Just when it seemed like fashion week had wrapped up, Valentino brought the spotlight back with a star-studded show in Rome. The house unveiled its Fall 2026–2027 collection and drew some of the industry’s most stylish names to the Italian capital.
💫 Jump to a Look:
- 1. Retro Romance: Teal Valentino Sandals & Lime Polka-Dot Mini
- 2. Sultry in Pink: Studdy Pumps & Lingerie-Inspired Styling
- 3. Soft Glamour: Black-and-Gold Heels & Crystal Slip Dress
- 4. Romance Meets Edge: Rockstud Pumps & Sheer Lace Midi
- 5. Dark Drama: Rockstud Pumps & Sheer Black Lace
- 6. Bold Finish: Floral Crystal Boots & Golden Coat Dress
Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyla, Iris Law, Lily Allen, and Chiara Ferragni all graced the front row, wearing the house’s signature romantic, ultra-feminine designs.
Footwear, of course, played a major role in pulling each look together. Several guests—including Tyla and Lily Allen—stepped out in new iterations of Valentino’s iconic Rockstud heels, recently spotted in the trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2, while others, like Gwyneth Paltrow, opted for elegant pairs from the house’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection.

Let’s take a look at the shoes worn on the Valentino front row.
Gwyneth Paltrow Channels Retro Romance in Teal Valentino Sandals and a Lime Polka-Dot Mini
Gwyneth Paltrow stepped out in a full Valentino Pre-Fall 2026 look, and the outfit’s bold color combination instantly caught my eye. It was a bit theatrical at first glance, though it also made sense for a fashion event, and a front-row appearance at that!
Paltrow wore teal satin sandals with subtle silver tones, and I found the design pretty interesting. The vamps were pleated in soft, gathered folds that spread outward in a fan-like shape before meeting at a knot in the center.
The shoes also featured cutouts across the vamp and along the sides, which gave them a lighter feel. Slim ankle straps wrapped around her ankles, securing the sandals, finishing with tall stiletto heels. With their satin fabric and color, they felt a bit vintage to me.

Gwyneth paired the sandals with a vibrant lime green satin mini dress from the same Valentino collection, featuring a polka-dot pattern. It also had long balloon sleeves and a gathered neckline, balanced by a straight hem that ended high on the thigh.
This shorter hemline naturally drew attention to her legs, which were further highlighted by sheer white floral stockings, lending a delicate touch to the overall look.
She added a chunky silver statement necklace and a few rings for extra shine. To finish, Gwyneth carried the $3,800 Valentino Garavani “Panthea” shoulder bag and kept her beauty simple with mascara, lip gloss, and sleek straight hair.

Tyla Turns Up the Heat in Pink Valentino Studdy Pumps and a Lingerie-Inspired Look
After attending the Miu Miu Paris Fashion Week show, Tyla headed to Rome and once again caught my attention with another retro and daring front-row appearance.
She wore a pair of pink studded pumps from Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2026 Rockstud collection. The style originally debuted in 2010 and has clearly stood the test of time. Seeing them pop up again lately makes sense, especially after fans spotted the iconic style in the trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 last November.
Her specific pair was called the “Studdy,” crafted in Italy from smooth kidskin leather. What I loved about them was how detailed they were. The design included crisscrossing straps at the vamps, a sleek T-strap, and double ankle straps with buckle fastenings. Studs of varying sizes, with an antique brass finish, adorned the entire shoe, adding texture and attitude.
They also featured sharp pointed toes and tall four-inch stiletto heels that gave them a sleek silhouette, making the design look bold and polished. You can get them for $1,190 at Farfetch.

To enhance the shoes’ sultry feel, Tyla paired them with a blush-pink, lingerie-inspired slip top.
The cami featured sheer lace trims along the bust and a plunging V-neckline adorned with delicate crystal beads and sequins, all held in place by embellished spaghetti straps. Underneath, she wore a striped wool mini skirt barely visible beneath the longer cami top.
The finishing touches were playful. Tyla’s purple manicure added a pop of color, while her voluminous, tight curls were styled into a high ponytail. Completing the look were her minimal makeup and large hoop earrings that added just the right amount of sparkle.

Iris Law Balances Soft Glamour With Black-and-Gold Pleated Heels and a Crystal Slip Dress
Iris Law wore the same shoes as Gwyneth Paltrow, though her pair came in a striking black-and-gold combination that I preferred.
Compared to the teal version, these felt much more versatile while still standing out. The black-and-gold pleated vamps created a striking contrast, with sculptural folds that added texture across the shoe’s front.
The pleating spread outward, resembling a sunburst, giving the pumps a decorative, eye-catching finish.

What made them even more interesting to me was how they contrasted with Iris Law’s soft, feminine pale pink slip dress. The dress had a daring touch with its tiny bra-style cups, covered in crystals and beads, adding sparkle right at the neckline.
Super thin straps held everything in place before the fabric flowed into a knee-length skirt with an uneven, softly curved hem that moved lightly as she walked.
I also liked how she kept the styling simple with delicate rings, tiny earrings, and a white shoulder bag. Her short pixie haircut looked especially chic with softly curled bangs that framed her face beautifully.

Lily Allen Mixes Romance and Edge in New Valentino Rockstud Pumps and a Sheer Lace Midi
Lily Allen wore one of Valentino’s newer takes on the iconic Rockstud pumps from the Pre-Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection.
They reminded me of the original Rockstud style, with the signature pyramid studs decorating the strappy uppers, but this pair had a few modern tweaks that made them stand out even more.
The vamp featured a rectangular cutout that gave the shoe a sharp, architectural detail, while the square toe was finished with a gold tip for a polished touch. They also came with a red insole and thin, high stiletto heels, making the silhouette sleek and striking.

I liked how Allen balanced the edgy pumps with a delicate, sheer midi dress that was completely see-through. It featured a soft, gauzy fabric with a doily-style, scalloped white lace hem.
The bodice had a high neckline and was embroidered with a blue floral lace pattern, adding intricate texture. A slim black belt at the waist helped shape the look.
Though the dress was quite revealing, Lily layered a brown aviator-style jacket over it. The rugged leather jacket had a cozy tan shearling collar, front flap pockets, and elasticated cuffs and hem, which added a cool, relaxed contrast to the delicate dress.
To finish, she carried a $2,300 Valentino Garavani Small Panthea shoulder bag, wore a few rings, and styled her hair in a sleek ponytail with her signature bangs.

Chiara Ferragni Goes Dark and Dramatic in Valentino Rockstud Pumps and Sheer Black Lace
Chiara Ferragni’s look was similar to Lily Allen’s, especially because they wore the same Valentino Rockstud pumps. But Chiara’s version felt much edgier because of the all-black styling.

Her black pumps stood out with their gold-tipped square toes, pyramid studs, and the rectangular cutout at the vamp, details that gave the classic Rockstud design a sharper, modern twist. Paired with her sheer floral lace midi dress, the shoes looked even more striking.
I really liked the balance of feminine and edgy elements here. The dress was completely see-through, featuring a delicate floral lace pattern and a high neckline that gave it a refined feel.
To add coverage and contrast, Ferragni layered a black fur jacket over it. It had gray front stripes, leather cuffs, and a leather placket, adding structure and a bit of texture to the look.
Ferragni finished the look with statement earrings and carried the Valentino Garavani Panthea shoulder bag, keeping everything sleek and cohesive.

Britt Lower Makes a Statement in Crystal-Embellished Floral Boots and a Golden Coat Dress
My eyes went straight to Britt Lower’s boots when she arrived at Palazzo Barberini. She wore a pair of white knee-high boots completely covered in sparkling crystal studs, which instantly made them stand out.
What made them even more interesting were the colorful floral details scattered throughout. The flowers were made with orange, green, blue, and yellow sequins, adding a playful, spring-ready touch and making the boots look like wearable art.

Lower paired the statement boots with a mustard, almost golden yellow trench-style midi dress made from silk organza. The dress featured a buttoned high collar, long sleeves, belted cuffs, and a belted waist, giving the silhouette a clean structure.
The design itself was simple, but the rich color and sharp tailoring made it striking. With those crystal-covered boots peeking out underneath, the entire look was impossible for me to miss.
Britt carried the same bag as other attendees and finished things off with sleek rectangular sunglasses that added a cool, modern edge.

Valentino’s Front Row Proves the House Still Leads the Conversation in Statement Footwear
From pleated satin heels and revived Rockstud pumps to crystal-studded floral boots, the Valentino Fall 2026 show in Rome proved that the house continues to blur the line between romantic elegance and bold modern design.
Each front-row guest interpreted the brand’s signature codes differently, pairing dramatic silhouettes, intricate embellishments, and sculptural footwear with equally striking outfits.
If you enjoyed these standout Valentino shoe moments, explore more celebrity looks and iconic designs from the Italian fashion house below.
👠 Explore Valentino Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 📚 From red-carpet glamour to Rockstud icons, this Valentino brand history traces the house’s evolution and explains how Valentino Garavani shoes and accessories became such enduring luxury staples.
- 🎀 Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2026 front row shoe trends spotlights standout pairs including Lily Allen’s PVC-paneled pumps, crystal snake mules, reptile pumps, satin mules, and floral heels.
- 🌸 Zendaya’s sky-high Valentino “Pink PP” platforms capture one of the brand’s boldest modern footwear moments, pairing towering pumps with a head-to-toe monochromatic Paris Fashion Week look.
- 💗 Miranda Kerr’s Valentino Rockstud sandals in Japan show how the label’s studded heels added edge to a sweet pastel Erdem dress and helped define the Rockstud’s lasting appeal.
- ✨ Sofia Carson in Valentino Garavani Tan-Go pumps highlights the dramatic platform silhouette that became one of the house’s most recognizable recent shoe statements.