Alessandro Michele has been appointed as the fresh visionary at the helm of Valentino. He is set to launch his first collection for Valentino in spring/summer 2025, during the September edition of Paris Fashion Week. Michele’s debut at the iconic fashion house in Rome is to be presented in September, and his responsibilities will include designing couture collections.
The announcement follows the recent resignation of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who has been with Valentino for 25 years. Michele, appointed in 2014 by Kering-owned Gucci, has become one of the most influential designers in fashion due to his maximalist, gender-fluid vision. “It’s an incredible honour,” Michele announced in a formal statement issued today. Adding: “I feel the immense joy and the huge responsibility to join a Maison de Couture that has the word ‘beauty’ carved on a collective story made of distinctive elegance, refinement, and extreme grace.”
Valentino’s chairman, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, has praised Michele’s exceptional talent and his ability to elevate the brand’s heritage. He believes Michele will continue the brand’s excellence and beauty. “The appointment of Alessandro Michele marks another pivotal moment for Maison Valentino. He is an exceptional talent, and his appointment underlines our great ambitions for Maison Valentino.” He added: “I strongly believe that with his unique creativity and sensibility, Alessandro will continue the elevation of the brand’s everlasting heritage… a new page of excellence and endless beauty is ready to be written in the history of Valentino.”
Last year, King bought a 30% stake in Valentino for 1.7 billion euros in a strategic partnership with Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, which manages the couture brand.
