It’s evident that Valentine’s Day celebrations will most likely be different this year, with the COVID restrictions, social distancing, and restaurant closures. Still, that’s no excuse to skimp the jamboree. In fact, Cupid’s holiday is an excellent reason to get all dressed up, even if it is just an intimate dinner at home.
Whether the religious origins are true or just legends doesn’t matter anymore. Today Valentine’s Day has become a significant cultural event. Hated by some and adored by many, it, like any holiday, allows us to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But Valentine’s celebration is designated to live a special moment with the one you love.
Being considered the most potent source, LOVE provided inspiration for novels, songs, rom-com movies, and, of course, LOVE has infiltrated fashion as well. There is certainly a lot to think about concerning the symbolism of the occasion. Nowadays, there are more than 30 different emojis containing a heart. We assume the heart image will continue to be present and keep evolving for centuries to come. Although the heart is only a metaphor, it serves us well because LOVE is impossible to define. In fashion, it could take a form of a full-on restructuring of the body shape, cut-out, print or a simple heart embellishment. That familiar double-bubble shape has made its way into the minds and collections of the world’s prominent designers. The cheery, rounded motif continuously shows up on runways looks. Does it fill our souls with beliefs and make hearts beat faster? It definitely does!
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we’re highlighting the looks that encourage wearing your heart on your sleeve, or perhaps, dangled around the wrist or neck, or slung across the shoulders or the hips.
Yves Saint Laurent’s “Love Me Forever Or Never Dress,” Fall 1970 © Alain Dejean
Courrèges Fall 1994 © Atrick Kovarik, AFP, Getty Images
Viktor & Rolf Spring 2002 RTW © Sylvain Belan
Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2003 Couture © Style.com
Maison Margiela Fall 2014 Couture © Kim Weston Arnold / Indigitalimages.com
Schiaparelli Spring 2015 Couture © Kim Weston Arnold / Indigitalimages.com
Lanvin Fall 2013 RTW © Marcus Tondo / InDigital | GoRunway
Versace Spring 1997 RTW © Condé Nast Archive
Rodarte Fall 2019 RTW © Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Saint Laurent Fall 2016 RTW © Kim WestonArnold / Indigital.tv
An emotional ending to the last SS 2022 Paris Fashion Week was the collaborative show for AZ Factory, in tribute to Alber Elbaz, its founder who died of COVID on April 24. More than 40 couture houses came together to create emblematic looks and pay homage to the designer and his unconditional love of fashion. It was called “LOVE brings LOVE”, and unsurprisingly, hearts were a leitmotif: Alessandro Michele’s created a purple gown with suspenders on a double heart-shaped brassiere; Jean Paul Gaultier, citing Elbaz’s “Coeur a l’ouvrage” showcased a couture dress comprised of layered, three-dimensional, ruby red hearts; Vetements’ pyjamas were speckled with a plummeting heart print, and Viktor & Rolf’s majestic white trench coat ballgown was framed in hearts of various sizes arranged on the sleeves and skirts.
LOVE brings LOVE © AZ Factory
Jean Paul Gaultier / AZ Factory Spring 2022 RTW © Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Alaia / AZ Factory Spring 2022 RTW © Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Viktor & Rolf / AZ Factory Spring 2022 RTW © Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Vetements / AZ Factory Spring 2022 RTW © Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Gucci / AZ Factory Spring 2022 RTW © Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Since ancient times people have tried to put in words their experiences associated with love – infatuation, attachment, endearment, desire, passion, fondness, affection, romance, or “TRUE LOVE.” Heart as a symbol embodies them all. It offers hope and reminds us about the eternal belief that LOVE will prevail!