Is Alessandra Facchinetti the new Valentino head?

WWD reports the designer is in advanced talks with the label. If it’s true, she’ll take over as creative director of the line once the actual Valentino retires.

For those of you asking, “Alessandra Who?” here’s some info:

She’s the Italian daughter of Euro pop star Roby Facchinetti.

She took over for Tom Ford at Gucci, and lasted barely two seasons before the house replaced her with their accessories director, Frida Giannini.

She’s barely 35, and gorgeous.

Though that last part is incidental, it will be weirdly relevant if Alessandra takes the Valentino reigns - while men running women’s labels can choose their muses, women in the same role become the face of their house by default.

Donatella Versace and Vivienne Westwood are undoubtedly the souls of their brand, but even women who have taken over existing houses - Phoebe Philo when she was at Chloe, Isabel Toledo now at Anne Klein - seem to become the spirit of their clothes.

What Alessandra can bring to the table on all fronts - design and personality - will likely be under a microscope until Valentino shows his couture collection in Rome this July - rumor has it, that’s when he’ll announce his successor…