I'm feeling very badly for Alessandra Facchinetti. For the second time, she has replaced an outgoing design icon, only to get the boot after two collections. Not the kind of track record you brag about. Actually, it's the kind of track record that justifies a weekend of binge drinking. But I digress. No, the worst part of having this pattern on her resume is that - in my opinion - it is undeserved.
Now, I was never a big fan of what she did at Gucci - overwrought dresses with three necklines battling for supremacy were a hard sell - but I think she has been on the right track at Valentino. Her clothes have looked feminine, wearable, expensive and modern - exactly what Valentino should be going forward. And for that, she doesn't deserve to go. The word on the street in Paris is that she doesn't play well with others but I'm not
buying it. I mean, I can't imagine that life in Val's atelier was all peaches and puppies.
So, time will tell what the incoming duo from the accessories department will do with the Valentino archives and all that red fabric. In the meantime, I'm on Team Facchinetti.

all photos courtesy style.com, Photographer Marcio Madeira
Valentino Spring/Summer 2009 Collection

Posted by SAM