BARATTO is the new Pre-Collection of the seasonless and genderless brand LEONARDOVALENTINI, which opens 2024 and anticipates the season Main 2024-2025.
The collection takes its name from a 1979 song of the Italian artist Renato Zero: the theme of bartering is declined within a couple of partners as an exchange between love and sex, in the imagery of night, glamour and excess. The logo itself, formed by two Cupids kissing, is dressed in theme by wearing a Playboy mask on their face, angels having sex without having it: the phrase „ANGELS HAVE NO GENDER BUT HAVE SEX” sums up the collection and it’s printed on t-shirts and engraved on bijoux. A printed overdose of the iconic „Angelic Zebra Print“ on silk, stretch and sheer fabrics is the centerpiece of the collection, developing strong contrasts between black and white, with black vinyl leather accessories and bijoux in gold.
About the creative process, says the designer: „Historically, most fashion houses start with the idea of the woman in their minds and after it they decline it on the man. In my case it’s the opposite process. Everything always starts with the man and then develops on the woman, from my passion-obsession with Billy Idol whose crazy aesthetic always inspires me, as well as Sinéad O’Connor who recently passed away. I don’t like to call it a brand, it’s more of an aesthetic project“.
LEONARDOVALENTINI carries on the strong link with the musical world from which he draws inspiration on a daily basis: from the very name of the collection, and after dressing internationally renowned artists from Maneskin to Irama, from Ghali to Rose Villain, the shots of the campaign feature the ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES.
„When I followed the Animaux Formidables during X Factor, I immediately talked about them with Bianca Beltramelli, photographer of the campaign and print designer, and I said: I want them!“ says Leonardo
Partners both on stage and in private life, they were dressed by the designer during their experience at X Factor 2023, and perfect for the concept of BARATTO. The duo aesthetic develops between strong and glamorous, characterized by the masks covering the face (just like the capsule logo), and finds a complete fit with the brand. The choice of Animaux Formidables as ambassadors keeps proving the link between the brand’s stylistic identity and the art of the music.
The collection presents itself as a preview of the season Main 2024-2025, showcases fine leathers of excellence and craftmanship that are strictly connected with LEONARDOVALENTINI, and which, we anticipate, will debut with the brand’s first fashion show during Fashion Week in Milan, February 2024.
