Alessandro Michele - Designer, Creative Director of Valentino

[jeanclaude]

He could become Creative Director of Claire´s. He would be in pure bliss surrounded by all those plastic, glittery and heavily ornamented stuff!

 

[reese06]

I think he would be better off consulting here and there on projects and collections.

I had faith that he would be able to pivot a la Hedi at Celine after his first show wasn’t received well. I see glimmers of hope in his collections but it’s like he just can’t help himself. I think Alessandro’s base isn’t as large as him and the hiring powers thought. The powers that be miscalculated his authority in fashion

 

[visvim2001]

I don’t think his product is unsaleable per se although the high romance aesthetic he pushes is definitely not in vogue right now. The problem is that he’s at the wrong house. Valentino is Italy’s Givenchy. Directionless, unremarkable in every category, surprisingly expensive. A house that rides on the coattails of its admittedly talented founder. The last straw as someone else pointed out was the VLTN line, which has been a Chav favourite. That, and the rockstud trainers, are what they’re known for. I can’t think of anything else in recent memory. That said, I’m 30.

 

[PDFSD]

Mayhoola has denied recent reports suggesting a sale of Valentino, following an article by Corriere della Sera that hinted at internal discussions and market pressure.
Speaking to Reuters, the Qatari fund stated clearly:
“This news is untrue.”

The story, however, opens a deeper conversation.

Kering currently holds 30% of Valentino, with a call option to acquire full ownership by 2028. That deal announced in July 2023 values the maison at around €5.8 billion, making any full acquisition a high-stakes move, especially amid Kering’s ongoing restructuring and declining market cap.

Meanwhile, Valentino faces operational complexity:
Revenues were down in 2023 (reported at approx. €1.35 billion, -3% year-on-year).
CEO Jacopo Venturini is on medical leave.
The brand is navigating scrutiny over parts of its supply chain.

No official plans for changes in Kering’s leadership have been announced. The group remains under pressure to stabilize Gucci and rethink its long-term brand architecture.

In this landscape, Mayhoola’s denial carries weight. It signals a refusal to yield to market volatility. A commitment to long-term investment over opportunistic divestment. A stance that goes beyond finance and speaks to ownership of cultural capital.

This is not just about Valentino.
It’s about who shapes the future of European luxury:
Financial groups or fashion groups?
Short-term earnings or brand legacies?

Valentino may not be changing hands today. But the luxury industry certainly is.

 

[carla56]

I was watching this video of AM’s first gucci campaign, the two models feel so chic and aristocratic they would have been perfect for Valentino… instead he chose freaks…

 

[Demna]

Majestic.

 

[LadyJunon]

I think Michele will follow soon after:

 

[Simera]

let’s hope! This man is not Valentino at all. He’s Michele and that’s all he can do. Not a chameleon that can morph for the brand he works at.

 

[FashionPower]

Ancora 2.0 in the making.
Mayhoola acting exactly like Kering in terms of poor management decisions.
Not them thinking they would have been able to replicate Gucci's success with the same vision and aesthetic...no one like reheated stale food.
I blame Kering for not scrapping Ancora first show...I blame Mayhoola for not scrapping the public toilet Lallo's show, that was embarrassing to witness for a legacy brand like Valentino.

 

[Olaffo]

I don’t think he’ll be fired but I’m sure they won’t extend his contract beyond 2027…it’s such a mess it’s embarrassing for all people involved especially Mr Valentino and Mr Giammetti lol

 

[PDFSD]

Valentino is still worth more with Michele now then without, so they will ride it out till the sale or shares swap with Kering.... to change now will bring more chaosh to the worth of the company and the potential that it does work is still worth the bait and asking price .

they will use the excuse that with a new ceo the direction will go better etc buying Mayhoola time till the deadline for the sale etc

 

[PDFSD]

I think Michele will follow soon after:

a luxury analyst comments :

The question is: is this just step 1 and then they will announce step down 2? Very likely. Who is going to replace AM? Maria Grazia Chiuri very likely

The CEO is responsible for not compelling Michelle to alter his handwriting and for bringing a fresh perspective to Valentino rather than simply recreating Gucci with a Valentino label. However, I wonder what the new CEO will do if Michelle continues in his role. Will he be able to design in a different style? I have my doubts.

 

[Frederic01]

The question is: is this just step 1 and then they will announce step down 2? Very likely. Who is going to replace AM? Maria Grazia Chiuri very likely

Maria Grazia is going back to Valentino? When? In July 2026 when her non-compete ends? Or in 2027 when Alessandro's contract ends?

 

[PDFSD]

Maria Grazia is going back to Valentino? When? In July 2026 when her non-compete ends? Or in 2027 when Alessandro's contract ends?

Its analyst predictions not mine, but i agree i could see it happen she would be a safe choice and she did make dior be at 10 billion mark versus current Gucci's 2024 revenue amounted to €7.7 billion.
I think Mayhoola will ride it out a bit more having a new CEO will be LALLO´s last chance to prove he needs to stay at Valentino, Mayhoola will use this new Ceo story as good will faith but also milk it for time to keep the price to kering not going more down before Kering is to acquire 100% of the share capital of Valentino no later than 2028.

the New ceo might also clash with LALLO and then Mayhoola is faced to choose again sides.

history seem to repeat but this time in speed:
because the running theme was that LALLO was blaming the ceo´s decisions for the lack of sales etc and as they clashed at gucci they clashed at valentino again.

Mayhoola owners valued LALLO more as their bet to get the most for Valentino, so the health of the ceo was a perfect exit route for everyone to clear the path for an adjustment part 1.

Venturini left gucci also on health issues but everyone knew it was about the clash between him and lallo for power ..the choice of keeping him or lallo at gucci, the gucci ceo chose lallo then only to have disagreement with lallo later and resulting lallo to leave and ceo later also fired.


misery loves company they say :-)

 

[Lola701]

Mayhoola owners valued LALLO more as their bet to get the most for Valentino

Even if the situation is what it is and we feel the way we feel about Michele at Valentino, this is actually a good thing.
I have always said that the value is in the creatives and it’s the job of owners to perpetuate that.

It’s also a responsibility of the creative and adapt it language to where he goes. The problem with Michele is ego. He feels maybe that at this stage of his career, after Gucci, he is bigger than the house. You are never bigger than the legendary name you are working for…Even if you are the one who revived it.

 

[jeanclaude]

I can´t help but wonder...why the hell is he called "Lallo"???

 

[likeahurricane]

He could become Creative Director of Claire´s. He would be in pure bliss surrounded by all those plastic, glittery and heavily ornamented stuff!

I think you cursed the wrong company by suggesting this: Claire's collapses into administration putting 2,150 jobs at risk

 

[PDFSD]

I can´t help but wonder...why the hell is he called "Lallo"???

Alessandro Michele's nickname is "Lallo". It's a name used by his close friends. used to be his ig name as well pre gucci cd fame lol

 

[Kanzai]

I’m an everlasting Michele anti-fan. The real trendsetters in 2010s were Phoebe Philo and and Demna (not saying Demna is as “respectable” as Phoebe though). Most overrated clothes designer who are still walking on Earth.