The Italians are really killin’ it this Resort 2013 season. First it was Gucci I couldnt get over how good it was, and now Valentino. Maria Grazia and Pier Paolo presented one of their best collections to date, showing what were simply good, good, clothes.

The first look was a floor-length sunset pastel colored floral dress that set the tone for the entire collection. Dresses and separates were a bit prim; cigarette pants paired with neat blouses, knee-length dresses with tight little collars and A-line skirts, and extraordinary evening-wear were all vaguely reminiscent of the early 1960’s without seeming retro or overly derivative at all. The colors too were wonderful- the soft pastel group opening into a perfect bright medium green, a buttery yellow, lots of hot pink in a perfectly pitched hue, and some black and white mixed in. The lacy dresses were particularly good updates of what has become a Valentino staple, especially when accessorized in matching colors. For some reason this looked super fresh to the eye. Sleek and clean rather than over-styled as people are wont to do these days. -RS (Images via Vogue.com)