In this morning’s WWD writer Jacob Bernstein poses an interesting question about whether or not fashion’s intense global exposure takes away a bit of the mystique that made it so interesting for so long.

It’s certainly a valid point. But not one that I think that I can come down on one side or the other on. Certainly, part of what drew me into the world of fashion and magazines as a kid growing up in Indiana was the apparent exclusivity of the club. Well, that along with the beautiful people wearing the beautiful clothes in the beautiful photographs.

But these are different times. Obviously (and thankfully, considering how I earn my living) there’s the internet. But the article also cites reality television (Project Runway, The Rachel Zoe Project, ANTM), documentaries like Valentino: The Last Emperor and The September Issue, and even the photography of Terry Richardson and Juergen Teller as giving the world an actual look in on our little world. Kate Betts said, “Fashion used to be a much smaller and more insulated business,Then it became more of a global business and now it’s in many respects a part of the entertainment business.”

We are so excited for September.

While the official list won’t be released until August 17th, we just received a huge rundown of events for Fashion’s Night Out, the New York City fashion celebration this September 10th. Over 300 retailers in all five boroughs have already signed up to party from 6pm to 11pm. We’re a little overwhelmed by it…in a good way.

We already told you about Alex Wang at Barney’s. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Also at Barney’s? The Olsen twins (girl crush times two!), Jonathan Adler and Lisa Perry, on hand to teach you how to knit. After you learn, you can knit a square to be included in a blanket to be sold to benefit the September 11th Memorial Fund.

“I told my agent, ‘I want to do anything to do with fashion. I’m amazed how fast it [the show] is, in two minutes it’s over.” - Bradley Cooper to WWD from the front row at Louis Vuitton. We have the Valentino movie to thank for our obsession’s new found obsession. That movie just keeps on giving.

If you haven’t had your fill of Fashion TV, haven’t been satisfied with copious model interviews and backstage videos of Fall 09 Fashion Month and the return of Blair Waldorf’s Monday night headbands wasn’t enough for you, don’t worry, the TV gods are on the lookout.

This morning marked Carine Roitfeld’s television debut, but since no one seems to know exactly when the CNN International profile will be airing, times are listed all over the place, and not everyone gets CNN International, we’d suggest watching it on-line.

But save it for Saturday and devote your entire day to fashion. Start with the premiere of House of Style at 3pm. According to Erin Fetherston’s Facebook page she’ll be rounding out the Chanel Iman/ Bar Rafaeli trifecta. Then watch Carine’s profile. Take a break before heading over to Film Forum on Houston to catch Valentino: The Last Emperor at 8pm.

And if that doesn’t satiate your fashion appetite, we suggest Barneys.

And now, something that has nothing to do with Fashion Week:

Some lucky people may have gotten to go to advance screenings of the Valentino documentary, Valentino: The Last Emperor, but we have some good news for everybody else, too.

The film finally has a regular release date - March 18th. It’ll play at NYC’s Film Forum for two weeks, and then it’ll launch in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco on March 27th.

We suggest using Fandango.

But back to Fall 09 - Next up: BCBG, Costello Tagliapietra, Abaete, Lorick, and more pictures from Red Heart, Charlotte Ronson and more…

I went to today’s screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor, even though it was in the middle of the day / I don’t think pugs are cute / it was way above 14th Street.

But then there was free popcorn, and Andre Leon Talley sat in the seat behind me. The movie started, and it was awesome.

The documentary opens with Valentino’s Spring 06 collection, looks back on the Dolce Vita days and ends with his three day Roman blowout and retirement.

It’s part love story (him and Giancarlo), and part tragic end of an era (of couturiers that simply won’t exist again). It’s about a man who’s wants nothing more than to make women feel beautiful but who can’t, or won’t, find a way to fit into a changed industry, and I totally cried at the end.

But the best bits, which happen all though the movie right up until that final runway bow and Valentino’s heartfelt tears, are all the hysterical Odd Couple moments between Valentino and Giancarlo. They bicker over sets, over models, over pleats, and when Giancarlo asks Valentino why he’s using pink for his finale dresses instead of red, Valentino responds, disgusted, “Enough with the red! The red dresses are the most simple, the most stupid!”

Giancarlo says, “To be with Valentino as a friend, as a lover, as an employee - it’s all the same. You need a lot of patience.” And then he tells Valentino he’s too tan, which was, I think, Andre’s favorite moment.

Mine? When Karl Lagerfeld congratulated Valentino, “This is how it’s done. Compared to us, all the rest are making rags!”

We’re pretty sure everybody and their editor saw the clips of the Valentino pugs yesterday -

But have you seen the two adorable clips made live just yesterday?

In one, Valentino and co. remember the past in true Italian style.

In the other, Valentino answers the question Freud put forth - “What do women want?” (But his answer, well…)

The Acolyte Films people still say they’re not sure when Valentino: The Last Emperor finally hits normal screens, but if you happen to be at the opening of the Hamptons Film Festival on October 15th, then you’re in luck.

Until then, just clips…