Valentino
Mayhoola (70 per cent) and Kering (30 per cent) · Italy
Valentino is a Roman couture house founded in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. It is 70 per cent owned by Qatar's Mayhoola, with Kering holding 30 per cent and options to take full control, and has been designed by Alessandro Michele since 2024.
| Founded | 1960, Rome |
|---|---|
| Founders | Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti |
| Owners | Mayhoola (70 per cent), Kering (30 per cent) |
| Headquarters | Rome, Italy |
| Creative director | Alessandro Michele (since 2024) |
| Segment | Luxury and haute couture |
| Website | valentino.com |
What is Valentino?
Valentino is an Italian luxury house whose creative base is Palazzo Mignanelli in Rome, its home since 1967. It produces haute couture, women's and men's ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes and accessories, while fragrance, beauty and eyewear are made under licence.
History
Valentino Garavani opened his house on Via Condotti in Rome in 1960 with the support of business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. He became known for glamorous couture and a signature red, and led the house until his retirement in 2008. The company passed through several owners: HdP in 1998, Marzotto in 2002 and private equity firm Permira in 2007. In 2012 Mayhoola for Investments, backed by Qatar, bought Valentino for €700 million, and in July 2023 Kering acquired a 30 per cent stake.
Products and positioning
After Garavani, the house was led by Alessandra Facchinetti, then by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli together from 2008 and by Piccioli alone from 2016 to 2024. Alessandro Michele, formerly of Gucci, has been creative director since 2024. Accessories such as the Rockstud line have been a major commercial pillar.
- Haute couture shown in Paris
- Women's and men's ready-to-wear
- Rockstud bags and shoes
- Beauty licensed to L'Oréal; eyewear licensed to Akoni
Business model and distribution
Valentino sells through around 287 stores worldwide, e-commerce and wholesale partners. The diffusion line Red Valentino has been discontinued. Revenue fell 15 per cent to €1.12 billion in 2025, and the shareholders have pledged further support. Kering holds options to raise its stake to 100 per cent, with the timetable extended to 2029.
Why it matters
Valentino is one of Italy's most prestigious couture houses and a test case for Gulf investment in European luxury. Whether Kering exercises its options will determine whether the brand joins one of the large French groups or remains under Qatari control.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Valentino?
Valentino is 70 per cent owned by Mayhoola, a Qatar-backed investment vehicle that bought the house in 2012. Kering acquired the remaining 30 per cent in 2023 and has options to take full ownership, with the timetable extended to 2029.
Who is the creative director of Valentino?
Alessandro Michele has been creative director of Valentino since 2024. He previously led Gucci from 2015 to 2022 and succeeded Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino.
