About Ashleigh McKenna
After first subscribing to sweetspot.ca to get to know her new city, Ashleigh McKenna now gets to help find the sweet stuff worth sharing as Editor and General Manager. Go behind the scenes from favourite manicure spots to product sneak peeks and more.
Fashion Icon on Film
girl about t.o. Toronto
(Jul.09.09)
"How was I?" Valentino Garavani asks Giancarlo Giammetti, his partner of more than 40 years. "Tell me the Truth."
"Okay, I'll tell you..." Giametti says.
"You look a little bit too tan."
It's just one of the (many) intimate exchanges between the two Italians that makes this movie a must-watch, fashion fan or not.
On Monday night I attended a screening for Valentino: The Last Emperor, expecting to enjoy it but with no idea to what extent. In short, I love this man.
(Images courtesy of Phase 4 Films)
Director Matt Tyrnauer (inspired to shoot after writing a 2004 Vanity Fair piece on the couple), captures conversations that reveal all kinds of inner workings of this fashion empire over the designer's final two years. (The male models he hired as crew helped, he said in a Q&A after the movie.)
From following his five pugs to couture fittings, business takeovers, celebrations and shows, at the core is always these two men and what they mean to each other (even when they're at each other's throats. Tyrnauer had full creative control).
The entire theatre was laughing (and not just at the director's impressions of Valentino, who he described as the most difficult man in the world). And with all of the extra footage (he shot more than 270 hours) and bonus material, I can't wait for the DVD release in the fall.
Valentino: The Last Emperor opens Friday, July 10 in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver (Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa later this summer). Not on the list? Vote online for a release date near you. It's worth it.
Regardless of what you think of the tan.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy:
- More things to do in your city with our Guides to the Sweet Life
- A trailer for Vogue documentary, The September Issue
The Trailer (the tan exchange is at 2:30):