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This Just In! Alessandra Facchinetti Gets the Valentino Boot

FabSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:00:29 -0700

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.

Alessandra Facchinetti's gig is up. In a dramatic fashion, immediately following its runway show, Valentino confirmed the swirling rumors regarding Facchinetti's leave and announced Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, longtime accessory designers at the house, as her successors. "Absolutely nothing was selling. The traditional Valentino customer was completely alienated," said a Valentino source.

Valentino fans and industry professionals are optimistic about the newly appointed successors. "Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are madly in love with the Valentino style," said Valentino Garavani intimate Carlos Souza. Another one bites the dust.

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2008 Fall Couture: Valentino

FabSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:00:22 -0700

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. Instead, feast your eyes on lush fabrics like satin and chiffon, and feminine details such as sequins, ruffles, tucking, and pleating.

The cocoon shape made its way onto outerwear as well as dresses and skirt suits. But don't be mistaken; here, cocoon doesn't always equal unflattering. Black and ivory made appearances on the runway and jewel tones like blue, red, and green also livened the scene. The most memorable detail here - aside from the extensive, beautiful beading - is the accessories: gold chokers and spiraling bracelets that add a touch of whimsy to each outfit. Facchinetti is another step closer in keeping Mr. Valentino's keen taste for luxury alive.

To see more from Valentino's Couture collection, read more.

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Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Valentino

FabSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:22 -0800

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. It was definitely a safe first collection, but there were hints of good things to come - the requisite Va-Va red was in place. Besides, taking over a label after 45 years under the helm of one man is not a position I envy.

To see more Valentino, read more

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Spring 2008 Couture: Valentino

FabSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:03:16 -0800

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. The finale was the ultimate symbol of Val's contribution to fashion: the red dress. A stream of models wearing that one red gown filed out at the end, sending the retiring designer off in style, as no other finale could. Farewell, Valentino!

For more Valentino couture, read more

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Paris Fashion Week, Spring 2008: Valentino

FabSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:22 -0700

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. But he didn't get mired in the past; instead, he added some unexpected elements to keep it fresh - such as twisted pleating, 3-D garlands of petals, and colorblocking.

Then came the gowns, oh how those Valentino gowns will be missed (Alessandra Facchinetti, you've got quite the duty ahead of you). Mermaid, column, one-shoulder, and strapless were all present, looking as gorgeous as ever. It's the end of an era, but what an end it was...

To see more of Val's last hoorah, read more

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Fab Flash: More Female Designers Exuding Influence

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:30:33 -0700

Big change is afoot in the fashion industry: after the 90s, which were dominated by male designers, women designers seem to be taking the upper hand.

Even though female designers have a long way to go in male-run fashion capitals like New York and Paris, there does seem to be a trend emerging, particularly in Milan. In Italy alone, a large number of family-run companies were founded or are helmed by women: Alberta Ferretti, Prada, Versace, Fendi, Trussardi, Missoni, Etro, and Emilio Pucci. As Paris-based industry consultant Concetta Lanciaux explained, "Italy's tradition of family ownership for fashion companies gives women a great chance to emerge, whereas France, by contrast, is dominated by luxury groups. It's more corporate."

Although women have always played a pivotal role in fashion, especially in early 1900s Paris, when Coco Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, and Jeanne Lanvin reigned supreme, after World War II, a new generation of male designers emerged: Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Pierre Balmain. Since then, female designers have come in spurts: Mary Quant and Betsey Johnson in the 60s and 70s, and Rei Kawakubo in the 80s.

Finally, as more and more women are taking charge, their prominence is returning to what it was in early 1900s Paris. Alessandra Facchinetti has just succeeded Valentino, Frida Giannini took over from Tom Ford at Gucci, and let's not forget the outstanding influence of Miuccia Prada. But it all makes sense, as Donatella Versace explains, "women are instinctively in tune with the female customer."

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2009 Spring Couture: Valentino

FabSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:00:22 -0800

All eyes were on the house of Valentino with the recent dramas haunting the house. You may recall Alessandra Facchinetti's quick dismissal following the Spring RTW show. Longtime accessory designers for the house Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli stepped up to the throne. The Spring couture collection was their debut.Valentino is back in business. This collection reminded me of what Valentino stands for: luxury, precision, femininity. And yes, Valentino Garavani was there and was the first to applaud. You can't get much better than this: “I have to tell you, they did a very good job. It is a collection that is perfect for this very moment,” said Valentino postshow. The clothes were free from fashion-forward experimentation and rooted in Valentino signatures like rosettes, luxurious fabrics, dramatic ruffles, and opulent evening gowns. Some colors were questionable - this taupe bores me to death - but rich Valentino red shined along with other jewel tones. All in all, a fine step in the right direction.

For more Valentino couture, read more

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Weekend Links

FabSugar — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:12:22 -0800

Alessandra Facchinetti for Valentino Pre-Fall 2008 - j'adore couture
Lickety Zip - In My Bag
Showroom Seven With Karlie Kayser - Chic Inspector
Juicy Couture Five Set Charm Bangles - VieCouture
Twinkle Twinkle Star - The it Lists

Fab Flash: Valentino Throws in the Designing Towel

FabSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:24:06 -0700

This just in: Valentino is expected to confirm his resignation from the brand he founded in 1960. The news is not that shocking considering there was much speculation of his exit since Permira bought the Valentino Fashion Group, which owns Hugo Boss, M Missoni as well as a 45 percent stake in Proenza Schouler.

Alessandra Facchinetti, the former head of women's wear at Gucci, has been appointed creative director of Valentino's women's collections by Valentino Fashion Group. She will be responsible for the brand's couture and ready-to-wear collections, along with RED and Roma, secondary lines.

But Valentino isn't leaving without a finale: the designer will present one more ready-to-wear show as well as one more Haute Couture season.

This is a sad day for fashion but we wish Valentino all the luck in his future endeavors!

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