Valentino S/S 2016 PFW

The Rome-based high fashion house presented spring-summer 2016 wares at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 6, with show notes detailing a collection inspired by "wild, tribal Africa." The SS 2016 collection developed in real time on the catwalk: monastic plain kaftan shapes, some with pintuck folds, soon gave way to similar silhouettes with tribal and waxed prints. Then came feathers, chiffon inserts, beading, studded leather and mesh pleats or bands of colored suede. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative directors at Valentino, featured slit skirts in black, brown and red, plenty of fringe, beading, tie-dyed loose-fitting pants and long, flowing dresses.

As models in their dark, floaty plain dresses drifted amongst more embellished pieces from the Italian fashion house's 2016 Spring/Summer African-themed collection that took a journey back to the beginning of time, the Out of Africa score soared over African drumbeats.