Valentino appoints Riccardo Bellini as CEO
Valentino has named industry veteran Riccardo Bellini as its new CEO, effective 1 September.
Bellini replaces Jacopo Venturini, who left Valentino last week. He is an experienced industry executive with stints at Chloé and Maison Margiela under his belt. Since January of this year, he has been Managing Director of Mayhoola Investments LLC, the investment vehicle that counts Valentino and Balmain among its brands. He will now step down from that role.
Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Chairman of Valentino, said the appointment of Bellini, which follows that of ex-Gucci designer Alessandro Michele as creative director last year, was part of the plan to accelerate the trajectory of the Italian brand.
"I know [Bellini's] extensive luxury experience, strategic acumen, and proven leadership, which — together with Alessandro Michele’s powerful creative vision — will drive the Maison forward and amplify its unique identity,” said Rachid Mohamed Rachid said.
Bellini added: “I am honored to join Valentino, an iconic maison that blends extraordinary heritage and craftsmanship with a unique creative voice. I look forward to working with Alessandro Michele and the exceptional Valentino teams to celebrate the Maison’s timeless values while crafting its next chapter.”
Bellini's career began at Procter & Gamble before he made the move into fashion by joining Diesel, initially as managing director for the UK and Ireland. He then moved to Maison Margiela (part of Diesel founder Renzo Rosso's OTB Group) as CEO, and after that he spent four years as Chloé CEO, where he placed sustainable design at the top of the agenda/
