Step into any luxury consignment shop in Dubai, and you’ll probably see bags labeled Valentino. But here’s the twist: there are actually two completely different Valentino brands out there, and most people don’t realize it.

At Value Creation UAE, we check hundreds of designer bags every month, and this mix-up happens all the time. Believe it or not, less than 1% of buyers can tell Valentino Garavani from Mario Valentino. Most assume they’re the same brand, but they’re not connected in the slightest.

Curious about counterfeit luxury bags? Watch our video guide

The Tale of Two Valentinos: Valentino Garavani vs. Mario Valentino

The Valentino Everyone Recognizes: Valentino Garavani

In 1960, Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani started his fashion house in Rome. Garavani earned his reputation as an artist with humility and grace, a rare quality among high-fashion designers. His early collections gained popularity for bold red, flowery patterns, which became the brand's signature colour, Valentino Red.

What Makes Garavani Special:

• Studded Rockstud bags became instant classics

• Bold VLTN lettering on newer pieces

• Inside label always reads "Valentino Garavani."

•  Over 200 boutiques worldwide

• Boutiques in Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, Dubai

Price Range:

• Starting price around $2,000

• Some rare pieces sell for $8,000 or more

• Celebrities wear them on red carpets

• Fashion editors obsess over them

Expert Tip from Value Creation UAE: Valentino Garavani belongs in the same conversation as Hermès, Chanel, and Dior. Same tier, same prestige. When comparing Italian handbag brands, Garavani stands right at the peak.

Mario Valentino

Mario Valentino was established in Naples, Italy, in 1952, eight years before Valentino Garavani. The brand focuses on leather products and accessories at an affordable price.

Key Differences:

• Most bags cost between $200 and $800

• Decent craft, Good quality leather.

• Positioned closer to Coach or Michael Kors on the luxury brand pyramid

• Always prints "Mario" somewhere on the bag

• Often found in outlet stores, which would never carry Valentino Garavani pieces

The key identifier? The branding on the bags of Mario Valentino always includes Mario, either as "Mario Valentino" or spelled out as "M. Valentino," on the exterior and inside each item.

The Legal Battle That Changed Everything

The two brands coexisted under a global co‑existence agreement from 1979. According to the agreement  

Mario Valentino: Allowed to use "Valentino" or "V" on leather goods, but required to have "Mario Valentino" printed inside each bag.

Valentino Garavani: Required to include both "Garavani" and "Valentino" on every handbag and in all advertisements.

In 2019, Valentino Garavani sued Mario Valentino in California, claiming the smaller brand intentionally confused. The case highlighted the staggering revenue gap: Garavani handbags generate $700M+ annually, including $100M+ in the U.S.

In June 2024, the long-running U.S. legal battle between Mario Valentino S.p.A. and Valentino S.p.A. was dismissed without prejudice, resolving current claims but leaving the door open for future lawsuits, while multiple related cases continue in Italian courts.

The Resale Value Reality (And What We See Every Week)

A customer walked into our showroom excited, holding a bag she thought was an original Valentino Garavani worth 8,000 AED. The moment I picked it up, I knew exactly what she had. The hardware felt light, and the logo read “Valentino by Mario Valentino.” She had paid 1,200 AED and thought she’d scored a steal.

I had to break it to her gently: she hadn’t been scammed—Mario Valentino is a real brand—but the resale value is completely different.

Here’s the key: what makes a bag truly luxury is its resale value. A Garavani bag can hold up to 70% of its original price, giving you that feeling of investment security while enjoying your luxury purchase. A Mario Valentino? Not so much. That bag she bought for 1,200 AED might resell for around 300 AED, depending on its condition.

It’s not just about quality—it’s about branding and positioning in the luxury market. This is the most common mistake we see Dubai sellers make: assuming every Valentino bag is the same. They’re not.

How to Tell Them Apart Instantly

Check the full label inside the bag. If it says "Mario" anywhere, you are not dealing with the haute couture Valentino. Valentino Garavani always displays both names together on their pieces.

Look at the price tag. Garavani bags start well above $1,000 new. Mario Valentino rarely exceeds $800 retail.

Consider where you bought it. Garavani is available only in high-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods, as well as in official boutiques. Mario Valentino appears in mid-range shops and outlets.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the difference between Valentino Garavani and Mario Valentino is crucial for buyers and sellers. Only Garavani belongs in the same league as Gucci, Prada, and Bottega Veneta. Misidentifying a bag can cost thousands.

If you are in doubt about the authenticity or value of a designer bag, go to professionals who verify the authenticity and value of luxury items daily, such as our group at Value Creation UAE. We have seen every variation, every fake, and every confused customer who thought they owned haute couture.

Ready to sell branded bags in Dubai? Visit Value Creation UAE for a quick, verified cash offer on authentic designer pieces: no confusion, no surprises, just honest expertise and fair prices.