Alessandra Facchinetti's debut catwalk show for Valentino at Paris Fashion Week has been given the thumbs up from the fashion house's old guard.
Although Valentino, who retired last year, was not present for the parade, his long-term business partner Giancarlo Giammetti said he was ''happy'' with the direction taken by Facchinetti, who was named head of women's collections at the company last September.
''Alessandra had an almost impossible task, but her vision of the spirit of Valentino is still in line with the company's style,'' said Giammetti, who had a front-row seat at the catwalk.
''I'm moved, confused, emotional but also reassured by the respect I've seen for the history, the delicacy, the elegance and the fragility of what Valentino has designed in the past''.
Giammetti said Valentino will see the collection at a later date but felt the designer would also be happy with Facchinetti's traditional take on the company style.
The Italian fashion icon presented his final haute couture collection in Paris in January, the swansong of an extraordinary career spent dressing the world's most beautiful and famous women.
''Now we will try to get out of our heads this fashion business that's filled our lives for 45 years - we have to detox,'' Giammetti said.
''I feel a bit strange after so many years of being the head of the household, and now I'm here as a guest,'' he added.
Facchinetti, 35, is the daughter of Roby Facchinetti, leader of the timeless Italian rock band Pooh, and sister of rapper DJ Francesco.
She was head of women's design at Gucci for two years, following the departure of Tom Ford, and has also designed collections for Moncler 'Gamme Rouge'.
Valentino said Thursday it was hoping to double turnover in the next five years and open between eight and ten new shops a year for the foreseeable future.
