Mario Valentino - A History of Fashion, Design and Art by Ornella Cirillo

Established in 1952 in Naples where the 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 to the early 1900s, when Marios father, Vincenzo, a highly professional artisan, made his first shoes with the Valentino brand, praised by the Savoys, local aristocrats and famous international celebrities. In his small shop in the heart of Naples, his son Mario learned the secrets to create elegant, customized shoes. After the war he made a name for himself, opened his own shop.