Under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, Valentino is rekindling old-world romance this Valentine’s Day with a poetic tribute to love. The Italian fashion house has partnered with Dream Baby Press, a literary organization co-founded in 2022 by artist, poet, and filmmaker Matt Starr, known for orchestrating literary happenings in unexpected spaces. To mark the occasion, Valentino has curated six contemporary texts—ranging from playful musings to passionate love letters—offered to its clientele as an elegant nod to literary romance.   

From February 12 to 14, clients visiting select Valentino boutiques—including addresses on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, Sloane Street in London, Via Santo Spirito in Milan, Piazza di Spagna in Rome, and Madison Avenue in New York—will have the opportunity to select one of these texts, which will then be hand-calligraphed on-site and sent to their loved one.  

The featured authors include Matt Starr, Anglo-American actress and artist Jemima Kirke, writer and musician Brontez Purnell, American author Mackenzie Thomas, known for publishing her teenage diaries, Coco Mellors, the British-born, California-based novelist behind the acclaimed Cleopatra and Frankenstein, and Jerry Stahl, the celebrated American author.  

This initiative marks Valentino’s first collaboration with Matt Starr, with more literary-inspired projects set to follow in the coming months.