Saudi Gazette

Mustafa The Poet, an exceptional wordsmith from Canada was one of the four surprising collaborators for Valentino’s Fall 2019 show.

“It was almost like two aspiring love therapists having a conversation on the intricacies of what love is,” Mustafa said about his meeting with designer Pierpaolo Piccioli. The poet has collaborated with Drake and The Weeknd and uses his Instagram to share intimate, profound and heartbreaking poetry. “My poetry and words are embroidered on the clothes, shoes and bags”, an excited Mustafa revealed on Instagram, where it all started.

“I remember getting the DM from Maison Valentino and I didn’t know entirely know what the account was but I knew it had a lot of followers,” he said humbly. That resulted in Death Of Love, a short film that announced the brand’s men’s collection and where he eventually met Piccioli. “I could understand the thread between Valentino and poetry and romance and it all made sense in my head,” he explained. “I was gutted when I saw some of my work on the back of these coats and on these gowns. It moved me in a way I never would have imagined. I’m used to hearing my lyrics on songs, but this in particular was a new kind of joy that I didn’t know that writing could bring me.”

When talking about inspiration, he said even though love is universal, it is personalized. “When someone shares a love with someone that’s so powerful, it resonates with all of us.”

For Valentino’s Fall 2019 show, Piccioli embarked on a romantic journey with four powerful poets including Robert Montgomery, Greta Bellamacina and Yrsa Daley-Ward who interpreted his latest wares via words into a 111-page booklet of poems titled On Love.

The poets’ words were incorporated onto the garments and accessories. “I’ve asked the contribute of these poets because poetry is the most intimate expression of freedom. Because we do not want to be so dreamless now. I started this collection thinking about poetry because poetry is similar to couture—it’s something that can belong to both the past and to this time. You can find your own poetry through dress,” Piccioli added.