The movie was directed and produced by special correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, Matt Tyrnauer, who was born in Los Angeles.

The film is billed as a glimpse into a world of bygone glamour.

Filmed from June 2005 to July 2007, the crew shot hundreds of hours of footage of one of Italy's most prominent designers and his entourage, including his six pug dogs.

Tyrnauer said: "When we screened all the raw footage before starting to edit, we were pleased to find we had more than a fashion movie on our hands.

"The result, I hope, is a dramatic story about a master confronting the final act of his celebrated career.

"The movie, in certain ways - thanks almost entirely to its stars - plays more like a feature film than a documentary."

The designer announced his retirement in 2007, two months after a lavish three day celebration in Rome of 45 years in the fashion industry which drew a huge celebrity turnout.

In 1990 he, along with Liz Taylor, helped found a charity helping children infected with HIV.

In 2001, Julia Roberts accepted an Oscar wearing vintage Valentino.