On March 28th, Thursday, Valentino announced the arrival of its new creative director Alessandro Michele. This news comes six days after the sudden departure of Pierpaolo Picciolio, the Italian house’s creative director of eight years.
“This appointment marks the beginning of a new journey to continue shining unique values of the brand, its heritage and couture codes in the world through Alessandro Michele’s unique perspective and wealth of experience,” the maison wrote in a press statement.
After stepping down as Gucci’s creative director in November 2022, Alessandro’s appointment at Valentino ends 14 months' worth of speculation about his next career move.
What happens when a fashion house has a new creative director?
A new creative director typically signals a significant shift in the brand's design direction, aesthetic, and sometimes even its overall brand identity. The new creative director brings their unique vision, style, and perspective to the brand, influencing everything from runway collections to advertising campaigns. It's a strategic move aimed at refreshing the brand, attracting new customers, and staying relevant in the ever-evolving fashion industry.
To get an idea of what’s in store for Valentino with Alessandro Michele at the helm, here are 10 facts to know about their new creative director.
10 Things to Know About Alessandro Michele
1. He was born and raised in Rome.
Alessandro Michele was born on November 25, 1972 in Rome, Italy. His father worked as a technician at Alitalia, an Italian airline company, while his mother was an assistant to a movie executive.
2. His father was also an artist.
Beyond his day job as an airline technician, Alessandro’s father was passionate about art, too. In fact, he was a passionate sculptor and writer, who drew inspiration from nature.
From a young age, Alessandro frequented Rome's churches, galleries, and museums, fostering the designer’s early appreciation for art.
3. He experienced bullying growing up.
In a 2019 interview with i-D Italia, Alessandro recounted being bullied because of his fashion choices. “I was even beaten up at this bus stop when I was little, when I was a teenager, just because of how I dressed," he shared.
4. He is openly gay.
Alessandro lives in Rome with his long-time partner Giovanni Attili, who works as a professor of urban planning. The couple first met on MySpace in 2005.
5. Costume design was his first foray into fashion.
Alessandro attended Rome’s Academy of Costume and Fashion, where he honed his skills in designing costumes for theater and film. This foundation cultivated his love for sartorial storytelling, laying the foundation for his future role as a fashion designer at the biggest Italian fashion houses.
6. He has worked with Karl Lagerfeld under Fendi.
Following his graduation from fashion school in 1994, Alessandro began his professional journey at Les Copains, a luxury Italian knitwear brand. After three years, he took his talents to Fendi, where he directly worked with the iconic German designer Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi herself. In his role as senior accessories designer, Alessandro particularly excelled at designing leather goods.
7. He was Gucci’s creative director.
Alessandro Michele’s stay with Gucci spanned an illustrious 20 years.
In 2002, Alessandro joined Gucci after he was recruited by Tom Ford, the Florentine fashion house’s creative director at that time. He was initially stationed at the brand’s London headquarters, where he oversaw the brand’s handbag designs.
By January 2015, Gucci CEO Marco Bizzari tasked Alessandro to act as the interim creative designer for the Fall/Winter 2015 menswear show later that month. With just one week to prepare, the Roman designer mounted a seminal show that redefined Gucci’s identity as nonconformist, romantic, and intellectual. Two days later, he was officially named the house’s new creative director.
Alessandro is widely credited for Gucci’s improved financial performance. In fact, in 2017, the house reported a 51 percent increase in revenue during the first quarter alone. That same year, Gucci was named Business of Fashion’s top brand of the year, overtaking fashion giants like Balenciaga, Vetements, and Off-White.
After two decades with the brand, including seven years as creative director, Alessandro Michele parted ways with Gucci in September 2022. His final collection for the house was Spring/Summer 2023’s Twinsburg: the unforgettable runway show where 68 pairs of identical twins strutted down the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week.
8. His style is characterized by eclectic, maximalist, and gender-fluid imagery.
The 51-year-old designer's style is characterized by a mix of eras and cultures, blending historical references with a modern sensibility. He often combines bold patterns, intricate embroidery, and eccentric accessories, to create theatrical and vintage-inspired looks. While some have criticized his work as self-indulgent and overelaborate, there's no denying that his affinity for idiosyncratic and flamboyant style is what ushered in the renaissance of the house of Gucci.
9. He loves history.
Alessandro Michele's appreciation for history extends to his living and working spaces. His apartment, located in an 800-year building called Palazzo Scapucci in Rome, is filled with antique furniture and decorations, reminiscent of the Victorian era. Alessandro describes his approach as creating a "modern installation" with these historical pieces, blending the past with contemporary design.
During his time as Gucci’s creative director, his office was located in a chapel at the Palazzo Alberini-Cicciaporci, a building constructed in 1520. Like his apartment, his office was adorned with vintage antiques, reflecting his penchant for blending historical elements with modern design.
10. His first collection with Valentino will be in September.
Following the change in creative directors, Valentino has since announced that it would sit out the upcoming men’s and Haute Couture shows in June. This move sets the stage for Alessandro Michele to debut his first collection for Valentino, the Spring/Summer 2025 line, during Paris Fashion Week in September 2024.
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