With the arrival of Alessandro Michele at the helm of style, Valentino is changing its catwalk programme. For 2025, the Roman luxury house is announcing a single show dedicated to haute couture, to be held in January in Paris, while for ready-to-wear, it plans to show its women’s and men’s collections together during Women’s Fashion Week, also in the City of Light, whereas previously it presented its men’s fashion during Fashion Week dedicated to men and couture, also in July.

“A timeless art form, the house’s haute couture will come to life on the catwalk only once a year; a departure from the past that will further enhance its inspiration and artistic value,” Valentino said in a statement, adding that “with CEO Jacopo Venturini and Creative Director Alessandro Michele, the couture aspects of the brand will continue to develop and the craftsmanship that haute couture collections require will now be even more revered by giving it the luxury of time.”

Alessandro Michele’s big debut is expected at the imminent Paris Fashion Week dedicated to women’s ready-to-wear for Spring/Summer 2025, on September 29 at 3pm. The prolific Italian designer will be making his return to the catwalk after more than a year’s absence. His last show for Gucci, where he was creative director from 2015 to 2022, was in September 2022. 

Known for his eclectic and abundant fashion, mixing genres and influences between eccentricity and classic pieces, he accompanied the relaunch of the Kering group’s flagship brand for seven years before being dismissed in November 2022. Last March, he was appointed creative director of Valentino, succeeding Pierpaolo Piccioli. As a reminder, the label is owned by the investment company Mayhoola, the fund of the ruling family of Qatar, and 30% by Kering.

Last June, Alessandro Michele unveiled his first collection for Valentino, via a lookbook dedicated to the Spring 2025 cruise collection. It was a dense first collection, rich in detail and clearly bearing his signature.