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© History Oasis
2002-2006
Michele Norsa became Valentino's first CEO when Marzotto bought Valentino for $210 million after HdP grew tired of the founders' lavish personal expenses. Giammetti bristled at claims about their spending habits. Norsa imposed financial discipline on a house known for extravagance while simultaneously managing M Missoni and Marlboro Classics licenses. Before fashion, he worked in publishing at Rizzoli.
2006-2020
Stefano Sassi joined as CEO in December 2006 and led the brand through its darkest period. When private equity firm Permira bought a stake in 2007, founders Valentino and Giammetti publicly opposed their choice of creative director Alessandra Facchinetti. Valentino coldly told the press, "We haven't met. I regret not to have had the time, nor the will to groom an heir."
The 2008 financial crisis nearly destroyed the brand. Revenues shrank 9% to €232 million in 2009, EBITDA went negative, and Permira wrote down their investment by over 50%. Facchinetti was fired after two seasons.
When Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri became co-creative directors, everything changed. By 2013, revenues jumped 25% to €488 million while the luxury market grew only 2%.
2020-2025
Jacopo Venturini replaced Stefano Sassi as CEO in June 2020. He rose through the corporate ranks at Valentino before landing the top job. First joining in 2000, leaving for Prada in 2005, and returning in 2008. From 2015, he was Executive Vice President at Gucci during their spectacular turnaround.
Under his leadership, Valentino banned alpaca wool after animal abuse revelations and went fur-free in 2022. In March 2024, he hired Alessandro Michele as creative director after Pierpaolo Piccioli's departure.
Venturini announced his departure in August 2025 for "personal reasons" after five years as CEO. This was after a scandal hit in May 2025 when Valentino Bags Lab was placed under court administration for worker abuse.
2025-Present
Riccardo Bellini was recently appointed CEO, effective September 1, 2025, stepping down from his role as managing director of the parent company, Mayhoola for Investments. He previously led turnarounds at Maison Margiela (2017-2019), working with John Galliano, and at Chloé (2019-2023), where he achieved B Corp sustainability certification.
Bellini faces the challenge of making Alessandro Michele's collections commercially successful while navigating Kering's planned acquisition of the remaining 70% by 2028. Michele's early collections have yet to deliver commercial success in a challenging luxury market.
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