Alessandra Facchinetti named creative director of Harlan + Holden

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jan 28, 2020

Alessandra Facchinetti has been named creative director of Harlan + Holden, an Asian fashion company that defines itself as the world’s first “time-saving” clothing brand.  

The appointment marks Facchinetti's return to a leadership job in fashion since her departure from Tod’s in May 2016, after a three-year stint at the Italian moccasin and leather specialist.  

A highly experienced designer, the 47-year-old Facchinetti had previously been womenwwear designer of Gucci for two years following the dismissal of Tom Ford in 2004. In 2007, she was also named the successor of Valentino Garavani at his couture house, following the retirement of the Roman couturier.  

“I’m very honored and excited to join Harlan + Holden as their first Creative Director. I’ve always been attracted by new projects that leverage a different language to express my creativity and experiences. Harlan + Holden have asked me to create a lifestyle uniform for women and men under a brand mission mandate to save time. To save time to focus on the things that matter. I appreciate the challenge and take on board this innovative philosophy, especially in a time where the way we approach life is changing rapidly across cultures,” said Facchinetti, who was born in the northern Italian city of Bergamo.   

Her first collection for Harlan + Holden, named 9bc, will be released in June.  

Founded in Manila in 2015, and headquartered in Seoul, Harlan + Holden describes itself as being “in the business of saving people’s time.” The brand was founded by Emmanuel Pineda, and retails women’s and menswear.

The brand is clearly ambitious and has hired star architect David Chipperfield - who counts Valentino among his clients - to design its new flagship in Lotte Mall, Korea. Harlan + Holden boasts over 20 retail stores in South Korea, Indonesia and The Philippines.