Pierpaolo Piccioli has as a soloist at Valentino, demonstrated that he is adept at taking a logo and blowing it up into an uber-coveted, instantly recognisable shorthand for the house. In 2017, he gave us VLTN, a logo retrieved from the ’80s archives but today, parlayed into a universal language for the edgy, cool cred he’s imbued at Valentino. This creative director’s next undertaking: a ’70s version of the maison’s V logo.
The V, cradled in an angular ellipse, functions almost like code for those in-the-know; it signals Valentino’s classical sensibilities Piccioli is careful not to erode, despite having courted a contemporary cachet in recent years. And the vehicle that’ll launch it worldwide? The VRing bag range, a Spring/Summer ’19 release.
The V logo serves as the main fixture on these bags, in brass finishing, with a ring and nappa leather ribbon tacked on — starring on a multitude of styles that lend themselves to every occasion. Double-flap and colour-blocked shoulder bags in sizes small and medium are the sophisticated go-to on the daily, with a longer bag strap (sold separately) that can transform it into a crossbody; the sleek tote bag steps up when duties call for a stylish workhorse; the saddle shape is handsome and versatile for anything from a formal event to the day-to-day; and the crossbody is the ideal size — just petite enough, but not impractically tiny — to go from desk-to-drinks.
So to celebrate the launch of the VRing collection, we invited our friends and family down to Valentino’s pop-up located at the atrium of Ion Orchard for a night of fun on 11 Apr. Think: getting up close with the VRing bags, posing for film snaps by Female collaborator Feedbeng, and plenty of champers to toast to the occasion. Hit play above for a peek at what went on.
All images and video Feedbeng
Available at Valentino boutiques, located at the newly revamped #B1-16/17, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands store and #03-12, Ion Orchard store in Singapore.