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The former Gucci designer is a fashion storyteller whose maximalist aesthetic helped triple sales at the Kering-owned megabrand. Valentino has named former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele its creative director, the Roman couture house said Thursday. The designer’s first show for the brand will take place during Paris Fashion Week in September. The announcement answers one of the biggest questions on the lips of fashion insiders for more than a year: where would Michele, one of the industry’s biggest names, end up after leaving his post at Gucci? In the end, Michele won’t be headed to fashion’s biggest group LVMH, as many had speculated, but rather to Mayhoola for Investments, the fashion group backed by the Qatari royal family that also owns Balmain and Pal Zileri. Last week, designer Pierpaolo Piccioli exited Valentino after 25 years at the house, including 8 years its as sole creative director. The brand will not show menswear or haute couture in June. Read the full story by BoF’s Robert Williams

Alessandro Michele Named Valentino Creative Director

Alessandro Michele Named Valentino Creative Director

businessoffashion.com

Eliana Petrides

Senior Art Director • Crafting Bold Narratives for Premium Brands

2mo

Nothing against Michele, but is there no other talent we can uplift…kind of like when Michele first rose up the ranks at Gucci? At this point, all the CDs are just playing musical chairs. Whatever happened to taking a risk?

Lays Tavares

Digital Content Manager | Social Media | Content Strategy

2mo

I'm really curious to see how this will turn out

Precious E.

Dynamic Business Development Manager

2mo

I personally don’t think Valentino needs a maxismalist revamp, so it’ll be interesting to see what his vision for the brand will be.

Andy Griffiths

Chief Marketing Officer / CMO / Founder at re(engineered) Inc. Former VF Corp, 7forallmankind, Ermenegildo Zegna, SHOPBOP, Diesel & Maison Margiela-OTB Grp, & Co Founder @Cult&Rain.

2mo

Some might argue that Alessandro Michele's design aesthetic, which is known for its eclectic and maximalist approach, might not align with Valentino's more traditional and refined style. We know Valentino is renowned for its elegant and sophisticated designs, often characterized by luxurious fabrics, impeccable tailoring, and timeless silhouettes. When you think about Alessandro Michele for Valentino, one might suggest that his avant-garde and eccentric designs will clash with Valentino's well established house codes, potentially alienating loyal customers. Perhaps Alessandro Michele's innovative and unconventional approach to design could inject new energy and creativity into Valentino, appealing to a younger and more diverse audience while still maintaining the brand's core values and heritage. Who knows at this point !? What I do know is MIchele rose through the ranks at Gucci and created a good old 'fashion stir'. I wish fashion wasn't so predictable and expected; it's really not fun to watch.

Riccardo Rizzi

Setting the Trends with the World's Finest Textile Partnerships | Multifaceted Fashion Expert bridging R&D/Production to High-End Retail & Wholesale | Sustainability Advocate ♻️ Global Footprint US EU ASIA 🌏

2mo

Hopefully we don't get to see The classic luxury elegance turning into a circus.

Thulani Vereen

Software Engineer at Microsoft

2mo

Valentino started to feel...dry, maybe even bland for me. Seems like they got to a point of "let's through spikes on all the RTW pieces". Looking forward to Michele's influence on the brand, even if it's in a different direction from the essence of the brand.

Caroline Jones

Brand Communications Manager

2mo

A good and ultimately unsurprising choice - Valentino is an ideal stage for someone with Michele's attention to detail and flair for the theatrical, and it will be exciting to see him dip into those incredible couture archives and present some of Valentino Garavani's iconic signatures in his own style.

Jackie Brookstein

Customer Success Specialist | Manager and Development,Teams and Operations | Training Facilitator |Entrepreneurial luxury retail background with psychology expertise to execute employee learning and operational programs

2mo

I'm so intrigued with this match! ♥

Ana Flávia Damiani

Founder & Creative Director at Löwin

2mo

I love Alessandro Michele, but I think Valentino's vision, aesthetic and pieces are on the highest, most cohesive and exquisite level that the maison has ever attained, so I don't think that changing it would necessarily be beneficial...we will see, I am still obviously very curious to see how he will incorporate his maximalist vision and style to Valentino!

David Luís

Director - Event Management

2mo

The clash between Alessandro Michele's daring maximalism and Valentino's refined elegance ignites a fiery debate in the world of fashion. Can Michele's avant-garde vision seamlessly meld with Valentino's esteemed tradition of sophistication, or are we risking a disconnect with the brand's loyal following? Valentino's legacy of impeccable craftsmanship and sumptuous materials is legendary. Yet, the mere thought of Michele's boundary-pushing designs intersecting with Valentino's established aesthetic raises eyebrows and pulses alike. However, amidst the skepticism lies an alluring prospect: Michele's audacious approach might just breathe new life into Valentino, captivating a wider, more youthful audience while preserving the brand's timeless allure. In an industry often criticized for its conformity, the mere whisper of Michele's influence injects an electric buzz of anticipation. Brace yourselves, for in the realm of fashion, the only constant is the promise of exhilarating change and reinvention.

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