Dakota Johnson recently appeared as a key figure in Valentino’s 2026 cruise campaign, showcasing a striking red cutout off-the-shoulder minidress. The campaign marks Johnson’s continued collaboration with fashion designer Alessandro Michele, who transitioned to Valentino after seven years leading Gucci, where Johnson had served as a brand ambassador.
In the striking campaign photos, Johnson is pictured reclining on a carpeted floor wearing the scarlet dress, notable for its two upper midriff cutouts paired with floral tights. Her accessories, including teal open-toe pumps and a black bag featuring a gold chain strap, are casually arranged nearby.
“Intimacy in frame. Brand Ambassador Dakota Johnson stars in #ValentinoCruise2026, the new campaign imagined by @Alessandro_Michele,”
reads Valentino’s Instagram caption.
Johnson kept her signature wavy brunette hair with fringe, complementing the look with glowing pink blush and a soft rosy nude lip.
Recent Fashion Appearances Reflect Bold Seasonal Choices
In the days following her Valentino campaign reveal, Johnson continued to challenge fashion norms with bold choices in New York City. Earlier this summer, she was seen wearing a black longline leather blazer over a plunging, long-sleeve jersey bodysuit by Balenciaga, styled with washed straight-leg jeans, Khaite wedge heels, tiny hoop earrings, and cat-eye sunglasses for a sleek monochromatic look.
Just days prior, she combined over $100,000 worth of diamonds with a toffee-hued Khaite jacket, high-waisted jeans, and Gucci frames. This ensemble was styled by Kate Young and Natalie Gilhool, featuring notable jewelry pieces like Ophelia Eve’s Emerald Victorian Slider Necklace valued at $10,430, alongside Sophie Billie Brahe’s diamond-studded Collier De Amis necklace, worth $123,858.
Dakota Johnson’s Ongoing Influence in Fashion
Johnson’s involvement in the Valentino campaign, coupled with her recent public appearances, highlights her growing influence as a style leader. Collaborations with designers like Alessandro Michele and high-profile styling by professionals such as Kate Young and Natalie Gilhool confirm her prominent position within luxury fashion circles. The campaign and her street style choices signal a blend of sophistication and daring, reflecting both the brand’s vision and Johnson’s evolving image.
As Michele continues to shape Valentino’s creative direction, the campaigns featuring Johnson are likely to attract significant attention, reinforcing the actress’s role not just as a muse but as a defining figure for the label’s future initiatives.
