Set in a desert scene, the Moncler Gamme Rouge Spring 2017 runway show showcases officers attired in French Foreign Legion uniforms with sleek urban attire embellished featuring elements of historical and ceremonial dress.

With its bigger, bolder logos and slim yet relaxed shapes, Valli created a more youthful collection with drawstring pants; handmade macramé lace warm-up jackets, gilets, and jogging shorts; and tailored service suits and tunics in technical duchesse or micro-taffeta. The richly embroidered lace dresses at the end were empress outliers, a uniform for a modern Joséphine. “It’s vive la France. It’s a sign of support,” confirmed Valli.

The Gallic three-stripe worked its way onto sneakers; jackets with grosgrain patriotic tape from shoulder to hip; metallic sports shorts with go-faster stripes at the thigh; the trimmings of prettily-embroidered white coats; the zip treads of suits, cargo and bomber jackets; and finally as pretty ribbons tied at the waists of a zippy lace mini dress and another astoundingly intricate lace bomber-dress hybrid, appliqued with tiny flowers and pearls.

Creative Director Giambattista Valli featured historical references with a sporty edge with a  print combined archive architectural plans of buildings around 18th-century Paris. Basic red T-shirts boasted beaded bees, a key symbol for Napoleon. As Moncler was born near Grenoble nearly 65 years ago, the brand  guards its French heritage in spite of its Italian ownership.

Go backstage at the Moncler Gamme Rouge Spring 2017 runway show designed by Giambattista Valli presented at the Grand Palais in Paris.