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Legendary designer Valentino, seen here with Gwyneth Paltrow, is the subject of a new documentary "Valentino: The Last Emperor."

There are admittedly many perks to being on staff at SOAPnet HQ, chief among them being paid to watch soap operas. Another great one is access to the greenroom of "The View," where we can hang out with all the celebs before they hit the famous buttercup couch. We were especially excited today because fashion legend Valentino was the guest.

First things first, he unfortunately did not bring his six pugs to the studio. But the ladies of "The View" were dressed to the nines. Barbara, of course, was wearing a classic Valentino blazer and skirt (in his signature red, naturally). Even Whoopi dressed up in her finest hot pink brocade tunic -- which Valentino complimented with enthusiasm, making the Whoopster blush. See the clip here.

Valentino retired in 2007 after spending nearly 45 years as an haute couturier in Paris and Italy. His signature red dresses have been worn by style icons for decades, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Sophia Loren to Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts (remember her stunning black vintage dress when she won the Oscar for Best Actress?).