City Arts Center will host the next installment in their Film Night series with “Valentino: The Last Emperor.”  Reception starts at 6 p.m. and film begins at 6:30 p.m. with a fashion conversation immediately following the screening. 

The film follows fashion designer Valentino Garavani from June 2005 to July 2007.  The film documents the final days of Valentino’s celebrated career in 2007 and tells the story of his life and explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today.

The filmmakers were given exclusive and unprecedented access to Valentino and his entourage.  The film shows Valentino’s unique 50-year relationship with his business partner and companion Giancarlo Giametti, a relationship that many do not know about outside of Valentino and Giametti’s inner circle of friends.  To watch the trailer of the film, visit www.valentinofilm.com.

Valentino became infatuated with men’s and women’s fashion in 1949 when he was 17.  He moved to Paris, France from Italy where he worked as an apprentice for fashion designers.  In 1959, he moved back to Italy where he opened his first fashion house.  In the mid-1960s he became the undisputed maestro of Italian Couture and in 1967 was awarded the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, the equivalent of an Oscar in the fashion world.  In the 60s, Valentino dressed stars such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn.

The Film Night also includes a fashion conversation.  Designer Johnathan Kayne and Ruth Meyers’ owner Cindi Shelby will be leading the conversation.  Kayne was a participant in season 3 of “Project Runway.”  Kayne specializes in formal wear and dressed participants in the Miss Oklahoma U.S.A pageant.  He now resides in Norman, Okla. where he owns the Johnathan Kayne Studio.  For more information about Johnathan Kayne, visit www.johnathankayne.com.

“Valentino is a giant figure in the fashion world, Mary Ann Prior, executive director of City Arts Center, said.  “He is known for his lavish lifestyle of private jets, pugs, art collections and sumptuously decorated mansions.  But there is more to him than that. He was a visionary designer who presented a ‘no-color’ collection consisting of an  all-white, cream, beige, sand and ecru palette at a time when psychedelic color dominated the fashion industry. The film provides the perfect backdrop for a panel discussion about whether fashion can ever truly be considered as art.”

Tickets for Film Night are $10 for adults and $7 for students.  Tickets can be purchased in advance or the night of the film.