superb sunday

This morning I woke up to a gloomy sky that provided a brisk temperature perfect for opening some windows and snuggling under a blanket with candles lit. After having an impeccable brunch of pouched egg and grilled turkey bagel sandwich and a fruit and yogurt bowl, I tidyed up, took a long shower bundled up in my bathrobe and decided to watch Valentino: The Last Emperor with a hot cup of coffee in the aforementioned environment provided by the weather.

With opening credits set to "Bette Davis Eyes," one is overwhelmed by the utmost of couture.  Every single thing Mr. Valentino produces is made by hand and envisioned, sketched, and edited by him personally. Mixed with clips spanning his nearly half century career, we see visions of Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Sofia Loren, and almost everyone else who truly embodied Couture and Glamour. {namely Jackie Kennedy, the ultimate, whose entire wardrobe was designed by Valentino himself}

{Kennedy and Loren in Valentino circa 1960's}

It worries me that Valentino truly is the "last emperor" and most of his true muses are gone and away replaced with tabloid celebrities and reality show worship.  What happened to the homage paid to those who worked hard for what they wanted and built themselves up, honored for their success, those who are one of a kind.

With the help, guidance, and love of Giancarlo Giammetti, who is his business partner, lover, friend, {and not to forget his five pug puppies}  Valentino Red is absolutely the epitome of couture.  What I loved most about the movie, yes, even more than the clothes, was the behind the scenes look at what really goes into making everything impeccable.  Tempers flair and frustration runs high.  We see many sleepless days and nights, full of non-stop, high-pressure work.  Valentino speaks his mind and fights for what he believes in. The scenes with Valentino and Uncle Karl are unreal. I simply died at the overflowing amount of talent. ("Compared to us, the rest are making rags!" K.Lag.)  For the brand's  45th Anniversary, Giammetti created more of a museum than a fashion show. It left me reeling with excitement, delight, and emotion at such a stunning career.

Both Valentino and Giancarlo are masters of their craft and have fought tooth and nail to make Valentino Red the premier label of fashion. Rome, the eternal city and Valentino's starting point,  was not built in a day, and so... is nothing else.

Valentino: The Last Emperor, your ingenious will be missed on the runway, but as you said, the occasion was "unrepeatable." The party truly is still full.

{Valentino and Giammetti via Wmagazine}

After the hectic day I had yesterday this film really does light my fire to embody that strength, courage, and gumption to do better and accomplish whatever it is I desire. For, anything is possible: you just have to be willing to fight and claw your way through all the nonsense to get to it.

I really think former American Vogue editor Andre summed it up the best at the sentimental ending of the show, "It is the triumph of will! The triumph of the will to be!"

The world truly is your oyster.  As one of my favorite movies proclaims: carpe.diem