Valentino in Paris: where fashion meets literature.

At Valentino's Paris fashion show, books took the place traditionally reserved for exclusive invitations. Through Antibiblioteca: Catalogue of the Unread, Creative Director Alessandro Michele invited guests to bring a book as their ticket to the event, transforming a fashion presentation into a meeting point for literature, art and culture.

The initiative gave books a purpose beyond the runway, with the volumes intended for donation to public libraries. It was an unexpected gesture in a world accustomed to exclusive invitations, carefully curated gifts and coveted fashion objects.

A Literary Guest List

The guests' choices offered a glimpse into their individual tastes, ranging from timeless literary classics to books celebrating art and the pleasures of everyday life.

• Anna Wintour — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, a celebrated novel exploring love, social expectations and human relationships.
• Cynthia Erivo — Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin, a powerful novel examining love, identity and belonging.
• Naomi Watts — Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, the enduring story of a woman's independence, dignity and search for love.
• Colman Domingo — Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck, the influential cookbook that introduced generations of American readers to French cuisine.
• Beka Gvishiani — Chanel Solitaire by Claude Baillen, a book connected to the life and legacy of Gabrielle Chanel.

Tamara Kalinic and the Legacy of Ivo Andric

Among the choices that resonated particularly with Serbian audiences was that of fashion influencer Tamara Kalinic. For the occasion, she selected The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric, the Serbian Nobel Prize-winning author, in its French-language edition.

According to reports about the event, Kalinic subsequently donated the book to the renowned Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, the historic library that hosted the show.

A Serbian literary masterpiece, carried into an international fashion conversation. Literature without borders

Andric's novel, which explores history, cultural encounters and the lives shaped by a bridge spanning generations, offered a particularly meaningful contribution to an initiative celebrating the connections between different cultures.

Beyond Fashion: The Power of Books

Valentino's initiative demonstrated that fashion can be much more than a visual statement or a reflection of seasonal trends. It can also become a platform for cultural exchange, the preservation of literary heritage and the sharing of ideas.

In a world where exclusivity is often associated with rare objects and coveted accessories, the project offered a thoughtful reminder: some of the most meaningful things we can share are not possessions, but the stories, ideas and perspectives that shape the way we see the world.

IDSC Magazine · The Art of Living