Italian designer Giambattista Valli and retail giant H&M bring glitz and glamour to the ramp

It was all glitz and glamour in Rome when Italian designer Giambattista Valli presented his new collection for Sweden's H&M in Rome's sumptuous 17th-century Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. 

High-end fashion met budget high-street retail with this impeccably choreographed show.

Against a backdrop of chandeliered gilded salons, models including Kendall Jenner swept down a pink catwalk in an array of feminine and glamorous gowns, a staple for Paris-based Valli, whose designs are often seen on the red carpet.

Voluminous tiered frocks came in pink, red or black tulle and were strapless, one-shouldered or asymmetric: short at the front and long at the back.

There were also floaty floral print dresses, hooded jumpers, sequined or frilled tops and embellished jackets.

The looks were accessorised with embroidered fishnet tights or long white socks printed with hearts just below the knee.

U.S. model Kendall Jenner walks on catwalk wearing a pink tulle dress.

Footwear included sandals, lace-ups and short lace boots, while jewellery came as pearl necklaces and sparkling chokers.

"It’s indeed a collaboration rather out of the ordinary," fashion publication Vogue quoted Valli as saying on its website.

"I imagined the story of a Roman girl who after travelling the world - to LA, Berlin, India, London, wherever - comes back here to spend a fun weekend with her crowd of talented, artsy friends."

A model walks on catwalk wearing a leopard-effect fake fur coat during fashion show.

The Rome-born designer, who shows his own ready-to-wear and haute couture collections in Paris, also presented menswear creations in the collaboration, including sparkling sequined trouser suits.

Male models also wore floral knits and tiger-print jackets and trousers.

Animal prints featured elsewhere in the line, which hits H&M stores worldwide on Nov. 7.

The Swedish budget label has become known for its designer collaborations, which have previously included Balmain, Versace and Karl Lagerfeld.

Reuters