Alessandro Michele has launched his debut collection for Valentino ahead of schedule.
- The collection, titled Avant les Débuts, features 171 ready-to-wear looks.
- Michele joined Valentino as creative director in April, replacing Pierpaolo Piccioli.
- Previously with Gucci, Michele aims to pay homage to Valentino’s rich history.
- Michele’s early release is driven by a desire to share the collection’s beauty.
In a surprising move, Italian designer Alessandro Michele has launched his debut collection for Valentino, significantly ahead of its initially planned store debut in October. The collection was unveiled during Milan Men’s Fashion Week through an off-schedule lookbook. Michele, who was appointed as Valentino’s creative director in April, stated that holding back the collection felt incongruent with his vision to share its beauty with the world.
The collection, entitled Avant les Débuts, meaning ‘before the debut,’ encompasses an impressive 171 men’s and women’s ready-to-wear outfits, along with 93 images of shoes and accessories. Michele emphasised a sense of reverence for Valentino’s heritage, particularly drawing inspiration from the 1970s and 1980s—decades characterised by the design philosophies of softness and sophistication under Valentino Garavani, the brand’s founding creative director. These influences are evident in the intricate details and nuanced elegance that pervades the collection.
Alessandro Michele, formerly of Gucci where he served as creative director from 2015 to 2022, brings a rich background in fashion that is finely woven into this new chapter at Valentino. Michele initially joined Gucci in 2002 under the guidance of then-creative director Tom Ford, focusing on handbags before ascending to the pinnacle of creative leadership. His tenure at Gucci ended amid calls for a transformative design shift, prompting his departure in November.
Michele’s choice to unveil the collection ahead of schedule speaks to a philosophy that values the act of sharing over exclusivity. “It’s all about sharing,” Michele noted, expressing that keeping such a collection under wraps would not align with its spirit, which seeks to be illuminated and admired. This proactive approach marks his debut at Valentino not merely as a creative endeavour but as an engagement with the brand’s existing legacy, resonating with both past and future aspirations.
Lastly, the alignment between Michele and Valentino seems rooted in an exploration of historical artistry and modern interpretations. Michele articulated a vision that revives yet renovates, respecting Valentino’s timeless charm while gently infusing it with contemporary perspectives. This dual homage both honours the past and anticipates the future, signalling a promising horizon for Valentino under Michele’s direction.
Alessandro Michele’s debut collection for Valentino heralds a new era of creative innovation, embracing the brand’s historical allure with modern vitality.
