I have finally got a chance to watch the documentary about the world's famous coutourier - Mr. Valentino Garavani. I've been trying to find the movie in store, but ended up someone directed me to The Last Emperor, about the last Chinese king which is famous long time ago. Lol. But alas, the right one that I'm searching for is available.
Valentino: The Last Emperor, produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, is an intimate and engaging fly-on-the-wall exploration of the singular world of one of Italy's most famous designer. It was shot between June 2005 to July 2007, showcasing the footage of exclusive, unprecedented access to Valentino and his entourage. It is a beautiful documentary/movie by which you can watch how the fashion maestro works for the past 45 years of his career in fashion. From starting with a sketch, to doing the draping on a 'living' model not on a mannequin, the arrays of celebrities that befriended him and the ups and down of his business empire where he started with his business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. It's extraordinary.
And it's also showcased how Mr Valentino is also a normal human being. A person whom feeling that he could never hide - when he got emotional upon receiving the award from French Government on his contribution in fashion and thanking Giammetti to have being on his side in all his ups and downs, to a man with temper which he got angry at times during the film shoot. But nonetheless, it's the Valentino dresses is what it's all about. I am so much speechless, and so do his master seamstress, to see hundreds of dresses that the man has made - donned on the mannequin, arranged in a beautiful and remarkable manner in the art gallery in Rome during the exhibition of his '45 Years of Style.
In short, this documentary is a must-see for any fashion lovers. For you to get inspired, for you to celebrate what the famous fashion maestro has given the world about the meaning of couture, and for you to see how following your own dream really what it's all about.
My favourite quote from Mr. Valentino: "... I love beautiful things. It's not my fault...". :)
Sketch for his final show
It's all handstitched!
Fittings done on a 'live' model
The master seamstress
His chateau in Paris
Getting emotional upon receiving the award
His celeb friends including Liz Hurley
The decor of his yacht
Selecting pieces for the exhibition
The master seamstress is awed by all the dresses that she helped created.
The dresses on the mannequin.. on the very tall wall
With his designer friend, Karl Lagerfeld - who was amazed with the dresses
Backstage during the final show
Andre Leon Talley of Vogue taking a snap of the models
The meastro final walk.
The celebration near Colosseum
Beautiful acrobatic act...
... who wears the Red Valentino dresses
