Taking Names

By | Monday, October 6, 2008

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A la mode

Alessandra Facchinetti was hired last year to replace Valentino Garavani as head of the Valentino fashion house he founded 45 years ago. Mr. Garavani retired in January. Miss Facchinetti showed her second ready-to-wear collection on Friday; on Saturday, she learned in press reports that it's arrivederci, Alessandra.

Associated Press quotes a statement released through Miss Facchinetti's Milan representative as saying, "It was with deep regret that I learnt from the press that I would no longer be working with Valentino. This news came as a great surprise, since the company's top management has not yet seen fit to inform me of the above."

The company's statement read, without elaborating: "Valentino S.p.A. is ending its collaboration with Alessandra Facchinetti due to differences. Her creative contribution and her artistic refinement have been greatly appreciated."

Valentino's in-house accessories designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are now joint creative directors of the brand. Mr. Garavani praised them as capable professionals who have "always showed enormous respect and love for my work."

Three years ago, after two seasons as Gucci's women's wear designer, Miss Facchinetti was replaced by another accessories specialist, Frida Giannini.

The bride wore ...

A white chiffon gown with cutaway back and sides was the dress for bride Beth Ostrosky, who married her longtime boyfriend, shock jock Howard Stern Friday in Manhattan's Le Cirque restaurant.

Before the ceremony, Miss Ostrosky told Newsday: "I can't wait to marry Howard. ... I know, everyone laughs!"

Officiating was actor Mark Consuelos, an ordained minister married to Kelly Ripa. The 180 guests included Joan Rivers, Barbara Walters, Billy Joel, Steve Schirripa, Chevy Chase, Tommy Mottola and Donald and Melania Trump.

They dined on tuna tataki, scrambled eggs with white truffles and striped bass with caviar and wine and champagne. Songwriter Phoebe Snow serenaded the couple with "You Send Me," and Billy Joel crooned "The Stranger."

Menswear collection

Hip-hop pioneer and designer Russell Simmons is bringing a little sophistication to the urban over-25 crowd, AP reports from Miami.

Mr. Simmons introduced his menswear collection at the Argyle Culture Fashion Show on Friday at the swanky Setai Hotel in South Beach. The male models donned sporty suits, pinstriped shorts and argyle V-neck sweaters, combining urban aesthetics with traditionally professional and preppy attire.

"I want to create a line to reach out to those guys who are not young men anymore but who want to still be part of that urban lifestyle," Mr. Simmons said.

"Russell is so amazing and such an inspiration," said actress Gabrielle Union, who recently appeared on ABC's "Ugly Betty" and sat near the runway. "I am just honored to be here in his support and to celebrate his [51st] birthday." Also present were "American Idol" trio Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, who described the line as "Hot, hot, hot."

cCompiled from wire reports

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