Valentino's Couture Nod to the Opera

What's wonderful about couture is that designers get to be a little crazy.  Okay, a little more crazy.  It's expected.  And when it happens, it's wonderful.  Valentino took a ride on the elegant wild side, nodding at both the opera and the jungle incorporating beautiful pieces in tulle, wool and silk.

Extraordinary effort was put into these gowns, to the tune of over 2500 hours just to add the beading to one dress.  Animals found themselves on at least half the looks, from a subtle swan or snake nod to a tiger literally about to jump off a silk skirt to gorillas.  Though the more obvious animal-inspired pieces may not be the most wearable but the more subtle gowns and tulle creations are indeed stunning.  Several of these gowns have already been seen at the award shows just days after they were seen on the runway and they are sure to be a hit the rest of the year as well.

Sheer black with a mini-dress and stunning heavy cape nods at the romantic side of fashion

A beautiful tulle gown needs no real accessories due to the butterflies flitting about the bodice

The finale gown's tiger jumping off silk and chiffon

A burgundy tulle creation with a snake wrapped around the models waist - this cocktail gown was seen on Katy Perry at the Grammys

The most subtle look in the entire collection, this gray shift dress and cape is absolutely stunning

This beige and white tulle confection has us much more inspired than bjork's swan creation

One of the more simple gowns of the collection, this taupe creation is reminiscent of ballerinas and has us swooning

Valentino's nod to the opera - literally - notes printed out on sheer chiffon create major drama.  This look was also seen at the Grammys on the one and only Katy Perry

See all of Valentino's dramatic Couture Collection at Style.com.