Valentino resigns

After dressing royalty, Hollywood stars and the international jet set for 45 years, Italian designer Valentino has announced his resignation as head designer of the Valentino fashion house.

Valentino Garavani, 75, known for his red couture gowns, said he would show his last ready-to-wear collection in Paris in October and his couture collection there in January.

His successor is Alessandra Facchinetti, a rising star of Italian couture and one of its most promising talents, according to news reports. She previously worked at Gucci, where she took over from Tom Ford. Her first collection for Valentino will be presented in March.

Valentino said he had decided the time was right after he celebrated 45 years in fashion with a star-studded extravaganza in Rome in July.

“It would be impossible to equal the emotion and joy over the friendship and consideration that the world showed me on that occasion,” he said. “As such, I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say ‘addio’ (farewell) to the fashion world.”

 Valentino said he was certain the Valentino house would change, but that he hoped that the team he had put in place “would know how to continue my work in a way that would make me proud.”