Facchinetti debut at Gucci wins applause
Alessandra Facchinetti presented a sexy and feminine Gucci summer collection in Milan today, making a much-applauded debut as heir to Tom Ford’s fashion throne.
The 34-year-old Italian took over as creative director for Gucci women’s wear last March. Her fashion view confirms Ford’s trademark glamour and sexiness, while adding a dash of her own feminine inspiration. Her show was part of the Milan fashion week of preview presentations for spring-summer 2005.
“I feel super-happy,” the designer said afterwards. “I worked really hard, I hope I did a good job.”
The silhouette of her summer fashion is tight but never vulgar. Soft sequinned chiffon plays body-baring peek-a-boo, brushing across a breast or caressing the back, below the waistline. Tiny bras in organza and satin add demure charm, while military shirts, wide belts and leather boleros offer contemporary chic.
The Gucci shoe remains high and haughty. It has a towering bronze heel, and is fashioned out of a luxurious combination of metallic leather and crocodile.
Ford was a hard act to follow. The Texas-born designer stepped down last spring after a dispute with the French luxury conglomerate Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, which owns Gucci.
A decade ago, Ford turned the then-fading leather company into one of the sexiest labels on the fashion scene. Young and handsome, he became a favourite with the rich and famous and a regular in Hollywood.
Facchinetti was not new to Italian fashion nor to Gucci when she accepted the job. She began her career as a designer for Prada, and worked under Ford for four years before his split with the company.
“I hope as a woman designing I will be able to expand the sexy and confident image to include a touch of femininity and romanticism,” she said in brief biography released before the show.
