Alessandro Michele appointed creative director of Valentino

Alessandro Michele has been named the new creative director of Valentino, just days after Pierpaolo Piccioli's departure. The Roman designer, born November 25, 1972, returns to Kering, the French luxury group that owns both Gucci and Valentino (30% stake). Michele began his career at Fendi in the late 1990s, working with Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi on accessories. He joined Gucci in 2002 under Tom Ford, later becoming senior designer and associate director under Frida Giannini, before being appointed creative director in 2015. His tenure at Gucci drove revenues to approximately $10 billion. He left Gucci unexpectedly in 2022. Michele's maximalist aesthetic contrasts with Valentino's essential elegance, sparking interest in his upcoming collections. His first show will not be the men's collection in June nor the haute couture in July as previously scheduled. The appointment is seen as a strategic move by Kering and Mayhoola to disrupt established norms and prioritize dialogue with clients through accessible clothing.