The atmosphere was electric with anticipation leading up to Alessandro Michele’s debut at Valentino on Sunday afternoon in Paris—undeniably the most coveted invite of the season. Instead of opting for the expected, Michele broke tradition by leaving behind the chic salons of the Salomon de Rothschild hôtel particulier, historically a frequent venue for Valentino shows, in favor of an unconventional location on the outskirts of Paris. He named the show Pavillon des Folies—The Crazy Pavillion.
The show took place at the Dojo de Paris arena, and we had anticipated a vast, impersonal space within the Judo Institute—a far cry from Valentino’s typical epitome of chic. But with Alessandro Michele, nothing is ever predictable. After walking down a dark corridor lined with black velvet, the space suddenly opened into a haunting, magical environment, bathed in dim light and eerie music. Heaps of furniture, statues, and grand pianos were draped in white cloth, somehow evoking the supernatural atmosphere of Stranger Things or Miss Havisham’s neglected manor. Was it a metaphor for the past being shrouded to make way for new beginnings? Were ghosts of the past quietly drifting around?