Valentino Garavani Unveils Rome-set Campaign for Alessandro Michele’s Rockstud Pumps

Michele first revealed his take on the Rockstud shoe in the pre-fall 2026 collection.​Michele first revealed his take on the Rockstud shoe in the pre-fall 2026 collection. 

Valentino Garavani has revealed a new campaign promoting creative director Alessandro Michele‘s Rockstud pumps, turning the spotlight on the house’s iconic style to honor its enduring legacy while showcasing a fresh chapter in its evolution.

Shot by Johnny Dufort and directed by Shayne Laverdiere, the campaign takes place in Rome, a city deeply connected to Valentino’s identity. A monumental landscape sets the scene, showcasing an understated interplay between marble and water.

The campaign focuses on moments of flânerie, following model Libby Taverner wandering through the city. An official release reads, “With a balance of strength and lightness, structure and fluidity, the campaign presents the Rockstud as a living expression of the maison’s identity: an icon that continues to evolve, reinventing its unmistakable codes, while remaining deeply rooted in its origins.”

Now available following its debut in the pre-fall 2026 collection, the new Valentino Garavani Rockstud pumps showcase a caged design in addition to a chiseled pointy toe with a platinum finish, and a signature red insole — a contemporary spin on the iconic shoe defined by pyramid-shaped studs. Offered in two iterations featuring 100mm and 40mm heels, the new pumps can be found in an array of colors, ranging from neutrals to bold colors like bright green and light blue. The shoes can be purchased now at Valentino boutiques around the world and at valentino.com.

WWD’s Sandra Salibian reviewed the pre-fall 2026 collection in December, reporting on Michele’s thought process which led to his reviving the Rockstud.

Michele, who started his role at Valentino in spring 2024, explained that he needed time before broaching the Rockstud, which was first introduced by Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri on the fall 2010 runway. Michele said, “I didn’t want to do this the day after I arrived here, because I found it weird and I didn’t know this territory so well.” The designer revealed he is always questioning “my idea of what’s Valentino, what I do and what I can also keep from what’s been done by my predecessors.”

“So I looked at this theme which is so interesting and represented a pillar for many years, a great invention,” said Michele, who discussed how the Rockstud is linked to city of Rome and the studs found on the doors of its buildings.

Since Michele unveiled his Rockstud creations, he’s found approval from plenty of celebrities — ranging from Anne Hathaway wearing them while promoting “The Devil Wears Prada 2” to Lena Dunham donning them for the recent Met Gala.

Watch the new Valentino Garavani Rockstud campaign video below.