ROME, Jan 9, 2008 (AFP) - Valentino, the Italian fashion house whose founder will present his last collection during couture week in Paris this month, on Wednesday, January 9th named Ferruccio Pozzoni as its new head of menswear.

Valentino - Photo : Andrew H. Walker/AFP

"Aged 47, Ferruccio Pozzoni has a long experience in men's clothing and has designed clothes for famous couture houses, contributing to their success," the house said in a statement.

Pozzoni "worked for Prada from 1998 to 2004, starting with menswear collections then helping develop the Miu Miu line (for women.) In 2005 he went to Brioni, where he was creative director," the statement added.

Pozzoni's first collection for Valentino will be presented on January 18 during the menswear shows in Paris, even though the men's line has until now always been shown in Milan.

Valentino, 75, announced last September that he intended to retire after showing his final haute couture collection in Paris on January 23, bringing the curtain down on 45 years in the fashion business.

He has been replaced at the helm of the women's lines by Alessandra Facchinetti, a former creative director at Gucci.