Alessandro Michele is an Italian fashion designer who has been the creative director of Valentino since 2024. Michele completed his studies of fashion design at the Accademia de Costume e di Moda in Rome. Here he learnt to design both theatrical costumes and fashion wear. In 2002 Michele began to work at Gucci under Tom Ford. In 2006 he was named senior designer of leather goods and in 2011 he was promoted to associate creative director to Frida Giannini. From 2015 to 2022 he was creative director of Gucci.
His designs have been described as eclectic, flamboyant and maximalist, drawing on a range of influences from cinema and theatrics to post-punk and glamour. The influence of science and nature, combined with traditional craftsmanship can be seen in his collaboration with the singer Bjork, whose dresses he made for The Gate (2017) and Ovule (2022).
During his tenure at Gucci he was awarded the International Fashion Designer of the Year Award at the British Council Fashion Awards (2015), International Accessories Designer of the Year Award at the British Council Fashion Awards, and was listed one of Time magazines 100 Most Influential People.
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