The collaboration of the R&B star Erykah Badu and the Italian fashion house Valentino is one of the most surprising and legendary crossovers. Due to the passion for enlisting amazing musicians to soundtrack the presentations, Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli makes a phone call inviting Badu to join the epic SS23 event.
At the Valentino SS23 show, Erykah Badu sits in the first row with Pierpaolo Piccioli and other special guests. Besides, Badu has another important mission – creating a unique soundtrack for the show.
“I have always loved the art that Erykah makes,” Piccioli says, “I am trying to build a community of people that share the same values she symbolises. I was sure that, with Erykah, we could deliver a strong message.”
Therefore, after making a phone call, they start the collaboration. Instead of seeing through Valentino’s collection, Badu prefers to do more sharing and delivering cohort ideas.
“More important to me was hearing what was in PP’s mind, his thoughts as he was creating his storyboard.” She says.
Valentino is known for its extravagant styles such as sparkling gems, pompous headpieces, and dramatic silhouettes. However, this time, Piccioli decides to remove embellishments.
“Usually he starts with the body and moves out, but this time he started with the outside and peeled it back,” says Badu.
Although Piccioli says he wants to do things backwards, we can still notice some signature design in detail.
More wearable elements, pared-back and slinky silhouettes, wide-legged trousers and high-waisted skirts. Matching with surprising materials such as fine feathers on bodices, shining crystal looks and bright colours.
The way of Piccioli puts the style back forward and Badu’s message from the soundtrack both express that we have to stay true to ourselves and who we are.
Just like Badu says, “The way we dress comes back to the emotions and memories that we feel. It’s very, very important that we as people express ourselves.”
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