Dakota Johnson and Tate McRae in Valentino Cruise 2026 Campaign

Valentino reveals its Cruise 2026 campaign titled Nocturne, featuring Dakota Johnson, Tate McRae, Marisa Berenson, Dev Hynes, Anne Imhof, and Devon Teuscher. The project is directed by Alessandro Michele and focuses on the transition from the day’s end to the serenity of night.

Concept and Direction

Michele explores the delicate shift when energy fades, conversations stop, and introspection begins. The campaign unfolds in a hotel setting where each artist occupies a separate room, emphasizing solitude and individuality.

“Proximity without contact,” describes Michele’s vision — lives existing side by side yet remaining separate.

Collection and Aesthetic

The Cruise 2026 collection appears in these quiet rooms rather than a traditional runway. Valentino presents an understated elegance, showcasing:

Sheer sequinned dresses
Tweed blazers
Printed jackets
Mini silhouettes
Feather-trimmed satin pieces

Accessories for the season include the Panthea Shoulder Bag and the D’Orsay Bondie Pump, complementing the subdued rhythm of the campaign.

Atmosphere and Symbolism

The campaign’s imagery reflects a slower pace and a sense of distance between its subjects, capturing the intimate moment before sleep when stillness settles in.

Author’s summary: Valentino’s Cruise 2026 “Nocturne” campaign blends solitude, elegance, and nocturnal calm through Michele’s poetic vision of isolation and quiet luxury.

dscene magazine — 2025-11-07