Menswear designer leaves fashion house Valentino

Designer Left

MILAN – Menswear designer Ferruccio Pozzoni has left Valentino, the Italian fashion house said on Monday.

Pozzoni, who previously worked at Prada and men's tailor Brioni, began collaborating with Valentino in September 2007 with the Fall/Winter 2008/09 collection.

"In accordance with both sides, Mr Ferruccio Pozzoni and Valentino SpA have decided not to renew the consultancy contract, which refers to Mr Pozzoni's creative guide of Valentino Men's collection," Valentino said in a statement.

It added that Pozzoni would complete his role with the commercial presentation of Valentino's men's Fall/Winter 2009/2010 collection on January 17. Milan's menswear fashion week begins on Saturday and runs until January 20.

Monday's announcement comes after the departure of designer Alessandra Facchinetti in October.

Facchinetti took over from founding designer Valentino Garavani, whose floor-sweeping gowns were a favorite with European royalty and Hollywood stars, when he retired in January last year.

Valentino named Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli as creative directors for all product categories in October.

Valentino Fashion Group was bought by private equity group Permira in 2007. Valentino is trying to broaden the brand's appeal and lure younger customers.

Playboy Opens a Store in Las Vega

The first Playboy store in United States was opened last Monday, at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas wwd.com reports.

The 2,000-square-foot venue, with lots of iconography, was designed by the Walker Group. The new store, owned and operated under a license with the Waikiki Trader Group, will offer Playboy-branded apparel, accessories and lingerie as well as many other Playboy products. The 85% of the goods, represented in a new Concept Boutique are women's clothing, lingerie and accessories.

"Playboy strategically selected the Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas to debut our first U.S. store because it is one of the most successful retail shopping destinations in the world," said Christie Hefner, the chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. "It is clear that Playboy and Las Vegas are a powerful match, presenting the chance for consumers and visitors to experience all of the glamour, sexiness, style and fun associated with both."

The first Playboy Concept Boutique was opened in the capital of Japan –Tokyo two and a half years ago, and was named as one of 40 top stores in the world by the Retail Leaders Association.

After opening in Las Vegas, the next step in spreading the line of stores in U.S. could be opening a store in Miami, according to Aaron Duncan, the senior vice president and creative director of Playboy Global Licensing, but no further details were mentioned. The next freestanding Playboy store, a 2,300 square-foot venue on Chapel Street, Melbourne, one of Australia's premier fashion areas, will open in fall 2005.

Kate Moss Joins the Olympic Bid

British supermodel Kate Moss wants the Olympic Games to be held in her native country. The beauty has joined her fashion friends Paul Smith, Mario Testino and Sam Taylor-Wood in their new project 40 Artists, 40 Days, to raise awareness of the attempt of the United Kingdom to host the XXX Olympic Games.

Paris, New York, Moscow, Madrid and London are vying, making bids, to host the 2012 Olympic Games, and in early July the results will be announced. Britain will be counting down 40 days till July 5, the day the International Olympic Committee will choose a city to host the Games. Until that time, photos of Kate Moss, made by fashion photographer Mario Testino, will be dispayed on Tate Online, www.tate.org.uk/40artists40days, alongside with other original videos, music, texts, performances and visual art.

Moss will be photographed by Testino for the project which will tout some of the city’s unique selling points, including Paul Smith’s London logo and boxing prodigy Amir Khan photographed by Taylor-Wood.

"The vision for 2012 is that sport and the arts will come together in London for the biggest celebration this city has ever known," said Tate Online director Sir Nicholas Serota, according to British Vogue.

Meantime Moss' boyfriend Pete Doherty dreams to marry the supermodel the next weekend. The Babyshamble’s frontman says:

"We're driving through Gretna Green next weekend, so who knows? I might be able to persuade her,” femalefirst.co.uk cited the singer.

"Kate's been there for me. She's my rock. Not my rock of crack thoug

Milan Episode 1

The Tokyo Hardcore tour began in Milan during S/S 08 Fashion Week with a party at our new flagship Milano store. While in Milan I also attended the BluGirl show and met the amazing Anna Molinari who is the embodiment of cute with the sweetest smile and pixie voice. I also spent an afternoon hanging out with the very charming legendary Elio Fiorucci, the godfather of glossy, sexy, irreverent style. We discussed our favorite designer Barbara Hulanicki of Biba and then went on a tour of his Love Therapy headquarters. Later I attended the Cloudnine trend show where I discovered the fantastic plastic world of Melissa shoes and spoke to a group of uber talented future designers at the Whats Next exhibition. Then there was the Elle & Marie Claire Black and White party and finally our Tokyo Hardcore tour began with the first launch party at our brand new beautiful boutique in Milano. These “moviettes” will take you along on my journey and give you a behind the scenes look into the stylish world of Milan fashion week.