Two creative forces go head to head in this charming documentary from New York City Ballet; the famous Italian designer Valentino Garavani and the company's Ballet Master in Chief, Peter Martins, collaborate on four ballets for the Bal de Couture fall gala. The video provides an inside look the their turbulent creative process.

"For this ballet, Peter saw the costumes, then he has to do the choreography. It's all upside down!" Valentino smirks. Martins gets exasperated when Valentino, struck by inspiration, decides to add another costume -- "I said, 'Valentino, that's fantastic, except I don't have another dancer!'" They work it out, somehow. "He's a big star," Martins says. "What Valentino wants, happens. I don't think he's used to collaborations, but I'll introduce him to that notion." 

Valentino's eye for sexy elegance pushes the company's boundaries too --  with tutus, the "shorter they are, [the] better they are!" When he suggests a ballerina sport a sheer top, they draw the line. 

The documentary was directed by Matt Bockelman of Fly's Eye Films, with Evan S. Frushtick, Zach Neumeyer, Paul Yee, Jeff Clark, and Ric Savarese. It's part of a series of promotional videos that include a portrait of the company, a look the perfect pair of ballet slippers and a dancer's-eye view of a pas de deux. 

For more films from New York City Ballet, visit http://nycballet.com.