Valentino’s fall/winter 2025 campaign carries forward the theatre Alessandro Michele staged in Paris—a red-lit restroom transformed into a site of intimacy and performance. The tiled space, drenched in scarlet glow, is a mirror hall of desire: where identity is undone and reassembled at the same time.
Michele’s instinct for layering and texture play is everywhere—sheer lace bodysuits slipping over lingerie, fabric mismatches, tailoring edged with ornate trims. The collection thrives on these tensions: lace peeking out, balaclavas, textured trousers brushing up against ’40s bows, sheer dresses placed beside structured shoulders. Each look feels like tactile play, shifting between exposure and disguise.
Accessories? Absolutely essential. Oversized shades and snug balaclavas framed the model’s faces like art. Chunky jewellery piled on, poking fun while still demanding attention. And yes, those Vans were the surprise heroes that smashed any remaining barrier between runway and casual. Of course, the VLogo bag appeared as a steady counterpoint, grounding the beautifully chaotic array with a familiar grounding charm.
The campaign images double down on that theatrical charge. Shot by Glen Luchford, the campaign returns to the red bathroom as Le Méta Théâtre des Intimités. Set as a stage for private gestures glimpsed by an audience, the private spot acts as a liminal zone where mirrors double as proscenium. Singer Clairo anchors the stunning cast with her indie cool girl ease, alongside Kembra Pfahler, Aimée Byrne, Shane Stevens, Weiyi Fang and others. The scenes carry a layered cinematic depth which is juxtaposed by a whole personality remix.
What emerges is a communal script of intimacy where Michele treats clothing as both shield and revelation—a way of making presence undeniable. This season, Le Méta-Théâtre des Intimités leaves us with an image of intimacy that is both poetic and restless—a reminder to finding meaning in the spaces where private rituals spill into public light.
