The fashion industry is abuzz with the official announcement that Alessandro Michele has formally signed on as the new creative director of Valentino. After much speculation following Pierpaolo Piccioli’s departure, Valentino has welcomed the visionary designer to its helm.

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“It’s an incredible honour,” said Michele of his appointment in a statement today. He added: “I feel the immense joy and the huge responsibility to join a Maison de Couture that has the word ‘beauty’ carved on a collective story made of distinctive elegance, refinement, and extreme grace.”

Michele, known for his controversial stint at Gucci, is celebrated for his eclectic, romantic, and maximalist aesthetic. His appointment at Valentino is poised to usher in a new era of fashion-forward creativity for the iconic Italian fashion house.

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“I am very happy and excited to return to work with Alessandro.”says Valentino’s CEO Jacopo Venturini. “I am certain that the reinterpretation of the Maison’s couture codes and the heritage created by Mr Valentino Garavani, combined with Alessandro’s extraordinary vision, will bring us moments of great emotion and will translate into irresistibly desirable objects.”

Michele’s debut collection for Valentino is highly anticipated and will likely be a defining moment for S/S 2025. Experts anticipate a fascinating blend of Gucci’s signature whimsy with Valentino’s classic elegance.