Try Not to Fall in Love With These Valentino Creations

No one can deny that Valentino Garavani is one of the greatest designers, couturiers, and bon viveurs the world has ever seen, but for the past five years, he hasn't created a single stitch of clothing for his namesake brand. That task has been lovingly carried out by the designing duo of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, who picked up the reins in 2008 and presented their first collection on the couture runway in early 2009.

But Grazia Chiuri and Piccioli, who started as accessories designers for the house, are both more than capable of handling the challenges of ready to wear, and in a few short years, they've managed to distinguish themselves as true originals while paying respect to over 40 years of Valentino's breathtaking work. Here, a look at some of the most beautiful things the twosome has created since they took over the house.

Valentino Fall 2014
IMAXTREE

Valentino Fall 2014

Highlighting the link between fashion and art, Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpalo Piccioli referenced everything from pop to folk, landscapes, and abstract.

Valentino Fall 2014
IMAXTREE

Valentino Fall 2014

The accessories were part of the picture; stained glass informed knee-high patchwork boots, and mod polka-dot options would add more than a pop of color to any ensemble.

Valentino Fall 2014
IMAXTREE

Valentino Fall 2014

Celestial embroidery culminated the show and adorned a navy gown that you couldn't help but love (and not only for its striking red heart motif).

Valentino Spring 2014
Getty

Valentino Spring 2014

Their Spring 2014 creations were covered with the motifs and messages of a variety of imagined tribes.

Valentino Spring 2014
Getty

Valentino Spring 2014

That meant lots of embroidery and decoration, but the collection never looked overworked.

Valentino Spring 2014
Getty

Valentino Spring 2014

The designers' masterful handling of materials, colors, and patterns has brought a great deal of newness to Valentino.

Valentino Fall 2013
Getty

Valentino Fall 2013

For Fall 2013, the designers turned to the old Flemish master painters for inspiration. It's what gave them the idea to create prints based on old Delft pottery.

Valentino Fall 2013
Getty

Valentino Fall 2013

Going a less literal route, scallops referenced their renaissance inspiration.

Valentino Fall 2013
Getty

Valentino Fall 2013

It also inspired the high collars and cuffs seen in the collection.

Valentino Spring 2013
Getty

Valentino Spring 2013

This collection was all about revisiting the brand's roots as a maker of breathtakingly beautiful clothing.

Valentino Spring 2013
Getty

Valentino Spring 2013

To inject a little modern flair, the designers added in a few of their new signature studs.

Valentino Spring 2013
Getty

Valentino Spring 2013

But because they were going back to the archives, so to speak, this collection also featured plenty of Valentino red.

Valentino Fall 2012
Getty

Valentino Fall 2012

Fall 2012 saw the designers experiment with a mix of international references.

Valentino Fall 2012
Getty

Valentino Fall 2012

The clothing blended everything from traditional Greek costumes to Aran sweaters but left plenty of room for glamorous gowns like this one.

Valentino Fall 2012
Getty

Valentino Fall 2012

As ever, embroidery was an important element of this collection.

Valentino Spring 2012
Getty

Valentino Spring 2012

This collection gave audiences the sense that they were in an enchanted garden.

Valentino Spring 2012
Getty

Valentino Spring 2012

The designers were sure to work in Valentino's signature shade of red.

Valentino Spring 2012
Getty

Valentino Spring 2012

But they also experimented with other colors, like this periwinkle.

Valentino Fall 2011
Getty

Valentino Fall 2011

Embellishment came back in Fall 2011.

Valentino Fall 2011
Getty

Valentino Fall 2011

This shirt and skirt, for example, were festooned with flowers.

Valentino Fall 2011
Getty

Valentino Fall 2011

But the designers know when to let a single material stand out on its own, as they did with this leather coat.

Valentino Spring 2011
Getty

Valentino Spring 2011

Spring 2011 brought more ruffles, but it also brought a sense of airy lightness.

Valentino Spring 2011
Getty

Valentino Spring 2011

Many of the clothes had a sheer element or were cut from fabrics that looked like they could float on a gentle breeze.

Valentino Spring 2011
Getty

Valentino Spring 2011

That feeling extended from short dresses to full-length gowns.

Valentino Fall 2010
Getty

Valentino Fall 2010

For Fall 2010, the twosome took one of Valentino's major codes — the ruffle — and made it look modern.

Valentino Fall 2010
Getty

Valentino Fall 2010

They also continued their experiments with lace.

Valentino Fall 2010
Getty

Valentino Fall 2010

This collection marked the introduction of what would become one of the house's bestselling accessories and one of its most valuable motifs: the rockstud shoe.

Valentino Spring 2010
Getty

Valentino Spring 2010

The same can be said for romantic draping, modeled here by a young Karlie Kloss.

Valentino Spring 2010
Getty

Valentino Spring 2010

Lacework featured heavily in Spring 2010.

Valentino Fall 2009
Getty

Valentino Fall 2009

The first ready-to-wear collection played up Valentino's penchant for unbridled glamour with pieces like this simple, sumptuous column dress.

Valentino Fall 2009
Getty

Valentino Fall 2009

This luxurious, sparkly coat trimmed with fur was also a stunner.

Valentino Fall 2009
Getty

Valentino Fall 2009

Fur also popped up on the sleeves of this jacket and in other places throughout the collection.