Valentino, the Italian luxury fashion house, is currently majority-owned by Mayhoola for Investments, a Qatari investment fund, with French luxury group Kering holding a significant minority stake and an option to acquire full control by 2028.

Who owns Valentino right now?

  • Valentino S.p.A. has been controlled by Mayhoola for Investments (backed by the Qatari royal family) since 2012, when it acquired the brand from previous private equity owners.
  • In 2023, Kering (the group behind Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, etc.) bought a 30% stake in Valentino for about €1.7 billion, with an agreement that it can buy 100% of Valentino by 2028.

So, in simple terms:

  • Majority owner: Mayhoola for Investments (Qatar).
  • Significant minority owner with future option: Kering.

Quick timeline of ownership

  • 1960: Valentino founded in Rome by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti.
  • 2002–2007: Owned by Italy’s Marzotto Group and then Permira (private equity).
  • 2012: Sold to Mayhoola for Investments, linked to Qatar’s ruling family.
  • 2023: Kering acquires 30% and secures an option to buy the rest by 2028.

Why this is a trending topic

  • The deal positions Valentino as a future “mega-brand” within Kering’s luxury portfolio, which matters in current luxury-industry gossip and business forums.
  • Fashion watchers are closely tracking whether and when Kering will exercise its option to take full control, which could reshape competition with LVMH and other luxury giants.

Mini FAQ

  • Is Valentino still Italian?
    The brand identity and headquarters remain Italian, even though financial control is mainly Qatari, with a French luxury group as a key shareholder.
  • Does Valentino Garavani himself still own it?
    No. Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti sold the company years ago; today’s control is in institutional investor hands, not the original designer.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.