Alessandro Michele’s Maison Valentino Pavillon Des Folies Spring/Summer 2025 collection seems to explore the profound intersection between beauty and human fragility. Michele poetically reflects on life’s transient nature, drawing from philosophers like Viktor Frankl, Théophile Gautier, and Michel de Montaigne. His narrative frames beauty as an “anchor” amidst the chaos of existence, offering solace and purpose, not by serving any pragmatic function but through its inherent, ephemeral allure.
Beauty, Michele suggests, is not dogmatic or universal. Instead, it reveals a new universe of meaning in fleeting moments, whether through art, fashion, or nature. Like pollinating bees drawn to flowers’ beauty, humans are instinctively led to create and seek beauty, fueling joy and meaning.
Ultimately, Michele describes beauty as an ineffable, elusive force that protects us from life’s senselessness, comparing it to a “spider’s web” that allows us to float above the void. It’s an enchanting philosophy for a fashion collection, reinforcing how beauty in fashion is not merely aesthetic but deeply existential.
This narrative positions Valentino as not only a creator of luxurious garments but also a storyteller, weaving garments into Michele’s broader philosophy of beauty as a source of healing and meaning.
Creative Director @Alessandro_Michele
Makeup by @Valentino.Beauty Global Makeup Artist @Yad1m
Music by @BirdsOnAWireMusic and @GustaveRudman based on “Passacaglia Della Vita” by Stefano Landi.
Flooring created by @Alfredo_Pirri, inspired by his artwork “Passi”.
