Mario Valentino

"One of the marvels of the world fashion." --Bernadine Morris, The New York Times

Established in 1952 in Naples (where its headquarters are still located), Mario Valentino is a leading brand in the leather sector and a legendary manufacturer of shoes, accessories and clothing. Its history dates back to the early 1900s, when mario's father Vincenzo a highly professional artisan, made his first shoes under the Valentino brand, winning the praise of local aristocrats and international celebrities.

Vincenzo's son Mario learned the secret of creating elegant, customized shoes at his small shop in the heart of Naples. In the early 1970s, following successes at fashion shows in Rome and in the US, mario's business flourished and he soon expanded into pret-a-porter, where artisanal tanning skills meet the rules of haute couture and where leather takes on unexpected forms.