Alessandro Michele’s Valentino SS26 collection, titled “Fireflies,” brought a dazzling twist to menswear while carrying a deeper message.
Inspired by Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, Michele evokes the firefly as a symbol of hope and resilience, shining even in the darkest hours.
On the runway, men’s looks challenged traditional fashion codes. Blazers and jackets took on new forms some with permanent fold marks suggesting movement and poetry, others feminized with subtle hourglass shaping. Sequins, metallic threads, and bold drapery elevated menswear beyond conventional tailoring, creating a fluid, expressive silhouette.
Statement pieces included a golden scale-covered jacket paired with a black floral lace vest and a mint long-sleeve shirt with monumental draped fabric, reminiscent of classical sculpture. The collection subverted menswear’s usual austerity, trading rigid structure for organic forms and ornate details.
Valentino SS26 proved that menswear can be both expressive and poetic, shining bright even in the darkest night.