Valentino Names Actress Rosy Zhao Its Global Brand Ambassador

Valentino has a new global brand ambassador, aimed squarely at audiences in China and across Asia. The house announced that it has appointed the Chinese actress Rosy Zhao, also known as Zhao Lusi, as its Global Brand Ambassador. The news was out by November 9: RetailBoss ran it that day, ahead of Valentino Japan's release, which is timed 10:07am on November 10, Tokyo time. The same announcement sits on a news page on Valentino's own site that carries no date. L'Officiel Thailand ran it on November 11.

Valentino's text describes her in a few lines: a presence in Chinese film and television in which she moves "fluidly between a wide range of characters," and, beyond acting, her ease with fashion, which it says has made her "a prominent and influential fashion figure in China and across Asia." It lists no roles or titles. The release goes out with a portrait of her in a red jacket tied with a black ribbon, a pearl necklace and a large black studded shoulder bag.

Zhao's own statement, as Valentino prints it: "I'm delighted to be named Valentino's Global Brand Ambassador and to join the Valentino family. Valentino has always felt personal to me, especially Alessandro Michele's aesthetic: elegant and romantic yet full of strength." Michele has been the house's creative director since March 2024, and his latest show was Antibiblioteca in a Paris library on October 4.

What Valentino hasn't said

The announcement says only that Valentino looks forward to working with her "on upcoming initiatives and global appearances." There is no campaign, no date for a first appearance, no word on whether she will front a collection or a bag line, and nothing about the length or terms of the deal. Those are the things to watch for next, and until Valentino posts them they are unknown.

Our read

Valentino frames the appointment as widening "the Maison's conversation with a new generation of audiences in China and across Asia." That is a stated aim, not a result: the release carries no sales figures or audience numbers to back it. It does tell you where the house wants Michele's version of Valentino heard between shows. Her first public Valentino moment, whenever it comes, will say more than the announcement does.