Valentino, under Alessandro Michele’s direction, is embarking on a bold partnership with Dover Street Market, expanding its reach through a mix of pop-ups, art installations, and permanent spaces in iconic locations worldwide. This collaboration, which officially kicks off with the launch of Michele’s “Avant les Débuts” Resort 2025 collection, will be showcased in Dover Street Market stores across London, Tokyo, New York, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Paris starting this Thursday. Special installations will further complement this initiative, such as one in Ginza and Beijing’s Elephant Space, set for unveiling in mid-November.
The collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for Valentino, bringing the designer’s reimagined Roman couture heritage into a contemporary retail landscape that’s synonymous with artistic exploration. Jacopo Venturini, Valentino’s CEO, described the synergy between the two brands as rooted in “dedication to creativity and a shared global outlook,” seeing the collaboration as a way to bring Valentino’s heritage to fresh audiences in a dynamic new environment. Adrian Joffe, Dover Street Market CEO, expressed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the thrill of unexpected, creative exchanges that arise in spaces like theirs, which welcome diverse audiences and ideas.
Michele’s journey with Valentino began with the Resort 2025 collection release in Valentino’s Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne boutiques in Paris in September, followed by a global rollout. His innovative vision for the Roman house was highly anticipated at Paris Fashion Week, where he staged his first runway show, capturing attention with his eclectic interpretations of Valentino’s heritage pieces, including signature ruffles and polka dots infused with a touch of ‘70s and ‘80s glam. The show drew an A-list crowd of admirers, from fashion legends like Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti to modern icons like Harry Styles and Elton John, all eager to see Michele’s reimagining of the brand.
As permanent Valentino spaces open within Dover Street Market in major fashion capitals like London and New York in the coming months, this collaboration promises to redefine how Valentino engages with both its heritage and the global luxury audience, blending timeless Roman elegance with fresh, boundary-pushing installations.
