McCartney offered an ode to the modern medieval woman with long cloaks and cardigan coats in wool-felt, printed with heraldic symbols and faux coats of arms.
Long dresses in muslin, silk and paisley print were reminiscent of a Maid Marian or Guinevere, and came in forest tones of sage, ivy, autumn-orange and leaf-brown, with off-the-shoulder necklines in hand-crochet and billowing sleeves, caught at the wrist.
Shorter, smock styles, in sky blue chiffon, were accessorised with knee-high boots, while ultra-short, body-hugging dresses illustrated just how high hemlines have risen since the Middle Ages.
Facchinetti launched a new era in fashion with the first collection under the Valentino name which was not designed by the founder of the house.
Daywear focused on a new suit in soft rose, navy or black, in cashmere, satin and organza, which featured a fitted jacket and a soft, egg-shaped skirt.
Cocktail and evening-wear included all of Valentino's most-loved reference points, including finger-tip pleated dresses and long, silk chiffon, red-carpet gowns, with ruffle details in, of course, the colour that became known to style icons such as Jackie Onassis Kennedy as, simply, "Valentino Red".