VALENTINO CRUISE 2008

The unrecognizable - some sneered catalogue - models were a questionable move. For Cruise 2008, Valentino opted against using big name model faces, ultimately leaving the audience with the ho-hum task of critiquing a largely nondescript collection, save for a handful of vernal minis and red carpet shoe-ins. And as whispers of Valentino's departure swell fashion prattle, it was a collection that, for better of worse, seemed partial to it.

For day wear, he offered up pale, pleated circle skirts and ribbon-tied jackets, rather aging twin sets, and pocketed pencil skirts. It looked like the type of clothing you'd expect his moneyed clientèle to have an argosy of - and that's because they probably do. And as the lines between cruise and ready-to-wear grow increasingly faint, the debate over how apposite a cruise collection should be fuels on. I'd contend here, commercial intentions veered stale.

He did, however, test new waters (lakes, not oceans) with the evening wear, which included a slinky metallic mini and a one-shouldered, powder pink draped mini complete with 3D rose kissing the collarbone. Meanwhile, the white, asymmetrical caftan dress and tiered gown are sure to find their way on a carousel of Hollywood starlets; although like the majority of this vacuous collection, it won't be anything we haven't seen before.

Photos: firstview.com

VIEW VALENTINO CRUISE 2008 WOMENS RUNWAY PICTURES