By Marcellous L. Jones

October 4, 2008


Paris , France – Just before the beginning of the presentation of Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2009 fashion show, rumours of the eminent departure of Alessandra Facchinetti from the house made for an eerie overcast. As the sumptuous collection of feminine gowns, suites and cocktail attire hit the runway, a melancholic mood seem to be fixed upon the faces of those who enjoy her work as artistic director of the house.

“Well, if the rumours hold true, I think that it will be a great shame”, said Hillary Alexander, fashion director at the Daily Telegraph in London . “Just today, I’ve seen two or three women wearing full looks from her work, and they look amazing in it… She’s the iron fist wearing a velvet glove. If the rumours are true, she won’t be without work for long."

Facchinetti’s has taken the codes of Valentino and yet has somehow found delicate ways of making them still more contemporary as Valentino always knew how to do. For this, we need only look towards the daywear dress in aubergine wrapped in fine a belt of draping. The embroideries on her silk mini dress in red are only a small inkling to the detail that she has taken in creating this collection. And among the masses of draping, silks and chiffon, we find a few accessories such as the flat shoes, sandals and embroidered & crystal encrusted gloves on the hands.