New faces at Valentino, Ungaro

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Stepping into someone else's shoes is never easy, least of all when it is the likes of the veteran Italian designer Valentino, who retired in January after a triumphant four decades at the top.

Alessandra Facchinetti faces a daunting debut when she presents her first collection for the house in the ready-to-wear womens' wear shows for next autumn-winter which kick off on Sunday.

For Facchinetti the situation will be only too familiar, as she was designated by Gucci to replace the idolised Texan Tom Ford after his acrimonious departure in 2004.

She stayed only two seasons in that job, leaving to work for the winter sports brand Moncler before joining Valentino's team and being appointed in September to take on the master's mantle.

For...