Prior to its release on DVD in September, BBC4 is giving viewers the chance to sneak a peek at fashion documentary ‘The Last Emperor’.
The documentary, filmed by Vanity Fair journalist Matt Tyrnauer, features a behind-the-scenes look at the Valentino empire. The footage was shot over a 2-year period, culminating in Valentino’s departure from the label in 2008. The film promises an unvarnished view of the day-to-day running of the brand, with Valentino, his partner Giancarlo Giammetti and their scene-stealing pugs taking centre stage.
‘The Last Emperor’ charts Valentino’s progress from budding designer to fashion icon. Valentino started off his career dressing socialites; his career break came in the mid-Sixties when Jacqueline Kennedy bought a series of black & white couture dresses to wear in the year after JFK’s assassination. Later, Valentino would design Jacqueline’s wedding dress when she married Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
Valentino’s name is now a by-word for red-carpet glamour. He has dressed every major name in Hollywood; including Julia Roberts in vintage black & white Valentino for her Oscar win in 2001.
The DVD, which is scheduled for release during Fashion Week, is anticipated to do well, with films about fashion setting a recent precedent of appealing to mainstream audiences. ‘The September Issue’ gave us an up-close-and-personal look at the inner workings of American Vogue; ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ was a box-office smash, and even the ‘Sex and the City’ sequel offers a chance for high-fashion to shine – with the connection going full circle, as Sarah Jessica Parker wore Valentino to the New York premiere.
Fashion and film together mean big business, and ‘The Last Emperor’ is a sometimes acerbic, but fitting, tribute to the man who has tirelessly championed glamour throughout his 45-year career. It’s proved to be fashion’s truest constant from Camelot to Oscar night; an indication that in the ever-changing world of fashion, some ideas are just timeless.
See ‘The Last Emperor’ on 7th June at 10pm, and Thursday 10th at 12.30am.

Sources:

www.guardian.co.uk/culture

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture