Giambattista Valli is an Italian fashion designer who has been operating his eponymous fashion brand in Paris since 2004. His collections, both ready to wear and Haute couture, are presented semi-annually during Paris Fashion Week.
Early life Born and raised in Rome, Valli completed studies at a liceo (an Italian secondary school) and then earned a degree in art. In 1987 he began a foundation course in illustration at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
Career Early career After stints at Roberto Capucci (1986–1990), Fendi (1990–1995) and Krizia (1995–1996), Valli moved to Paris and worked as creative director for Emanuel Ungaro from 1998 to 2004.Elizabeth Pineau (2 March 2020), Giambattista Valli celebrates Parisian attitude in catwalk show Reuters. Ungaro credited Valli with revitalizing the house, and named him as his successor when he retired in 2004.Eric Wilson (21 March 2012), Catering to the Valli Girls New York Times. Shortly after, the Ferragamo family, which owned Ungaro, dismissed him during an internal struggle.Eric Wilson (21 March 2012), Catering to the Valli Girls New York Times.
Giambattista Valli Valli launched his eponymous brand in 2004, heralding his first ready-to-wear show in Paris in 2005 where he had moved from Italy. Valli shows both ready-to-wear and haute couture collections semiannually in Paris. Valli is one of the few non-French designers granted membership into the historic Chambre Syndicate de la Haute Couture. He showed his first couture collection in July 2011.Eric Wilson (21 March 2012), Catering to the Valli Girls New York Times.
Since 2005, Giambattista Valli has collaborated with MAC Cosmetics.Stuart Emmrich (7 July 2015), A Celebration: Giambattista Valli and MAC Cosmetics New York Times. For the production and distribution of its ready-to-wear collection, the brand entered into licensing agreements with Gilmar (2004–2009)Alessandra Ilari (6 July 2009), Valli Signs New Licensing Deal Women's Wear Daily. and Mariella Burani Fashion Group (2009–2010)Christina Binkley (8 March 2010), Giambattista Valli to Sew His Own Clothes Wall Street Journal. By 2012, Valli's ready-to-wear, couture and collaborations generated an estimated $80 million in sales annually.Eric Wilson (21 March 2012), Catering to the Valli Girls New York Times. With the expiration of a contract with Italian fur-maker Ciwifurs for the brand’s own fur coats and jackets, Valli brought all production and distribution in-house in 2017.Joelle Diderich (27 November 2017), Giambattista Valli Moves Into Activewear, Sets Retail Expansion Women's Wear Daily.
Since 2014, the Giambattista Valli headquarters have been located in a historic building on Rue Boissy d'Anglas in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, designed by Luigi Scialanga, which also houses the brand's main store.Ali Morris (19 February 2014), Designed by Luigi Scialanga Giambattista Valli’s Milan flagship is a decadent enclave on courtyard Via Sant’Andrea Wallpaper. The brand has flagship stores in Paris, London, Milan,Ali Morris (19 February 2014), Designed by Luigi Scialanga Giambattista Valli’s Milan flagship is a decadent enclave on courtyard Via Sant’Andrea Wallpaper. Saint Tropez, Doha, Seoul and Beijing, and the brand's international distribution includes more than 245 selling points.Joelle Diderich (27 November 2017), Giambattista Valli Moves Into Activewear, Sets Retail Expansion Women's Wear Daily.
Groupe Artémis took a minority shareholding in the Giambattista Valli brand in 2017,Dominique Vidalon (29 June 2017), Kering's Pinault family buys stake in Maison Valli Reuters.Lisa Lockwood (29 June 2017), Pinault Family’s Artémis Takes Stake in Giambattista Valli Women's Wear Daily. later assuming majority control in 2021. In 2026, Valli reached an agreement to acquire full ownership of the Giambattista Valli brand from Artémis.Miles Socha (20 May 2026), Exclusive: Giambattista Valli Is Buying Back His Brand Women's Wear Daily.
Other brands In 2014, Valli launched Giamba, a new, younger sister ready-to-wear line, with a runway show in Milan.Luisa Zargani (30 May 2014), Giambattista Valli Launches New Line Women's Wear Daily.Alessandra Turra (8 November 2019), Giambattista Valli Sets New Strategy for The Giamba Line Women's Wear Daily.
In late 2014, Valli designed a spring collection for 7 for All Mankind.Luisa Zargani and Miles Socha (11 November 2014), Giambattista Valli Links With Seven For All Mankind Women's Wear Daily.
From 2008 to 2017, Valli was Creative Director of Moncler Gamme Rouge, designing activewear for the brand, with a focus on women’s puffer jackets.Luisa Zargani (13 November 2017), Moncler Ends Gamme Bleu, Rouge Collections Women's Wear Daily. Immediately after, the Giambattista Valli brand launched its 2017 activewear capsule collection, including coats, puffer jackets, sweatshirts and track suits.Joelle Diderich (27 November 2017), Giambattista Valli Moves Into Activewear, Sets Retail Expansion Women's Wear Daily.
In 2019, Valli released a capsule collection for men and women with H&M,Eleanor Biles (25 October 2019), Couture meets high-street in Giambattista Valli, H&M collaboration Reuters. his first foray into designing menswear.Ellie Violet Bramley (7 November 2019), Giambattista Valli comes to H&M – but will couture work on the high street? The Guardian.Alice Cavanagh (4 September 2019), Known for Lavish Evening Gowns, Giambattista Valli Leaps Into Affordable Menswear Wall Street Journal.
In 2022, Valli teamed up with Moda Operandi for a line of tableware realized with artisans including Augarten Wien, a Viennese porcelain house founded in 1718.Miles Socha (1 July 2022), Giambattista Valli Reflects on a Decade in Haute Couture Women's Wear Daily.
Recognition Valli is the recipient of a Star Honoree Award from Fashion Group International in 2011 as well as Best Designer of the Year Awards from Elle China in 2013 and from Marie Claire Spain in 2015. In 2025, he was decorated as an Officer of France's Order of Arts and Letters.Miles Socha (20 May 2026), Exclusive: Giambattista Valli Is Buying Back His Brand Women's Wear Daily.
Clients Valli designs have been worn by actresses, models, and royalty including Sarah Jessica Parker, Sonam Kapoor, Hilary Swank, Demi Moore, Ariana Grande, Penélope Cruz, Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Campbell, Mary Kate Olsen, Doutzen Kroes, Iman, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sofia Carson Jelena Karleuša, Clotilde Courau, Rihanna, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kendall Jenner and Gwyneth Paltrow. He designed wedding dresses for Jessica Biel (2012),Miles Socha (20 May 2026), Exclusive: Giambattista Valli Is Buying Back His Brand Women's Wear Daily. Amal Clooney (2014),Miles Socha (20 May 2026), Exclusive: Giambattista Valli Is Buying Back His Brand Women's Wear Daily. and Charlotte Casiraghi (2019).Alice Cavanagh (4 September 2019), Known for Lavish Evening Gowns, Giambattista Valli Leaps Into Affordable Menswear Wall Street Journal.
References
External links
Official page