Giambattista Valli to launch activewear collection

Giambattista Valli is the latest fashion designer to embrace the activewear trend.

The Italian creative, whose eponymous luxury ready-to-wear and couture labels are synonymous with elaborate and feminine eveningwear, has an activewear capsule collection in the pipeline, reports WWD. Comprising 50 to 60 pieces covering outerwear, sweatshirts and tracksuits, the collection is set to be unveiled to buyers in January 2018 before going on sale in Giambattista Valli boutiques and select stores the following June. Prices will range from €1,100 to €2,500.

"It's a capsule collection where we will express a more functional side of the brand, while remaining faithful to the atmosphere of contemporary chic that is part of its DNA," Valli told the publication.

The move is allegedly part of a wider expansion by the brand, following investment by the Pinault family's holding company Artemis earlier this year. According to Valli, the new athleisure line could eventually even move into beachwear and swimwear territory.

The news is the latest example of how the luxury fashion world has taken to the athleisure craze over the past few years -- with high-end designers such as Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney and Riccardo Tisci teaming up with sportswear giants such as Adidas and Nike on regular activewear collections. Meanwhile, the concept has slowly but surely infiltrated the catwalks, with labels ranging from Emporio Armani to Fenty Puma by Rihanna drawing inspiration from the trend.