Valentino: The Last Emperor, A Must-See Documentary for Any Fashionista

Out of Italy, home to the fashion capital of the world, come the greatest fashion designers of the past few decades. Above all, even Dolce & Gabbana’s risqué advertisements and Prada’s ever-adapting lines, is Valentino Garavani. Valentino: The Last Emperor, focuses on the legendary couturier and his impact on the fashion industry throughout his four-decade rule.

The documentary allows a peek inside the creative process of the master, featuring a single year of his life. The camera follows Valentino’s work from sketch, to fitting, to sewing, to runway. Although the filming focuses on 2006-2007, it also elaborates on Valentino’s past projects, highlighting works created for stars such as Jacqueline Kennedy.

Like any quality film, this movie of business and the creative process also has a love story. Viewers get a look inside the rocky, but passionate relationship between the designer and Giancarlo Giammetti, his lover and business partner. In the documentary, Giammetti says that the two have only been apart a total of about eight weeks in their nearly 60-year-long relationship. This romantic aspect of the film creates a well-rounded story because, despite the bickering over finances, the two men’s love is clear through their words, glances and gifts.

The in-depth look into Valentino’s life shows his passion so clearly that it’s no wonder that the film acquired a nomination and two awards. In 2008, it won Chicago’s International Film Festival’s Best Documentary award, along with a 2009 Capri, Hollywood win. The movie was also a nominee for the Satellite Awards’ Best Motion Picture, Documentary in 2009.

The documentary does get a little overwhelming in parts. Throughout his career, Valentino created countless artistic designs and many of them are so intricate and embellished that, like fine art, they take a moment to digest. At times, the camera flashed so quickly from one gown to the next that the blur of sequins and silk made me a little dizzy.

However, by the end, the nausea subsided and I developed a deeper appreciation for the master of design. If you couldn’t care less about wrinkles or matching, this film’s probably not for you. However, Valentino: The Last Emperor is a documentary that any true fashion connoisseur would enjoy.

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