Kim Russell Takes Us Inside Valentino SS26

SUNDAY 8:25 AM OCTOBER 5 2025, PARIS 

I’ve been seeing Australian stylist and archivist Kimberly Russell, aka @thekimbino, in my feed and at the front row of all the coolest shows this season, so when Valentino wasn’t able to fulfill my ticket request, I knew exactly who to call for the inside scoop. Below, the BOF 500 It Girl gives us her take on Alessandro Michele’s latest collection.

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TAYLORE SCARABELLI: Hey, sorry. I’m like walking next to the Seine with my tangled wired headphones on, hauling ass to JPG. Feeling like a crazy person.

KIM RUSSELL: How far is it?

SCARABELLI: It’s just like a five-minute walk.

RUSSELL: Okay, not bad.

SCARABELLI: How are you feeling?

RUSSELL: I’m very tired because I thought I would have a sleep-in, and then I realized how far Celine was this morning and I was like, “Well, that’s not an option.”

SCARABELLI: Right, and you had the BOF function last night. Congratulations.

RUSSELL: Thank you. Yeah, it was a lot of fun.

SCARABELLI: I bet. I’m happy to see you everywhere this season and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Valentino. 

RUSSELL: Thank you. I thought it was really cool. I was so tired and to have a show wake me up is exactly what I needed.

SCARABELLI: Right. What was the venue situation?

RUSSELL: It was like a big, black box with fluorescent lights on the ceiling, Very cool, very dark.

SCARABELLI: And in a way toned down from last season’s theatrical bathroom stalls.

RUSSELL: Oh, 100%, but it was still very much smoky and moody and dramatic.

SCARABELLI: It was the club?

RUSSELL: Definitely.

SCARABELLI: I saw a lot of VIPs—Lana and her hubby.

RUSSELL: Yeah, I was like, “Lana is so me with her blue-collar husband.” She was sitting right in front of me, so that was amazing. I’m sure I’m in lots of the Getty imagery.

SCARABELLI: Oh, we need to look those up. That happened to me, I was sitting behind Paris Hilton at Marant. I was like, “I need to move or maybe pose better.”

RUSSELL: I hate it, but I’m also like, “This is funny.”

SCARABELLI: We love celebrities. Also the hair from behind. Paris’s was beyond perfect. Like, this sounds weird but I couldn’t understand how they got it like that, must’ve been the same with Lana. 

RUSSELL: Yeah, she’s so beautiful. She’s very much like a movie star, and when she leaned over to kiss her husband… it was very fun.

SCARABELLI: Oh, I love that. Okay, so what was the runway giving?

RUSSELL: I will say the models were very young, very skinny, but I did enjoy the clothes. I love the menswear looks. I can definitely see people wearing them, not just on the red carpet. 

SCARABELLI: Cool.

RUSSELL: And there were also lots of fun dresses, lots of classic Gatsby style looks. Very Alessandro.

SCARABELLI: I’m looking right now at Look 22, this little pink number with the shoulder pads and bows and all of that. That’s the one I’m taking home. It’s all very Alessandro but the Valentino references are there. 

RUSSELL: He’s been studying the archives. 

SCARABELLI: Can we talk about this nasty shoe that’s really revealing in a way I’ve never seen before? I loved it. She stole the show. 

RUSSELL: I was scared someone was going to fall over, but they rocked it. 

SCARABELLI: It was the peep toe 2.0. What about the handbags? Any accessories you would like to take home?

RUSSELL: You know, I can’t lie. I was in the fourth row, so I didn’t really see a lot.

SCARABELLI: I get that. Maybe you’ll find a grail at the re-see tomorrow. 

RUSSELL: Totally. 

SCARABELLI: I’m really excited to see people in these clothes—okay, I have to run but I would love to chat with you more about your thoughts on the week. What are you doing tonight?

RUSSELL: McQueen.

SCARABELLI: Oh, fabulous. Okay. Well, have fun and I will see you soon.

RUSSELL: You too. Bye-bye.

SCARABELLI: Thanks Kim. Bye.