Valentino Spring 2026: Lily Allen & Kirsten Dunst Debut the Season’s Best Front-Row Shoes

Lily Allen, Kirsten Dunst, and Shay Mitchell were among the stars who led the glamour at Valentino’s Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 show.

And while the dresses were undeniably dreamy, it was the shoes that quietly stole my attention.

Lily Allen, Kirsten Dunst, Shay Mitchell, Elisabetta Dessy, and Helena Bordon wear Valentino’s playful shoes during the Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 presentation on January 28, 2026 (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Valentino has long been synonymous with ultra-feminine romance and intricate craftsmanship. And true to those house codes, both the runway and the front row reflected the same romantic mood. What stood out to me, though, was the footwear, which added personality and a playful touch without detracting from the outfits.

Front-row guests favored soft, feminine yet fashion-forward shoes, mostly architectural pumps in classic or pastel shades, finished with delicate bow or rose details that perfectly fit the couture mood.

Here’s a closer look at the pairs that stood out on the front row at this year’s Valentino Paris Fashion Week show.

Lily Allen Leans Into Retro Romance With PVC-Paneled Valentino Pumps

Lily Allen went fully retro in a bold orange-and-green look from Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, and while the outfit itself did most of the talking, I couldn’t help but focus on the shoes. They played a quiet but important role in keeping her look balanced and modern.

Allen embraced one of the shoe trends from the Valentino show: clear details. She wore black suede peep-toe pumps with a strip of transparent PVC across the front, creating the illusion of a more open upper.

That subtle detail made the classic pump feel lighter and more playful while remaining elegant. Finished with a high heel, the shoes added height to her petite 5′ 2″ (1.57 m) frame and gave the overall look a polished feel.

Lily Allen slips into a pair of Valentino black suede pumps featuring a strip of PVC across the toes and architectural side suede panels (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Polka Dots, Velvet Textures, and a ’60s Finish Complete the Look

Lily paired the shoes with a rust-orange satin blouse covered in black polka dots and designed with puffed shoulders, loose sleeves, extended cuffs, and a dramatic black velvet bow that matched her pumps. She tucked the blouse into an emerald-green velvet pencil midi skirt with a gathered front hem, adding texture and depth to the look.

Her $2,100 emerald-green Valentino Garavani “DeVain” jacquard-lurex bag, embroidered with florals and rope details, echoed the richness of her velvet skirt.

To finish the retro look, Lily wore sheer stockings, oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses, and a’ 60s-inspired beehive hairstyle.

Lily Allen pairs her black pumps with a retro orange polka-dot blouse with an oversized black bow, an emerald green velvet pencil skirt, and a Valentino Garavani “DeVain” jacquard-lurex bag (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Kirsten Dunst Steals the Spotlight in Valentino’s Crystal Snake Mules

Kirsten Dunst wore one of the most interesting shoes in the front row, and honestly, my eyes went straight to her feet. She stepped out in a pair of mules from Valentino’s Spring 2026 “Fireflies” collection, designed by Alessandro Michele, and they were anything but basic.

This pair transformed the typically understated mule into something more striking. They had heart-shaped peep toes and an open back, which gave them a relaxed, wearable feel, but the design details pushed them into statement territory. The black leather mules featured a wide vamp strap adorned with a crystal-embellished snake, with its head extending past the strap as if it were slithering up her foot.

I loved how unexpected, playful, and surreal it was, which was very much in line with Michele’s style. The contrasting red insole added another bold note, making the shoes even more eye-catching. Finished with tapered stiletto heels, they gave Kirsten an extra height boost!

Kirsten Dunst slips into a pair of black leather mules with a crystal-encrusted snake slithering toward her foot, a heart-shaped open toe, and a red insole (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Powder-Blue Ruching and Bows Keep the Look Refined

Kirsten paired the mules with a powder-blue mini dress from the same Spring 2026 collection. The dress featured soft ruching along the front, bow accents at the neckline and hem, and slightly puffed shoulders and long sleeves.

On the runway, it originally appeared as a top styled with yellow trousers, but here, worn as a dress, I thought it looked cleaner and more refined.

Dunst kept the rest of the look simple. She wore her blonde hair down in loose, tousled waves with a side part, and her makeup stayed soft in pink tones. With minimal jewelry, nothing distracted from the dress—or from those unforgettable shoes!

Kirsten Dunst pairs her quirky mules with a powder blue ruched mini dress featuring a bow on the neckline and hem (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Shay Mitchell Elevates Front-Row Glamour in Beige Reptile Valentino Pumps

Shay Mitchell wore the same Valentino pumps seen on Lily Allen, but her version came in beige textured reptile leather, which was bolder and more noticeable.

The architectural shape stayed the same, with a clear PVC strip across the toes that created the illusion of an open upper, while the rest of her foot remained enclosed in reptile leather along the sides.

Finished with high heels, these pumps added height to her already tall 5’7 1/2” frame and worked surprisingly well with such a detailed outfit. The neutral reptile texture ensured the shoes didn’t compete with her vibrant sequined top, avoiding a visual clash.

Shay Mitchell wears beige pumps with a clear PVC strap across the peep toes and textured side panels (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Sequins, Sheer Layers, and a Carefully Balanced Silhouette

The upper half of her ensemble did most of the visual work. Shay wore a long-sleeved top fully embellished with green sequins, accented with shimmering gold sequins arranged in teardrop shapes. The waist was gently defined, giving the top a flattering shape, while the scalloped hem trimmed in gold sequins added a decorative finish.

Below, Shay paired it with a semi-sheer khaki mini skirt that skimmed her thighs. Handkerchief-like panels hung from the skirt, adding movement and softening her overall look.

She kept her accessories minimal with understated earrings and rings, which I commend. For me, the balance worked—the shoes kept the look neat, while everything else shimmered effortlessly.

Shay Mitchell pairs her beige shoes with a sequined green and gold blouse and a semi-sheer khaki mini skirt with dangling handkerchief tassels (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Elisabetta Dessy Embraces Couture Femininity in Red Bow Satin Valentino Mules

Italian model and actress Elisabetta Dessy delivered one of the most feminine shoe moments at the event. She stepped out in the Valentino Garavani “Yolande” mules, crafted in Italy from lustrous red satin that stood out against her otherwise sleek ensemble.

There was something undeniably soft and elegant about them, even from a distance! They featured corset-inspired leather lacing at the vamp, adding structure and a subtle vintage feel, and an oversized double bow, which brought a touch of drama and femininity.

Finished with 1.7-inch kitten heels, they kept Dessy comfortable while still looking polished and chic. These mules are currently priced at $1,250 on Mytheresa.

Elisabetta Dessy opts for the bold but feminine red Valentino “Yolande” mules featuring corset lacing and oversized double bows at the vamp (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Sharp Black Lines Offset by a Pop of Red Satin

Elisabetta paired the shoes with black stirrup leggings, which neatly showcased the bows while keeping the look sharp and clean. She added a fitted black top, and I really liked how the streamlined pieces highlighted her slender frame, which was impressive at 68.

Dessy added a cropped red satin quilted bolero jacket over the fitted black pieces, elevating her look. The rich red tone perfectly matched her satin mules and popped against the black base of her outfit, making the jacket stand out.

She finished things simply, brushing her hair back and keeping her makeup minimal, letting the shoes do most of the talking.

Elisabetta Dessy teams her red mules with black stirrup leggings, a fitted black top, and a red quilted cropped bolero (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Helena Bordon Makes a Bold Case for Contrast in Mint 3D Floral Valentino Heels

Style blogger Helena Bordon leaned into contrast in the front row, and for me, the shoes made the look memorable.

She wore mint green Valentino sandals adorned with a sculptural 3D leather flower at the thick ankle cuff, finished with colorful stones and crystals. I loved how the pastel shade contrasted her red dress, making the look fresh, playful, and eye-catching.

The sandals were finished with a thick vamp strap and peep toes, which gave them a structured feel, while the tapered high heels kept the silhouette sleek and elegant.

Bordon could have easily gone for red heels or even chosen a green dress to match the shoes, but instead she leaned into contrast by pairing the mint-green sandals with a red mini. For me, that choice made the look more interesting!

Helena Bordon wears a pair of mint green sandals with a thick ankle cuff adorned with a 3D flower, embellished with multicolored gemstones (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

Soft Chiffon Movement Balanced by Modern Cutouts

Helena slipped her slim frame into a red chiffon mini dress with handmade draping that wrapped softly around her body. Two triangular cutouts at the center added just enough edge, while the off-the-shoulder neckline was finished with gentle flounces that softened the look.

It was finished with a flouncy skirt that skimmed her thighs and moved beautifully as she walked. The dress is available for $8,550 at Farfetch.

A floral-embroidered clutch added another layer of color, while minimal jewelry, including earrings, a bracelet, and a ring, kept the focus on the outfit itself. She completed her look with white floral stockings, oval sunglasses, and a slicked side-part hairstyle tucked neatly behind her ears.

Helena Bordon pairs her mint green shoes with white floral stockings and a red chiffon pleated mini dress with triangle cutouts at the front and a flouncy skirt (Credit: Fagency / INSTARimages)

How Valentino’s Front-Row Shoes Reflect the Defining Footwear Trends of 2026

While Valentino’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 presentation delivered some of the most romantic and playful footwear moments of the season, these front-row choices are part of a broader shift across runways, red carpets, and celebrity street style.

From sculptural heels and bold embellishments to wearable silhouettes designed for comfort, 2026 is shaping up to be a year when artistry and practicality finally meet. If you’re curious how these Valentino shoes compare to the wider trends defining the year, here’s a closer look at the standout footwear stories shaping 2026.