UPDATE: Sadly, Facchinetti had no idea about her abrupt dismissal and learned "with deep regret from the press" about her departure from Valentino. “This news came as a great surprise since the company’s top management has not yet seen fit to inform me of the above,”
said a sarcastic Facchinetti. According to sources, the designer was let go because of her inability to build a strong, cohesive team.
Some more daring designers have flirted with the cocoon silhouette, and still-fresh-on-her-thrown Valentino designer Alessandra Facchinetti is having a full-fledged love affair. The house's latest couture collection is characterized by elegance and maturity. You'll find no masculine undertones here.
Now that Valentino
has officially stepped down, succeeding designer Alessandra Facchinetti made her catwalk debut for Fall.
Compared to the pale pastels, bright zings of color, and oodles of ruffles Valentino has infused into his designs
the last couple of seasons, Alessandra's work lacked a little of the label's joie de vivre. It could be the more subdued, Fall-appropriate color palette of navy, neutrals, blush, and mustard giving off that impression, but the keen attention to detail wasn't there.
After 45 years of dressing women impeccably, Valentino said his last goodbyes yesterday with one final couture collection.
The exit was consummately Valentino. Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, and newly-appointed Valentino designer Alessandra Facchinetti witnessed a parade of bright bubble coats, tiered gowns, floral prints and ladylike suiting.
Addio, Valentino!
Take a good long look ladies, you're witnessing a moment in fashion history — a designer great's last collection. Consummately Val, the collection was rich & colorful, with plenty of polka dots, ruffles, bows, and beautiful gowns to go around.
