Valentino Summer 2026
Alessandro Michele is an enthusiast of beauty. It has always been like that, from his years at Gucci, where he served as creative director between 2015 and 2022, to his first Valentino collection, a lookbook showcased in June 2024. Besides having a penchant for all sorts of beautiful things, Michele is also a maximalist, a lover of vintage, and a true romantic in fashion. These are traits he’s been carrying throughout his career and are worth keeping in mind.
Michele’s appointment as creative director of Valentino, announced in March 2024, divided opinions online. Whoever was a fan of his revolutionary work at Gucci received the news with excitement, while those who struggled to connect with his retro aesthetic seemed, let’s say, concerned. Almost two years and a few collections later, little has changed in that sense. Love it or hate it, Michele is a designer who does not go unnoticed. More than that, he wants to make you think.
While most designers this season chose not to address any of our current global societal and political issues, Michele had the bravery to do so. The Valentino spring/summer 2026 show, held in Paris at the Arab World Institute in early October during Paris Fashion Week, was titled “Fireflies“.
’It referenced a letter written by the Italian multi-artist and political activist Pier Paolo Pasolini in 1941, during the fascist regime in Italy. “The night I told you about, we saw an immense amount of fireflies, they made little woods of fire inside little woods of bushes and we envied them because they loved each other, because they longed for each other through amorous flights and lights,” said the letter, part of the show press release.
Bringing the idea to contemporaneity, the collection’s starting point was to showcase something capable of resisting the ugliness of the present state of our world. Like fireflies, fashion—and art—can be used as tools that lead the way to a hopeful future.
The Collection
Actor Pamela Anderson was selected to read Passolini’s words before the show started in the dark room, lit up as the models walked their way. Michele is known for showcasing extensive collections, and this time it wasn’t different. 80 looks were on the lineup, which started with a sky-blue long-sleeved, lengthy blouse with two bows attached, styled with yellow-green satin trousers that almost covered the whole foot, leaving only the toes in the picture.
The blouse silhouette made a comeback later on. It appeared in red and was worn as a minidress with crystal heart-shaped earrings and black heeled sandals; it was fitted to the male body in grey, featuring only one bow in the collar, as well as shrunk in pastel pink and teamed with chocolate brown trousers.
After being criticised for overusing maximalism and vintage-inspired styling in past collections that recall his tenure at Gucci, Michele visibly opted for a simpler approach during Spring/Summer 2026. Rather than layering multiple textures and strongly accessorising each look, this was one of the Roman designer’s subtlest Valentino shows to date. Yet, his DNA was still very present.
From the quirkiness of peep-toe half-transparent heels to the unusual design of maxi earrings and necklaces, and from his use of acid and pastel colours to his ability to coordinate floral and polka-dot jackets and coats with more straightforward pieces, the clothes were unarguably his creations.
Metallic and sequined pieces weren’t as present as in past shows, although still part of spring/summer through dresses, embroidered shorts, skirts and jackets. Fabrics ranging from silk, chiffon, suede, and velvet were heavily used, from column dresses in all lengths to a multitude of blouses, frequently paired with pencil or midi skirts.
As seen in a few of this season’s fashion shows, bows were also a key presence at Valentino, sharing the spotlight with see-through pieces such as lightweight lace naked dresses. Originally an accessories designer, Michele never fails in that field. The winged, embellished sunglasses prove the point, as do the flower appliqués seen on blouse collars and crafted in different shades, the desirable animal-print loafers and the snake-adorned sandals.
Before the show ended, models stopped walking the catwalk and stood still, centred on the room, which went dark once more. Little lights resembling real-life fireflies were twinkling across the space when the cast looked up in unison. There they stayed, staring into the void, as a gentle reminder. Where there is darkness, there is light. Where there is ugliness, there is the beauty of fashion.
Shop the collection
Clothing, accessories, and handbags from the Valentino spring/summer 2026 collection are currently not available for purchase but will be released in the upcoming months. To hear about new arrivals and stay up to date with the brand releases, make sure to access Valentino’s official website and media channels.
If you feel the need for different options, you can find items from collaborations or catered to special occasions by visiting the brand’s official stores. On the website, there are also exclusive Valentino collections available, such as “Rockstud” and “Studdy,” which you can access by clicking on the highlighted names. Check them out, as none of the displayed collections are permanently on sale.
Special moments often need a Valentino to go with them. If you are searching for a thoughtful gift to buy for your loved ones, Valentino has a unique section for that. By following these links, you can access its Gift section, which includes options for both women and men. At these links, you can find unique and popular items that might be perfect for immortalising memories in a fashionable way.
If you opt for shopping on Valentino’s official website, there are certain details you have to consider. It takes between 2 and 7 business days to deliver your items, with the delivery handled by DHL. That means potential delays beyond what is stated on the website might occur. Valentino also offers a delivery monitor for you to track your shipment. You have 30 days to return an item, and you must meet certain conditions to request an exchange or refund. Here is the page with the terms.
See Also…
Words by Ketlyn Araujo. The sources of information and images are from Paris Fashion Week and Valentino.
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