At Milan Fashion Week, Roman designer Leonardo Valentini presented his FW25/26 collection Crudelio Fabiola, a raw and emotionally charged tribute to memory, loss, and the redemptive power of creation. Shown as part of the Lineapelle Designers Edition, the collection transcended conventional fashion presentation, becoming a cathartic act of personal storytelling.
Dedicated to Fabiola—a deeply significant figure in the designer’s life—the collection unfolded as a poetic journey through grief and resilience. Layers of contrasting textures including leather intarsia, studs, fur, and symbolically printed fabrics formed a tactile expression of internal struggle.
Drawing on themes of emotional scars and spiritual intensity, the collection embraced contradiction: fragility with edge, kindness dressed in punk, elegance born from defiance.
Music—always a key pillar of Leonardovalentini’s creative language—played a starring role. Known for his collaborations with artists like Irama and Maneskin, the designer brought live sound to the runway once again, with a powerful performance by singer Sethu and his guitarist brother Jiz. Their sound created an atmosphere of emotional tension and release, adding another sensory layer to the storytelling.
The presentation also featured a notable design innovation: 3D-printed insoles developed in collaboration with Christian Bianconi (Pedsan). These were integrated into the footwear worn by models, showcasing a blend of comfort, functionality, and forward-thinking design in line with the brand’s creative ethos.
Valentini’s loyal creative circle—ranging from stylists and photographers to makeup artists—amplified the emotional impact of the show. A 24-hour exclusive online drop of select FW25 pieces added a sense of immediacy and intimacy, bringing the designer’s audience even closer to his world.
The Crudelio Fabiola collection stood as a tribute not only to a person but to the process of turning pain into something powerful and beautiful. Leonardovalentini once again proved that fashion can be a deeply personal, unapologetically emotional form of art.
