Valentino Illuminates Paris: Alessandro Michele Unveils a Poetic and Masterful Collection

Beneath the glass roof of a Parisian mansion bathed in soft light, Valentino presented its Spring–Summer 2026 collection, titled “Fireflies.” It was a poetic ode to elegance, romance, and craftsmanship, designed by creative director Alessandro Michele, who continues to redefine the DNA of the Italian fashion house.

A Return to the Essence of Elegance in the City of Light

As one of the most anticipated moments of Paris Fashion Week, Michele — known for his baroque, eclectic aesthetic — surprised everyone with a more subdued, almost meditative approach.
Models glided through a dreamlike atmosphere filled with glimmers of light, reminiscent of fireflies — the perfect metaphor for fleeting beauty.
Among the guests, a mix of fashion insiders and film personalities witnessed a collection where every detail told a story of refinement and rediscovered serenity.

A 1970s Elegance Reimagined

Drawing inspiration from the silhouettes of the 1970s, Alessandro Michele created a dialogue between nostalgia and modernity.
Long velvet gowns, polka-dot blouses, soft pleats, and ruffled collars paid tribute to a bygone era, reinterpreted with sophistication. The palette — gold, cream, carmine red, and olive green — brought warmth and balance to the runway.
Highlights included draped golden dresses, velvet skirts in contrasting tones, and silk blouses trimmed with white feathers, adding a theatrical yet ethereal touch.

An Intimate and Poetic Staging

In contrast to the grand, exuberant shows of past seasons, Michele opted for a more intimate setting — almost spiritual in tone.
Subtle strobe lights evoked a twilight ambiance, while a soundtrack blending strings and electronic tones wrapped the audience in a dreamlike suspension. Every look felt like a whisper — refined, reflective, timeless.

A New Vision for Valentino

Under Michele’s creative direction, Valentino appears to have found a new balance between heritage and modernity.
Rather than overwhelming with extravagance, he seeks to move with restraint and emotion. This collection proves that romanticism can be contemporary, and that beauty can shine quietly without excess.
With Fireflies, Michele delivers a statement of intent — a return to inner light, poetic simplicity, and fashion as emotion.

Valentino’s October 5th, 2025 show stands out as one of the most memorable moments of this Paris Fashion Week.
Balancing nostalgia and modernity, precision and freedom, Alessandro Michele continues to reinvent the Italian house with sensitivity and depth.A collection that doesn’t aim to outshine others — but rather to illuminate differently, like a firefly in the Parisian night.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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Gabriel MIHAI

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