Valentino begins a new chapter with Riccardo Bellini at the helm

The Roman maison is making a move. Riccardo Bellini will become Valentino’s new CEO from 1 September 2025. The appointment follows Jacopo Venturini’s departure in August, at a delicate moment for the brand, facing declining margins and the challenge of translating Alessandro Michele’s creative vision into solid results.

Valentino presents the appointment as the strategic step the brand needed. “Riccardo’s arrival will drive our trajectory. His experience and leadership, together with Michele’s creativity, will reinforce the maison’s unique identity,” Rachid Mohamed Rachid shared on LinkedIn.

Bellini expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that he looks forward to working with Alessandro and the team to preserve Valentino’s legacy and open a new chapter.

Bellini’s profile is textbook for these levels. With three decades in the luxury sector, he currently heads Mayhoola Investments — Valentino’s main shareholder, also owner of Balmain, Pal Zileri, and the Beymen department stores in Istanbul. Previously, he led Maison Margiela and Chloé, and built part of his career at Diesel and Procter & Gamble. He has also been part of the Fashion Task Force of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the European advisory board of Conservation International.

With this move, Valentino aims to strengthen management under Riccardo Bellini while Michele continues to shape the maison’s creative narrative.