Fashion Movies, Pt. 2, 'Valentino The Last Emperor'

With all the bare belly buttons--usually pierced and studded -- , scarily low-rise denims (and those flabby resulting 'muffin tops' exposed when worn by practically everyone who's not size 6 or smaller!), and sloppiness of flip flops (remember the flip-flop shod guest at the White House? for more background on this see "so many shoes"), respectable attire in the USA seems to be lurking very close to rock bottom.

Lord, do I sound old, prudish, boring or what? Wait! Not sure I wanna know the answer to this one!

BUT...these sloppy trends seem all the more surprising when young women seem to adore the stylish, cutting edge looks from TV shows like Sex and the City and movies like Devil Wears Prada and contemporary well-dressed headline makers like Reese Witherspoon, Gwen Stefani and Gwyneth Paltrow. (Although sadly, the skanky looks of Brittany, Paris and sometimes Lindsay offer WAY too much fashion role-modeling it would seem). Young women also declare in surveys and facebook pages that Audrey Hepburn remains a huge style icon (even Natalie Portman, a very current day actress, dons Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's dress, pearls and hair style for a recent photo in Vanity Fair.) Queen Latifah has got to be the best example ever of "plus size style," and Beyonce, who's SOOO not "plus" but femininely curvy, serve as testaments to looking great even when the bod's not a scrawny clothes hanger.

Maybe with a broad spectrum of designer's now declaring "death" to the ultra-low-rise pant, and the many fashion movies on the horizon, girls/women will make a fashion turn-around. We can only hope!

Yes, 2008 will present a good dose of fashion-oriented movies! Eye Candy, Yeah!

First before audiences is the documentary about the life of legendary fashion designer, Valentino. The film will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, May 14-25, 2008. Valentino, The Last Emperor documents the personal and professional life of a man who has dressed international royalty, jet set socialites, and USA "royalty" from Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and current day high profile beauties like Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Anniston, Halle Berry, Gwen Stefani and Gwyneth Paltrow.*

The Sex and the City movie opens nationwide on May 30!!! There'll definitely be some major fashion eye-candy there! One promotion shows Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) saying "I don't need a big diamond, just give me a really big closet!"

Gotta give kudos to Julia Roberts (and her stylist) for re-introducing Valentino to a new female fans. Although long famous for his red colored gowns to women "of a certain age" (uh...that would be ME!), Roberts revealed that Valentino is a master of basic Black and White when she donned a vintage Valentino (yet so deliciously current, despite it's vintage status) at the 2001 Oscar award ceremony where she won for Erin Brokovitch

Before anyone out there gives me grief about Valentino's predominantly evening wear/formal occassion styles...yes, I know we're not running around in chiffon gowns and updo hair styles just to get to the grocery store. But the appreciation of looking well groomed, laundered, well fitted in our clothes, has nothing to do with the expense, the fabric, or the event.

Understanding Valentino's impeccable style, appreciating his classy approach, will give all of us a bit more "oomph" in the self-respect department. And that usually helps us smile a bit more easily, stand a bit more confidently (please, the grocery cart is not a walker...don't use it as one if you're under 62 years old), interact a bit more easily, and...who knows what miracles could happen (LOL)!

Coco Chanel's life, early years, later years, middle years, are all in production. Audrey Tautou** will play Ms. Chanel's character in an "early years" bio-pic. Shirley MacLaine set for the "older" Ms. Chanel, and Demi Moore in negotiations to also portrait the fabulous Chanel!***

And if this selection isn't enticing enough, Karl Lagerfeld is having a documentary made of his life at Chanel (I'm guessing to get in on the publicity re: the bio-pics) and Jude Law is in talks to play the Sleek and debonair Halston in his Studio 54, Liza Minnelli hey days! ***

Does anyone but me remember that Jackie O was using Halston back in the Sixties? He began his climb to fame as the creator of those pill box hats she made so famous! (Didn't have to look that one up...I just knew from years of appreciating the well turned out female...as did my mother, and both of my grandmothers).

For more on fashion and the movies, check out http://hubpages.com/hub/Fashionable-Movies

P.S. Valentino has retired, but his firm will carry on. A designer from Gucci has been taken on to replace "The Emperor."

* EW.com

* *USA Today

*** May, 2008, UK Harper's Bazaar

Specifics gleaned from Wikipedia, and EW.com.