What defines luxury in today’s time? It’s a concept that many high-end brands have tried to answer, continuously working toward a standard that is never entirely clear. But for a Maison like Valentino, reaching the standard is effortless–only because they are the ones who set it.
Since its founding in 1960, the Italian Maison has been expressing its fierce sense of originality by claiming some of fashion’s most iconic moments, never shying away from reinventing the idea of luxury. From outfitting courtroom baddie Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2013 Met Gala to accessorizing NBA superstar Stephen Curry courtside, Valentino persists as a staple across style, seamlessly adapting across fashion’s borders.
As we witness the shift into a new fashion epoch denouncing the past concept of luxury as tired, Valentino remains steadfast in its identity, consciously evolving with the times rather than clinging to an outdated model.
Showcased in its Urban Flows Fall 2023 collection, the Maison recognizes the changing tides. With help from Ishod Wair, skateboarding’s fashion “it boy,” Valentino ushers in a fresh era by embracing individuality.
When asked what comes to mind when someone mentions Valentino, Wair responded with just one word: elegance, the exact feeling channeled through the collection.
Clad in Valentino’s latest Toile Iconographe VLogo looks and immersive Valentino Garavani, the style-forward skater embodies the perfect balance between the romantic and urban aesthetics the brand is known for with the unique personality and dynamic spirit of modern taste. The relaxed silhouettes and cohesive motifs that appear in the capsule underpin Valentino’s unrivaled ability for capturing the essence of contemporary style.
And with someone like Wair draped in head-to-toe Valentino, it only makes sense why everything feels so easy.
In the skater’s eyes, fashion isn’t complicated. “I’m focused on looking good and feeling like an individual when I get dressed,” Wair shares. Since turning pro in 2011, the style-savvy street icon has made a name for himself both in and outside of the skateboarding domain.
From editorial feature shoots to shoe design, Wair subtly refutes the notion that he is only someone who grinds rails and executes textbook switch flips. Even after collaborating with footwear industry giants and featuring in runway shows for legendary designers, Wair’s sense of self never wavers. Instead, the skater chooses to control his own narrative, leaning on intuition to naturally guide him through life.
As we see the skater decorated in Valentino’s refined button-down sets, distinguished by the Valentino Toile Iconographe pattern, a comfortable sense of belonging radiates. While Wair and the historic label may have originated from separate worlds, time has brought both to a shared space where individuality is celebrated.
As a brand with sophistication ingrained in its DNA, Valentino characterizes the nuanced essence of new-aged luxury by offering stability in a fluid cultural space. The Maison’s storied ethos reinterprets individualism into tasteful brilliance, affording the opportunity to define luxury as it appears to the viewer.
Regardless of how variable the cultural landscape may seem, Valentino will continue to remain consistent, promoting the next wave of trendsetters and trailblazers like Wair to lean into what makes them unique.
Learn more about the Valentino Urban Flows Fall 2023 at valentino.com.
