Italian luxury brand Valentino has entered a new partnership with Dover Street Market (DSM), founded by Rei Kawakubo and Adrian Joffe, to mark the release of Alessandro Michele’s first cruise collection, “Avant Les Débuts.”
Kicking off this partnership, pop-up stores showcasing Michele’s vivid vision will open in DSM locations across London, Tokyo, New York, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Paris, beginning October 31. Through this collaboration with the iconic concept store, Valentino is set to strengthen its global presence and unveil a new distribution strategy.
On November 13, a special installation will be presented within DSM’s Elephant Space in Tokyo’s Ginza and Beijing, further emphasizing Valentino’s unique brand narrative. This partnership will continue to expand, with the opening of a permanent Maison Valentino space in London on November 19, followed by launches in Beijing in January 2025, and in Ginza and New York in February.
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Valentino CEO Jacopo Venturini expressed a desire to “convey the heritage of Roman couture in a contemporary setting,” adding that the partnership with DSM offers the opportunity to connect with new clients through “original and exciting pop-up homes.”
DSM’s Joffe echoed this sentiment, stating, “Journeys, moments and explorations are the best parts of all of this. The unexpected meetings at the crossroads of various hearts and minds are the exciting things we look forward to.”
The “Avant Les Débuts” collection is already available in Valentino’s boutiques, including those on Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne in Paris, as well as in flagship stores worldwide. Michele’s vision for Valentino’s future is now accessible to fans around the globe.