ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Valentino Launches Mark Borthwick's Specula Mundi at Marciano Art Foundation in LA

publication · 2026-04-30

Maison Valentino celebrated the launch of Specula Mundi, a limited-edition book by photographer Mark Borthwick, at the Marciano Art Foundation in Los Angeles. Creative Director Alessandro Michele and CEO Riccardo Bellini hosted an A-list crowd including musicians Sombr and Tate McRae, actors Teyana Taylor, Patricia Arquette, Maude Apatow, Maika Monroe, Owen Thiele, Jordan Firstman, Mindy Kaling, Dree Louise Hemingway, and Paul W. Downs, and fashion tastemaker Devon Lee Carlson. The 260-page book features 422 illustrations and is produced in 1,500 numbered copies, transforming Michele's debut Valentino couture collection presented in Paris last January into a lasting collaboration. A Kaiserpanorama installation recreated the original scenography of the Specula Mundi Paris show. Copies were passed around during the event; the book will be available starting May 11 in select Valentino boutiques worldwide.

Key facts

  • Valentino hosted a party at the Marciano Art Foundation in Los Angeles.
  • The event celebrated the launch of Specula Mundi, a book by Mark Borthwick.
  • Specula Mundi documents Alessandro Michele's debut Valentino couture collection.
  • The book is 260 pages with 422 illustrations, limited to 1,500 numbered copies.
  • Attendees included Sombr, Tate McRae, Teyana Taylor, Patricia Arquette, Maude Apatow, Maika Monroe, Owen Thiele, Jordan Firstman, Mindy Kaling, Dree Louise Hemingway, Paul W. Downs, and Devon Lee Carlson.
  • A Kaiserpanorama installation recreated the Paris show's scenography.
  • Specula Mundi will be available from May 11 in select Valentino boutiques worldwide.
  • The book is a brick-and-mortar exclusive collector's item.

Entities

Artists

  • Alessandro Michele
  • Mark Borthwick
  • Riccardo Bellini
  • Sombr
  • Tate McRae
  • Teyana Taylor
  • Patricia Arquette
  • Maude Apatow
  • Maika Monroe
  • Owen Thiele
  • Jordan Firstman
  • Mindy Kaling
  • Dree Louise Hemingway
  • Paul W. Downs
  • Devon Lee Carlson
  • Charlotte Lawrence

Institutions

  • Valentino
  • Marciano Art Foundation
  • CULTURED

Locations

  • Los Angeles
  • United States
  • Paris
  • France

Sources