The designer shakeup at Valentino continues, with news today that menswear designer Ferruccio Pozzoni has left his position. Pozzoni, who joined the Italian house in September 2007, will officially end his term at the commercial presentation for Valentino menswear in Milan on January 17, as management has decided against renewing his consultancy contract. The dismissal is eerily reminiscent of womenswear designer Alessandra Facchinetti's unceremonious exit. Facchinetti was fired after her first showing last fall, and found out via international press that accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli would be taking over. In addition, Pozzoni's news hits only weeks after Valentino CEO Stefano Sassi told WWD on December 5 that, even though Valentino opted for a presentation rather than a full-out runway show later this month, he still planned to give men's a huge "push" and saw the growth potential for menswear. Hmm, this isn't the push we expected for the men's category, but it's a push nonetheless.

Menswear designer leaves fashion house Valentino [Reuters]