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This Just In! Alessandra Facchinetti Gets the Valentino Boot

FabSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:00:29 PDT

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 PDT

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,

View 15 Photos ›

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Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Valentino

FabSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:22 PST

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,

View 14 Photos ›

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Spring 2008 Couture: Valentino

FabSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:03:16 PST

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,

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Paris Fashion Week, Spring 2008: Valentino

FabSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:22 PDT

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,

View 10 Photos ›

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Fab Flash: More Female Designers Exuding Influence

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:30:33 PDT

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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Link Time: Balenciaga's Broken Benches, Proenza Schouler's Fall Film, and More

FabSugar — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:02:55 PDT

Benches break at Balenciaga; attendees forced to stand for the show - Fashionologie
JCPenney offends again with its latest clothing ad - Yahoo Shine
Watch the Pierre Balmain short film, starring Abbey Lee Kershaw - The Daily Beast
Kate Moss offers style advice to Mark Ronson's mom - Vogue UK
See Amy Smart's gorgeous Carolina Herrera wedding dress - InStyle
Dior "will have news in the next few weeks" about its new designer - The Cut
Céline vs. J.Crew: dollars vs. sense - Bag Snob
Proenza Schouler debuts a new Fall film by Harmony Korine - Racked
Wes Gordon is designing for Jones New York - Lucky
Alessandra Facchinetti debuts Uniqueness in Paris - Vogue

Link Time: A First Look at Mary-Kate and Ashley's Stylemint Tees

FabSugar — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:01:36 PDT

Peep Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's new Stylemint line - InStyle
Franca Sozzani on what a man should never do - Vogue UK
Check out Christian Louboutin's new eight-inch heels - Yahoo Shine
Jack Wills is the new British invasion - Teen Vogue
Kate Middleton is off to Canada - The Cut
Maggie Rizer on how to nail a sexy driver's license photo - Lucky
Missoni opens their second UK location on Bond Street - Racked
Coach debuts the new Chelsea collection - Purse Blog
Alessandra Facchinetti returns with her Uniqueness project - Vogue Daily
Ron Herman goes viral with their cool new site - Refinery29