Valentino vs. Valentino: A Closer Look at Two Iconic Designers (2024)

Thousands of brands are created daily, but some make it to the top with dedication and consistency. Brands you know today were established decades ago and have evolved immaculately. Brands that are now exclusive make the fashion trends that last for years. Such trends have spread their roots with time, and every item has changed gradually. For instance, in 1947, Gucci made its first bag called a bamboo-handled bag, and it still resembles the bags that Gucci makes today, but with a few changes.

Mario Valentino and Valentino Garavani are two of the most renowned brands, creating beautiful pieces for decades. People mix up these two brands as both of them have the same word, “Valentino”. However, both of them are completely different brands.

Every Mario Valentino bag has the logos ‘V’ and ‘Valentino’ either on the front or on the back, while only some of the Valentino Garavani bags have the logo ‘V’. Another example is that Mario Valentino is all about bold and funky patterns with multiple colors, whereas Valentino Garavani is about neutral and decent colors.

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Valentino Vs Mario Valentino

In 2019, Valentino Garavani Filed a lawsuit against the MV brand, claiming that “because of their similar names and overlapping goods,” the two companies “experienced consumer confusion”.The court came up with the solution that MV will stop using the logos “V” and “Valentino” on their products together and always put the “Mario Valentino” on the inside of their products as well as on the packaging.

Here is a video that will give all the answers to your questions about the lawsuit.

Keep reading for a deeper dive.

Mario Valentino and Valentino Garavani Differences

These brands create the same products differently, as they take inspiration from each other. That could be why most people confuse Valentino Garavani bags with Mario Valentino bags and vice versa.

Valentino Garavani

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani is an Italian designer and the founder ofthe Valentinobrand. His main lines are:

• Valentino
• Valentino Garavani
• Valentino Roma
• R.E.D. Valentino.

He debuted his first collection in 1962 at the Pitti Palace in Florence, through which he established an international reputation for his brand. The trademark color of Valentino is Red, but in 1967, a collection was launched which was of white, ivory, and beige colored cloth and was called the “no color” collection. It was the collection where he launched the trademark logo ‘V.’

This collection brought him into the spotlight and led him to win the Neiman Marcus Award. That collection differed from his work as he always used bold psychedelic patterns and colors. In 1998 he and Giamatti sold the company, but Valentino remained the designer. 2006 Valentino was the subject of thedocumentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.

Mario Valentino

Mario Valentino was founded in 1952 in Naples, eight years before the brand Valentino Garavani, which makes MV the “Original Valentino.” It manufactures leather goods and is now a historic producer of accessories, shoes, and haute couture. There was a sandal that MV created, and it’s a simple flat sandal that consists of a coral flower and two fine coral bead threads. It’s believed that this simple sandal made history; thus, it’s on display in Switzerland in a museum called Bally Museum at Schonenwerd next to the shoes worn by Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her wedding.

The simple sandal earned high value for I. Miller New York studio, the only company distributing and importing luxury shoes and leather goods to the United States at the time.

Moreover, In March 1979, Mario Valentino participated in the first Milan fashion week and brought his own amazing collection to the catwalk.

The difference is small but is important to be aware of, so here is a table for the differences between Mario Valentino and Valentino Garavani.

What is Valentino Garavani?

Valentino Garavani is an exclusive brand founded by Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, an Italian designer. Moreover, in 1962, he debuted his first collection at the Pitti Palace in Florence and it’s said that he established the reputation for his brand internationally through his first collection.

He also won the Neiman Marcus Award for his “No Color” collection. In 1998, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavaniand and Giamatti sold the company. However, Valentino still remained the designer. Furthermore, in 2006, a documentary called Valentino: The Last Emperor was released in which he was the subject.

The trademark color is Red, and the logo is “V,” which he launched in 1967 in a white, ivory, and beige collection. The brand Valentino Garavani is all about simple designs with a little spice. Most of its products are in neutral colors. Neiman Marcus Award. That collection differed from his work as he always used bold psychedelic patterns and colors.

The Valentino Garavani launched the Locò bag, which instantly became popular and was sold out in days. It is a shoulder bag with the V logo clip closure made from calfskin and comes in multiple colors, such as black, nude, pink, and more.

Is it the same as a Mario Valentino bag?

A person with an eye for such brands as Valentino Garavani and Mario Valentino can easily tell the difference between the bags of these two brands.

Mario Valentino and Valentino Garavani bags are not the same, they have completely different characteristics. MV bags are of bold and funky patterns with various different colors. Valentino Garavani bags on the other hand are more decent and gives a minimalistic vibe.

Moreover, in Valentino Garavani’s lawsuit against MV, MV was told not to put the logos “V” and “Valentino” together on their products. However, still, all the bags had the logos “V” and “Valentino” either on the front or on the back. While only some of the Valentino Garavani bags have the logo “V” mostly on the front as a clip closure.

The ‘V’ in the trademark of Mario Valentino is inside a circle, but the ‘V’ in the trademark of Valentino Garavani is inside a rectangle with smooth edges.

Are Mario Valentino bags real leather?

Mario Valentino shoes and bags are crafted with real leather which is extremely high-quality. Even after he passed away in 1991, each piece of leather is selected meticulously and stitched with precision and care, and then designed into something that will set the standard for fashion and quality much higher.

It’s said Mario Valentino was born with a passion for creating something out of leather, and as can be seen, he was talented and dedicated to his passion. Mario was the son of a shoemaker who used to make custom footwear for wealthy and high-end clients, so he took advantage of it and learned to trade at a very early age. Moreover, after high school, he started reselling leather in Naples and launched his leather goods company under Valentino’s trademark.

Who is the real Valentino designer?

People favor Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavanias the original designer, mostly because Valentino is a luxury brand.

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavaniis an iconic Italian designer and founder of Valentino. Valentino S.p.A. is the designer’s eponymous fashion house, managed by Pierpaolo Piccioli.

Valentino was born inVoghera, Pavia,Lombardy, Italy. His mother named him after a screen idol namedRudolph Valentino. Valentino became interested in fashion while studying in primary school, so he apprenticed to his aunt Rosa and a local designer named Ernestina Salvadeo. After some time, Valentino moved to Paris to pursue his passion for fashion with the help of his mother and father.

After slaving for other designers and learning the art of fashion, he decided to return to Italy as a pupil ofEmilio Schuberthand collaborated withVincenzo Ferdinandi’s atelier before opening his own fashion house which now you know today by the name Valentino S.p.A.

To Conclude

• Valentino Garavani and Mario Valentino are distinct luxury fashion brands. These are often confused due to their similar names.

• Valentino Garavani is known for its minimalist designs and the iconic “V” logo. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani founded it.

• Mario Valentino was established eight years earlier. It is special for its bold, colorful patterns and high-quality leather goods.

• In 2019, Valentino Garavani filed a lawsuit against Mario Valentino. Their similar names and logos caused consumer confusion.

• Key differences between the brands include logo placement and design styles.

• Mario Valentino products are made of real leather. It reflects Mario’s lifelong passion for leatherworking.

• Both brands are exclusive and produce high-quality items. Consumers make informed choices by understanding their differences.

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