Valentino’s New Designer Showcases History and Drama at Couture Debut in Paris

 A model wears a creation as part of the Valentino Haute Couture Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP)
A model wears a creation as part of the Valentino Haute Couture Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP)
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Valentino’s New Designer Showcases History and Drama at Couture Debut in Paris

 A model wears a creation as part of the Valentino Haute Couture Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP)
A model wears a creation as part of the Valentino Haute Couture Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP)

Alessandro Michele’s Valentino couture debut was the most anticipated ticket of Paris Couture Week, and the designer didn't disappoint with a lavish spectacle at the Palais Brongniart, a fittingly historic backdrop for his past-meets-present storytelling.

Known for his “more is more” aesthetic, Michele delivered a VIP-filled show on Wednesday brimming with historical reverence, theatricality, and his signature offbeat twists.

Michele, who previously spent nearly eight years redefining Gucci with his eclectic maximalism, has long drawn inspiration from history. It's an obsession that traces back to his childhood in Rome, where he would rummage through his mother’s closet, captivated by the textures of bygone eras.

His tenure at Gucci transformed the brand into a powerhouse of layered nostalgia and offbeat opulence, making his appointment at Valentino — a house steeped in aristocratic elegance — both a natural evolution and a challenge.

His arrival was a significant shift from Valentino's former designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, who was celebrated for his pared-down romanticism.

The opening look set the tone: a harlequin-patterned gown of enormous proportions, fusing the whimsy of the circus with regal splendor.

Full skirts billowed with 18th-century grandeur against a stark black runway, while ’70s-inspired ruffles added his distinctive vintage-inflected edge. A standout floral gown, evocative of Marie Antoinette, received the New Romantics treatment, a nod to the late ‘70s and early ’80s era that has long fascinated the designer.

Though the collection largely played to Michele’s strengths, with exuberance tempered by couture-level precision, some elements felt overdone. A polka dot jacket with an oversized bow veered into twee territory, an example of how his fondness for embellishment can sometimes tip into excess. Yet, the overall balance leaned toward refinement, with a relative restraint compared to his past work at Gucci.

Michele’s couture debut reaffirmed his reputation as a designer who finds beauty in historical excavation.



Nike to Launch New Women's Fitness Brand with Kim Kardashian's Skims

The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)
The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)
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Nike to Launch New Women's Fitness Brand with Kim Kardashian's Skims

The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)
The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)

Nike will launch a new women's activewear brand in the US this spring in partnership with Kim Kardashian-owned shapewear clothing company Skims, as CEO Elliott Hill works to bolster its portfolio to better compete with upstart brands.

Product innovation and a return to focus on its core sports roots have been at the forefront of Hill's mission to revive sales at Nike, which have been lagging strong growth at Hoka and New Balance, Reuters reported.

The company's bid to appeal to women, who made up about 40% of its customers in 2023, was evident in Nike's first Super Bowl ad in nearly three decades, featuring star women athletes including Jordan Chiles, Caitlin Clark, Sha'Carri Richardson, A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu.

Skims was launched in 2019 and is valued at around $4 billion. It has seen a strong demand for its shapewear.

Nike said on Tuesday the new brand, called NikeSKIMS, would include training apparel, footwear and accessories for women.

The first collection will be launched at some retail locations in the US as well as at NikeSKIMS' website. The brand would launch globally in 2026, expanding into more retail locations, as well as in the wholesale segment.

The brand would sit alongside other names under Nike's kitty, including Converse, Jordan, ACG and Nike SB.

Nike's shares were up 3% on Tuesday.