Cult runway queen Kristen McMenamy just opened Valentino Couture

Day three of the SS22 couture shows and iconic, off-kilter supermodel Kristen McMenamy just opened Valentino’s Haute Couture show. Taking place at the house’s Place Vendôme salon, the runway legend descended the space’s staircase in a slinky LBD with moulded sweetheart neckline, semi-opaque stockings, and leather gloves to the strains of an Anohni medley. In recent years she’s become something of a Valentino fave, returning to the runway for the first time in almost eight years for SS19.

Rising to fame in the early 90s, while Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen epitomised the opulence, glamour, and excess of the era, McMenamy was keeping things weird with her long icy blonde hair, bleached eyebrows, and brilliantly maniacal presence.

In 2022, nothing’s changed – the legendary super kickstarted her Instagram last year and has spent the time since showcasing her uniquely bonkers style. Model daughter Lily is also a chip off the old block, keeping doomscrollers entertained with her deranged dancing (which she also translated to the Jean Paul Gaultier runway in early 2021).

The collection itself was a lesson in refined elegance, with creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli sending out his signature dramatic gowns and clean tailoring alongside sleeker evening looks. Of course, this being Valentino, there was no shortage of delicate ostrich feathers of crystal detailing. Stay tuned for our couture round-up, which is coming this afternoon, for more.