Valentino, an Italian fashion label, transformed a venue in Paris into a public bathroom setting for its Fall-Winter 2025 show. Celebrities like Barry Keoghan, Chappell Roan, and Jared Leto were seen posing next to sinks and wall-mounted soap dispensers, while models waited in mock toilet stalls before stepping onto the tiled runway. Creative director Alessandro Michele’s collection, dubbed “Le Méta-Théâtre Des Intimités” (The Meta-Theater of Intimacies), featured a mix of lingerie worn over outerwear, sheer lace, and high-fashion bathrobes paired with shirts and neckties. The collection also included glittering evening gowns, chunky winter coats, and various headwear options, showcasing Michele’s departure from the house’s traditional elegance. The show, inspired by director David Lynch and referencing poets and philosophers, created a dystopian and thought-provoking space that blurred the lines between the intimate and public. Michele’s vision for Valentino appears to carry a more overtly political message compared to the label’s past collections.
In discussions about transgender bathrooms, Michele’s show notes highlighted that his restroom, featuring androgynous models wearing both men’s and women’s clothing, was described as “boldly political for challenging traditional binary categorizations.” This marks Michele’s second ready-to-wear collection for the brand, and it received positive reception from guests who enthusiastically applauded the designer as he briefly appeared on stage before retreating backstage. Stay updated with the latest CNN news and newsletters by signing up at CNN.com.
