The Biggest Accessory at the Valentino Paris Show: Books
Written by Brooklyn Baylor
Can a book tell you more about a person than their clothes?
For Valentino’s Spring 2027 Paris Fashion show, guests were seated inside Paris’ Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève. Celebrities such as Colman Domingo, Anna Wintour, and Alexander Skarsgård lounged on long wooden tables accompanied by green lamps and dense bookshelves. The environment of the show was centered around the accumulation of knowledge and a library full of possibilities.
Creative director of Valentino, Alessandro Michele, titled the collection Antibiblioteca and was inspired by the idea of the “anti-library:”the collection of unread books we own whose value lies in the possibilities contained within them. Michele borrowed this concept from Nassim Taleb’s account of Umberto Eco’s famous library, in which Taleb described the unread books in the library as more valuable than the books he’d already read, because they represented the possibility of discovering something beyond his existing knowledge. Michele believes clothes and books interact similarly, and that every fashion collection contains pieces with different futures. Some might only appear on the runway once, some might be captured in time by a photo, while others might be bought and left in wardrobes, untouched. So, these pieces' existence doesn't end after their practical use, because they might one day matter.
The extensive curiosity described by Michele is especially important during the rise of artificial intelligence and a worldwide literacy crisis. Influencer Alix Earle was interviewed by Interview Magazine,and when asked what the latest book she read was, deadpanned, “I’ve never read a book, like, maybe Dr. Seuss?.” Although her answer was lighthearted, it sparked debates on social media platforms like TikTok about the importance of reading and being literate. High school students’ average reading scores fell to the lowest since 1992. The contention between Earle’s statement and Michele’s show is about the possibility to learn, grow, and experiment with new things. Not everyone wants to or can read, but the potential of a book/story and your curiosity to approach it is the most important part.
The collection isn’t about books specifically, but about potential. Michele compared the pieces we might never wear to books sitting unread on our bookshelves. Like these books, the director sees these garments as positive possibilities and opportunities to experience something new and fresh. These ideas manifested in the show through experimentation with vivid colors and prints, different fabrics (sequins, fringe, etc.), and maximalist design. Models strutted through the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève in 90’s oversized blazers, flannels, sequined skirts, bustier and halter tops, and double-pleated trousers. Sometimes models walked with a combination of these pieces and intense layering.
The only instructions labeled on the green Valentino invitation were “Bring a Book.” Michele asked celebrities to bring a used or new book. Most brought a book with sentimental meaning, literary significance, or a book that they’ve recently loved. Jack Edwards, a book influencer and interviewer, described the show as the “coolest one-time -only book club” and labeled his video “the ultimate celebrity book swap.” Each guest dropped off their book of choice in a glass box to be donated to a local library in Paris.
Musician Clairo dropped off Clarice Lispector’s Covert Joy, a short story collection where Lispector takes insignificant moments like encounters, a kiss, or glimpse at the ocean and transforms them into something greater and more unusual. Clairo admitted that she’s currently hooked on Lispector’s writing.
Lorenzo Zurzolo brought Ragazzi di vita by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Zurzolo is an actor and known for his roles in the Netflix show Baby and the Netflix drama film Under the Ricciona Sun. The actor told Vogue his reasons for donating Pasolini’s novel: “it’s set in Rome, my city; and it’s a story of friendship, freedom, and coming of age.”. He also mentions the political importance of the book, stating, “it’s a book that reminds us how important it is to see and listen to those who live on the margins.” Ragazzi di vita (The Street Kids or Boys Alive in English) is set in the aftermath of World War 2 in Rome and captures the survival stories of young boys living in the Rome slums.
Samara Weaving brought Evenings and Weddings by Oisín McKenna to the show. The actress is popular for her roles in the films Ready or Not and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come and her upcoming role as Emma Frost in the new X-Men reboot. She chose Oisín McKenna’s debut novel, which is set in London during the summer and follows a group of young people as they navigate love, family secrets, and friendship. Over a weekend, their lives intertwine and their future relationships and lives are forever changed.
Cynthia Erivo, famous for her role in Wicked and being a talented musician, brought James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. She told Vogue, “I adore James Baldwin, and I believe this is one of the most beautiful love stories ever written.” The book, set in 1950s Paris, tells a tragic love story between David and Giovanni and how David grapples with his sexuality. The novel explores themes of internalized homophobia, identity, sexuality, and social expectations. Baldwin published the book in 1956 and the book is an important work of queer literature.
The best dressed man on every red carpet, Colman Domingo donated his copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck. The authors offer detailed instructions and techniques for cooking French dishes. They provide basic techniques for the amateur and more sophisticated techniques for skilled chefs. This book is for beginners and professionals and is recommended for anyone wanting to delve into French cuisine.
Alexander Skarsgård brought a childhood favorite, Isländska sagor II, a collection of Icelandic tales. The stories cover a large variety of themes such as honor, revenge, family conflicts, and love. The author transports the readers back to medieval Iceland and combines these themes with real accounts of human friendship and rivalries. This is a great read for anyone interested in Nordic history and Scandinavian culture.
Following Skarsgård’s example, actor Joe Alwyn brought a copy of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The classic story follows young James,whose life takes a whimsical turn when he discovers a magical giant peach inhabited by a cast of quirky creatures. Their journey in the peach turns into a tale of unexpected friendships and fierce loyalty.
Edited by Logan Lloyd and Eryn Schoenebeck
