Italian luxury fashion house Valentino has appointed Riccardo Bellini as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Bellini set to assume his role in early September. His appointment comes at a time when the global luxury market is experiencing a slowdown.
Bellini will succeed Jacopo Venturini, whose departure was confirmed last week. He joins Valentino directly from its Qatari parent company Mayhoola, where he has been Managing Director since January.
With a career spanning leading fashion and lifestyle brands, Bellini is recognised as a seasoned industry leader. He previously served as CEO of Maison Margiela and Chloé and has held senior positions at Diesel and Procter and Gamble. His leadership has been marked by navigating evolving consumer preferences and guiding international brand expansion.
Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Bellini said he was “honoured to join Valentino, an iconic maison that blends extraordinary heritage and craftsmanship with a unique creative voice.” He will work alongside creative director Alessandro Michele, who joined the company last year after a widely noted tenure at Gucci.
The collaboration between Bellini and Michele reflects a growing trend in the fashion industry of pairing experienced operational leaders with celebrated creative directors to strengthen brand identity in a competitive environment.
Founded in Rome in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino continues to be one of Italy’s most prestigious luxury maisons. The company is majority-owned by Mayhoola, while French luxury group Kering acquired a 30 percent stake in 2023 for €1.7 billion. Under the agreement, Kering holds an option to buy the remaining shares by 2028.
Recent speculation in Italian media suggested a potential sale of Valentino, but Mayhoola denied the report. Kering, which is set for its own leadership change next month as former Renault executive Luca de Meo becomes CEO, has declined to comment on the matter.
Bellini will be responsible for driving Valentino’s next phase of growth. His focus is expected to be on strengthening sales in key markets, enhancing the brand’s positioning in the global luxury sector, and expanding ready-to-wear and accessories alongside couture. His proven ability to balance heritage with modern innovation, combined with Michele’s creative vision, is expected to play a key role in shaping Valentino’s future.
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