Valentino hosts haute couture show and gala in Rome to celebrate grand opening of flagship store

EVENT VALENTINO MIRABILIA ROMAE GALA
WHERE VILLA AURELIA, ROME

: To celebrate the grand opening of its flagship store in Rome, Valentino showed its haute couture presentation in the Eternal City instead of Paris. The fashion presentation took place at Piazza Mignanelli. Actresses Carina Lau and Shu Qi were among the celebrities spotted at the show.

More than 700 guests including the front-row VIPs attended the post-show gala at Villa Aurelia. The brand's founder, Valentino Garavani, joined creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli at the star-studded event. Prestigious guests invited to the exclusive gala included Gwyneth Paltrow, Tilda Swinton and Ben Stiller. Singer Mika took to the stage to serenade the audience.

CHIC CHAT with Carina Lau

What was your favourite look from the Valentino collection?

The whole show was absolutely stunning from start to finish. If you really want me to pick my favourite, it would be the velvet collection.

What are some must-dos and must-haves for a perfect holiday in Rome?

You must visit all the historical and cultural architecture that make Rome such a beautiful city - definitely the Vatican Cathedral. You must have a lot of time to ... walk around the streets. There's so much to see.