Goodbye Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, the ornate 19th-century hôtel particulier in the 8th Arrondissement of Paris that for years had played rococo host to the Valentino fashion shows.

The atmosphere was electric with anticipation leading up to Alessandro Michele’s debut at Valentino on Sunday afternoon in Paris—undeniably the most coveted invite of the season. Instead of opting for the expected,

When Alessandro Michele was announced as the new creative director at Valentino, lovers of maximalism and eccentricity rejoiced. In June, the designer dropped his resort collection, all 171 looks of it,

Lovers of maximalist fashion have had an Alessandro Michele–sized hole in their hearts for the past two years. Absent from the runways has been his signature brand of eclectic energy, allowing quiet luxury brands to thrive.

After a two year hiatus, the designer made his runway debut as creative director of Valentino, marking a new glamorously extroverted era for the house.

Frivolousness is not useless” says the newly installed Valentino creative director in his first runway show that brimmed with possibility.