Milan Court Places Valentino Bags Under Judicial Administration Amid Labor Exploitation Allegations
On Thursday, the Milan court ordered judicial administration for Valentino Bags Lab Srl, a company under the control of the Valentino fashion house, which is known for producing bags under its own brand. Judicial administration is a legal process in which a company's management is entrusted to an administrator appointed by the court to rectify any illegal practices.
The court’s ruling comes in light of findings that the companies subcontracted by Valentino Bags, many of which are Chinese-run operations located in the outskirts of Milan, were engaging in illegal labor practices, including exploitation and abuse of workers. According to the judges, Valentino had failed to implement adequate oversight mechanisms to ensure that the labor conditions of those manufacturing the bags met legal standards.
Valentino has been owned by a Qatari fund since 2012. This decision by the Milan court is part of a larger investigation coordinated by the Milan prosecutors' office. In recent months, similar judicial administration measures have been taken against other companies, including Manufactures Dior, an Italian firm controlled by the French group Dior, Giorgio Armani Operations, which designs and produces clothing and accessories for the Armani brand, and Alviero Martini Spa, known for its map-printed fabrics.
As this investigation unfolds, the fashion industry faces increasing scrutiny over labor practices and ethical sourcing. The implications of this case could resonate through the sector as consumers and regulators demand greater accountability from luxury brands regarding their production methods.
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