Valentino Resort 2025 Lookbook

The fashion world eagerly awaited Alessandro Michele's debut collection for Valentino, and wait no more! Just two months after his appointment as creative director, Michele unveiled "Avant les Débuts," his vision for the Roman maison's Resort 2025 collection.

The prolific designer presented a staggering 171 ready-to-wear looks, along with a delightful assortment of shoes, bags, and accessories, via an intimate Zoom call with a select group of editors. Speaking from his apartment, surrounded by personal treasures, Michele exuded a relaxed and enthusiastic demeanor. He spoke of being captivated by "Valentino's magical, potent place" and how delving into the brand's archive served as the foundation for his creative journey.

Michele initially considered a quiet release, bypassing the traditional fanfare. However, a change of heart prevailed. "I started working at Valentino as if we were an orchestra," he explained, "everyone playing with such dedication. It felt right to express my gratitude." He likened his role to that of an orchestra conductor, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and sharing. "This is a beginning born out of love," he declared, "meant to be seen and shared."

While his time at Gucci saw him create a pivotal men's collection in a mere few weeks, his time at Valentino wasn't much longer. "Perhaps I'll be known for doing things quickly," he joked. His focus was on crafting "a real wardrobe," intricate and meticulously crafted, imbued with an elegance reminiscent of Valentino Garavani. "I'm in constant conversation with the clothes he created, and with his life," he shared, "often feeling his presence beside me."

Michele's signature style is undeniably present in this vast collection. "This is me meeting him," he stated, "my hands and eyes inhabiting the atelier now." He finds a kindred spirit in Garavani's meticulous attention to detail and love for a meticulously polished look. Both share a passion for intricately layered compositions, a trait he explored at Gucci and now elevates with a touch of sophistication and composure. While the collection wasn't available for physical viewing, it seems Michele's flair for the dramatic is tempered with a newfound focus on refinement and luxury, retaining its signature charm. "Valentino was never one for minimalism," he pointed out, "even in his most streamlined 70s pieces. There was always a Roman sense of opulence and abundance, filtered through an obsession with beauty."

Despite the allure of the archives, Michele emphasized that he didn't draw inspiration from any specific decade of Garavani's work. However, he confessed a fascination with the 1968 Sfilata Bianca collection, "borrowing a touch of that white grace." The lookbook itself has a vintage feel, as if the photos were unearthed from a forgotten time. Hints of 70s Valentino's hippie chic and feminine refinement are present, ultimately giving way to an indulgence in ruffles and flounces, driven by a simple desire to evoke a sense of grace. The 80s make a subtle appearance, acknowledging that "there's so much to explore" regarding Valentino's approach to that era, which for him wasn't about hedonism, but rather about extreme softness and sophistication."

Michele's work at Gucci placed gender fluidity at the forefront of the fashion conversation. How will he navigate this at Valentino? "It's still me playing this game," he declared. "The men and women you see in the lookbook embody the same concept of masculinity and femininity that has always interested me. My approach is personal, driven by my own imagination and emotions. I never had a political agenda at Gucci. I simply followed my vision of beauty, and things unfolded naturally. Here at Valentino, it will be no different."

The fashion world eagerly awaits the full unveiling of "Avant les Débuts," and with it, the exciting new chapter Alessandro Michele is writing for Valentino.