Runway
Vertigineux: Alessandro Michele's Debut for Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025
Rim Nsouli - Photos: Madame Figaro
30-January-2025
After his Departure from Gucci, Alessandro Michele’s debut Haute Couture collection for Valentino, Vertigineux, was a mesmerizing blend of history and creativity, set against the dramatic backdrop of the former Paris Stock Exchange. The Spring/summer 2025 show, accompanied by Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights, featured 48 extravagant looks, with a standout crinolined harlequin gown crafted from 1300 hours of tulle work.
Enormous peacock feathers, sequin embellishments, and cascading tulle enveloped the models, while Tudor ruffs and panniers added a regal touch. The collection was deeply personal, with Michele citing influences like Emily Dickinson and Gustav Klimt. A striking feature of the show was the inclusion of middle-aged models, reflecting his belief that "time provides grace and multiplies beauty."
