The former creative director of Gucci on taking the reins of Valentino Garavani’s atelier — and why turning the house into another fashion giant would be a disaster

Using a public bathroom to create an elaborate dichotomy between the self and the outside world, Valentino is continuing to thrive on the runway under Alessandro Michele’s direction.

Alessandro Michele held his sophomore ready-to-wear show for Maison Valentino yesterday in Paris. Before the first model even hit the runway, the brand’s rich heritage was immediately felt.

Today at Paris Fashion Week, Alessandro Michele set his Valentino fall/winter 2025 show on a Lynchian red-lit set that was part locker room, part club bathroom (complete with flashing lights). It served as quite the photo-op backdrop for VIP guests,