Italian designer Alessandra Facchinetti is to take over from international style icon Valentino Garavani as creator of womenswear at the Valentino fashion house.
Facchinetti, 35, formerly head of womenswear at Gucci, will begin overseeing the design of Valentino women's collections when the maison's founder retires in January, the Valentino Fashion Group said on Wednesday.
"It is an honour to be part of this project. Mr Valentino has always been a point of reference for me, an icon for style and elegance. My admiration and respect for him is infinite," Facchinetti said after her appointment.
She added that she would dedicate herself to her new duties "with great passion and enthusiasm" and said her first collection will be ready for March 2008.
Valentino on Tuesday announced that he was retiring after a 45-year career. He will present his last pret-a-porter collection in October while his final haute couture collection is scheduled for January.
Facchinetti is the daughter of Roby Facchinetti, leader of the timeless Italian rock band Pooh, and sister of rapper DJ Francesco. She started her career working alongside Miuccia Prada on her Miu Miu line and in 2001 moved to Gucci.
Tall, elegant and always seen wearing heels, she is described as perfectionist to the point of appearing uncertain at times and normally reluctant to appear under spotlights.
She was head of women's design at Gucci for two years, following the departure of Tom Ford. She produced two collections but was then forced out because of "divergences with management". Since then she has worked for Moncler's 'Gamme Rouge'.
"Facchinetti is the stylist who can best interpret and give continuity to the Valentino image in the world," VFG Managing Director Stefano Sassi said.
"She is the right person because she appreciates this type of elegance and is attentive to details, which is a Valentino trait. And she's also Italian, which is no minor consideration when you're talking about this sort of style".
Sassi stressed that the young designer would not be revolutionising the house's look as Britain's John Galliano did when he moved to Christian Dior.
The Italian fashion house, which has designed dresses for Hollywood stars and European royalty, also announced the appointments of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli as co-directors of the accessories division.
It is still unclear who will take over the reins of the men's collection.
VFG was bought in June by private equity fund Permira which reportedly wanted someone young and commercially minded to lead Valentino into new markets after the founder's departure.
The group posted consolidated sales of just over one billion euros in the first half of 2007, with Valentino Spa providing 120 million. VFG also controls Hugo Boss, Germany's biggest clothing maker, and Marlboro Classics, a casual clothing brand.
