The triumph of women, Valentino’s creations marry Joana’s art

Yesterday the opening to the public of his latest ‘creation’ where theValentino’s iconic femininityis seen from the eyes ofJoana Vasconcelosthe Portuguese artist who combines the designer’s clothes with works of art made of ‘everyday’. Pots that become stiletto shoes, irons that spit steam next to an admirable black lace dress, “the most difficult one to iron”. The femme fatale alongside the everyday womanboth imbued with a “magical beauty”. It is this and much moreshow ‘Venus’installed allaValentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundationin the heart ofRoma.

After having animated the Capital with a project ofwidespread artwhich brought three monumental works by Joana Vasconcelos to as many iconic places in the city, the exhibition VENUS – Valentino Garavani through the eyes of Joana Vasconcelos officially opened to the public onJanuary 18, 2026at PM23, the space inaugurated last May by the Foundation. The beyonds1000 mq ospitano un exhibition itinerarywhich offers a contemporary and poetic look at the creative universe ofValentino Garavanireinterpreted by the Portuguese artist’s powerful and recognizable vision.

The exhibition and the “carte blanche” project

The Foundation entrusts toJoana Vasconcelosa *carte blanche* project: inside the space in Piazza Mignanelli 23, the visit brings together12 works by the artist– between spectacular existing installations and site-specific works – e33 creations by Valentino Garavaniwhose archive selection was curated by Pamela Golbin. A natural intertwining is born betweenfashion, art and creative languageswhich brings together innovation and contemporary vision, to offer a vibrant and current interpretation of the universe ofcouturier.   ,

The VENUS Valkyrie and key installations

The emblematic work of the exhibition is the monumental oneValkyrie VENUSwhich gives its name to the exhibition, conceived by the artist in relation to the space and the project, starting from the study of the stylist’s codes. The imposing figure was born in the apsidal room as an extension of 8 dresses and develops with its arms, becoming a lens through which to observe the legacy ofValentino Garavaniand abstraction of the multiple facets ofcontemporary female identitiesthat it represents.

The rooms feature installations by the artist such as “Venus, The Painting” dalla serie *Crochet Paintings*, framed work that transforms the fabric into a pictorial surface taking inspiration from the Josef Hoffmann motif of the Haute Couture dresses from the A/W 1989-90 collection. “Strangers in the Night” explores the female archetypes projected by patriarchal culture, while “Full Steam Ahead (Red) #1” sorprende with a mechanical lotus flower composed ofironssymbol of resilience and metamorphosis. Both works are compared to Haute Couture creations. Followed by “Marilyn”, where domestic objects –pots and lids– become monumental heels, overturning stereotypes and celebrating thefemale workoften invisible. Also in this case 3 Haute Couture dresses complete the room in a triumph of silk, satin, organza, taffeta and sequins in various *shades* of silver. The journey culminates in “Garden of Eden”, an immersive work-environment in which different archetypes converge in a shared mythical tale in which they act as protagonists8 iconic total black dressesin tulle, silk, georgette, lace, embellished with sequins, crystals and glass beads.

VENUS: an ambitious social and collective project

With the second PM23 exhibition project, one of the Foundation’s pillars takes concrete shape: thesocial and collective commitment. VENUS – the work conceived and designed by the artist and created by his atelier in Lisbon – is enriched by an imposing and ambitioussocial and choral project: 756 hours of workshops, more than 200 participants of all ages, over 200 kg of crochet modules made throughout Rome and sent to the artist. Students, patients,detainedand members of the 9 partner associations actively participated, transforming the manual gesture into care, creativity andsocial cohesion.

Thus VENUS, the beating heart of the exhibition and a large thirteen meter long Valkyrie, develops in space with its crocheted “second skin” and becomes a symbol ofartisanal intelligencecombining the creative strength of Valentino Garavani and Joana Vasconcelos with an impulse for identity rediscovery, redemption andsocial vitalityfor the most vulnerable groups of the city. Higher education schools (MAM, Accademia di Costume & Moda and NABA) and social and healthcare partners (Rebibbia Women’s Prison, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Differenza Donna, INTERSOS) hosted workshops oncrochetaimed at patients, families and communities.

PLOT #73: the documentary by Daniele Luchetti

It is also dedicated to this human and artistic projectFRAME #73the documentary byDaniele Luchettipresented in a room within the exhibition. The video installation presents the testimonies of students, prisoners, crochet teachers and artisans, giving a choral story on the value ofdo togetherof the transmission of knowledge, of beauty as an instrument of transformation and ofcreativity as care and empowerment. Manual work is ennobled as an artistic and creative practice, act of cultural resistance and instrument of affirmation personal and collective.

The foundation’s comment

Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti explain that “VENUS was born from the desire to celebrate thecreativity in all its formsas a bridge between art, fashion and community. With this project we wanted to offer a space where beauty and innovation can meet participation and inclusion, transforming artistic expression into an opportunity for dialogue and sharing. The collaboration with Joana Vasconcelos has allowed us to explore new languages, intertwining different knowledge, hands and stories, and to make visible the value ofcollective workand creativity as a toolempowerment. Through VENUS we celebrate not only art and fashion, but also communities, reaffirming our belief that beauty – as a driving force – allows creativity, shared and participatory, to stimulate new visions, strengthen communities and leave a lasting mark on future generations.”