Valentino

In 1960, the Italian fashion house Valentino was founded in Rome by Valentino Garavani and his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. Garavani, the creative force, focused on design, while Giammetti managed the business side of the operation. The brand quickly became known for its opulent designs and a particular shade of red, which would become known as "Valentino Red". The duo sold the company in 1998 to an Italian conglomerate, which later sold it to the Marzotto Group in 2002. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the brand, moving from a founder-led company to part of a larger fashion portfolio. In 2007, both Garavani and Giammetti retired from the company. A significant turning point occurred in 2012 when Mayhoola for Investments, a Qatari investment vehicle, acquired Valentino for a reported 700 million euros. The acquisition was aimed at leveraging the brand's potential for long-term growth. Under Mayhoola's ownership, Valentino has continued its global expansion. Most recently, in July 2023, the French luxury group Kering purchased a 30% stake in Valentino for 1.7 billion euros. The agreement includes an option for Kering to acquire 100% of the company by 2028, signaling a potential future shift in ownership and strategic direction for the iconic Italian brand.