Fashion magpie Olivia Purvis has tracked down the 5 things you need for a Valentino-inspired look (without a Valentino budget)

Olivia Purvis Valentino-inspired style.

As a giddy cheerleader and dedicated follower of Alessandro Michele’s Gucci era (give me flamboyant two pieces! Give me lace! Give me pre-Raphaelite flowing fabrics and Florence Welch in draped satins and silks)! To say I was excited to see his first (or if you include Resort 2025, second) collection for Valentino was an understatement.

And oh, what a collection it was! Combining opulent old Hollywood glamour and transcending decades with ‘20s style evening dresses, ‘80s power shapes and ‘70s bohemian flounce, Spring/Summer 2025 was a complete cocktail of everything delightful and fun about getting dressed. Pomp and flounce were the order of the day with a shimmery cabaret-like quirk (and a lot of sequins) sprinkled over near-enough everything.