Paris Haute Couture Week may be winding down, but Dakota Johnson made sure its final days were marked by a memorable fashion moment. The actor arrived at Valentino’s Spring Summer 2026 couture show wearing a pants-free look that blended bohemian glamour, retro nostalgia, and Alessandro Michele’s signature maximalism.
The result was one of the most talked-about front-row appearances of the week. Johnson attended the show on January 28 in Paris, marking her return to Haute Couture Week after more than a decade.
Her last couture appearance was in 2014, making this moment feel especially significant. As a global brand ambassador for Valentino and a longtime supporter of Michele, her presence at the house’s couture presentation felt inevitable.
The timing of the show also carried emotional weight. Valentino’s couture runway marked the house’s first presentation since the passing of founder Valentino Garavani on January 19.
Johnson wore a look from Valentino’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection, styled by Kate Young, that leaned fully into the lingerie-as-outerwear aesthetic. The ensemble was anchored by sheer black lace micro shorts paired with translucent brown tights decorated with a romantic floral motif.
She layered texture and pattern with confidence, wearing an animal print blouse with a long pussy-bow tie at the neck, tucked neatly into the lace shorts. Over that came a brown jacket with strong shoulders, gold brushstroke detailing, and feathered cuffs that added drama and movement.
The mix of prints, textures, and earth tones created a look that felt both nostalgic and modern, evoking a refined take on 1970s bohemian glamour.
Johnson made subtle adjustments from the original runway styling. She swapped the model’s accessories for thin hoop earrings and opted for a clear cat-eye pair of sunglasses outside the venue.
Accessories played a key role in completing the outfit. Johnson carried a Valentino Garavani DeVain shoulder bag in a mossy green and gold jacquard lurex fabric. The bag’s recognizable “V” emblem and structured silhouette have become a favorite among celebrities, including Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter.
Her shoes delivered a heavy dose of fashion nostalgia. Johnson wore black Valentino Rockstud stilettos, embracing the return of the iconic shoe that dominated the 2010s. Michele has reintroduced the Rockstud in multiple forms across Valentino’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection, including versions with elongated metal-tipped toes.
The rest of the look leaned heavily into pattern and texture rather than sparkle. Johnson has been increasingly open about embracing sensual fashion choices. As she recently told Vogue Germany, “I really don’t care. I have been able to wear some of the most beautiful dresses and feel beautiful in them, and that is why I wear them.” That confidence was evident in Paris, where her pants-free look felt intentional.
Inside the venue, Johnson joined a front row packed with friends of the house, including Lily Allen, Tyla, Kirsten Dunst, and Shay Mitchell. All adhered to the evening’s unofficial dress code of head-to-toe Valentino, but Johnson’s look stood apart for its daring simplicity and careful balance of elegance and edge.
Since being announced as a global ambassador for Valentino in October, Johnson has consistently championed Michele’s vision, from campaign appearances to red carpet moments and street style looks.