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, Read more

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 Read more

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 Read more

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 Read more

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, Read more

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 Read more