Alessandra Facchinetti's début couture collection for the Valentino house was one that managed to both remain true to the maison's dignified history and style while infusing Facchinetti's own vision and and creativity.

Facchinetti opened the collection with an eggshell jacket and bulbous skirt that vastly exagerated the body's contours.  It was a sign of things to come as the collection mixed both classic and and modern-abstract elements to create a unique, if not always successful, identity.  

There were still the prim and proper lunching suits, but the collection generally veered between classic styles like a strapless ivory sheath dress with intricate flower detailing and abstract pieces such as a silvery jacket that looked like a garment bag which displayed the hands in a strange, almost macabre manner.  

The collection continued to play off and mix opposing themes.  There were dresses with heavy embroidery that had a weighty feel that looked entirely unrelated to the airy silk chiffon gowns interspersed throughout the show.  There was a similar effect when juxtaposing the conservative, sold silk dresses with some of the sheer pieces in the collection.  

The show ended with a magnificent, long red dress with a ruched top and ruffled shoulders, paying homage to Valentino and ensuring that Facchinetti was the right woman for the job.  

Images courtesy of style.com