Valentino: The Last Emperor

Incredible.

This documentary showed every side of Valentino, his sense of humor, his utter and complete control of his image and brand and his soft side.

"If the toilets are set up that way, I'm not coming."

-Valentino remarks regarding his 45th Anniversary Party in Rome

Valentino comes off at first as a hot headed power crazed little man. The man is 75 and incredibly spot on. The film states that he is one of the last haute couture designers, which I must agree. But their description of why he is so unique was right on. In order for a designer to be fully haute couture (all production is done by hand by a group of seamstresses), you have to learn by apprenticeship. Nobody teaches haute couture in school, so in order for someone to know it now for the 45 years Valentino himself designed you must have learned in the 50s from someone who learned it in the 20s. His talent is unique and the line after his departure will never be the same. On a lighter note, Valentino has quite the sense of humor. He makes very sarcastic sharp remarks that keep everyone on their toes. He has 5 pugs and values them more than his clothing line. He even travels with the little rascals!During the 45th anniversary celebration in Rome last July of 2007, an exhibition was constructed with the 'greatest hits' of his work and after seeing it thoroughly Lagerfeld exclaimed, "Compared to us, they are all making rags." Which I feel is nothing but the truth.As much as I love designers now a days there is still a certain touch and feeling of looking at work done by those that were trained years before my time. Technology today is taking some personality and passion out of clothing and that is something that cannot ever be replaced. As these iconic designers leave their lines to a younger generation they leave behind their vision, although it will never truly be the same.Valentino today continues to be one of the greats and this film explains why and gives us a little insight into his day to day life that we would never get and die to see.

http://www.valentinomovie.com/