Ladies bow your heads, for it is a very, very sad day. Although it has been widely anticipated for months, Valentino Garavani – that would be Mr. Valentino of the perfectly coiffed hair, ultra tan and flawless suiting – stepped down
as chief designer of Valentino Group. It seems that negotiations between Permira (owners of Valentino), Valentino and his longtime business partner Giancarlo Giammetti came to a stand still and no resolution could be reached. He and his partner had been incessantly denying retirement rumors since his 45-year retrospective this summer,
eluding to the fact that all the fuss was do to the celebration of his large body of work. Unfortunately this was not the case, as his replacement was named as none other than Alessandra Facchinetti, formerly of Gucci Group Women and most recently at Moncler. Although Valentino does not officially step down until January after his final couture show, it would seem “chic” is walking off into the sunset!

It is no secret that Ms. Facchinetti’s two collections for Gucci were never well received after taking over the women’s design reigns from Tom Ford. Perhaps this second act – of stepping into Valentino’s velvet slippers – will be sweeter. I for one will be poised on the edge of my couture seat waiting to see.