ETCETERIST: Couture, ready-to-wear, men’s clothing, beautiful houses, pugs — and now added to your résumé, movie star. I saw Matt Tyrnauer’s “Valentino: The Last Emperor” at a screening, and people were sobbing over the examination of a life devoted to beauty and your relationship with your partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, for more than half a century. The film is the talk of the United States in a year when California’s Proposition 8 opposing gay marriage, which only recently was voted legal in that state, is one of the most topical issues under debate in this country. What are your thoughts about gay marriage. Should it be legal?

VALENTINO: For myself, all these years, I never thought about it in terms of changing the laws. Giammetti and I found our own way — nothing conventional — and it was always friendship first, always the most important thing: the friendship. I am neither for it legally, or against it, so I have no personal agenda here.

ETC: Matt’s film is so intimate. I wonder what you like most and like least about it.

VALENTINO: In general, I am very pleased with the film. What I am most appreciative of is how it documents our lives and our intimate work with all the people who made so much beauty for so many years in Rome before I retired.

ETC: And least?

VALENTINO: After a very short time, with Matt filming us every day for nearly two and a half years, I forgot the camera was there. When I first saw the film, and the sort of deep friendship and intimate conversations between myself and Giancarlo, I think I would have avoided this. But now I am OK with that, too.

ETC: This film opens in the midst of a dire worldwide recession. Although I don’t actually know anyone who has done this, people who do shop are supposedly asking for their purchases to be put in unmarked bags so no one sees they have bought anything expensive. What are your thoughts about fashion, shopping and the economy now?

VALENTINO: I am very sad to look at Madison Avenue or London and see how much people are psychologically disturbed by the economy. No, the days of buying a couture dress are not here, but to lift the spirits, maybe buy a little something — a bit of perfume, a scarf, something to give yourself more confidence and pleasure.

ETC: The unmarked shopping bags? Have you seen that?

VALENTINO: I haven’t, but I understand that women do not want to be thought of as uncaring in this economy. I will tell you something else: As saddened as I am to see so much financial trouble for so many people, I am personally feeling lucky that I left fashion at the right moment before these very, very difficult times.

ETC: Your pugs are your co-stars in Matt’s film. How are they coping with stardom?

VALENTINO: Ah, my pugs, I miss them so. We had to leave them home and I have been traveling now for almost a month and will not be home for two more weeks. I woke up this morning and I was so sad not to be with them.

ETC: What are their names?

VALENTINO: The mother is named Molly, the two girls are Margo and Maude and the boys are Milton and Monty. I cannot bear even to say their names. I miss them so much!