For those who enjoy a sophisticated, minimal style, you will surely fall in love with Valentina Kova. Valentina started off as a jewelry designer in 2011 and for the Fall 2013/2014 season, she expanded her brand to include a womenswear collection, made entirely of Italian leather and silk. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valentina studied classical art before moving to the states to attend Parsons. She then went on to study at La Cambre in Brussels before moving to Paris, where she worked closely with jewelry designer Natalia Brilli. After a three year stint teaching at Parsons in New York, Valentina decided to put her innovative ideas to work and start her own line. Her designs are for the woman who is confident and classy, with a bit of spunk. Valentina’s clean aesthetic is a breath of fresh air: classic silhouettes mixed with new-age flair. I had the chance to both view and try on the new Spring 2014 collection, housed at premier pr agency, The Collective (founded by Alex Dickerson and Erin Kelly). I was immediately struck by the line’s craftsmanship and luxurious feel. Pieces on my must-have list include a long silk trench in cobalt blue, a sleek black leather skirt with sheer cutouts and the Spring/Summer staple: an fiery cutout silk maxi dress. The collection is pure luxury and the world has taken notice. Valentina’s work has been featured in Nylon, Harper’s Bazar Russia and Glamour Mexico, among others. Lady Gaga was spotted in a silk lipstick red jumpsuit, looking more sophisticated than I’ve ever seen her.
Valentina’s designs brought to mind the easy elegance of Jennifer Post’s interior design, namely her handiwork on a gorgeous hi-end residential space in Columbus Circle NYC. This home incorporates neutral hues like white, grey and black as it’s base, which automatically brings one to a zen frame of mind. In the living room, silver bowls sit atop a glass coffee table, while dark plum lilies are perched close to the floor-to-ceiling window over looking Manhattan. The nearby dinning room carries a theme of black lacquer and stark white. A silver chandelier hangs elegantly above a glass table. The bedroom and bathroom take on a softer side, calling on pale blues, white orchids and the lightest mint. I envision the woman of the house wearing Valentina Kova’s bold blue Lucienne dress with a refreshing mint mojito in hand. How’s that for living the good life?
By Joy Adaeze of JoyLovesFashion