Fashion Week Handbags: Valentino Spring 2013

Isn’t it wonderful how the Valentino has evolved since the brand changed hands from Valentino himself to current creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli in 2008? The brand had always been flawlessly feminine under Monsieur Valentino, of course, but after a few post-transition hiccups on the way to greatness, Chiuri and Piccioli have turned it into something altogether lighter, more youthful. The bags, too, have achieved a beautiful simplicity that only comes with confidence and focus during the design process.

Naturally, you’ll find a lot of Rockstud in Valentino Spring 2013, but with a line that continues to sell so well and seems to be only gaining in popularity, it’d be unwise for Valentino to go in a different direction just yet. For those of you who don’t dig the Rockstud (all four of you), the collection also contained many elegant clutches and evenings bags with no studs. (Still, though. The Rockstuds are where it’s at.) Congratulations, Valentino. This is easily one of the best accessories collections of the season.