Alessandra Facchinetti out at Valentino *Update* new Creative Director at Tod's

[j´adore dior]

I am currently living in a city that carries a Valentino boutique, I arrived when Valentino´s last collection was on, and although I never came in you could see from the window displays what it was all about, then suddendly the fall-winter season came with Alessandra, I did came in and felt it was nothing like the old Valentino, but it was beautiful, extremely chic and a bit younguer, then I came back and felt even more in love with the new arrivals, Im as shocked as most of you, she was really building an image for Valentino that was true to the rots of the house in my opinion, although they weren´t as sexy as much of Valentino´s collection, which could be a theme for her to explore in the future, it all looked so beautiful, so wearable, so desirable...I hope that if she leaves Valentino she would have a chance to create her own house, that would be nice since she wouldn´t need to struggle with someone else´s heritage or identity and feel free to express her own.

 

[Jamess]

I think designers like her work better with some kind of legacy to play with. Going at it alone is not always the answer, and I dont think its as simple as people seem to think to 'open your own house'.

Shes a good designer and will probably land on her feet, its just sad because she seemed to really fit with Valentino and could have built up something really special.
I agree with the last post-she made me take notice to Valentino where I wouldnt have before, and probably connected with a lot of young women.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I am currently living in a city that carries a Valentino boutique, I arrived when Valentino´s last collection was on, and although I never came in you could see from the window displays what it was all about, then suddendly the fall-winter season came with Alessandra, I did came in and felt it was nothing like the old Valentino, but it was beautiful, extremely chic and a bit younguer, then I came back and felt even more in love with the new arrivals, Im as shocked as most of you, she was really building an image for Valentino that was true to the rots of the house in my opinion, although they weren´t as sexy as much of Valentino´s collection, which could be a theme for her to explore in the future, it all looked so beautiful, so wearable, so desirable...I hope that if she leaves Valentino she would have a chance to create her own house, that would be nice since she wouldn´t need to struggle with someone else´s heritage or identity and feel free to express her own.

I agree with you ... if they ditch Allessandra, they are really shooting themselves in the foot.

I really the shoes I bought from the fall collection. The old Valentino really wasn't me at all, but what she's done is so beautiful and feminine ... there's really nothing quite like it out there.

I went to the boutique here as well, and there I was struck by how she really had interpreted the legacy quite well, there is continuity, and also a new direction.

They really need to give her a chance--I like what she's done much better than Valli at Ungaro

 

[disco54]

Tom Ford isnt going to join any house , from what I hear he will start designing womens wear in another 2 years , under his own house name TOM FORD and he deserves it he is immensly talented. As for Valentino , Facchineti is talented too but luck doesnt favor her ,she needs to start her own label.

 

[liberty33r1b]

how SAD!!! i really love this woman, and always adored her work, both at Gucci and Valentino. what a shame!

 

[MR JOSEPH]

her style is very nice but it isnt what Valentino is about! She is only trying to do what Pilati is doing for Yves Saint Laurent - only a more pretty, watered down version!! I feel that her style is not as confident as it should be and to be honest taking on a label like Valentino is a huge challenge to say the least and everyone expects it to be a certain way which is a huge amount of pressure for any designer - regardless of experience!! But in all honesty I dont really like her style - there are no fireworks and a house like Valentino needs fireworks!!

 

[nyc_art_style]

i completely agree MR JOSEPH.

 

[LostInNJ]

her style is very nice but it isnt what Valentino is about! She is only trying to do what Pilati is doing for Yves Saint Laurent - only a more pretty, watered down version!! I feel that her style is not as confident as it should be and to be honest taking on a label like Valentino is a huge challenge to say the least and everyone expects it to be a certain way which is a huge amount of pressure for any designer - regardless of experience!! But in all honesty I dont really like her style - there are no fireworks and a house like Valentino needs fireworks!!

This is being based on two collections that she has presented...how can her work be so pinpointed and defined by that time. I understand the whole business aspect, and clearly they are looking for a sure thing, and to keep money flowing in.

I looked at Giambattista's collection, and I must say that I can see it working at Valentino. But if that is what he does for his own label, what will he have left for Valentino, or vice versa? I think they need to give her time to grow...if not, she needs to find her own backers and start her own line.

 

[Jamess]

I agree
And besides, I thought there WERE fireworks at her first couture show, and I imagine there were a lot of customers for it too.
Dont mistake 'fireworks' for camp.

 

[Spike413]

It's been six months since her first show and I still don't fully understand these accusations that her work isn't what Valentino is about. Valentino was always about overt femininity, prettiness, romance, elegant tailoring and a gorgeous dress. As far as I can tell the only difference between Val's work and Alessandra's work is that hers is less in your face and less fussy...at least with rtw. I thought her couture was pretty gutsy, more gutsy than anything Valentino's done in the last 7 or 8 years that I've been paying attention anyway.

If she were to keep doing what Valentino had done for 45 years she'd be ripped apart, when she tries to inject her own taste into the legacy she is ripped apart. That's the curse any new designer is burdened with, and that's why they need some time at a house before they get the boot.

 

[Dkammern]

^^bravo! bravo!
i very much agree with all of that!

i'm just praying the rumours are not true!!
i cant wait too see her next show!

 

[Salvatore]

I agree with the last post-she made me take notice to Valentino where I wouldnt have before, and probably connected with a lot of young women.

Same here. I never got excited for a Valentino show before. Ever. But now I find myself getting as excited as I would for maybe an older Dior show. So on edge!

 

[fashionista-ta]

It's been six months since her first show and I still don't fully understand these accusations that her work isn't what Valentino is about. Valentino was always about overt femininity, prettiness, romance, elegant tailoring and a gorgeous dress. As far as I can tell the only difference between Val's work and Alessandra's work is that hers is less in your face and less fussy...at least with rtw. I thought her couture was pretty gutsy, more gutsy than anything Valentino's done in the last 7 or 8 years that I've been paying attention anyway.

If she were to keep doing what Valentino had done for 45 years she'd be ripped apart, when she tries to inject her own taste into the legacy she is ripped apart. That's the curse any new designer is burdened with, and that's why they need some time at a house before they get the boot.

Agree about "less in your face" ... to me, there was a masculinity about Valentino despite the bows. Alessandra is more subtle, very feminine. And I really think that with this season's feminine theme (see all the ruffles and feminine sleeves), she is right on top of what this season is all about. And if you look at the "buyer's picks" features, she is there, while much more established designers (like Marc Jacobs) are not. I don't really understand the criticism of the fall collection ... to me, she has produced some of the very best examples of the key elements/details this season, while continuing on with house themes.

If I were Alessandra's friend, I would be getting her a good astrologer or feng shui person The problem is not her work. It reminds me of the "transitional girlfriend" in When Harry Met Sally ...

 

[shoegal87]

I like her. I think she only needs some more time, even though, so far she has done pretty good. I don't think they should fire her so soon

 

[irulan]

reading those news just made my day. and i hope that it's true even though i see that most of you are of a different opinion. i can still remember how i looked at my mom's magazines and no matter what, if there was a pic of a valentino dress i could tell immediately that it was mr garavani at work. it was because of him, that i finally decided to take a closer look at fashion and that i got interested in it. when i moved to munich about half a year ago, his last collection was in stores and seeing those clothes wasn't comparable to anything i had seen in a shopping window before. it really broke my fashion loving heart when the rumors about his retiring proved true. for me, valentino was everything i loved about fashion, and i actually was a young customer with age 20. i use the term was because with the prefall and fall hitting the stores, i stopped being a valentino girl. i don't think fachinetti will ever live up to that house. better give somebody else a try.

 

[Faith Akiyama]

She is out:

Facchinetti Exiting Valentino

Facchinetti Exiting Valentino
by WWD Staff
Posted Friday October 03, 2008

PARIS - Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, the longtime accessories duo at Valentino, will take up the fashion reins and succeed Alessandra Facchinetti at the Roman house, according to sources. Facchinetti, who was succeeded at Gucci by its accessories director Frida Giannini, was said to have clashed with management over the design direction and production costs. Stefano Sassi, chairman and chief executive officer of Valentino, brushed off questions of a designer change backstage after the Valentino show Friday afternoon, saying only, “We will make the situation clear very shortly.” It is understood the move is subject to board approval.

wwd

Unfortunate

 

[liberty33r1b]

that really makes me angry, she was so good!!!! WHY??

 

[dior_couture1245]

I will be writing a fuming letter and sending it directly to Valentino HQ.

I will never look at Valentino the same way again...this is like a big, black smear across what was once a lovely house. How absolutely sickening this is...

I can also assure you I will NEVER shop at Valentino...I can't support any institution that would do such a horrible thing.

 

[LostInNJ]

WOW.


...Although I'm sure she had to have known at this point. The announcement came a mere hour or so after she presented the collection. Even if they only intended for her to stay on for a few seasons, what was the point?

 

[Jamess]

Thats a surprise!
Im not sure whether I would have preferred to see Valli there, rather than accessories designers.
At least the news will be no nasty surprise for Alessandra, if there's been tension for a while.