NEW YORK — Queen Latifah has tapped Carmen Marc Valvo to whip up a few gowns for her new flick, “Last Holiday.”
The designs include a strapless, silk chiffon floor-length dress, which sounds appropriate for her role as “Georgia Byrd,” a cookware saleswoman who dresses up her life with a European vacation once she learns she is terminally ill.
Latifah is also expected to step out in a Carmen Marc Valvo gown at the Friday premiere of the movie, which was made by Paramount Pictures, and has requested two dresses from the designer for the Golden Globe Awards. “You know how they like to have options,” Valvo said.
He has dressed the rapper-turned-actress for various red-carpet events in the past, including the Kennedy Center awards and the premiere of “Taxi,” as well as for cover shoots for Glamour and Ebony magazines. Latifah’s stylist, Susan Moses, connected the designer with Latifah, but the two have yet to meet.
“I’m the only one in the office who has never had the pleasure of meeting Queen Latifah, which is kind of funny,” Valvo said.
Like all the celebrities he dresses, Valvo makes a mannequin based on the individual’s measurements to ensure his creations fit them properly. “We drape on the mannequin to fit her dimensions. That way there are no alterations,” he said.
Valvo was also recruited by Patricia Field to design some dresses for “The Devil Wears Prada,” but he is not certain if they made the cut. “A lot of times they end up on the cutting room floor. You have to see the movie to find out,” he said.
With 7th on Sixth just weeks away, Valvo is wary of any other celebrity creations. “All these people are calling looking for dresses. Please … before the show?”