This May in New York, L’Atelier Sonore opened at Valentino’s boutique on Madison Avenue in New York. For the all-day opening event, the Italian fashion house launched a special listening room, designed by Terraforma.

Starting at 2pm and going until midnight, artists like Laraaji, Lea Bertucci, Laurel Halo, Lizzi Bougatsos, Chuquimamani-Condori, Kevin Beasley, Veronica Vasicka, Physical Therapy, played personally curated vinyl sets, straight through until midnight.

L’Atelier Sonore is the vision of Valentino’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele. For it, he imagined an intimate room on the mezzanine floor of the store where New Yorkers and visitors from around the world can experience a transformative, sonic immersion. Michele worked with the founder of Terraforma—the Italian cultural collective—Ruggero Pietromarchi to bring to life a warm environment that brings together architecture, design, art, and music.

“We wanted to create an environment where you listen not only with your ears but with your whole body. We imagined a place suspended in time, where the act of listening becomes active, intentional, and sacred,” said Pietromarchi.

Valentino Unveils L’Atelier Sonore in New York

Working with architect Francesco Lupia, Alessandro Michele, and Ruggero Pietromarchi have served up a dream listening room, one meant to enhance contemplation, deepen connection, and facilitate possibilities. Sound Designer Giorgio Di Salvo was tapped to add a bespoke sound system, complementing a one-of-a-kind console surrounded by modular seating. Custom cabinetry, luscious velvet, draped fabrics, and veneered woods weave together into a sanctuary of sight, touch, and sound that has the warmth of your own living room and the elegance of a 19th-century artist’s salon.

“The architecture of L’Atelier Sonore is meant to welcome, not dictate. Its flexible design allows the space to adapt effortlessly to different moments and gatherings, despite its compact size. There’s an intentional materiality — warm woods, organic curves, tactile surfaces — that invites a kind of listening that’s both intimate and immersive,” said Pietromarchi.

For the opening sonorous soiree, Terraforma curated a live, in-person 10-hour event, celebrating New York’s music and art communities. Musical, performance, and visual artists were invited to craft a 45-minute listening session for their own archive of personal favorite records. It was a rare chance to get a window into the musical influences of the most impactful creatives in this moment. Beyond the incredible work they make, guests enjoyed together the sounds and rhythms that they play in the privacy of their own home, earbuds, or car. Set lists will evolve into conversations and discussions, while leaving room for reflective moments of silence, too.

Terraforma’s specially curated playlist was then available to tune into in-person at the Madison Avenue boutique May 16, ongoing through the end of August, daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Additional summer programming is in the works, from Valentino and its friends. L’Atelier Sonore acknowledges a need to rejuvenate the spirit, honor the arts, and rejoice in the company of others.

“To resonate is to connect — not just with sound, but with something deeper. L’Atelier Sonore was conceived as a refuge in that sense, to create a space where you can tune back in,” said Pietromarchi.

L’Atelier Sonore Opening Details

L’Atelier Sonore opened Thursday, May 15, at the Valentino Madison Avenue boutique in New York. From 2:00pm to midnight, visitors experienced 45-minute listening sessions from artists Laraaji, Lea Bertucci, Laurel Halo, Lizzi Bougatsos, Chuquimamani-Condori, Kevin Beasley, Veronica Vasicka, and Physical Therapy.

Laraaji: 2:00pm
Lea Bertucci: 3:15pm
Laurel Halo: 4:30pm
Lizzi Bougatsos: 5:45pm
Chuquimamani–Condori: 7:00pm
Kevin Beasley: 8:15pm
Veronica Vasicka: 9:30pm
Physical Therapy: 10:45pm
L’Atelier Sonore is Open to the Public

L’Atelier Sonore is open to the public, May 16 through the end of August, on the Mezzanine floor of Valentino, 654 Madison Ave, New York, NY. Between visits to Jack Whitten at the MoMA and a trip up to see Rashid Johnson at the Guggenheim this spring and summer, may we suggest stopping by the store to check out the latest collections and accessories, and taking a moment to restore the eyes, mind, and spirit within the intimate listening lounge.

Who is Terraforma?

Terraforma is a platform for experimentation in sound and ecology. A hub for cross-disciplinary cultural activities, fostering connections between local and international communities. Born in 2014 as an international festival of experimental music oriented towards sustainability, Terraforma continues to grow guided by core values of care and respect for both people and the environment. Terraforma pioneers diverse projects experimenting with diverse approaches and art forms across various cities and contexts. Among these, “Terraforma Exo” a cultural manifestation uniting leading thinkers, musicians, and artists who operate within the spectrum of sound and ecoloxgy; “Il Pianeta Come Festival,” a multifaceted creative incubator spanning Milan, Rome, and Paris; “Terraforma Symposium,” fostering open discussions to reflect on sustainability through new practices; and “Terraforma Journal,” an editorial project blending sound, art, ecology, and contemporary culture.

About Valentino

Maison Valentino was founded in 1960 in Rome by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. A symbol of crafting excellence, creativity, and uniqueness, Valentino continues to inspire individuality by redefining the values of mastery and emotional beauty that are deeply intertwined with its roots as the most established Italian Maison de Couture. The Company is led by Jacopo Venturini, CEO since June 2020, while Alessandro Michele was appointed as its Creative Director in April 2024. The collections include Haute Couture, Valentino women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, Valentino Garavani Accessories, Valentino Eyewear by Akoni Group, and Valentino Beauty by L’Oréal.