"We have been excited to mix Gap’s timeless essentials with our roman culture of Couture", declares Valentino’s Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli on their new collaboration with, erm, Gap. "It brings together the iconic world of Valentino and Gap's fashion staples, synthesising the current trend of combining luxury with basics". That’s right, famed Italian fashion house Valentino have been undergoing a mass shift (in everything but its revered shade of scarlet, don’t worry!) in approach since the departure of its patriarch and namesake. Playing with house style and heritage over the past few seasons, one of its biggest moves comes in the form of a collaboration with one of the high street’s biggest names.

With Gap’s first foray into Italy, it isn’t just the famed Italian fashion house making big moves this season. With this seven piece collection, Valentino’s feminine silhouette is played off against Gap’s culture of sportswear for this, the perfect wardrobe for those  Roman winter holidays. "As we open our first Gap stores in Milan and Rome, we’re thrilled to be welcomed by the house of Valentino, with its unique position in Italy’s fashion heritage and to work with Maria Grazia and Pier Paolo, and their modern, fresh take on women’s style", enthuses Gap’s Stephen Sunnucks. Rejoice with couture versions of parkas, cargo wear and skirts. Molto Bene!

Photography Amy Gwatkin
Styling Max Ortega Govela
Models NUR at FM Model Agency
Hair Teiji Utsumi using bumble and bumble
Make Up Abigail Johnson using M.A.C
Photography Assistant Sally Mumby-Croft
Hair Assistant Daisuke Tokida