Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Remember when Alessandro Michele designed his first collection for Gucci in just two weeks in 2015? Clearly, the designer isn’t one to take his time to settle into a new job, because less than three months after arriving at Valentino, his first collection arrived in our inboxes.
On Monday, Valentino released images from Michele’s Pre-Spring 2025 collection, his first for the brand, which features more than 150 looks in total, modelled by a mix of male and female models. (The reveal came just hours before Michele’s former employer, Gucci, presented its latest menswear collection in Milan. Coincidence or just plain petty?)
Michele’s debut Valentino collection answers the question we’ve all had since the designer left Gucci: Will he bring his trademark decadent, kitschy, gender-neutral whimsy that charmed luxury shoppers during his time at Gucci to his next gig? So far, yes. The collection has Michele’s DNA all over it. It’s full of vintage cues like turbans, cascading ruffles, embroidered capes, and fur cuff coats, and it takes a maximalist approach to styling accessories like pearl necklaces, gloves, and layered belts. But it’s not a rehash of the design approach that made his tenure at Gucci so successful. Michele at Valentino is prettier, more delicate, and a little more subdued. The color palette is cooler and paler.
“There’s a level of craftsmanship I’ve never seen before with this company. They’re able to demand the impossible,” Michelle told Business of Fashion in an interview. Women’s Daily Wear, and trend on Monday. “For a guy like me, it’s a continuous orgasm. It’s a climax.”
Michele’s first runway show for Valentino will be held during Paris Fashion Week this fall.
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino
Photo: Courtesy of Valentino