Fashion Designer Valentino Hopes to Bring His Life Story to Broadway

Legendary fashion designer Valentino Garavani hopes to create a Broadway musical about his life and extensive career, according to Italy’s La Repubblica. No creative team, casting or planned dates have been announced.

“We're looking at the possibility of taking my story to Broadway, as a musical,” the retired 79 year-old designer told the newspaper.

Valentino’s career was the subject of the acclaimed 2009 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor. The designer admits he was less than ecstatic with the film’s portrayal of himself, as it often featured scenes of him and his longtime partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, shouting uncontrollably at each other.

“I came across as a despot,” he said. “The director had surprised Giammetti and me when we were arguing, which we always do in French. But then [at the end of the film’s first screening] the applause never stopped and I realized that people like me as I am.” Valentino gowns have been favorites on the Hollywood red carpet, including the yellow dress Cate Blanchett wore the night she won her Academy Award and a red gown worn by Anne Hathaway at the 2011 Oscars.

Valentino wouldn’t be the first fashion designer to inspire a musical based on his life: Katharine Hepburn scored a Tony nod in 1970 for playing Coco Chanel in the Andre Previn and Alan Jay Lerner-penned musical Coco.