Daily Front Row

2009 October 6

Giamba Dishes on Ungaro!

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Giambattista Valli
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(PARIS) Giambattista Valli is now one of the most celebrated designers in Paris, and as the recent Ungaro spectacle has emerged as the talk of the town, it is only natural to ask the designer to look back. After all, he was named art director for fashion of Ungaro's ready-to-wear in 1997; in 2001, he assumed control of the Ungaro ready-to-wear line as Mr. Ungaro focused solely on couture. Valli left the house in October 2004, not long after the designer officially retired, and launched his own label to critical acclaim that continues to this day. The Daily caught up with Valli as he presented his Moncler Gamme Rouge collection at the Musée de l'Art Moderne.

There is a lot of nostalgia for your days at Ungaro.
Ah yes, but you know, this is done, basta, finished. But you know, it was funny, because in the news, they were staying that nobody after Ungaro built it up, but I worked 7 years with Mr. Ungaro. People forget. Sometimes, memory is so short. But you know what? I did it with the best, with the great master named Mr. Ungaro.

What did you think of the collection?
The new one? An actress ought to be an actress, and a fashion designer ought to be a fashion designer. These are their own professions, so everybody ought to concentrate on one thing. I chose, in my life, to be a fashion designer.

Have you spoken with Mr. Ungaro lately?
No, but there is nostalgia.
ASHLEY BAKER