Valentino has appointed Dakota Johnson as its new global brand ambassador, reaffirming the maison’s dialogue with individuals who reflect its artistic and cultural values. The announcement also marks a reunion between Johnson and Alessandro Michele, who took over as creative director earlier this year.
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“I’m elated to be joining the Valentino family, and beyond happy to be reunited with my dearest friend Alessandro Michele. I am honored and excited to begin this new chapter with a team of such wonderful and talented people,” said Johnson.
A close friend and longtime supporter of Michele, Dakota Johnson extends a creative partnership that first took shape during his years at Gucci, where she represented the brand from 2017 to 2022. Her new role at Valentino renews that artistic connection, grounded in mutual curiosity, personal expression, and shared creative language.
An acclaimed actress and producer, Johnson has worked across independent films and major productions. Her performances in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Lost Daughter cemented her reputation for taking on roles defined by depth and complexity. Most recently, she appeared in Splitsville, a comedy that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and Materialists, directed by Celine Song and co-starring Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. In 2026, she will star in Verity, a psychological romantic thriller based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, alongside Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett.
Her relationship with Michele extends beyond fashion campaigns, rooted in shared creative sensibilities. At Valentino, Johnson represents the modern evolution of Michele’s world, one that honors craftsmanship while engaging with culture in personal and expressive ways. The maison described her appointment as a continuation of “an ongoing dialogue with individuals who embody a shared commitment to artistry, elegance and cultural resonance.”
Dakota Johnson joins Valentino’s expanding circle of ambassadors, which includes Colman Domingo, Freen Sarocha, Lim Yoona, Jeff Satur, Sophie Thatcher, and Clairo. Her addition marks a refined direction for the maison, defined by creative depth and cultural awareness.
