Jacopo Venturini
Chief executive of Valentino from 2020 to 2025
Jacopo Venturini is an Italian luxury executive who was chief executive of the Roman couture house Valentino from June 2020 until August 2025. A merchandising specialist who came from Gucci, he led Valentino through the pandemic, a change of creative director and the start of Kering's investment in the house.
| Role | Chief executive of Valentino (June 2020 to August 2025) |
|---|---|
| Previous role | Executive vice president of merchandising and global markets, Gucci |
| Creative partners | Pierpaolo Piccioli; Alessandro Michele |
| Successor | Riccardo Bellini |
Who is Jacopo Venturini?
Jacopo Venturini is an Italian fashion executive best known as chief executive of Valentino, the Rome based couture and ready to wear house, a role he held for about five years. He built his career in merchandising, the discipline that decides which products a brand makes, in what quantities and for which markets, and he has described the luxury business as one of selling dreams, emotions and entertainment.
Career
Before Valentino, Venturini worked at Gucci, where he was executive vice president of merchandising and global markets. In June 2020 he became chief executive of Valentino, taking charge of the company in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic.
For most of his tenure he worked alongside creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, whose collections helped define the house's modern image. After Piccioli's departure in 2024, Venturini worked with Alessandro Michele, who was appointed creative director that year. Valentino announced in August 2025 that it had mutually agreed with Venturini to end his tenure with effect from 13 August 2025, citing his wish to take a break for personal reasons. Riccardo Bellini was subsequently named as the new chief executive.
Influence on the fashion business
Venturini's period at Valentino covered several defining events for the house:
- Steering the business through the pandemic and the luxury rebound that followed
- Managing a change of creative direction from Piccioli to Michele
- Leading the company as Kering became a shareholder, with options to acquire full ownership by 2028
His background illustrates the importance of merchandising expertise at the top of luxury houses. Decisions about assortment, product categories and regional allocation strongly influence profitability, particularly in leather goods and accessories. Valentino's sales fell 5 percent in 2023, a sign of the pressure that the whole sector came under after the post pandemic boom.
Why it matters
Valentino is one of Italy's most prominent couture houses, and its ownership is moving towards Kering. Venturini led the company during a period of creative and corporate transition, which makes his tenure a reference point for anyone following how luxury brands manage succession in design, leadership and ownership at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jacopo Venturini?
Jacopo Venturini is an Italian luxury executive who was chief executive of Valentino from June 2020 to August 2025. He previously led merchandising and global markets at Gucci.
Why did Jacopo Venturini leave Valentino?
Valentino said in August 2025 that it had mutually agreed with Venturini to end his tenure, citing his wish to take a break for personal reasons. His departure took effect on 13 August 2025.