Fashionrules.com has been wondering when it comes to Valentino gowns for this year’s Golden Globes and Oscars – what will the offerings be? After all, ever since Julia Roberts wore her divine black and white vintage Valentino when she picked up her Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” – and couturier Valentino retired and then appears in the movie “Valentino: The Last Emperor” – gowns actually made by Valentino (who stopped designing about 3 years ago) are MUCH more desirable. There’s no actress or stylist who wouldn’t want to get their hands on an original Valentino. But unless they buy them at a vintage store like Decades, that won’t be possible this year. Carlos Souza, who is dressing celebs for Valentino again this year (after decades in the job), has couture Valentino’s from the spring 2009 collection, by former Valentino accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who are now designing both Valentino ready to wear and Valentino couture. These gowns are amazing, and we’re sure some celebs will be wearing them – but they were not made by the master!

The Paris spring 2010 couture shows are just around the corner – starting on Monday July 6th and ending Wedneday July 8th, 2009. We have a feeling less Hollywood stylists will be attending than usual this summer season, given the economy. But here at Fashionrules.com, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the gowns and clothes from couture that are relevant to a Hollywood red carpet. We doubt too many of these couture looks from Chanel, Dior or Valentino will end up at the Emmys (Sept 20, the next major red carpet) – but that all depends on WHO is going to the Emmys. (If it’s Sarah Jessica Parker or Drew Barrymore, a couture gown COULD show up. Particularly an Armani or a Versace or an Elie Saab).

But in the meantime, here’s what we know, for you internet fashion voyeurs:

Monday July 6 – two shows by Christian Dior Tuesday July 7 – LaCroix, Givenchy, Chanel Wednesday July 8 – Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino

Maison Martin Margiela will also do a special presentation on July 7 and 8th – is this couture? Or ready to wear?.

You can check out the full schedule online at:

http://www.modeaparis.com/va/collections/2009hahc/index.html

All the press contacts are here, too. What we’re curious about it – there is NO mention of a Versace couture show on this official French calendar. Hmmm . . .

The big news at Valentino is that longtime Valentino pr man, and jewelry designer and NY man about town Carlos Souza, who left 18 months ago when Valentino retired, is back in the hot seat of vp of U.S. pr. Souza – one of the most social and well connected pr gents in the biz – has the job of getting the U.S. press and celebrities to go to the couture show on July 8th. Having dressed many a major star in Val for the Oscars (Gwyneth, Julia, Halle, Reese), if anybody can get famous butts in those Parisian chairs, it’s him! Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are creative directors of the line now, but the last couture show – without master Valentino Garavani – was not well reviewed. But celebrities in the front row is almost as good as good reviews.