The Valentino Spring 2025 RTW collection drew from the ’20s, ’30s, ’60s, ’80s and beyond, taking inspiration from the Maison’s archives.

Dainty, exquisitely detailed looks in vibrant, flamboyant colors came full of cascading ruffles, lace moments, silver embroidery, and micro-polka dots.

His Valentino collection was a rich tapestry of bows, tassels, polka dots, feather boas, and ruffles, erupting from collars and falling in tiers down long A-line gowns. The collection featured embroideries, lavish and delicate at the same time.

Michele suggested that the collection is a contemplation of beauty, an “irruption of the light that protects us from the grey of senselessness,” in his words. The hope was to take us past our own fragility, escaping existential crisis by way of gorgeous—beautiful—opulence.

All of it was accessorized with netted silk turbans and deeply brimmed straw hats, with lace gloves and stockings, with slingback heels and block-heel knee-high boots. Bags were often carried two at a time and ranged from logo envelopes to studded suede totes to a kitty cat figurine clutch.

Each piece was a statement, made more so with characteristically lavish styling. Romance was in great supply.