Valentino’s Rome Show Honors Late Designer with Star-Studded Front Row
Valentino presented its Autumn/Winter 2026 collection in Rome, marking the brand’s first ready-to-wear show since the passing of Valentino Garavani earlier this year. The event, held at the 17th-century Palazzo Barberini, served as a tribute to the designer’s legacy and drew a star-studded guest list.
A Celebration of Valentino Garavani
The show was a poignant moment for the fashion house, acknowledging the significant loss of its founder. Alessandro Michele, Valentino’s creative director, drew inspiration from the power dressing of the 1980s for his first collection since Garavani’s death [Telegraph]. The choice of Rome as the location was a deliberate homecoming for the brand.
Gwyneth Paltrow Pays Tribute
Among the attendees was actress Gwyneth Paltrow, a longtime friend and muse of the late Valentino Garavani. Paltrow, who was frequently dressed by Garavani for red carpet appearances over more than two decades, wore a lime-green, polka-dotted frock from Michele’s Valentino pre-fall collection [Vogue]. She expressed a mix of bittersweetness and excitement about attending the show, having been unable to attend Garavani’s funeral in January due to filming commitments [Vogue].
Paltrow fondly remembered Garavani’s dedication to beauty and detail, noting his lavish lifestyle and appreciation for fine things [Vogue].
Other Notable Guests
Paltrow was joined by a prominent group of celebrities, including Colman Domingo, Myha’la, Charles Melton, and Tyla [Vogue]. Lily Allen also attended the show [Marie Claire].
The Return of Rockstuds
The show also marked the return of Valentino’s iconic Rockstud shoes, a signature element of the brand’s aesthetic that gained significant popularity in the mid-2010s [Marie Claire]. The collection incorporated layered looks, oversized sunglasses, and statement jewelry, evoking a sense of nostalgia for past fashion trends.
The Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, dubbed ‘Interferenze’, blended these nostalgic elements with Alessandro Michele’s signature baroque flair [Marie Claire].