What You Need to Know About the Valentino Panthea Bag
Alessandro Michele's first bag design for Valentino has arrived!
by Em Enriquez
Published on Feb 26, 2026
When Alessandro Michele was announced as the new creative director of Valentino, the fashion world held its breath. Announced in 2024, the appointment intrigued many—how would he apply his maximalist style to a house deeply rooted in its heritage? How was he going to follow up Pierpaolo Piccioli's tenure of eight years?
With two main collections debuting under his name, Alessandro has leaned into the edgier side of Valentino's signature codes. This novel perspective was best exemplified through the first bag he designed for the brand: the Panthea.
Meet the Valentino Panthea
While an eclectic approach is what he's become known for, Alessandro still regards his references with reverence. A crucial part of his process is looking into a house's history and reinterpreting archival codes with a refreshed, sometimes experimental, lens. In the case of the Panthea bag, a key touchpoint was feline imagery, which rooted from a distinctive silk tunic featured in Valentino's 1961 lookbook.
For Valentino's Fall 2025 show—titled Le Méta-Théâtre Des Intimités—the panther illustration was remixed into emblems that connect the chain handles of the Panthea. Embellished in Swarovski crystals, the twin feline heads impart a fierce, shimmering aura to the rectangular carrier.
The body itself is crafted out of rich nappa leather, which is embossed with a chevron pattern. The sheets of leather swap between matte and waxed, and depending on the style, can also be rendered in interchanging textiles or colors. A shoulder-length leather strap gives wearers a hands-free option to rock their Panthea. As with all Valentino originals, the gold V sigil is also prominently featured on the piece's facade.
How Much the Valentino Panthea Costs
Presently, the Panthea is made in two sizes—the regular version measures 13 inches in width, 7.7 inches in height, and 3.5 inches in depth, while the small iteration comes up to 9.4 inches in width, 2.3 inches in height, and 2.4 inches in depth. Either size can be enlisted as a daily companion with their respective capacities. It's the type of bag you can just liberally throw stuff in and walk out the door with.
Three neutral colorways—black, tundra, and gold beige—are commercially available online and in-store. These nappa leather totes fetch about P150,000 for the minis, and P270,000 for the regulars. Make sure to keep an eye out for releases of their multi-textile variations!
Valentino also extended the Panthea's chevron motif and feline-esque hardware to two pumps of slightly varying heel heights. Whether you're a 105mm or a 55mm girlie, you can incorporate a subtle edge to your looks by way of these shoes.
Style Stars Wearing the Valentino Panthea
Even before it as released, the Panthea was already christened with it-bag status when it was slung on the shoulders of Andy Sachs. Yup, a black version has already made its way to the world of The Devil Wears Prada 2, as evidenced by a behind-the-scenes shot of lead star Anne Hathaway.
It seems like Valentino will be a recurring character of its own in the style-centric sequel, as Miranda Priestly herself (a.k.a. Meryl Streep) rocked a pair of their iconic Rockstud Pumps in a teaser.
Outside the realm of film, the Panthea persists as a fashion girl's best friend. And a gal who really loves hers is house ambassador Freen Sarocha. The Thai actress has showcased multiple ways to rock the purse, but her go-to formula seems to be teaming it with casual jeans and checkerboard slip-ons. She proves that the bag is incredibly versatile, but still brings tons of attitude to any 'fit.
Elsewhere in the region, a bevy of style stars have also added the Panthea to their rotations. Among them are Thai leading ladies Namtan Tipnaree and JingJing Yu, as well as heartthrob Jeff Satur (who, FYI, is the first Valentino ambassador from Thailand!) Also not one to miss out on the Panthea hype is Korean soloist Hwasa.
Em is queer and probably daydreaming somewhere. They're Preview's associate entertainment editor who's often spotted in cowboy boots and lemon-tinted sunnies.