Following the departure of its founder, Valentino is entering a new phase marked by continuity rather than upheaval. The iconic Roman fashion house, founded in 1960 by Valentino Garavani, has long been under foreign ownership: first by Hdp and Marzotto, then by the private equity firm Permira in 2007, and since 2012 by the Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, which currently holds a 70 percent stake. In 2023, the remaining 30 percent was sold to French luxury giant Kering.

After relinquishing majority ownership, Valentino Garavani remained creative director until 2007, before retiring from public life. Since then, the brand has been led by several prominent Italian designers, most recently Alessandro Michele, who took over in March 2024. The company is now run by chief executive Riccardo Bellini, a veteran of the fashion industry.

In 2024, Valentino generated more than 1.3 billion euros in revenue and employs over 1,600 people worldwide. The brand’s total valuation, including debt, stands at 5.6 billion euros. Under revised agreements between Mayhoola and Kering, ownership is expected to shift gradually: starting in 2028 and no later than 2029, Kering may acquire up to 100 percent of the company, bringing Valentino fully under the umbrella of the group that already controls Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Brioni.