Indulging in the January issues of both Marie Claire and Vogue, I found myself gushing over the beautiful dresses adorned by socialites and celebrities in the magazines. Although I read both MC’s Natalie Portman piece and Vogue’s Rachel McAdams interview, what really caught my eye in the glossy pages was an advertisement for Valentino: The Last Emperor. The documentary by Vanity Fair special correspondent Matt Tyrnauer is now available on DVD and, as the advertisement claimed, is “the most fashionable gift this holiday.”
Having previously heard about the documentary following fashion designer Valentino Garavani, the ad ignited me to rent the DVD. Although the gorgeous gowns are highlighted, the main feature of the film is Valentino’s relationship with Giancarlo Giametti, his partner of 50 years.
Tyrnauer told the history of Valentino’s career in fashion, as well as his love story with Giancarlo, but barely scratched the surface of Italy’s renowned designer. The private and guarded Valentino didn’t wish to divulge his past with the film maker, even demanding Tyrnauer stop filming and since the film was self-financed, Valentino’s cooperation was vital to film success.
Valentino: The Last Emperor shows the glamorous life of an acclaimed fashion designer; from a private jet to residences in France and Italy, and star-studded soirees, Valentino lives the good life. But for all of his possessions, the designer works extremely hard to earn everything he has. The Italian is meticulous with each garment, striving for perfection, and the beautiful finished pieces are a tribute to Valentino’s hard work.
The glimpse into Valentino Garavani’s life is an interesting one and apparently others agree. According to the Hollywood Reporter, after producer/director Ivan Reitman watched the film in Toronto, he recommended it for his neighbour, Oprah Winfrey. Like Reitman, Oprah enjoyed the film, and decided to dedicate half an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show to the film. Thanks to Oprah, what started off as a self-financed, self-distributed film has grossed nearly $2 million thus far.
Although Valentino may not have enjoyed the filming process, the end result must please his perfectionist taste. Like the designer, Tyrnauer clearly paid attention to detail, and it shows. Valentino: The Last Emperor may have been self-financed, but no expense was spared in the quality of this production. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film has made the shortlist for best documentary feature Oscar; karma for a dedicated and hardworking documentarian.