On January 27th, Valentino presented its Spring/Summer 2016 Haute Couture collection at the former Rothschild Villa. Artistic directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli sought inspiration from Mariano Fortuny, a designer who was active in the early 20th century and was known as an alchemist for his inventive techniques. They also referenced contemporaries such as Loie Fuller, Ruth St. Denis, and Isadora Duncan, creating a collection comprised of airy pieces reminiscent of ballet costumes. This season's collection was inspired by dancers, and all the models were barefoot. Silk velvet and silk organza dresses were adorned with hand-painted motifs, a collaboration with Fortuny's archives. As a homage to Fortuny's masterpiece, "Delphos," many pleated pieces were seen, demonstrating a bold attempt to create pleats in leather and velvet. Other pieces included Byzantine-style patchwork dresses and dresses with appliqués of dragons and butterflies, making for a rich collection in which each of the 66 pieces had a story to tell. Harnesses and leg accessories with a spiral motif, as well as a snake-shaped headpiece, were designed by Halmi Klossowska de Rola, adding a strong sense of symbolism and elegance to the collection.