Ciao, Roma!
Today, Valentino designer Alessandro Michele presented his new fall 2026 collection at the 17th-century Palazzo Barberini in Rome; it was the first time a catwalk has ever been staged there. The presentation marked the brand’s first ready-to-wear show since the passing of Valentino Garavani earlier this year, so suitably, the show served as a special homage to the incredible legacy that he leaves behind.
A star-studded front row came out for the affair, too, including celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Colman Domingo, Myha’la, Charles Melton, and Tyla. Paltrow’s presence at the show was especially fitting, given she had a longstanding close friendship with the late Mr. Valentino, who dressed her for many red carpet appearances over the years. Whether she was attending the Met Gala as his guest or walking the step-and-repeat in his glamorous gowns at her many splashy Hollywood premieres, their relationship spanned well over two decades.
Paltrow wore a lime-green, polka-dotted frock from Michele’s Valentino pre-fall collection. She spoke with Vogue about her dear friend.
Hi Gwyneth. How does it feel to be in Rome for the new Valentino show?
Gwyneth Paltrow: I’m feeling a mix of bittersweetness and excitement. I wasn’t able to be there for Valentino’s funeral [in January], I was filming something, so I’m looking forward to paying tribute to him and his life’s work. I think it will be emotional, and really a beautiful. I’m happy to be a part of it.
What were some of your favorite things about the late Mr. Valentino?
It was inspiring to be around somebody that lived the way he did: Beauty was so infused in everything he touched. His attention to detail—the table settings, the butlers, the things that none of us can afford—he lived like that, in a castle outside of Paris with a moat around it. He would sit down to lunch and he would say, “This is queen so-and-so’s china from Russia.”
Some people really value history for how culture and laws were shaped, but he valued it for the beauty that was created. It was important to him to know who had owned things before him, even if it was just a silver [dish] that he used to put candies on the table. I loved having a friend where you went over and sat up a little straighter.
But then he was so naughty, and he had such a great laugh. He loved Hollywood stories, and would love hearing gossip. He thought Jennifer Lopez was the most beautiful woman alive. He would say, “She’s beautiful—but not like Jennifer Lopez.” And he would always be on me for my physical appearance—somewhere in between a fatherly way and a designer way. Like, “Did you gain three kilos? Why aren’t you wearing mascara? Would it kill you to put a little swipe of lipstick on?”
Do you remember the first time you met?
I don’t, but I do remember the time we met where we then became friends. I was doing a play in London in 2002. He and [his business partner] Giancarlo [Giammetti] came, and they said, “Why don’t you let us have a dinner for you?” They had this lovely dinner for me, which was so sweet. It was all of these aristos and HRHs. I was like, “Oh, what world am I stepping into here?” I was fascinated by him. He had this incredible elegance in the way that he carried himself—but then he really was so naughty. My favorite combination is regal-ness and naughtiness.
You went to quite a few events together, whether it was the Met Gala or a splashy premiere at Cannes. Do you have any stories from those times?
