ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Valentino's Panthea Bag: A Day-to-Night Accessory

other · 2026-07-24

Alessandro Michele, creative director of Valentino, designed the Panthea Medium Shoulder Bag as a day-to-evening accessory, referencing the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning. The bag features archival-inspired patchwork leather, a gilt chain, and Swarovski-studded black panther heads, a motif first used by Valentino Garavani in 1967. Michele sees himself as a director crafting the movie of a woman's life, with the bag accompanying her from lunch at Le Cirque to nocturnal activities. The bag is available now.

Key facts

  • The Valentino Panthea Medium Shoulder Bag is designed by Alessandro Michele.
  • The bag is intended for day-to-evening use.
  • Michele referenced the documentary Paris is Burning (1990) by Jennie Livingston.
  • The bag features archival-inspired patchwork leather and a gilt chain.
  • Swarovski-studded black panther heads are part of the design.
  • The black panther motif was first used by Valentino Garavani in 1967.
  • Michele described himself as a director crafting a woman's life movie.
  • The bag is available for purchase now.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Valentino
  • Le Cirque

Sources