*New Campaign
VALENTINO Black Tie
Redefining Rebellion & Beauty with Kaia Gerber
written Sarah Arendts
Dive deep into the essence of BLACK TIE, and you find not just a code but a proclamation. A vibrant refutation of established norms and a flirtatious wink at tradition.
VALENTINO, with its latest advertising campaign, is here to declare: norms are out, authenticity is in.
Imagine this: Kaia Gerber, a name that has become synonymous with audacious fashion choices and an undying spark, stands at the heart of this campaign. Photographed by the illustrious Steven Meisel within the grand walls of the Oheka Castle in New York, the imagery whispers tales of punk, beauty, and youth. But beyond this compelling facade, lies an intimate portrayal — the intersection of softness with brazen individuality.
Valentino’s Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, crafts this narrative, not from the stringent directives of beauty but from a delicate equilibrium. Beauty, as he sees it, is untouched by arbitrary constructs or ossified rules. Instead, it finds its roots in harmony, flowing seamlessly, making waves and crafting stories.
Piccioli's modernized vision resonates with Valentino's iconic elements, from the intricately detailed studs to the majestic roses. They swirl, dance, and juxtapose against the classic, illustrating a lush tale of opulence and grandiosity.
Yet, at the epicenter of it all is an identity. The Valentino Black Tie Advertising Campaign serves as a canvas, showcasing the fiery beauty and confidence of an individual like Kaia who rewrites the rules, choosing her own narrative over dated conventions. Wearing her rebellion like a badge, she challenges, she defies, and in doing so, paves a path for many.
The black tie — an emblem of age-old formalities and traditionally masculine authority — undergoes a metamorphosis. It sheds its old skin, transitioning towards a future of inclusivity and uninhibited self-expression. Here, it stands not just for elegance and authority but heralds a fresh era where diverse voices converge and individual choices reign supreme.
VALENTINO
BLACK TIE
FW 2023/2024 Campaign
seen Steven Meisel
talent Kaia Gerbe
(c) VALENTINO
Piccioli has achieved something monumental — he’s reimagined the very fabric of "Black Tie." He's drained its traditional essence, only to infuse it with personal flair, embodying a choice. A choice to be authentic, to defy, and to own one's narrative.
So, as the world turns its gaze towards this audacious campaign, one thing is clear: Valentino’s Black Tie is not just an ensemble; it’s a movement.