Valentino Fashion Group

The Valentino Fashion Group is a natural extension of the Marzotto Group’s industrial experience. Over the years, through specific acquisitions aimed to strengthen their presence in the clothing sector, it has gradually shifted approaches, becoming less production-oriented and more fashion-driven and market-oriented. In the 1980s and 1990s, some big licensed brands were acquired, namely M Missoni and MCS Marlboro Classics, in addition to the majority of the Hugo Boss stock, allowing the group to consolidate its presence in the international fashion business. From the year when it was acquired, in 1991, this strategy has guaranteed the brand an average year on year growth of 10% for consolidated profits. In 2002, with the acquisition of Valentino, one of the leaders of Italian style and creativity in the world of fashion and luxury, the group not only strengthened its portfolio of brands, but also boosted its presence in the luxury segment and women’s couture segment. By capitalising on Valentino’s international prestige, management came up with a turnaround plan that was based on expanding the range of products, repositioning the offer and selectively developing the retail distribution channel. In order to fully maximise its attributes and business potential in the fashion and luxury sector, in 2005, a partial split separated the Valentino Fashion Group S.p.A from the Marzotto Group’s textile business. As a result of the Takeover Bid made in the second half of 2007, Valentino Fashion Group S.p.A. has passed under the control of the private equity fund Permira. Until 23 December 2009 there were three business units, which even included Hugo Boss, a company which was relinquished on that date and therefore no longer a part of the consolidated group. On 11 July 2012, Mayhoola for Investments, sustained by a large private group from Qatar, purchased Valentino Spa and the M Missoni licence, while MCS Marlboro Classics remains the property of Red & Black, a company indirectly owned by the Permira funds in partnership with the Marzotto family.

On July 12, 2012 the private equity firm Permira agreed to sell Valentino Fashion Group to Mayhoola for Investments, a Qatari investment group.