Sometimes a label comes through the salon that always leaves us in a tizzy. We scurry over to one another and say, "Did you see the new mini we got? Obsessed." Oliver by Valentino is one of those labels.
Valentino launched the sister label in 1986 in honor of his beloved pug, Oliver (his photo can even be seen on the brand's label). Oliver was the brand's first "diffusion" long before the creation of Red by Valentino.
And while Red seeks to offer a similar elegance to Valentino at a lower price point, Oliver was the hot, funny, and quirky counterpart to the serious Italian atelier. Think Miu Miu to Prada. Marc by Marc Jacobs to Marc Jacobs. Etc.
They even ventured into menswear at one point. (Obsessed with this ad from '88.)
Natalie Shine wear Oliver by Valentino from Happy Isles.
Each show opened with a model walking Valentino's brood of sixish pugs. Full skirts, playful prints and colors, and stacks of jewels painted a young and fun picture of the la Dolce Vita lifestyle.
Please enjoy these runway shows of Oliver by Valentino and next time you're in the salon, keep your eyes peeled for the pup on the label...
