On September 20, 2025, Valentino brought a touch of Parisian theatricality to Singapore with the Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection, Le Méta-Théâtre des Intimités, held at Artspace @Helutrans. Alessandro Michele’s latest vision arrived in Southeast Asia as a surreal, intimate spectacle a study in nostalgia, vulnerability, and couture’s power to tell stories.

A Venue Like No Other

Set in the industrial-chic Artspace @Helutrans on Keppel Road, the venue was transformed into a dreamlike stage. Bathed in red lighting and reminiscent of a public restroom, the space played with contrasts intimacy versus exposure, private versus performative. Mirrors, sinks, and stark architectural elements created a reflective environment where fashion and psychology met, framing Michele’s vision perfectly.

The Collection: Timelessness Meets Modernity

Michele’s Fall/Winter 2025-26 offering was a tapestry of eras, weaving historical references with contemporary daring. Models spanning generations some in their 50s and 60s graced the runway, embodying Michele’s belief that “time provides grace.” Lace, ruffles, headbands, and delicate beading danced across the silhouettes, juxtaposed with daring materials like molded latex that evoked crocodile skin textures.

Standout pieces included a beaded gown inspired by Herb Ritts’ iconic photograph of Cindy Crawford, capturing the wet, black sand’s ethereal drama. Elsewhere, lace dresses seemed almost fragile, crumbling under the weight of emotion, making each look feel like a living narrative rather than a mere outfit.

The Looks that Stole the Spotlight

Layered Luxe: A plush fur coat draped over tailored separates embodied Valentino’s mastery of texture, soft yet strong.

Ruffled Precision: A cream bouclé jacket paired with cascading black ruffles played with proportion and movement.

The Power Bow: A crimson jacket crowned with an oversized bow struck the perfect balance between sweet and sharp.

Military Ease: A belted grey jacket delivered utilitarian structure with Michele’s signature softness.

Street Meets Couture

Ruffled Precision: A cream bouclé jacket paired with cascading black ruffles played with proportion and movement.

On another display, checkerboard Vans reimagined through Valentino Garavani’s lens signaled a collaboration that merges skate culture with Italian craftsmanship. It’s streetwear elevated to a collector’s item.

Emotional Depth on Display

What truly set this presentation apart was its emotional resonance. The interplay of light, texture, and space created an introspective atmosphere, inviting the audience to reflect on intimacy, vulnerability, and personal storytelling. This was couture as catharsis fashion as theatre, life as art.

A Bold Chapter for Valentino

Alessandro Michele continues to push Valentino into uncharted territory, balancing reverence for history with bold modern experimentation. The Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection was not simply about garments; it was a meditation on time, memory, and identity. It reaffirmed Michele’s mastery in turning a fashion show into an immersive, theatrical experience, a rare blend of spectacle, intellect, and emotion.

In Singapore, Le Méta-Théâtre des Intimités was a vivid reminder that couture can transcend the runway, becoming a mirror for the soul, as much as it is a canvas for the body.

Watch the full Valentino Fall/Winter 2025-26 presentation here