Gigi Hadid Opens Vogue World: Milano in Show-Stopping Valentino Patchwork Gown

Gigi Hadid kicked off Vogue World: Milano in true showstopper fashion, opening the very first act of the runway event in a jaw-dropping Valentino Couture gown. The supermodel, who's been a fixture on runways and campaigns since her teens and is one of the most recognizable faces in fashion today, set the tone for the entire night with this look.

The gown came from Valentino's Spring/Summer 2025 Couture collection, designed by Alessandro Michele, and was the centerpiece of the show's opening act, titled "The Artisanal Revolution." The piece was built entirely from recycled Venetian quilts pieced together into a diamond-shaped patchwork of florals, stripes, chevrons, and metallic gold panels, reportedly taking 1,680 hours to complete by hand. The silhouette leaned dramatic and historical, with an exaggerated full skirt, oversized bishop sleeves, and a high ruffled ivory collar that gave the whole thing a romantic, old-world feel. Ruffled cuffs in the same cream lace tied the look together at the wrists.

For hair, Gigi kept things soft and undone, wearing her blonde waves loose and slightly tousled with a small pink bow clip pinned near her part, a playful touch against such an elaborate gown. Her makeup stayed fresh and dewy, with a soft flush and glossy lip that let the dress do all the talking. She accessorized minimally, adding just a pair of gold drop earrings so the patchwork craftsmanship stayed the focus.

The moment fit right into this year's Vogue World theme, "Where The Future Is Made By The Hand," which put Italian handcraft traditions front and center inside Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Gigi wasn't the only one turning heads at the event, either — Cardi B also brought major fashion energy to the runway that night, closing out her segment in an archival Versace gown from the label's Spring/Summer 2018 collection, printed with vintage Vogue magazine covers.