VALENTINO

In the heart of Rome, just moments from the Spanish Steps, PM23 brings together fashion and contemporary art in VENUS: Valentino Garavani through the eyes of Joana Vasconcelos. The exhibition is presented by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti inside Palazzo Mignanelli, a place closely tied to the history of the Valentino maison.

Rather than presenting Valentino’s work as a traditional fashion retrospective, VENUS places pieces from his archive in conversation with the bold, sculptural work of Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. Thirty-three Valentino designs appear alongside a series of her installations, creating unexpected connections between couture, craftsmanship, femininity and the body.

At the centre of the exhibition is Venus, a monumental reinterpretation of the Valkyrie figure, surrounded by colour, texture and intricate handmade detail. Against Valentino’s precise silhouettes and unmistakable sense of glamour, Vasconcelos’ work feels playful and almost theatrical.

What makes the exhibition particularly memorable is the way it avoids separating fashion from art. A dress becomes a sculpture, craftsmanship becomes installation, and Valentino’s archive feels remarkably alive rather than historical.

In a city so connected to Valentino’s life and work, the exhibition feels especially appropriate: a celebration of beauty, imagination and the enduring dialogue between fashion and art.