>> The suits at Valentino may want Alessandra Facchinetti out — due to lagging sales — but after her Spring 2009 collection today, which is only her second ready-to-wear outing for the brand, the fashion press didn't seem so ready to see her go.

Facchinetti was brought on to transition the house into younger silhouettes, and WWD thought she "showed real promise" and "knew what she was doing."  Suzy Menkes praised Facchinetti for the respect she brought the brand: "Considering that trouble has apparently been simmering at Valentino throughout the summer, Facchinetti did a heroic job."  Hilary Alexander, too, seemed disappointed with the quick change-up: "She has barely had time to fully develop her “look” at Valentino and this collection was surely an indication that she can and will, if given time."  The official decision about dropping Facchinetti still has to come through, but press opinion aside, it doesn't look good.