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

[JeanAvril]

Before Oprah could afford his clothes, she always wanted something from Valentino. I wouldn't mind buying clothes from Valentino. He is the master of style and elegance. Being rich doesn't have a thing to do with it.

 

[kuba01]

Wouldn't it be funny if this was all a plot by Karl Lagerfeld to take over the [fashion] world?!?!

Could you imagine - Valentino by Karl Lagerfeld?!

 

[OriginalSin]

I respectfully disagree, Kuba.

I am not Valentino's biggest fan but WHY must he move fashion forward? It was not his job to. It is the job of Prada and Balenciaga, etc to move fashion towards the next step.

Valentino's venue was classic, Hollywood glamour. In an industry where everything must be constantly reinvented to stay fresh, it takes something more to stick with one brand concept and that's what Valentino has consistently done throughout his career. He stuck to a concept that is wearable and glamorous. Is it exciting? No. But Valentino isn't expected to be,

Yes, his designs can be boring, yes it's very similar but that's Valentino, that's his image. It's not his job to shock us.

Damn I can't karma you But thank you for pointing this out so eloquently

 

[kuba01]

Valentino's venue was classic, Hollywood glamour. In an industry where everything must be constantly reinvented to stay fresh, it takes something more to stick with one brand concept and that's what Valentino has consistently done throughout his career. He stuck to a concept that is wearable and glamorous. Is it exciting? No. But Valentino isn't expected to be,

Yes, his designs can be boring, yes it's very similar but that's Valentino, that's his image. It's not his job to shock us.

I never thought about it like that! Yes, I can see what you guys mean now.

Still, I am personally not mourning his loss. He meant nothing to me in the fashion world

 

[TheGlassAngel]

Ah. Well, personal opinions may differ but classicism should be better appreciated

 

[RedGloves]

Wouldn't it be funny if this was all a plot by Karl Lagerfeld to take over the [fashion] world?!?!

Could you imagine - Valentino by Karl Lagerfeld?!

possibly, that man seems like he will never retire,
whenever I think of Karl I keep having this image in my head of him still working and walking around in those tight Dior Homme pants till he finally falls over and drops dead

 

[Deleted member 7575]

Was never a fan of Valentino. His contribution to fashion in recent (the past 15 years) was minimum.

But to design for that house certainly won't be easy. There's a lot of money at stake. I wonder who will be taking over? It seems obvious that Jack and Lazaro will have the job, I'm sure it's not a coincidence that Valentino Group bought a chunk of their company just months before Valentino retires. But the fashion industry is full of surprises.

 

[Spike413]

Wasn't there an article a while back (year or two) where Valentino speculated on who he though would be a good replacement for him where he mentioned Tom Ford.....or was that Armani?

Anyway, I don't necessarily think that would be a bad thing. And let's not forget that what he did at Gucci was one thing, it doesn't necessarily represent what he'd do for another house. It could bring in an entirely new clientele to Valentino outside of the aristocrats and Park Ave ladies.

However, I don't see that happening any time soon with TF focusing on building his own brand. I would, however, die of shock and joy if it did turn out to be true in some freaky plot twist.

Out of the names mentioned I'd vote for Faccinetti, mainly by default since two seasons at Gucci wasn't enough to get an idea of what she's about, and I'd kind of like to see what she can really do. The Proenza boys haven't even defined their aesthetic yet, so it'd be crazy to think they could handle revitalizing an image as particular and legendary as Valentino.

 

[justinleaddict]

He meant nothing to me in the fashion world

ditto.

 

[kahlilg]

Out of all the italian old man designers (Cavalli, Dolce & Gabanna, etc.) he was one of my favorites. So sad...

 

[bedtimestorynyc]

I realize he is one of the greatest designers to ever grace the world of fashion, he's one of the people that have actually DEFINED fashion, but just like Giorgio Armani, Karl, his collections as of late have become boring caricatures of the past great works. I think this step-down is a great opportunity for some fresh head to step in and bring in something outrageously new to the table while keeping the traditions, basics - if you will, of Valentino in the collections to come! *wink-wink* Balenciaga

 

[pink1e]

Holy, wow. Valentino gone? I don't think he'll be completely gone... But it's a good opportunity for others to step up.

 

[chloehandbags]

What about Zac Posen?
Many of their designs are conformed to the Valentino aesthetic...

I agree.

What sad news.

 

[chloehandbags]

Wasn't there an article a while back (year or two) where Valentino speculated on who he though would be a good replacement for him where he mentioned Tom Ford.....or was that Armani?

Anyway, I don't necessarily think that would be a bad thing. And let's not forget that what he did at Gucci was one thing, it doesn't necessarily represent what he'd do for another house. It could bring in an entirely new clientele to Valentino outside of the aristocrats and Park Ave ladies.

However, I don't see that happening any time soon with TF focusing on building his own brand. I would, however, die of shock and joy if it did turn out to be true in some freaky plot twist.

Yes, I was thinking Tom would be ideal!

But, being a newbie, I was too shy to suggest him!

 

[chloehandbags]

Valentino FW0809 campaign: public hair trimmed in a V shape...very classy

With respect, although funny, that seems like a very one dimensional view of TF's work, to me...

 

[eternitygoddess]

He meant nothing to me in the fashion world

He meant stability. In the constant changing world of fashion, he represents a rock that women can always go to for beautiful clothes.

 

[city girl]

He made some really beautiful evening dresses. I'm suprised by the news

Former Gucci designer Alessandra Facchinetti is thought to be first in line as a replacement, with Giambattistta Valli, Stefano Pilati and Proenza Schouler duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez in hot pursuit

 

[polkaa_dot]

^ yeah, i can't really see them taking valentino's position... their clothes are too modern and urban, IMO... much more new york then milan.

i don't really aprecciate the kind of clothing valentino produces, but like some said here before, he's the one to run to when what you're looking for is old hollywood glamour and luxury... and i never thought of that before you lot pointed it out, but it is, in fact, important to have someone with that kind of stability in the fashion world... someone whose work doesn't change acording to seasons. he is, and will always be, a very important character in the fashion business.

 

[tigerrouge]

> Lets face it, Valentino might make beautiful clothes but he does nothing for the evolution of fashion.

Even the most innovative of designers are at best reworking the past for minds that are too young to remember it. Each season there's a new revival of some decade from yesteryear; every fall, it's red lipstick to the fore. If there is any advance in fashion, it comes from the laboratories of the scientists that are creating new textiles, not from the people who can physically only do so many things with a skirt or a shirt, and nothing that hasn't been done before.

Valentino's strength lay in his insistence on a very recognisable personal aesthetic, a familiarity which would have been destroyed had he tinkered with it every season in the search for 'novelty'. He wasn't there to amuse and shock onlookers, he was there to provide those with a sense of their own style, a reaffirmation of that. Fashion isn't exclusively about changing your outfit ten times a day; it's also about expressing the facets of a consistent and immensely powerful sense of self - and that's exactly what he did.

 

[kissmesweet]

No! I saw this coming, but this is terrible news... I love Valentino. I can't believe that he only has one RTW and another HC left!