Roman Glamour
Valentino Garavani founded his couture house in Rome in 1960, and within a decade became the designer of choice for the world’s most glamorous women, from Jacqueline Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor. His signature Valentino Red and mastery of romantic evening wear established the house as the epitome of Italian glamour and la dolce vita elegance.
New Chapter
After Valentino Garavani’s retirement in 2008, the house was led by creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, and then Piccioli alone until 2024. Alessandro Michele, formerly of Gucci, took the creative helm, bringing his maximalist, culturally rich aesthetic to the storied Roman maison.
Strategic Transformation
In a landmark deal, Kering acquired a majority stake in Valentino in 2025, adding the prestigious Italian house to its luxury portfolio alongside Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta. This acquisition positions Valentino for its next phase of global expansion while maintaining its haute couture heritage.
