RED HEAD?: Intrigue continues to roll on at Valentino Fashion Group. While the takeover battle for the company continues, so does an under-the-radar search for an eventual successor to Valentino. According to sources, talks have reached an advanced stage with Alessandra Facchinetti, best known for succeeding Tom Ford as Gucci's women's ready-to-wear designer for two seasons following his exit from the Italian group. More recently, Facchinetti has been a consultant to Moncler for its fashion-driven Gamme Rouge collection. The sources said it's not yet a done deal, and the picture remains cloudy now that equity fund Permira, which agreed to buy a 29.6 percent stake of Valentino Fashion Group and is negotiating to buy another 24 percent chunk, has yet to lay out its strategy. Facchinetti did not return calls Thursday and Valentino officials could not be reached for comment.

DIOR'S NEW MUSE: Self-described "makeup girl" Tinsley Mortimer already considers Dior's new Ultra-Gloss Reflect lip gloss one of her favorite beauty products. Now the socialite is wearing a new hat — that of Dior Beauty Ambassador in the U.S. "Ms. Mortimer has long been a supporter of the brand," Dior Beauty stated, noting the Girl-About-Everywhere was in the front row at the recent Dior Cruise collection show in New York. "Her unique combination of style, visibility and nonstop energy will help round out Dior Beauty's roster of bold-face names, including Sharon Stone and Charlize Theron." As a beauty ambassador, Mortimer will offer ideas to Dior Beauty's U.S. marketing team and celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, host selected Dior Beauty events and help launch products. Plus, presumably, get plenty of free ones.

ROYAL ACCLAIM: Thanks to artist Candice Breitz, even fans can have their 15 minutes of fame. "I filmed diehard fans of celebrities such as John Lennon in a way that they became the celebrities themselves," the South African artist said in describing the focus of her recent installations: "Hard-core obsessed fans, the real thing." Breitz got a brush with a famous royal last Wednesday in Paris when Princess Caroline of Monaco awarded her a laureate of the Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation. Breitz's clever and comical video works have been winning international kudos. She was granted 30,000 euros, or $40,200 at current exchange, and her works will be exhibited at the foundation in October.