On January 29, 2025, Maison Valentino presented their Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection: VERTIGINEUX. For his haute couture debut, Creative Director Alessandro Michele brought his signature flair for drama and historical references, blending them seamlessly with the Maison’s romantic aesthetics. The collection pushed boundaries with voluminous silhouettes, intricate textures, and exaggerated details like oversized bows and pleats.
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Umberto Eco’s Inspiration
The collection drew inspiration from Umberto Eco’s essay “The Vertigo of Lists”, exploring the passage of time and the role of fashion in society. This conceptual foundation was evident in the diversity of styles and techniques, creating a “list” of couture possibilities.
Forty-eight dresses: forty-eight lists. In each list both material and immaterial elements coexist: measurable proportions, emotional threads, pictorial references, commodity notes, biographical quilts, cinematic weaves, chromatic geometries, philosophical seams, musical marks, symbolic warps, linguistic embroideries, botanical fragments, visual archetypes, historic fabrics, narrative intarsia, relational knots, etcetera. – Alessandro Michele
Palais Panache
Set against the majestic backdrop of the historical Palais Brongniart in Paris, adding a sense of grandeur and history, which aligns perfectly with Michele’s dramatic aesthetic.
Silhouette Spectacle
VERTIGINEUX made a bold statement with voluminous shapes and exaggerated silhouettes. Oversized bows, intricate pleating, and flowing fabrics are combined to create looks that are as theatrical as they are sophisticated.
The 1.300-Hour Masterpiece
One of the show-stopping pieces was a gown that took an astonishing 1.300 hours to create, highlighting the meticulous artistry and dedication behind Maison VALENTINO couture.
Timeless Mashup
Michele’s genius lies in his ability to merge eras: modern tailoring meets Renaissance-inspired flourishes in a dazzling display of duality. This fusion of historical and contemporary elements challenges traditional notions of haute couture while celebrating the eternal la dolce vita of fashion.
Ultimately, VERTIGINEUX is a dazzling ode to couture—a sumptuous blend of history, innovation, and la dolce vita, brilliantly brought to life through Alessandro Michele’s visionary flair. A bold statement of maximalist artistry combined with meticulous craftsmanship.
Click here to discover VALENTINO’s latest collection.
Alessandro Michele Maison Valentino Valentino Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 Valentino Vertigineux
