Alessandro Michele - Designer, Creative Director of Valentino

[fashionsavvvvvy]

I think AM needs this, hopefully this is what gonna make him to rethink and reevaluate his works and his vision (i doubt tho)

 

[GivenchyAddict]

We knew here that it would not work so nothing shocking. I want him gone to be honest.

The very first collection was enough for me to be just done. 🤭

I’ve seen Vauthier mentioned and this excites me much more than anything AM could do.

Valentino for me is the epitome of italian glamour and feminity. Everything far from that is a no.

 

[FashionPower]

The problem is that the generic customer got tired of the thrift shop maximalist aesthetic, it aged terribly.
Look nowadays at Gucci shows from 2018-2020 and you will find out how tacky and off putting the offering was.
Phoebe's aesthetic is aging well and it's still on demand (look at Celine by Rider).
Then remember that Gucci sales skyrocketed cause Lallo's vision catered the middle class with entry level merchandise: the Marmont bags and the Princeton loafers. At Valentino Lallo is failing at delivering desirable entry level items and also the middle class post pandemic is more cautious in the spending and prefer to save up rather than buying high fashion, this is leading to stale sales and dropping revenues and profits.
So far, the only good shows from Lallo was the couture one, if you want to do costume, do it with the best craftsmanship and techniques!

 

[MultiQsan]

Unrealistic, but De Meo should just take Alessandro and his team back to Gucci. The only loyal clients (to “Gucci”) and majority of aspiring ones seem to purchase only the products that resemble his era. The impression he left 2015-2023 is too great and new and existing clients aren’t buying into Gucci’s new minimal approach nor are they exposed to or willing to jump to the Valentino brand for his current work with those sky-high prices.

 

[Lola701]

Could you not say that Michele's Valentino is a closer (and frumpier) vision of early Valentino than the Viva Valentino campaign? I do understand the author's POV and agree that if styled more minimalistically or casually, Lallo's Valentino would be more popular with the PPP customer.
View attachment 1393932

I don’t even know if it’s a question of styling.

The Valentino woman despite being traditional, has always looked « of it time ».

I remember, Valentino was probably the first designer to dress celebrities on Redcarpet with his archives. Suddenly, a 1960’s dress on Jlo or another vintage dress on Julia Roberts, looked of it time.

And as much we talked about rich girls getting Chanel and Hermes bags from their mothers, there was that thing with Valentino dresses too.

We can criticize MGC or PPP, their work was always of the moment.

And beyond looking old, Michele’s stuff looks like costumes. And it doesn’t help that he doesn’t seems to like presenting his clothes on men and women but again on teenagers looking models.

 

[jeanclaude]

Next up: this exactly situation happening with Demna at Gucci...it´s the same wrong burnt designer in the wrong brand situation.

 

[Simera]

I never understood how AM was appointed to Valentino.
I am not as knowledgeable as the majority of you on CEOs and who runs what company or what product sells and what doesn't ( Though I know AM did well with accessories at Gucci ) but one look at what AM produces and you know the customer who bought Valentino from PPP are not going to buy what AM is selling. It's literally a continuation of the mess he did at Gucci. ( I love the comment hat was made that it's thrift store )

And one couture show a year? Valentino under PPP was the couture show to watch.
So if they're cutting him and putting MGC in, as dull as she is, she's better than what he is doing.

 

[PDFSD]

Unrealistic, but De Meo should just take Alessandro and his team back to Gucci. The only loyal clients (to “Gucci”) and majority of aspiring ones seem to purchase only the products that resemble his era. The impression he left 2015-2023 is too great and new and existing clients aren’t buying into Gucci’s new minimal approach nor are they exposed to or willing to jump to the Valentino brand for his current work with those sky-high prices.

parts of this era will sip trough in the new demna gucci because the overlap of merch needs to be supported like GG belts etc even if most of Lallo gucci was from archive gucci any ways when it came to acc and hardwear

 

[callmejaeden]

I never understood how AM was appointed to Valentino.
I am not as knowledgeable as the majority of you on CEOs and who runs what company or what product sells and what doesn't ( Though I know AM did well with accessories at Gucci )

The only way I can see Michele getting the top spot at Valentino is that Rachid Mohamed Rachid (Chairman of Valentino) wanted Michele for his relaunch of Walter Albini (Michele's favourite designer), but when Michele didn't want to help fund the relaunch (according to Puck or Glitz), I think Rachid decided to install him at Valentino to keep him close when funding was found to relaunch Albini.

Rachid probably thought he could replicate his Gucci success (without any changes) and steer the brand for as long as it took until Albini was ready to relaunch.

 

[PDFSD]

Maison VALENTINO could be put up for sale​

Posted On July 18, 2025 CPP-LUXURY

Qatar-based investment fund Mayhoola and Kering Group are reportedly considering selling their jointly owned fashion house Valentino, according to Italian media. The decision is part of a broader portfolio review by Kering, as the French luxury group faces rising debt, softening global demand for high-end fashion, and pressure on the stock market, Corriere della Sera reported Friday.

Kering acquired a 30% stake in Valentino in 2023 for $1.7 billion, with a commitment to purchase the remaining 70% by 2028. The move was intended to establish a second flagship brand alongside Gucci, rooted in couture heritage. Kering’s newly appointed CEO, Luca de Meo (ex Renault) is expected to take charge of the situation after officially starting on September 15.
Valentino, headquartered in Rome, announced last month that its chief executive officer, Jacopo Venturini, is on medical leave.

Last year, the brand appointed Alessandro Michele as its new creative director following the departure of long-serving designer Pierpaolo Piccioli. In the same year, Valentino reported a 2% decline in revenue at constant exchange rates, reaching 1.31 billion euros ($1.52 billion).



www.corriere.it

Valentino, Qatar, and Kering seek a buyer: the crux of the contractual clauses
by Francesco Bertolino and Daniela Polizzi
2025_luglio_18

The French group has invested €1.7 billion for a 30% stake and, starting in May 2026, may be forced to shell out another €3.4 billion to acquire the remaining 70% from the Mayhoola fund. Market surveys and de Meo's plans.


The French luxury group Kering and the Qatari fund Mayhoola are reopening the Valentino dossier. According to multiple sources, the two shareholders have begun a discussion on the future of the historic Italian fashion house, after which the company could return to the market. When contacted, Kering declined to comment on the rumor; Mayhoola did not respond to a request for comment.

Kering's Entry into Valentino
Kering acquired a 30% stake in Valentino from Mayhoola in July 2023 for €1.7 billion. The agreement provides that Kering can exercise an option to increase its stake to 100% of the fashion house between May 2026 and the end of 2028. Conversely, Mayhoola can exercise an option to sell its remaining 70% stake in Valentino to Kering.

Pinault's Acquisitions
The Valentino deal marked the culmination of Kering's shopping spree, which, according to Bernstein analysts, drove the holding company to spend approximately €14 billion in the space of a few years on acquisitions of prestigious brands and properties, including the famous building at Via Montenapoleone 8 in Milan. The campaign, however, increased Kering's debt to €10.5 billion just as the luxury industry began to slow down, causing major difficulties for Gucci, the French group's flagship brand.

The strategic review
Under pressure on the stock market—where it has lost 40% in a year—Kering has initiated a portfolio review that has led to the sale of its outlets in Italy and the search for investors for its buildings in Paris, Milan, and New York. And it is within this context that the holding company is also reevaluating the Valentino deal. The price for acquiring the remaining 70% of the company from Mayhoola has not been set for in 2023, but will depend on the Italian fashion house's performance and growth prospects.

The risk of a large outlay
Bernstein estimates that the outlay could be around €3.4 billion. At Mayhoola's request, the sum could also be paid in Kering shares, up to a maximum of €3 million. While the stake was worth approximately €1.5 billion in July 2023, its stock market valuation has now fallen to just over €570 million. Kering's cash outlay for the 70% stake in Valentino would therefore remain very significant, especially in this difficult period for the fashion industry and the group.

Contractual clauses
Hence the ongoing evaluation by Kering, which, however, would need Mayhoola's approval to bid farewell to Valentino. The agreements between the two companies include a commitment not to sell their respective stakes (lock-up) for five years. The simplest way out of the impasse, therefore, would be to find an investor interested in acquiring both Kering and Mayhoola's stakes. The investor, as demonstrated by the agreement with the French group, is willing to sell Valentino at the right price. Which one?

 

[FashionPower]

I knew Kering would have never finalized the acquisition. They simply cannot afford it anymore. Also most suits were expecting a Gucci 2.0 at Valentino with Lallo and instead we got an Ancora 2.0 with a fashion show held in a space resembling a public toilet with hookers, poppers and Prep pills...

 

[Lola701]

Apart from L’Oreal, I don’t see who would buy Valentino.
Renzo Rosso could bid but it’s quite difficult to me to see a huge development of the brand.

 

[PDFSD]

Apart from L’Oreal, I don’t see who would buy Valentino.
Renzo Rosso could bid but it’s quite difficult to me to see a huge development of the brand.

LVMH why not ?

 

[Thefrenchy]

There's a lot of whispers about him being on his way out already. I just wonder how they're going to manage that from a timing perspective. He'll probably be out the second they officialise that the brand has been sold which will take a minute.

 

[PDFSD]

There's a lot of whispers about him being on his way out already. I just wonder how they're going to manage that from a timing perspective. He'll probably be out the second they officialise that the brand has been sold which will take a minute.

do tell :-) i have not reached out to my buddies i think they are stressed for some time now

 

[Lola701]

LVMH why not ?

I feel like Givenchy already fill the gap that Valentino could have.
And I think the LVMH formula of development is a bit exhausted and could not possibly work for Valentino.

I can see the Elkann and L’Oreal buying the house.
Valentino would be really a way for l’Oreal to see if they have the force to handle such a big brand. But at the same time, I find what they are doing with the beauty so vulgar.

We will see. But I find it interesting that the Qataris were willing to sell Valentino before Balmain.

 

[PDFSD]

Yeah like why Balmain stay and Valentino sashay away soooooo odd!!!!!!!

Why not have shares in Kering instead that someday will be worth something again.

I don't understand the moves at all.

 

[Thefrenchy]

I feel like Givenchy already fill the gap that Valentino could have.
And I think the LVMH formula of development is a bit exhausted and could not possibly work for Valentino.

I can see the Elkann and L’Oreal buying the house.
Valentino would be really a way for l’Oreal to see if they have the force to handle such a big brand. But at the same time, I find what they are doing with the beauty so vulgar.

We will see. But I find it interesting that the Qataris were willing to sell Valentino before Balmain.

I agree with you regarding L'Oreal. With Mugler ending up being a bit of a sinking ship, they might want to slowly build up their (non-existant) fashion division.

 

[style_expert]

Whoever ends up buying Valentino could be getting a very good deal — similar to Prada’s recent acquisition of Versace.
The market is tough, internal group consolidation is everywhere, and Valentino under AM is far from thriving. Plus, there are very few serious bidders. As for Kering, they'd likely have to accept to sell their current 30% stake at a significant loss.
I never quite understood Kering’s interest in acquiring Valentino in the first place.

I had actually expected Mayhoola to take a larger stake in Kering instead. In the very long term, that could turn out to be a smart move. As much of a mess as Kering is right now, the brand recognition and awareness of their top four brands still provide a solid foundation — if managed properly — to build on over time.

As for AM, I think his time at Valentino thus far has exposed the limits of his talents — and it makes me wonder what his future in fashion might look like once Valentino moves on from him.

 

[FashionPower]

As for AM, I think his time at Valentino thus far has exposed the limits of his talents — and it makes me wonder what his future in fashion might look like once Valentino moves on from him.

Theatre costume designer, fashion curator a la Andrew Bolton or philosopher like his partner. His vision and fashion proposition is too much off putting in 2025, no one really wants thrift shop maximalism anymore.
Phoebe-ism / Celine-ism been going strong for almost 2 decades now but Lallo's aestethic had started to become stale even prior to him being laid off at Gucci...5 years!