The passing of Valentino Garavani at age 93 in Rome on January 19, 2026, marks the definitive conclusion of the golden age of haute couture. While the industry mourns a maestro who commanded the global red carpet for five decades, the news arrives at a critical juncture for his eponymous fashion house. Valentino’s departure coincides with a volatile luxury climate where heritage brands are undergoing intense structural scrutiny. In late 2025, shareholders amended key agreements to postpone Kering’s potential full buyout of the brand until at least 2028, reflecting a cautious stance as the sector faces a ‘luxury slowdown.’ The house reported a 22 per cent drop in profitability in its most recent fiscal cycle, highlighting the challenge of maintaining Garavani’s ‘eternal elegance’ in a market increasingly dictated by data-driven digital scaling rather than pure artisanal mystique.
Strategic continuity amidst aesthetic shifts
Maison Valentino is currently navigating a high-stakes creative transition under Alessandro Michele, whose baroque maximalism represents a departure from the founder’s classicist silhouettes. This aesthetic reset is more than a stylistic choice; it is a commercial mandate to recapture the attention of high-net-worth Gen Z consumers. ‘Luxury is no longer just about the product; it is about cultural legitimacy,’ noted an industry analyst regarding the 2026 outlook. Despite stagnant growth in traditional markets, Valentino’s online sector saw a 5 per cent increase, now accounting for 70 per cent of direct-to-consumer interactions. The brand's survival strategy hinges on ‘unified commerce’ - bridging the gap between Garavani’s historic Roman atelier and a hyper-efficient global supply chain.
Maison Valentino is a premier Italian luxury house specializing in haute couture, ready-to-wear, and leather goods. Majority-owned by the Qatari fund Mayhoola with a strategic 30 per cent stake held by Kering, the company operates 287 stores globally. Following a fiscal 2024 revenue of €1.31 billion, the brand is prioritizing direct-to-consumer growth and a refreshed creative vision to stabilize its financial trajectory through 2029.
