Alessandra Facchinetti's first collection for Valentino following the great man's retirement was a triumph of minimalism. Facchinetti is a former Gucci designer, who had followed in Tom Ford's enormous footsteps, footsteps that many decreed she was unable to fill. Valentino Garavani retired earlier this year at age 75. He started his label in 1957, and his attention to detail won him fans in royal families from the Windsors to the Kennedys. The team at Valentino, including Fashion Group Chief Executive Officer Stefano Sassi invested at lot of faith in Facchinetti. Their faith has paid off.