Going Out with Class

At the remarkable age of seventy-five, designer Valentino will be doing his last ready-to-wear collection for spring 2008, followed by one more couture show in Paris. Catching everyone by surprise, the designer and his longtime business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, announced their retirement come January. Despite speculations, Valentino portrayed his retirement being spurred by his 45th anniversary. No reference was made about a successor, although Alessandra Facchinetti is the most likely candidate. She is the former women’s wear designer at Gucci and has been seen working in Valentino’s headquarters in Rome. The designer stated that “the great event that celebrated my 45 years of work in Rome in July was a magical and unrepeatable moment. It would be impossible to match the emotion and the joy for the friendship consideration that the whole world expressed. Thus, I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say goodbye to the fashion world.” Valentino likes to think of his retirement as “leaving the party when it’s still full.”