Fusing lore and legend, Alessandro Michele’s SS26 collection for Valentino draws on a 1941 letter from a famed Italian poet, Pasolini, celebrating how art and beauty can shine through darkness. Titled “Fireflies,” the collection presents as a nocturnal garden that comes to life in royal blues, purples, pinks, and yellows, with trompe l’oeil firefly jewels, florals, and feathered accents on rich georgettes. Each piece captures a poetic interplay of light and shadow, where craftsmanship meets mythic imagination.
BY ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE
Beige Beaded Floral Bag
Brighten any look with this hopsack shoulder bag, bursting with beaded floral graphics that instantly spark joy. Featuring an adjustable strap, logo hardware at the front, a magnetic flap closure, an interior card slot, and a silky satin lining, it’s a playful yet polished companion for every moment.
$3,435
Tulle Illusione Embroidered Short Dress
Make an entrance in this ethereal tulle number with mixed-material embroidery and gleaming embellishments. Accented with a feathered hem and lace-bra detail with satin edges, it features a side zipper and georgette stretch lining for a flawless fit.
$12,500
Long Dress in Light Georgette with Feathers
In a romantic lilac hue, this 100% silk georgette knockout is all about subtle charm. The top features handcrafted draping and a crepe satin bow, while a side zipper with hook-and-eye closure keeps the silhouette clean.
$12,800
Floral Lace Body
Soft, sensuous, and richly textured, this fitted bodysuit in a delicate wisteria hue adds instant visual intrigue to your spring-summer layering. Crafted in floral lace, it features a high neck and rear zip-closure for a sleek, seamless finish.
$2,100
Jacquard Cloque Caban
Echoing Valentino’s longstanding love for sharply tailored outerwear, this season’s posh peacoat in jacquard cloque reimagines the house’s classic maritime-inspired silhouette through a modern lens with signature pocket details and front-button closure.
$5,600
Pages Earrings in Metal and Crystal
The collection’s firefly motif informs these bold, statement earrings that shimmer like captured sparks of light and flicker with every movement. Cast in dark antique brass, they feature both pin and clip closures.
$1,220
Coeur Royal Platform Sandal in Kidskin 115mm
The maison kicks off the new season with a signature platform sandal in supple V-shaped kidskin, accented with a heart wrapped in leather mignon and the famed VLogo in antique-effect brass. An adjustable strap and platform heel complete the design with striking presence.
$1,350