Maison

Valentino S.p.A. is part of the Valentino Fashion Group - one of the world's biggest fashion and luxury groups, owner the licensee for the MCS Marlboro Classics and M Missoni brands.
The group is now owned by Permira private equity fund, the Marzotto family and their partners.
Stefano Sassi is Chairman and CEO of Valentino S.p.A.
At the helm of the Maison since 2006, he came from a decade of experience working in luxury goods.

Established in 1960 by legendary fashion icon Valentino Garavani, the Maison has

grown over the years and now operates in more than 70 different countries counting over 1250 points of sale, 66 of which are directly managed. One of the best known fashion brands worldwide, Valentino offers a wide range of luxury products from Haute Couture and Prèt-à-Porter to an extensive accessories collection that includes bags, shoes, small leather goods, belts, eyewear, watches and perfumes.

CREATIVE DIRECTION
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli have been appointed Valentino Creative Directors since October 2008. Maria Grazia and Pierpaolo reviously worked in close contact with Valentino Garavani for a decade,contributing to the international success of the accessories project.

Debuting with their first Haute Couture collection in Paris in January 2009, they demonstrated the ability to fully understand and interpret the world of Valentino. Their creativity was well-received right from the start, obtaining unanimous approval in the world of fashion. Hollywood stars, socialites and fashion leaders have worn and appreciated their creations. Jennifer Aniston chose a dress from their first Haute Couture collection for the 2009 Oscars. Rachel Weisz and Evangeline Lilly wore creations from their first Prêt-à-Porter collection at the 2009 Cannes Festival. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli’s July 2009 Haute Couture collection expresses their new vision of the Valentino woman: an unusual version of femininity and a concept of

extreme elegance that affects her entire way of being. Fragile and dangerous nature interweaved with a cult of uniqueness and distinction, are all elements captured for their creations. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli’s strong leadership style, their professional and creative approach -highly characteristic of Valentino’s corporate identity- joined to their extremely talented in-house team of designers, allowed them to make the most of Valentino’s iconic style.

Creative Directors

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli completed their training in fashion design at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome. Maria Grazia and Pierpaolo met at Fendi, where they worked for ten years; during this time they established their creative talent in the fashion world. Chiuri and Piccioli immediately built a strong professional relationship. Countering the minimalist trend of those years and focusing on a sophisticated and exclusive style, they played a key role in the creation of some of the most celebrated Fendi bags.

In 1999, Valentino Garavani personally approached Maria Grazia and Pierpaolo, asking them to create a line of accessories that could interpret the style of the Valentino house. Chiuri and Piccioli were excited by this new challenge and by the chance to work alongside a master of Italian haute couture. They began by designing accessories of exceptional glamour, which reflected Valentino’s attention to exquisite couture details in all his garments. This led to the creation of collections with matching bags, shoes, jewels, shawls, suitcases, as well as belts and eyewear. These day and evening accessories are always characterised by haute couture elegance and the unmistakeable Valentino style.

In September 2007, after Mr Valentino’s decision to retire from the fashion world, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were appointed Creative Directors of the Valentino accessory lines. The success of the Roman duo’s fresh and original style has consolidated through the years,thanks to the unanimous approval it has received from the leading figures of the fashion world.Hollywood stars, socialites and fashion leaders wear and value Valentino accessories. October 4th 2008 Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are appointed as Creative Directors for Valentino.

Collections

Valentino Haute Couture offers a variety of collections made up of unique items singularly handcrafted in the prestigious atelier situated in Rome. A team of about 40 Premiere is entirely dedicated to the highest quality manufacturing of one of a kind precious creations.


Valentino Prèt-à-Porter presents sophisticated, exclusive lines for women and men intended for an elegant, but unconventional young clientele belonging to the new international jet set.

Valentino Garavani signs lines of accessories such as bags, shoes, small leather goods, belts and bijoux for women and men. Haute Couture details appear in all of these refined creations, majority of which are handmade. Classic iconic Valentino motifs are reinterpreted to enrich incredibly modern accessories. Valentino Garavani is a product category which has been particularly successful and in continuous evolution.


Valentino Roma combines seductive charm with modern elegance, interpreting the contemporary woman's lifestyle in an elegant Prèt-à-Porter collection.

This product line blends classic trends with casual styles, adding a touch of practicality to specific technical details.


REDValentino, established to offer a different point of view from Prèt-à-Porter, represents the Valentino woman's contemporary and unconventional style. A different vision, a modern fairytale made up of original creations, impalpable fabrics, elegant finishes and details in which all the Maison's distinctive traits appear.


The Maison also offers a variety of fragrances, watches, eyewear and silks produced under licensing agreements.