Acclaimed artist Kiani del Valle and the KDV Performance Group redefined Y-3’s SS26 showcase with groundbreaking movement and narrative at Paris Fashion Week.
On June 28, 2025, visionary choreographer and director Kiani del Valle brought her distinctive movement language to Y-3’s Spring/Summer 2026 presentation, transforming the Palais Brongniart into a stage of physical storytelling. Collaborating closely with the iconic fashion house, del Valle crafted the show’s dramaturgy and overarching narrative, embodying Y-3’s exploration of duality through a striking four-act show by her KDV Performance Group.
Renowned for blending contemporary dance, theater, technology and avant-garde expression, del Valle guided her ensemble in a wordless yet powerfully evocative performance. The presentation unfolded in four movements: a lone dancer igniting a ripple effect, a series of duets reflecting Y-3’s philosophy, a shift from collective energy to individual expression, and a final tableau mirroring the Three Stripes motif and the collection’s themes of transformation.
"It was an honor to shape the narrative and movement of Y-3’s world," said del Valle. "This collaboration resonated deeply with my artistic practice, exploring thresholds, the body’s potential, and the poetry of metamorphosis."
The collection mirrored del Valle’s choreographic precision, featuring athletic wear reimagined through Yohji Yamamoto innovative cutting edge designs. Dip-dyed fabrics, raw-cut stripes, and performance-driven designs, tested by dancers in motion, highlighted the synergy between fashion and movement. Footwear like the ballet-inspired Stan Smith and the asymmetrical RC6 runner further bridged the two disciplines.
About Kiani del Valle
Kiani del Valle is a Puerto Rican director, choreographer, visual and performance artist based in Berlin and Los Angeles. Her work spans contemporary dance, performance art, film, and technology, often engaging with Caribbean history and Taíno culture. As founder of the KDV Performance Group, she challenges traditional dance boundaries, earning recognition as a pioneering voice in contemporary performance. Her collaborations include work with Labrinth, Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Billie Eilish, Lyra Pramuk, John Legend, and visual artists such as Marina Abramović, as well as exhibitions at the Berlinische Galerie and Getty Museum.
See more of her work on Instagram, @kianidelvalle.