Giambattista Valli and Ann-Sofie Johansson attended tonight´s amfAR gala in Cannes together with Kendall Jenner, Chris Lee (Li Yuchun), Chiara Ferragni, H.E.R., Bianca Brandolini d’Adda and Ross Lynch dressed in looks from the limited Giambattista Valli x H&M pre-drop collection (Photo: 2019 Andreas Rentz/amfAR)
This year’s Cannes amfAR Gala — a charity to raise money through auctioning items to further AIDS research causes — was more glitzy than in the past, thanks to Giambattista Valli and H&M, which announced their collaboration at the black-tie event. Alternating contoured silhouettes and tiered tulle, the new collection – dubbed ‘Project Love' — for the fast fashion brand still displays bursts of Vallis signature couture pyrotechnics.
The Paris-based, Italian couturier has designed a limited-edition line of party dresses — and, in a first — tailoring for men. His muses, which include singer H.E.R., model Kendall Jenner, Chinese singer-songwriter Chris Lee, fashion businesswoman and influencer Chiara Ferragni, have already made their rounds in an assortment of ballgowns and accessories.
Jenner made quite an entrance at the annual gala, donned in a hot pink tulle confection designed as a strapless mullet dress, with a mini skirt in front and a detachable flowing train. amFAR’s red carpet turned into a veritable runway when Lee arrived in a power pink dress with a plunging neckline and elaborate tulle shoulders; while H.E.R. in a pristine white gown made with tiers of tulle.
Valli’s timeless and borderless style, suspended between past and present, extends to his debut menswear collection too.
“Normally, it’s women who adopt pieces from the masculine wardrobe, so I thought my men could just pick things up from the women’s wardrobes. The animal and flower prints, as well as the sequins and the transparencies, are just the same. In fact, pieces from the men’s collection can easily be worn by women: I encourage customers to do so, because everything is meant to be exchanged.”
A blend of strictness and frivolity is Villa’s most salient trait but one will find a wider variety in this collaboration. Expect dresses, jackets, riding coats, cargo pants, sweatshirts, sunglasses and bijoux — all you can make them your own as a total look or in bits and pieces.
While this is the first collaboration with a fast-fashion retailer for Giambattista Valli, H&M, however, partnered numerous high fashion brands in the past, including Karl Lagerfeld, Moschino, Comme des Garçons, Kenzo and Alexander Wang, among others.
The Giambattista Valli x H&M collection is divided in two drops, a first limited edition drop available in selected stores and online starting May 25 and a second, full drop, arriving on November 7. See more here.
