Over the summer, BoF editor-in-chief Imran Amed and editor-at-large Tim Blanks both spent time with Valentino’s new creative director Alessandro Michele, to learn about his vision for the fabled Roman couture house.
One thing became clear in those conversations. Alessandro was drawn to Valentino in part because it would reunite him with Valentino’s CEO, Jacopo Venturini.
Alessandro and Jacopo first made magic at Gucci, alongside CEO Marco Bizzari, when the luxury megabrand quadrupled its profits after a period of slow growth in the post-Tom Ford era. There is a special symbiosis in their pursuit of creativity and business, based on a strong emotional connection and a shared passion for creating beautiful things together.
In their first-ever joint talk, Alessandro and Jacopo joined Tim Blanks at BoF VOICES 2024 to share their plans for Valentino and go inside their unique creative process.
Key Insights:
- Michele describes his approach to Valentino as a blend of honouring its heritage while infusing it with his own perspective. "I try to be gentle. It’s always me in that place. It’s not my place, it’s me working in that place,” he explains. “There is always a conversation [with Valentino].”
- Michele acknowledges that his work divides opinions, especially online. “Some people feel aggressive in front of the freedom of someone else. … I’m happy with myself because I am free.”
- Finishing the thought, Venturini says Michele’s work embodies “genius creativity that starts with real freedom. … He has eyes that open the eyes of someone else.” Venturini further highlights how creativity fuels not just design but the entire business ecosystem. He notes, "our company is really human-centric and creativity-centric.The goal is to translate this energy into the real world without losing any of it."
- Michele embraces the inherent unpredictability of the fashion industry, stating, "I’m understanding that you cannot really plan in fashion." He likens his role at Valentino to cultivating a "beautiful garden" where experimentation and creative freedom allow for growth and innovation.
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