Valentino has announced that it will not present its Autumn/Winter 2026–27 collection during Paris Fashion Week, a rare departure from tradition as the Italian house returns to its roots in Rome for the upcoming runway season. The decision reflects a shift in creative focus and a nod to the brand’s heritage, even as it plans to remain part of the broader fashion calendar in future seasons. 

The fashion house which was founded in Rome in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti confirmed on December 19, 2025, that its next major ready-to-wear show will take place in the Italian capital in March 2026 at a venue yet to be announced. This marks a deliberate choice to step outside the Paris runway schedule for one season. 

In a brief press release, Valentino explained that the decision to show the Autumn/Winter 2026–27 collection in Rome was tied to creative director Alessandro Michele’s desire to pay homage to the maison’s origins and legacy. Rome, the brand’s birthplace, holds deep historical significance for the label, and this return is intended to celebrate that connection as Michele crafts this seasonal collection. 

The appointment of Michele, who took the creative helm after the departure of Pierpaolo Piccioli, has already signaled a period of renewed exploration for Valentino. Michele’s earlier shows including his Fall/Winter 2025–26 presentation have been noted for their bold artistic direction and narrative storytelling on the runway, eliciting both praise and discussion within fashion circles. 

Valentino’s choice to base its next main show in Rome rather than Paris underscores how fashion houses are increasingly flexible in where and how they present their collections. As with other houses that experiment with show locations and formats, Valentino appears to be balancing tradition with a refreshed sense of identity one that draws on Italian cultural heritage while engaging a global audience. 

Despite stepping away from the Paris runway in March 2026, Valentino has indicated that it expects to re-join the official Paris Fashion Week calendar for subsequent seasons, ensuring the brand’s continued visibility during one of the most influential fashion events of the year. 

The move also comes amid broader shifts in the global fashion calendar, as designers and houses experiment with timing, presentation formats and venue choices to better align with strategic priorities, audience engagement and creative narratives. In recent seasons, several labels have adjusted their traditional schedules or explored alternative presentation methods to stand out and connect with buyers, media and customers in new ways. 

For Valentino, anchoring the Autumn/Winter 2026–27 show in Rome is intended to reaffirm its Italian roots, celebrating the brand’s history while positioning its next chapter within a context of cultural resonance and creative renewal. 

The fashion world will watch closely as Valentino unfolds this seasonal presentation in Rome next year, evaluating not only the collection itself but also how the choice of location influences perceptions of the brand and its evolving place in the global fashion landscape.