Alessandra Facchinetti

>> Over the weekend, Valentino confirmed that its accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli will be replacing Alessandra Facchinetti as creative directors of the brand.  This marks the second time Facchinetti has been replaced by accessories specialists, the first being when Frida Giannini replaced her at Gucci in 2005.

But here's the rub — Facchinetti found out she was being replaced at Valentino from the press, she said in a statement:

It was with deep regret that I learnt from the press that I would no longer be working with 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.

I would like to thank Valentino S.p.A. for showing their appreciation of my 'creative contribution and my sophisticated talent,' although I deeply regret the fact that this talent and contribution do not seem to have been adequately acknowledged.  I find it extremely sad that a brand label of the caliber of Valentino, which has made history in the world of fashion, has been the subject of rumors for the past two weeks.

So why was she given the boot? »

>> MODA OPERANDI —Pending board approval, Alessandra Facchinetti, as rumored, is out at Valentino.  Contrary to rumors, however, her replacement will not be Giambattista Valli — although many thought his collection yesterday looked like a tryout for the job — but rather Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, the longtime accessories duo at Valentino.  Fachinetti is said to have clashed with management over design direction and production costs. [WWD]

Alessandra Facchinetti is leaving Valentino announces Women's Wear Daily mere hours after the Valentino Spring 2009 collection was shown, she will be suceeded by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli the longtime accessories duo at Valentino.

This is the second time Alessandra Facchinetti has been succeeded by an accessories designer. She was succeeded at Gucci by its accessories director Frida Giannini.

>> Alessandra Facchinetti doesn't show her collection for Valentino until tomorrow, but since Giambattista Valli — whose name has been thrown around as her successor at Valentino — showed today, all eyes were watching to see what kind of move he would make.  Valli himself was noncommital about the rumors — "I have no comment to make on that. I wish Alessandra the best of luck with her show tomorrow. I think she is doing a wonderful job." — but he didn't convince everybody.

Many saw Valli's collection as a tryout for the job: Hilary Alexander was convinced she saw clues: "the print on the silk and organza dresses was inspired by fading Roman frescoes and his mood board featured photographs of numerous Roman statues – and we all know Rome is the HQ of the legendary house of Valentino."  Suzy Menkes — though less explicit — saw it too: "the show looked too much like a résumé for someone who wants to take over a couture house."

And just for posterity, Fashion Week Daily reaffirmed the general feeling: "If there was any doubt that Giambattista Valli is in the running to become the heir apparent at Valentino, he surely quieted non-believers and made a strong case for the job with today's show. The collection was filled with the sort of red carpet fare that the house of Valentino depends upon."  So how long do you think before there's an announcement?
*image: source

>> It's never a good thing when rumors are swirling about your departure right before you debut a collection.  But that's just the case for Alessandra Facchinetti, whose Spring 2009 collection for Valentino debuts on Thursday — word is it may be her last.

"I heard they are giving her one more show," a "top editor" told Fashion Week Daily, echoing the sentiments of "several other industry insiders." Since Facchinetti's announcement as Valentino's successor last September, her reception has been only so-so.  In fact, one "well-placed Valentino insider" is even implying that she was always meant to be temporary, to "pave the way for Valentino's successor to 'save' the iconic house."

Giambattista Valli has been fingered as that savior; As for any confirmation, a Valentino spokesperson would only refer to the rumors as "inconsistent," whatever that means.
*image: source