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Meet me in the bathroom: Valentino challenges the traditional catwalk – and its own DNA

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11 Mar 2025
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Meet me in the bathroom: Valentino challenges the traditional catwalk – and its own DNA
  1. The show opened by lighting up the models' legs visible beneath the doors. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  2. Models emerged from the toilet stalls to walk the perimeter of the audience seating area at Valentino AW25. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  3. Models disappeared into the stall doors with their backs to the audience, disrupting the conventinonal catwalk. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  4. The surreal set was lit by a grid of white industrial lighting. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  5. The space was entirely drenched in red, referencing Valentino’s signature colour while also evoking the horror of films such as Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  6. Seating was arranged as if in a cinema, with the audience view looking towards the toilet doors. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  7. Lighting helped create moods echoing atmospheres typical of David Lynch's works, whom the designer cited as a reference. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  8. The designer admitted that his creative vision resulted in a 'dystopian, disturbing, Lynchian space'. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  9. Michele drew on influences like Michel Foucault and Hannah Arendt for the concepts surrounding the show. - Image courtesy of Valentino
Item 1 of 9
  1. The show opened by lighting up the models' legs visible beneath the doors. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  2. Models emerged from the toilet stalls to walk the perimeter of the audience seating area at Valentino AW25. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  3. Models disappeared into the stall doors with their backs to the audience, disrupting the conventinonal catwalk. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  4. The surreal set was lit by a grid of white industrial lighting. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  5. The space was entirely drenched in red, referencing Valentino’s signature colour while also evoking the horror of films such as Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  6. Seating was arranged as if in a cinema, with the audience view looking towards the toilet doors. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  7. Lighting helped create moods echoing atmospheres typical of David Lynch's works, whom the designer cited as a reference. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  8. The designer admitted that his creative vision resulted in a 'dystopian, disturbing, Lynchian space'. - Image courtesy of Valentino
  9. Michele drew on influences like Michel Foucault and Hannah Arendt for the concepts surrounding the show. - Image courtesy of Valentino
Item 1 of 9

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Location
Map pointer 1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
Production
Bureau Betak
Brand
Valentino

Valentino's FW25 show Le Méta Théâtre des Intimités curated by Alessandro Michele drew heavily on cinematic influences, challenging the norms of traditional runway shows.

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