OK ........ Bravo! For VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR!
HAYYYYY!! OK ....... Found the dvd of VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR at Target [of all places] today. Loved the movie! And you know me, and how much I love anything to do with films about haute couture.
However, if you have an interest in VALENTINO, please know that it will be quite different from the legendary ISAAC MIZRAHI: UNZIPPED and MARC JACOBS & LOUIS VUITTON [both technically not haute couture houses]. UNZIPPED, which was released as the super model rage was beginning to wane, gave viewers a glimpse of the creation process, along with Mizrahi's adorable personality.
MARC JACOBS, which is actually the best of the three, dissected Marc's creative process from start to finish. I loved that Jacobs was routinely inspired by modern art [and musicians such as Lil Kim and Madonna, who inspired the 2009 LV campaign].
But back to VALENTINO, ........ while the film is about his relationship with Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino's life and business partner for 50+ years, it is also a commentary on how big "bottom line" business has invaded the world of high fashion. The designer stages a celebration of his 45 years in fashion, while at the same time, trying to decide if he wants to continue.
Four of my favorite VALENTINO moments:
1. Valentino and Giammetti host a lavish party for a guest list that includes Joan Collins, Anna Wintour [I'm still waiting to see THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE], Gwyneth Paltrow [she is all over this film, no wonder the girl is hardly in any movies, she's with Valentino everyday] and Martha Stewart. Anyway, Martha starts snooping around the washing room and kitchen. She walks right up to the chef and says, "Hi, I'm Martha Stewart. I write cookbooks in America." To which the chef coldly responds, "oh, I KNOW YOU."
2. Love, love, love me some fashions [and hair] from the 60's. This movie has plenty of 60's footage, including Valentino's designs for Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie O.
3. Micheal, the major domo for Valentino's 6 homes [which include a villa in Rome, an apartment in New York, and a chalet in Gstaad]. This man obviously knows his job. He was always trying to stay two steps ahead of a thankless man whose head is in the clouds. Sounds like a director I know [and worked for].
4. Valentino has 5 pugs that go everywhere .. Milton, Monty, Margot, Maude and Molly!
Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice ........