Hasta La Ideas

When Valentino Garavani retired from the fashion scene, a shiver went up and down the spine of the fashion industry. For the past 45 years Valentino is considered the last couturier in the world and his longevity of genius has withstood good and bad trends. Lucky for us, Matt Tyrnauer (longtime editor and writer for Vanity Fair) directed and produced, “Valentino: The Last Emperor”, a documentary that gives us an intimate look at the designer’s life.

The documentary has received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival and won for Best Documentary at the 2008 Chicago Film Festival– and it is well deserved. From sketch to runway we get to see Valentino stripped down, up close and personal. We see him design. We see him laugh. We see him cry. We see him with his adorable herd of pugs. We see him argue with his business partner and companion, Giancarlo Giammetti. We see him at the pinnacle of his diva-ness. We see him as he should be seen: a human. Seeing him as an actual person rather than fashion royalty connects us more to Valentino. It not only makes him an attainable public figure, but it makes us miss him more. The title of the film says it all. He is, in fact “The Last Emperor.” “Valentino: The Last Emperor” is currently playing in select theaters. Take a look at the slideshow for some sneak peeks! Photo credit: Acolyte Films