At first glance, you might think this is the beginning of one of those moody “dark romance” tales. The dusky light, the soft shadows, the way the florals seem to glow—it has all the makings of a cinematic scene. But let me stop you there. What you’re seeing isn’t a carefully orchestrated love story, nor some heavily edited trick of the eye. It was simply the magic of timing—the way the late afternoon sun fell just right, allowing those bold floral prints to leap off the dark backdrop.
If you’ve ever tried shooting in the summer, you’ll understand the struggle. The sun is relentless, the heat unbearable, and let’s be honest: no one wants to put on layers of fabric when Dolce bustiers or the nearest air-conditioned room seem like the only viable options. And don’t even get me started on the light. Harsh shadows across the face, shiny foreheads that no amount of blotting can fix, and overexposed backdrops that swallow your outfit whole—it’s a recipe for frustration.
But there’s one rule that makes all the difference: chase the golden hours. Contrary to what the name suggests, it’s not about bathing everything in a honey-yellow glow. Golden hour simply means timing—the slivers of the day when the sun is low, softer, and kind enough to give you those luminous, flattering images. And when you get it right, the results are worth every minute of waiting.
Why This Look Matters
Of course, I’m not just showing you these photos to gush over how the light behaved. What I really want to talk about is the outfit itself: a floral silk suit by none other than Pier Paolo Piccioli for Valentino’s Fall 2017 collection. It’s the kind of look that turns heads not only because of the print, but because of how unexpected the styling can be. Matching sneakers, clashing bags, bold color pairings—this is where the fun of fashion lies for me.
I’ve always had a love affair with prints and colors, but lately that love has grown into something bigger, bolder, and far less afraid of clashing. The beauty of a look like this is that it defies the idea of “rules.” It’s proof that mixing florals, patterns, and unexpected textures isn’t about a fixed formula—it’s about intuition.
The Balance Game
If there’s one truth I’ve learned about wearing patterns, it’s that balance is everything. Not balance in the sense of symmetry or strict guidelines, but balance that feels instinctual. Every time I try mixing new prints, I gain a fresh perspective on what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes the combinations are magical, and sometimes they’re… well, less than ideal. But here’s the thing: you always know when it’s right. There’s this almost subconscious “yes” moment when the pieces click together, when the outfit feels like it belongs. And when you don’t feel that certainty? Well, you can always ask a friend—or me.
When I first saw this particular Valentino suit, I wasn’t sure. The mix felt too loud, too unconventional. But then I slipped it on, and the hesitation melted away. Suddenly, what had seemed mismatched felt harmonious. The length of the pants (made, let’s be honest, for the endlessly long legs of runway models) nearly tripped me up. Sneakers didn’t exactly solve the problem either, but instead of resisting the impracticality, I embraced it. And in the end, that’s what made me fall—not literally, though it came close—but figuratively, for the glorious mix of colors, textures, and patterns.
Breaking the Mold
What makes this kind of outfit so exciting is that it challenges expectations. Who would have thought to pair this floral silk suit with sneakers, or to dare a clash with an unapologetically bold bag? It’s not the kind of look you’d instinctively dream up, but that’s the beauty of it. Sometimes the best fashion moments are born out of combinations that feel almost wrong at first.
And that’s exactly what I love: the surprise factor. Fashion, to me, isn’t about always looking polished, perfect, or predictable. It’s about play. It’s about experimenting with pieces that make you raise an eyebrow, and then realizing—when you see the final picture—that it all works. It’s the joy of stepping outside of what you thought was possible and discovering a new version of yourself in the process.
Lessons in Light and Life
If there’s a takeaway from this look (beyond the fact that I may never master walking gracefully in pants designed for six-foot-tall models), it’s that the best results come when you stop fighting for control. Just like the light on that late summer afternoon, fashion has a way of surprising you when you allow space for the unexpected. You can plan, you can anticipate, but sometimes it’s about surrendering to the moment.
So yes, shooting in summer is exhausting. Styling a suit that feels borderline impractical can be a challenge. But when everything comes together—when the light hits just right, when the prints fall into balance, when the sneakers add that touch of irreverence—it’s worth every ounce of effort.
Because in the end, fashion isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about stepping into the beautiful, crazy, perfectly unbalanced mix that makes you feel alive.
