Carmen Marc Valvo Shows a Dark Side
But one with a welcome share of feminine silhouettes and noir glamour.
February 11, 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Carmen Marc Valvo fall/winter 2013
Darker, tougher influences were at play in Carmen Marc Valvo's fall/winter collection: his show notes were positively moody, name-checking shadows and “pitch-black piano keys,” and the dresses likewise bore out this noir attitude. Black ruled this runway in artful, luxe ways, from the trench coat that opened the show, crafted of paillette-like square “tiles” in ebony patent, to the double-face wool gown that closed it, a sleek column topped with a halter in alligator. In between, the accent seemed to be on texture and hard edges imbued with a dash of femininity. Standout pieces included a laser-cut leather sheath in grape—only close-up did you realize the intricate fabric wasn't lace, used elsewhere in the collection liberally—as well as a variety of leather pieces that effortlessly worked that hard-meets-soft vibe. You always know you'll see ladylike glam from Valvo, but this bit of sexy, tough-girl edge was indeed a surprise that delighted.
