Valentino bows out in Paris

He has dressed every Hollywood A-lister from golden age stars like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor to modern-day Oscar winners Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and Jessica Lange. But yesterday the end of a fashion era came to a close as Valentino finally bowed out after 45 years of dressing some of the world's most glamorous and elegant women. In the front row at the Paris show to wave him goodbye were actresses Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu, model muses Claudia Schiffer (above left) and Natalia Vodianova (pictured beside Valentino, above right), Mick Jagger and King and Queen Constantine of Greece.

The Paris couture shows are a traditional showcase for the Oscars, and yesterday's collection of satin and tulle evening dresses look set to be contenders for the red carpet - if there is one. There was, however a true red-carpet send-off for Valentino in the show's finale, with a procession of models each wearing identical silk gowns in the crimson shade that has come to be known as Valentino red. Then the designer stepped forward to take his final bow in Paris, having already bid addio in Rome last summer, with a smile and a wave.

He will be replaced by Italian designer Alessandra Facchinetti at the house of Valentino. Facchinetti famously took Tom Ford's spot as head of womenswear at Gucci in 2005 but resigned after just two seasons following "a disagreement with management". Her first collection for Valentino will be unveiled in March 2008 - and she has some big stilettos to fill.