegance, not unlike Zendaya‘s embellished Valentino mini dress and coat at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards.
Dressed by longtime stylist Law Roach, Zendaya kept accessories minimal, opting for a pair of gold earrings and a layered necklace. Knowing the Gen Z star’s history of method dressing, it’s no surprise that her look was on theme for the Valentino show, nodding clearly to Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s colour palette for the fall 2022 season.
The new collection centred around a vivid shade of pink, which Valentino describes as “the colour of love, community, energy and freedom.” Models walked down the runway in vibrant fuchsia oversize coats, tailored suits, sheer blouses, majestic capes, and gowns with floral appliqués. The matching accessories – from tights to tall platform shoes – created a striking visual statement that Piccioli conceived as a “manifestation of the unconscious and a liberation from the need for realism.”
When 33 models appeared in monochrome black silhouettes halfway through the collection, the juxtaposition was sobering. In the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the colour story mirrored our anxieties and made a powerful statement about beauty and resilience.
While Piccioli has been a strong advocate for racial inclusivity in model casting over the years, the lack of body diversity on his fall 2022 runway was disappointing. Of the 81 models cast, Devyn Garcia was the only plus-size talent, which is distressing given the ongoing campaign for size inclusivity on the runway. Brands like Chromat, Christian Siriano, and Versace are delivering more inclusive model casts each season, and we’re hopeful that more designers will follow suit.
Ahead, check out our favorite looks from the Valentino fall 2022 collection, and bask in the sophistication of Zendaya’s pink suit.
