Red disturbing scenery and designs as if interrupted in the middle of the dressing table. See-through lace, ethereal materials, unobvious nudity. The latest Valentino show was like playing with intimacy. It fascinated and disturbed at the same time. One whether it defended itself “fashion-wise”. Can Valentino somehow be placed in the fashion world, or does it function in its own rhythm and on its own plane, being for itself?
Playing with intimacy – the latest Valentino show
Valentino’s latest show for the fall/winter 2025 season, under the direction of Alessandro Michele, is a bold reinterpretation of intimacy as spectacle. The designer, known for his eccentric approach to fashion, transported the audience to a space inspired by a public bathroom. A place on the one hand everyday and mundane, and on the other full of symbolism related to transformation, self-expression and the boundary between the public and the private.
Red lights, mirrors and booths created a sultry, Lynchian atmosphere that underscored the collection’s themes: fashion as an act of performance, and identity as fluid and constantly negotiated. Michele skillfully balanced the classic Valentino DNA with his own maximalist aesthetic. On the one hand, we saw refined suits and cocktail dresses inspired by the 1940s, on the other hand, bold transparencies, lingerie elements and deconstruction of clothing in the spirit of “unfinished work.”
The collection also featured references to his earlier designs. Characteristic rhombuses or animal motifs, this time in the form of a cat’s face on a dress. The show became not only a fashion statement, but also a reflection on the contemporary understanding of intimacy and exhibitionism in the age of social media. Michele proved once again that fashion is not just about clothes, but also a space for provocation and intellectual play with the viewer.
Fashions and materials from the show in the bathroom – or a practical look
Valentino’s latest show is a combination of nostalgia and avant-garde, where Alessandro Michele plays with the classics, giving them a contemporary, at times deconstructive touch. The silhouettes in Valentino 2025 are a dialogue between refined elegance and nonchalance. Alongside perfectly tailored, 1940s-inspired suits and cocktail dresses, there are lingerie pieces. Among them, freely stretched bodices or asymmetrical draping.
Michele experiments with proportions: voluminous, boxy blazers are juxtaposed with tight pants, and structured bustiers are contrasted with loose, baggy jeans. Transparent lace, flowing silks and heavy velvet gowns are arranged in a narrative full of play between modesty and sophisticated provocation. The strong shoulder in blazers alludes to the power of power dressing. At the same time, it is broken by the subtlety of romantic details – bows, ruffles and fuzzy pastel tones.
Key projects? A corseted gown with a long train of lace in shades of chartreuse and lilac, a black velvet column cut with a deep neckline and the return of Michele’s iconic motifs. Valentino 2025 is a collection where fashion becomes a language and clothes become a manifesto of modern, conscious expression.
Reviews and reception of the Valentino show
The latest Valentino 2025 show was met with mixed but intriguing reactions. Some raved about the theatricality and Alessandro Michele’s bold approach to the theme of intimacy. But others questioned the controversial set design and aesthetic flirtation with the boundaries of good taste. Critics appreciated the masterful tailoring and the ability to reinterpret Valentino’s archives in a modern context. Nevertheless, some considered the collection overly eccentric. However, one thing is certain – the show did not leave anyone indifferent. Michele once again proved that fashion can not only be a thing of beauty, but also a field for discussing the modern world.
