With sex off the agenda for many of us across the course of the last year – yet another side effect of the virus that shall not be named – Valentino is clearly in a kinky mood as restrictions begin to lift in many parts of the world. For its latest project, the Italian house has come together (no pun intended) with sex educator and The Boudoir Bible author Betony Vernon to create a new, erotica-tinged experience celebrating its Rockstud Alcove accessories collection. 

In case you’re unfamiliar with The Boudoir Bible, let us fill you in: the joyful tome first landed in 2013 with the intention of getting people to loosen up about sex. With chapters on “The Genital Gym”, Nipple Tease” and “The Anthems of Anal Sex”(?!) and scintillating illustrations via artist François Berthoud, the book secured Vernon’s place as the go-to sex educator within fashion. 

Now, not only has her bible been rehashed as part of this new release, with a chic new personalisable sleeve landing today, she’s also created a series of ‘peep boxes’ that will allow the voyeurs among us a shy, furtive glance at Valentino Garavani’s slick leather and studded accessories – among them, the Rockstud Alcove bag, all sleek lines and severe pyramids, and a pair of red varnished kitten heels. “Dangerous delectation, beguiled vulnerability, iconic spike studded delights of self-seduction rouse pleasures to be shared, or not!” says Vernon of the offering. 

With the kinky collection getting its debut today, the Rockstud Alcove bag and special edition Boudoir Bible might also be coming to an erotic bookshop near you: with locations in Paris, Milan, Madrid, LA, Seoul and beyond set to get their own titillating installations in the coming days. Stay tuned.