MILAN - The announcement of singer Sombr as a Valentino ambassador earlier this year was more than a celebrity endorsement; it was the prelude to a campaign that thoughtfully weaves the brand's history with contemporary artistry. For its pre-fall 2026 campaign, creative director Alessandro Michele selected the Roman palazzo of American artist Cy Twombly as the setting - a deliberate nod to Valentino's archival editorials photographed in Twombly's apartment in the 1960s. This continuity highlights a house long fascinated by the dialogue between fashion and art, a tradition now extended to Sombr's campaign debut, shot by Johnny Dufort.
The images, released following Sombr's Coachella performances, present a striking contrast. Model Apolline, adorned in vibrantly colored, richly embroidered garments, moves through the quiet, intimate rooms. This visual tension between exuberant dress and serene environment speaks to lingerie's own historical narrative: the concealed foundation garment versus the revealed, decorative outer layer. Valentino's intricate lace shirts and embroidered details, seen on Sombr throughout his recent appearances, recall the craftsmanship of 18th-century *robe à la française*, where luxurious undergarments were partially displayed to signify status and artistry.
Sombr's custom Valentino pieces - studded leather, military-inspired jackets with metal fringes - continue this conversation. They reference the subversive glamour of 1970s rock, a period when designers like Vivienne Westwood began borrowing from lingerie silhouettes for the street. By placing a modern musician within a legacy of artistic patronage and sartorial detail, Valentino doesn't merely dress an ambassador; it positions him within a centuries-old story of adornment, intimacy, and display.
Originally reported by WWD