Nick Verreos's Blog

NICKVERREOS.COM...NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE: Nick Verreos Hosts, Sketching and Draping Events, How to Book Nick!

I'm so EXCITED to announce my *NEW & IMPROVED* NickVerreos.com Website!!! We've revamped the site to not just give people info. on me, what I am up to, plus all my books of Sketching, Pattern Making as well as my NEWEST book on FASHION DRAPING, "The Fundamentals of Fashion Draping" (More on that at the end of this BLOG!)...

AND...since I get many requests to host Special Events, as well as my Fashion Sketching Events and Draping Events...

as well as Beauty Events, Fashion Contests and Fashion Panel Discussions...

On the NEW website, you can easily pick the type of event and "Book Nick"!! by clicking each section...
Book me for a SKETCHING EVENT HERE!
You can also book me for a FASHION DRAPING EVENT HERE!
And yes, if you are interested in buying my books...

I'm especially excited for my LATEST BOOK "The Fundamentals of Fashion Sketching"! You can buy that book + all my others by clicking HERE !
Sooooo...Go check out my *NEW & IMPROVED* site! XO, Nick

NICK APPEARANCES.....Co-Hosting the WEHO PRIDE PARADE 2024 Live Telecast on KTLA5: RECAP!

  Happy Pride--(L to R) Nick Verreos, Cher Calvin and John Fenoglio, KTLA 5 Live Telecast, WeHo Pride Parade 2024

June is PRIDE Month and for the second year in a row, I was invited to co-host the great KTLA 5 Live Telecast of the WeHo PRIDE Parade! WeHo Pride Parade is normally the first PRIDE Parade here in Los Angeles celebrating PRIDE Month. It is held in the City of West Hollywood, with floats and paraders coming down Santa Monica Blvd. for all the thousands of attendees to see. 

WeHo PRIDE 2023--Last year, I co-hosted with Cher and Pedro Rivera (Pedro has since moved to NYC to work for KABC there) and we had a BLAST! And so I was humbled and honored to have been asked again to be part of the team...
Special Guest-WeHo PRIDE 2023--With Lance Bass (!)...Nick Verreos, Cher Calvin, and Pedro Rivera--KTLA 5, WeHo PRIDE 2023
Now, back to this year's WeHo PRIDE and our Live Telecast...
Naturally, I brought my hubby David with me because he had no option (LOL!)...actually, he loves coming to these events and as always, is there to support me and ends up being THE BEST SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER EVER taking the BEST #BTS photos and videos of us filming and the parade itself. Love him!
Nick Verreos--At WeHo PRIDE 2024, West Hollywood CA
PRIDE Looks--Then (WeHo PRIDE 2023) and Now (WeHo PRIDE 2024)
It might look as if I was wearing the same outfit as last year, but...it's not: I kept the color scheme the same (pink and bright yellow), but just switched the items of clothing...Now, speaking of BRIGHT YELLOW JACKETS: For some reason, my jacket (and more importantly, the COLOR!) was attracting these tiny little flies (!) and I was not a happy camper. We figured out that the brightness of my jacket was acting like one of those bright infrared lights that are used to catch insects and flies LOL! Before the telecast, David spent most of his time trying to swap the flies away from my jacket, to no avail.Note to self: Only wear this jacket INDOORS!
Nick Verreos and David Paul--WeHo PRIDE 2024
PRIDE FANS--(L to R) Nick Verreos, Cher Calvin, and John Fenoglio, on set at the KTLA5 WeHo PRIDE 2024 Stage
We're LIVE! Nick Verreos, Cher Calvin, and John Fenoglio on stage at the KTLA5 WeHo PRIDE 2024 Live Telecast
KTLA5 Double-Decker PRIDE BUS! As it passed by our stage at WeHo PRIDE 2024
During our live telecast, the fabulous "ICON" float was passing by, with the INCREDIBLE Cyndi Lauper...Cher Calvin turned to me and said "Nick! I GOTTA GO! I HAVE to go down there and meet CYNDI!" I was gave her my "Nick Look" of "No Should've Would've Could've! Do it!", and so...
Cyndi Lauper (in silver jacket and crown) and Cher Calvin (with Megan Telles)--WeHo PRIDE 2024
"Here Comes Trouble"--(L to R) Cher Calvin, Nick Verreos, Megan Telles, and John Fenoglio--KTLA5 WeHo PRIDE 2024
KTLA5 Love--Nick Verreos, Cher Calvin, and John Fenoglio with "Guest Visits" from reporter and weathercaster Kacey Montoya (top) and Weekend Morning News co-anchor and reporter Lauren Lyster (lower)
Right after we wrapped our 3-hour+ telecast, we all celebrated and took group photos with the OUTSTANDING KTLA production crew that makes us (and the show) look amazing:
That's A Wrap! Honored to have been part of another WONDERFUL WeHo PRIDE Live Telecast with the incredible KTLA crew! Many Thank You's to Executive Producers Marcus Smith, Jacob Burch, and KTLA News Director Erica Hill Rodriguez, and the entire team! 
Kylie Fans--Nick Verreos and David Paul at "Kylie Minogue Way"--WeHo PRIDE 2024--Kylie was performing later that Sunday night but needless to say, we just went home after my Live Telecast work and called it a day (and night!). This is as close as we got to "Kylie" ;)

Until Next Year (I hope!)...HAPPY PRIDE!
**You can WATCH a REPLAY of our WeHo PRIDE Parade 2024 Live Telecast by clicking HERE!

PREMIERES.....Star Wars: The Acolyte World Launch Event Premiere + FIDM Sketching Contest Winner!

The Acolyte Hollywood Premiere--At the "Star Wars: The Acolyte" World Launch Event & Premiere--Nick Verreos, David Paul, and "The Acolyte" Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan and The Acolyte X FIDM Sketching Contest Winner Ashot "Ash" Markosyan, El Capitan Theatre Hollywood

Last week, David and I were invited to the World Launch Event, and the new Disney+ Star Wars series "The Acolyte" premiered on June 4th. Several weeks back, we (as Chairpersons of the FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Programs) partnered with Disney+ and the new show, to promote it, by having an EXCLUSIVE to FIDM Students and Alumni FASHION SKETCHING CONTEST, "The Acolyte X FIDM Fashion Sketching Contest". 

Nick Verreos, World Launch Event and Premiere for "Star Wars: The Acolyte"--El Capitan Theatre Hollywood

For the contest, we asked FIDM students and alumni to sketch a FASHION sketch inspired by the new show, but again, draw a FASHION interpretation, not do another costume as it were. 

The Acolyte X FIDM Fashion Sketching Contest--A collage (above) of some of the entries in the fashion sketching competition, inspired by the new "Star Wars: The Acolyte" Disney+ show

The eventual TOP Winner and 2 Finalists would be chosen by the series' Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan, and as a prize, they would attend the World Launch Premiere and the Winner would have a chance for a one-on-one with the Costume Designer! I'm a big Star Wars fan and was thrilled (along with David) to be invited to attend as well. Here are photos from the WONDERFUL night:

Nick Verreos and David Paul, at the World Launch Event and Premiere of "Star Wars: The Acolyte" Disney+ show, El Capitan Theatre Hollywood
Nick Verreos and David Paul, with "The Acolyte" costume from Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan (behind them, on podium/mannequin)
Soon after arriving, we met up with the Winner of "The Acolyte X FIDM Fashion Sketching Contest", Ashot "Ash" Markosyan, who was very excited and humbled to be there:
FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Co-Chairs Nick Verreos and David Paul, with FIDM Advanced Fashion Design graduate and winner of "The Acolyte X FIDM Fashion Sketching Contest" Ashot "Ash" Markosyan (wearing black cap and sweater)--"Star Wars: The Acolyte" World Launch Event and Premiere, El Capitan Theatre Hollywood
Winning Sketch--Sketch by Ashot "Ash" Markosyan, "The Acolyte X FIDM Fashion Sketching Contest"
The Top Three Sketches--We had MANY SUBMISSIONS and the show's Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan chose these sketches above, as her Top 3 Choices (L to R) Lynlea Michaels (Finalist), Ashot Ash" Markosyan (Winner) and Raiah Chavah Young (Finalist)


David Paul, Jennifer L. Bryan, Ashot "Ash" Markosyan, and Nick Verreos--World Launch Event and Premiere of "Star Wars: The Acolyte" Disney+ Show
"The Acolyte" Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan and Ashot "Ash" Markosyan, winner of "The Acolyte" X FIDM Fashion Sketching Contest

Just by chance, as we were walking the Red Carpet, I spotted the show's Costume Designer, then fabulous Jennifer L. Bryan--we had met years ago at a FIDM Museum TV Costume Exhibition when her costumes for "Breaking Bad" were being shown. I introduced her to the person who had sketched the Winning Design (that she chose) of the sketching contest! Soon afterward, we were joined by the other two finalists whom Jennifer picked...
"The Acolyte" Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan (2nd from right), with Sketching Contest Winner and Finalists (L to R) Raiah Chavah Young, Lynlea Michaels, and Ashot "Ash" Markosyan--World Launch Event and Premiere of "Star Wars: The Acolyte", El Capitan Theatre Hollywood
"The Acolyte" Inspired--Finalist Sketch from Lynlea Michaels (a FIDM Alumna)
"The Acolyte" Inspired--Finalist Sketch, from Raiah Chavah Young, a graduate of the FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program
Group Pic--Nick Verreos and David Paul celebrating the evening with our FIDM Fashion Sketching Winner Ashot "Ash" Markosyan (far right) and Finalists Raiah Chavah Young and Lynlea Michaels (2nd and 3rd from left) as well as "The Acolyte" Costume Designer Jennifer L. Bryan
Lightsaber Red Carpet--Nick Verreos with a group of "Star Wars" enthusiasts, who brought their own lightsabers!
Last but not least, I was SOOOOO inspired by the new Disney+ series "The Acolyte"--as well as the Sketching Competition--that I had to do MY OWN "Star Wars: The Acolyte"-inspired FASHION SKETCH -- even though I was not allowed to compete ;)

"Star Wars: The Acolyte"-inspired Fashion Sketch by Nick Verreos
May the Force Be With You! 

NICK HOSTS.....Hosting the ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony Wynn Las Vegas: PHOTO RECAP!

  Hello Las Vegas--Nick Verreos Hosting the ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony, Wynn Las Vegas, with Angela Sweeney (L) MAXI Awards Vice Chair, and Cherilyn Megill (R) MAXI Awards Chair

Back in May, I had the privilege of MC'ing the ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas! This (I was informed by my hubby David) was my THIRD TIME being invited to host! ICSC stands for the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Global Awards Ceremony, along with the MAXI Awards honors and celebrates the achievements of visual merchandisers and marketplace (i.e. shopping centers) marketing experts and their EXCEPTIONAL efforts to engage and serve their communities. Consider this the "Oscars" of Shopping Center Events Best of the Best! 

Nick Verreos-ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony, Wynn Las Vegas

Check out my RECAP of my time in Las Vegas--from arriving to dining + the Ceremony:

ICSC put us up at the Palms Resort--Nick Verreos and David Paul, Palms Resort Las Vegas
Pool Boy--I didn't bring my swimsuit (Oh well!) since I didn't think I would have time for much "resort'ing" LOL! But I did get to check out the expansive pool area at the Palms (looked nice!). As it was, when we arrived we only had time to take these photos since they were closing the entire area down for some big outdoors "Foodie" event later that day.
Nick Verreos and David Paul--Palms Resort Las Vegas

In my short two days in Las Vegas, I enjoyed one nice dinner: Delicious Mexican food at La Popular CDMX Restaurant at the Palms:

Margarita Time!-- Nick Verreos and David Paul, La Popular Restaurant, Palms Resort Las Vegas
Dinner Time: For my main entrée, I had the Chicken Mole Enchiladas, while David had the Ribeye Tacos. We also started with Chips and Guacamole. All muy bien and delicioso!--La Popular CDMX Restaurant, Palms Resort Las Vegas

Also...we ran into some very cute "kids" on their way out to EDC. Yes, kids, this was THE SAME WEEKEND as the Electric Daisy Carnival (Lordy there were LOTS of thongs but luckily not on these kids!!!):

Going to EDC...well...not me! ;)

Next day were the Awards and my Hosting, which was at the very fabulous and upscale Wynn Las Vegas--starting with Rehearsals:

At the Wynn Las Vegas--Nick Verreos and David Paul

Nick Verreos at Rehearsals for the ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony--Wynn Las Vegas

Time for a (fancy) Outfit Change and...the AWARDS!

Nick Verreos and David Paul--Ready for the ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony, Wynn Las Vegas
Look Who's Hosting--Nick Verreos, ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony, Wynn Las Vegas
On Stage--Hosting the ICSC 2024 Global awards Ceremony, Wynn Las Vegas

The ICSC Global Awards represent an international spectrum of marketplaces (therefore the "Global")--from Canada (big winners this year!) to Malaysia, Uruguay, South Africa, and yes, the USA (Hawaii were big winners too!). Here are photos with some of the OUTSTANDING Winners (+ guests) from this year's Awards:

Nick Verreos with Winners (and guests)--ICSC 2024 Global Awards Ceremony, Wynn Las Vegas

I has a blast hosting this year and it was amazing meeting all the fabulous and very talented marketing and visual experts and how they can transform the landscape of shopping center events and drive interest and excitement with consumers. 

ICSC 2024 Global Awards Fab Three--(L to R) Angela Sweeney, Nick Verreos and Cherilyn Megill, Wynn Las Vegas
Until Next Year (I hope!)

FIDM DEBUT.....Solstiss Lace and TCL NXT in FASHION Competitions for the FIDM DEBUT 2024 Show!

FIDM DEBUT Collaborations--(Clockwise from top) Solstiss CEO Francois Damide presenting Solstiss winner Tiana Nguyen Mai with Nick Verreos and David Paul; TCL  x FIDM NXT in Fashion Winner Ronald Harris Jr. with Nick Verreos and David Paul; Model in Ronald Harris Jr. Design; Model in Design by Tiana Nguyen--FIDM DEBUT 2024 Show

As part of this year's FIDM DEBUT final show, we had the honor of collaborating with two WONDERFUL companies--one, a French Couture Lace company, Solstiss--and the other, TCL Electronics--to develop two separate design competitions, each with their own fabulous prizes and each creating exciting and creative collaborations to expand our student's creative visions. The winning designs and students were announced and presented at the end of the DEBUT Show, creating an outstanding and exciting finish.

SOLSTISS x FIDM:

FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Co-Chairs Nick Verreos and David Paul with Solstiss CEO Francois Damide at the FIDM DEBUT 2024 Show, Cooper Design Space Los Angeles
Earlier in the program year, we had the opportunity to collaborate with our very good friend, Solstiss Lace CEO Francois Damide, on an exciting opportunity for our Advanced Fashion Design Program students, titled the Solstiss Academy . Damide visited our class and presented a masterclass on the History of French Lace and, in particular, what makes Solstiss couture lace among the best in the world. In addition, during the masterclass, he educated our students on understanding handmade textiles and introduced the sponsoring Solstiss Academy program. 
SOLSTISS x FIDM DEBUT 2024 Designers: (L to R) Kevin Sayari, Raiah Chavah Young, Andrea Urdaneta Ranaldi, Bella Jean Conner and Tiana Nguyen Mai--Cooper Design Space Los Angeles
Several Advanced Fashion Design Program students were given yards of Solstiss couture French Lace and incorporated them into their final DEBUT 2024 capsule collection designs. They were then subsequently judged by a panel of design industry experts and Solstiss CEO Francois Damide, who would then eventually present a TOP PRIZE of a $3,000 Solstiss Lace credit and fabric credit prizes to the second and third place finalists...
The Solstiss X FIDM First Prize...went to Tiana Nguyen Mai (L) with Nick Verreos, Solstiss CEO Francois Damide, and David Paul--FIDM DEBUT 2024
First Prize Design using Solstiss French Lace, from Tiana Nguyen Mai--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Finalists Bella Jean Conner (L) and Kevin Sayari (R)--using Solstiss French Lace--FIDM DEBUT 2024
TCL x FIDM NXT in FASHION COMPETITION: FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Co-Chairs Nick Verreos and David Paul, with FIDM Alumna, Project Runway Finalist, Designer Candice Cuoco, one of the Judges of the FIDM x TCL NXT in FASHION Competition--FIDM DEBUT 2024
In addition to collaborating with Solstiss Lace, we had the pleasure of partnering with TCL Electronics for a special competition called TCL NXT in FASHION ! TCL gifted our 21 Advanced Fashion Design Program with the unique TCL NXTPAPER 11 tablet to sketch their designs for their final project, the FIDM Debut Fashion Show. A renowned panel of judges evaluated their creations and bestowed cash prizes, furnished by TCL to the top designers. A total grand prize of $10,000 was awarded to a Winner and two finalists...
The TOP prize of $7,000 cash went to Ronald Harris Jr.--FIDM x TCL NXT in FASHION Competition, FIDM DEBUT 2024
The Finalists: Graduates Cam Wilson (his design at lower left) and Ash (his design at lower right) received cash prizes of $2,000 and $1,000 respectively--FIDM x TCL NXT in FASHION Competition, FIDM DEBUT 2024
The TCL x FIDM NXT in FASHION Competition Winner and Finalists with Judges--The judging panel was composed of notable alumni and figures from the fashion industry including Candice Cuoco, Project Runway finalist and current Vice President of Creative at Frederick's Hollywood and House of Desire; Godoy (not pictured), former Netflix Next in Fashion contestant and RuPaul's Drag Race designer; Marina Toybina, seven-time Emmy Award-winning costume designer; Trinidad Garcia, a marine veteran and owner of Trinidad3 Jeans; TJ Walker, FIDM faculty member and co-founder of Cross Colours and Black Design Collective; and TCL's Manager of Social Media Kaylaynn McAdams.

CONGRATULATIONS Ronald Harris Jr.!!! And a HUGE THANK YOU to Solstiss and TCL for their wonderful partnerships, and collaborations, and for adding an extra FABULOUS touch to our final FIDM DEBUT Runway Show!

FIDM DEBUT.....FIDM DEBUT 2024 Runway Show - The Final Show Collection Photos Recap!

 FIDM DEBUT 2024--Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduates Cameron Wilson, Joanne Yeung, Joselito "Nezumi" San Juan, Ashot Markosyan, and Ronald Harris Jr. --FIDM DEBUT 2024 Show, Cooper Design Space Downtown Los Angeles

Photos courtesy of ABImages, Alex Berliner and Ben Shmikler

FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Program Co-Chairs Nick Verreos and David Paul--Hosting the FIDM DEBUT 2024 Runway Show, Cooper Design Space Los Angeles

At the end of March, we had our final FIDM DEBUT Show at the Cooper Design Space in Downtown Los Angeles. The DEBUT SHOW is the final graduation fashion show for our Advanced Fashion Design Program graduates from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. As Co-Chairs of the FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Programs, David and I are not only the Chairpersons of the Programs but in regards to the DEBUT Show, we are also the Creative Directors of the show. 

The FIDM DEBUT Show originated back in 1980, and it features the capsule collections of the program's graduates...it's the college's version of the "Fashion School Graduation Fashion Show".  Typically for many years, the DEBUT Show and Advanced Fashion Design Program only accepted 10-12 students for the 9-month program, where the students get to create their first collection, from ideation to finished garments, spending the time working on their inspiration, doing research, mood boards...to draping, making the patterns, creating muslin samples, having fittings on live models, and ultimately sewing the finished garments to be shown at the DEBUT Show. As a side note: I was one of those Advanced Fashion Design students when I attended FIDM and got to present my first collection at the FIDM DEBUT Show over 30 years ago (!).

View of the audience at this year's FIDM DEBUT Show, Cooper Design Space, Downtown Los Angeles
Model in look from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Ashot Markosyan--FIDM DEBUT 2024, Cooper Design Space Los Angeles

For this year's program, we accepted 21 students, as a result of having such outstanding applicants! Also, after FIDM's campus and its fashion program merged with ASU, part of the sale involved a dissolution of our FIDM Fashion Design Programs so therefore, this became our final FIDM DEBUT Show...and we ended it with a STYLISH BANG!

FIDM Fashion Design Co-Chairs Nick Verreos and David Paul--FIDM DEBUT 2024

Here are photos from the FIDM DEBUT 2024 Show featuring the capsule collections from some of our 21 graduates:

Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Ashot Markosyan--FIDM DEBUT 2024

Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Cameron Wilson--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Joanne Yeung--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Jonah Pugmire--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Morgan Laboure--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Olivia Ronayne--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Raiah Chavah Young--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Andrea Urdaneta Ranaldi--FIDM DEBUT 2024

Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Ronald Harris Jr.--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Joselito "Nezumi" San Juan--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Kevin Sayari--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Designs from FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program graduate Viola Wan--FIDM DEBUT 2024
Congratulations to ALL of our 21 graduates and their fabulous collections! Many THANK YOU'S to everyone who was involved in making our final DEBUT Show and our time as Co-Chairs come to a stylish end...
FIDM Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion Design Co-Chairs Nick Verreos and David Paul MC'ing the FIDM DEBUT 2024 Show from the Cooper Design Space in Downton Los Angeles
Post-Show--FIDM DEBUT 2024
The End! 
We were so EXCITED to see the nice press of the show on WWD and FashionUnited.UK:




TO WATCH THE FULL DEBUT 2024 SHOW, click HERE!

FASHION EXHIBITION....."Women Dressing Women" Exhibition at the Met Museum NYC: Photos

Couture Women--Gowns on display (L to R) Madame Gres, Claire McCardell, and Jeanne Lanvin--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Anna Wintour Costume Center Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

Continuing with my Met Museum blog posts, this time we were at the "Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, which explores the creativity and artistic legacy of female designers from the Met's permanent collection. The exhibition showcases the work of many female designers--from Jeanne Lanvin to Madame Gres, to Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, Claire McCardell, and Japan's Rei Kawakubo, to name a few, tracing a lineage of their work from the turn of the 20th century to today. Over 70 designs are featured. It runs until March 3, 2024.

Here are some photos of the designs on display:

Entrance Making--the entrance to the "Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, featuring designs from Madame Gres and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons--Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Madeleine VIONNET F/W 1924-25--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Sarah Burton for ALEXANDER MCQUEEN S/S 2012--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
(L to R) Maria Grazia Chiuru for CHRISTIAN DIOR Cruise 2020, Collina Strada F/W 2021/22, and Marine Serre S/S 2022--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Simone Rocha S/S 2022 and Isabel Toledo S/S 1993 "Kangaroo" Dress--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Georgina Godley A/W 1986-87 "Lump & Bump Collection" Dress--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Vivienne Westwood F/W 1994-95 "On Liberty" Suit, Vivienne Tam 1995 "Mao" Printed Suit"--Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Zandra Rhodes (center) Coat 1968-69--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Claire McCardell 1945--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Jessie Franklin Turner "Tea Gown" 1928--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Elsa SCHIAPARELLI Dinner Dress 1940--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Jeanne LANVIN "Cyclone" Gown 1939--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Ana de Pombo for the House of PAQUIN Evening Dress trimmed in Colobus Monkey Fur 1938--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
The couture details of this silk charmeuse dress...check out the hand-done mini gathering--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Louiseboulanger 1928 "Feathered" Dress and Boue Soeurs 1928 "Court Dress" to be presented at the Court of St. James--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
If you are in NYC and love fashion, head to the Met Museum and check out this exhibition--it will run until March 3, 2024.

ART BLOG.....The MANET DEGAS Exhibition at the Met Museum NYC: Pics

Art Gorgeous--Manet/Degas Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

A couple of weeks ago, along with David, we traveled to NYC for his Birthday...for some sightseeing, the MADONNA (!) Concert and Broadway (of course!). We also wanted to go to the Met Museum to see the Manet/Degas Exhibition as well as the "Women Dressing Women" Fashion Exhibition (that blog is next!). 

Met Boys--Nick Verreos and David Paul, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Manet/Degas--Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
The exhibition is (as the Museum says) "an artistic dialogue examining the close relationship between Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas", and how they chronicled the Bourgeois life of France at the time. The exhibition closes soon (January 7, 2024) so it was a special occasion that we got to see it before closing.
Here are some photos from the wonderful exhibition:
Manet/Degas Exhibition--Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Sketch of Edouard Manet, Seated, Holding his Hat--by Edgar Degas (1868)
A Study for "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" (1863-68)--by Edouard Manet
Lorenzo Pagas and Auguste De Gas (1871-72), by Edgar Degas--The man on the right is the artist's brother and he is seen here listening to the Spanish singer on the left.
Family Portrait of the Bellelli Family (1858-1867), by Edgar Degas--It is a portrait of his aunt, her husband, and their two daughters. Notice the tension within them...the alienation between the sexes, the stern aunt...perhaps not a happy family.
Olympia (1863-65), by Manet--This famous painting shows a nude woman lounging as her black maid brings her flowers. The nude woman is purportedly a high-end prostitute or courtesan (the name "Olympia" was associated at the time with prostitutes), and her maid is probably bringing flowers from one of her clients. The confrontational gaze of the woman was shocking to contemporary audiences in that it shows assurance and comfort as opposed to being ashamed.
The Spanish Singer (1860), by Manet--Spain and anything associated with the country was in vogue at the time so this was a reflection of that. Though the picture was admired for its realistic detail, Manet did not disguise the fact that it was composed in a studio using a model and props. The left-handed singer holds a guitar strung for a right-handed player, and his fingering suggests that he is unfamiliar with the instrument. His outfit was fashioned from costumes that Manet kept on hand at his art studio.
The Dead Toreador (1864), by Manet--Continuing with the Spain theme, this stunning painting portrays a toreador lying dead after a bullfight. The contrast of the blood dripping from his mouth, as he holds his chest with his hand, with the beauty and elegance of his satiny silk stockings and toreador ensemble makes this painting strangely beautiful.
Lola de Valence (1862), by Manet--More Spain Love....from Manet; here is Lola de Valence, a Spanish ballet dancer, shown here in a pose reminiscent of the Goya Duquesa de Alba painting.
Repose (1871), by Manet--This famous painting shows the bored, breathless entitlement of the bourgeoisie of the time. The subject here is artist Berthe Morisot, who was married to Manet's brother. It has been commented that the sitter, albeit beautiful, and serene in her rich silk embroidered gown, is looking bored with her too-lovely of a life. 
Boating (1874), by Manet--This painting supposedly shows Manet's brother-in-law, and an unknown woman, on a boat.
In a Cafe (1876), by Degas--This painting shows a woman and a man sitting next to each other at a cafe. She is drinking absinthe (the glass with green liquid in front of her) and both are looking rather sad and lonely. The cafe is the Cafe de la Nouvelle-Athenes in Paris.
Plum Brandy (1877), by Manet--This famous painting depicts a woman sitting at a cafe in a lethargic pose, as she holds a cigarette and has her plum brandy in front of her. It has been said that the painting depicts loneliness and a rather quiet melancholic scene of a working girl (it has been argued whether or not she was a prostitute) in Paris during the time.
The Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche (Nativity Scene) at the Met Museum NYC
**NEXT UP: The "Women Dressing Women" Fashion Exhibition!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....MISS UNIVERSE 2023 FINALS: Winner and TOP 10 EVENING GOWNS!

Best in Gown--(L to R) Michelle Dee, Miss Universe Philippines, Diana Silva, Miss Venezuela, Karla Guilfu, Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Isabella Garcia-Manzo, Miss Universe El Salvador, Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe Nicaragua (and Miss Universe 2023)--72nd Miss Universe Finals

This past Saturday was the finals of the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, held in San Salvador, El Salvador. Out of the 84 contestants from all over the world, this year's pageant featured MANY firsts: There were two transgender contestants (Netherlands and Portugal), a curvy contestant (Nepal), two mothers (Colombia and Guatemala), the first contestant from Pakistan, the first black woman to represent Spain AND...the first time the country of Nicaragua has won the top title. 

Universal Beauty--Miss Universe Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, gets crowned by last year's winner, R'Bonney Gabriel from USA--72nd Miss Universe Pageant

On that last note, Miss Universe Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, bested the 83 other contestants taking home the final crown. Palacios is 23 years old, stands 5' 11" tall, and has a B.A. in Mass Communication. She is not a novice to beauty pageants, having won Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016 and placed in the Top 20 of Miss Teen Universe. Palacios also won the Miss World Nicaragua 2020 title and went on to compete in the Miss World 2021 pageant. 

Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe Nicaragua wearing her National Costume, the Zanate, a long-tailed blackbird abundant in Nicaragua--72nd Miss Universe Pageant

Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023
Now, let's discuss THE EVENING GOWNS! Sequined Ladies--During the Finals, the TOP 10 contestants competed in the Evening Gown portion of the contest, wearing their choice of gowns. Let's discuss my LIST from 1-10 of the gowns worn by this year's TOP 10. 
Let's begin with my TOP FAVORITE gown, from Miss Universe Phillippines: 1. Michelle Dee, PHILIPPINES--Michelle wore my top pick of the TOP 10 gowns, in this black stunner. The design featured a sheer nude illusion upper section highlighted by black jet sequins which then was finished off with a black side draped skirt showcasing a high side "slit". 
The design was a tribute to Apo Whang-Od, who is considered the last and oldest mambabatok (tattoo artist) of the Kalinga ethnic group. She is an icon known for preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tattoo art. The gown was designed by Mark Bumgarner.
2. Diana Silva, VENEZUELA--Diana wore this gown for the Preliminary Competition, and while lots of contestants changed their evening gowns for the Finals, Diana decided to keep it the same (at the Preliminaries, she wore it with a feathered "Opera Coat" which she didn't include here). The shimmery design featured cascading layers of crystal fringe layered over a nude sequined base and was inspired by Venezuela's Angel Falls. It was a stunning gown designed by Venezuelan designer Richard Ramirez Castro.
3. Karla Guilfu, PUERTO RICO--Karla wore this strapless violet-hued gown featuring a nude illusion base covered in jeweled crystals. The look was finished off with a matching sequined shoulder-and-neck piece with falling crystal fringe. It was designed by Angel Guzman.
4. Isabella Garcia-Manzo, EL SALVADOR--At # 4, I have Miss Universe El Salvador and this white Grecian Goddess-style gown. I loved this for the fact that it didn't look like everyone else's (nude-and-sequins gown!) and it was chic, fashionable, and suitable for any "Red Carpet". The gown featured a gorgeous draped detail, exposed midriff, and stunning sequined trim.
5. Sheynnis Palacios, NICARAGUA--Designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed, this gown--worn by the eventual winner of the top prize!--was a beautiful VERY Miss Venezuela-type gown. It ticked off all the boxes of that perfect "Pageant Gown": The white colored sequined fit-to-flare shape and style, the horsehair at the bottom, the intricate jeweled off-the-shoulder neckline and bust details...oh, and of course, the DIVA back satin cape. It was Pageant Queen Drama! All she needed was the crown. 
Of note, this was a gown change from the preliminaries--for that, she wore this one above which was UBER SEXY!
6. Camila Escribens, PERU--Camila also changed her gown from what she wore in the preliminaries (she wore a sequined nude-and-yellow dress). For the finals she wore this turquoise-and-amethyst sequins-and-nude gown. Designed by Peruvian designer Jose Zafra of Zafra Couture, the dress was sexy and followed the trend of these nude-and-sequins dresses the pageant girls LOVE. I liked the gorgeous crystal work and undulating straps over the shoulder.
7. Anntonia Porsild, THAILAND--Anntonia probably takes the award for "Most Nude of the Nude Pageant Dresses", in this design, created by Thai gown brand Myriad Grand Monde and Designer Thinthananpachr Chantajaroenpon. The look consisted of, yes, a nude tulle base covered in crystals. More specifically, lots of the silver crystals were in the form of stars. The inspiration for the gown was the Stars in the Universe (Awwww!). It was quite a dress and most certainly, you had to have quite the body to pull it off...and Annotnia did.
8. Moraya Wilson, AUSTRALIA--Moraya also wore a nude-and-silver crystal gown but this time, it wasn't as nude as what the other women wore (at least there was that!). This gown, designed by Australian bridal designer Alin Le' Kal, was inspired by his "Eleonora" style featuring a perfectly fitting mermaid shape in tulle, with under corset and hand-beaded crystals throughout. It was probably the most "traditional" gown of the Top 10, but still quite pretty.
9. Camila Avela, COLOMBIA--Stop me if you have heard this before: It is a nude sequined gown! In my No. 9 (out of 10), is Miss Universe Colombia in this fit-and-flare strapless nude-white gown completely covered in hand-placed crystals. The design featured sequins framing the strapless neckline and boned inside to create the perfect upper body cinched fit. The dress, which she also wore for the Preliminaries, was designed by Colombian designer John Lecksell.
Lastly... 10. Athenea Perez, SPAIN--In my last place, is the beautiful Miss Universe Spain, Athenea Perez in this neon green sequined dress. The gown, designed by Puerto Rican designer Jose Karlo, continued on with the nude-and-sequined trend just like most of the Top 10 Semi-Finalists. The gown featured greenish-yellow crystals that climbed her body and looked like beautiful ocean coral. I liked the color and yes, I've seen this nude/sequins style before, but my real problem was the obvious visibility of her panties; it was just distracting, to be honest. For the Preliminaries, Athenea wore this...
Which I LOVED--and she probably should have worn it again for the Finals.

That's a wrap! On my Miss Universe 2023 Finals and Evening Gowns Recap! 

ICE STYLE.....Grand Prix de France RECAP: ICE DANCE!

80's Fab--Ice Dance Teams during their 80's Themed Rhythm Dances: Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Soerensen (Canada), Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (Italy), and Lorraine McNamara and Anton Spiridonov (USA), Grand Prix de France 2023

Recapping the costumes from the 2023 Grand Prix de France, I have blogged about the WOMEN HERE, and the MEN HERE...so now I wanted to finish with the ICE DANCE:

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (Italy) Rhythm Dance--Skating their 80's Music Themed Rhythm dance to Holding Out For a Hero by Bonnie Tyler, John Steinman and Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins, this Italian Ice Dance team looked 80's Kitchy Fab! The Retro Eurovision Vibes were off the charts! I loved the shocking colors of electric blue, and fuchsia pink...the zig-zag/pointed/thunderbolt-like details were so good...and her makeup and side ponytail: WOW! I expected nothing less than 1000% in terms of an 80s-inspired look from these two! Bravo!
Free Dance to Through the Sheets (from "Emily" soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski, Arrival of the Birds (from "The Crimsonwing Mystery of the Flamingos" by The Cinematic Orchestra, A Model of the Universe ("The Theory of Everything" soundtrack) by Johann Johannsson, Closing Credits ("The Dressmaker" soundtrack) by David Hirschfelder--Guignard and Fabbri's costumes for their Free Dance were more classic and subdued elegant in their design and coloring. I enjoyed the midnight blue and magenta hues and light sprinkles of crystals. But what I really loved was Marco's look and how sexy that top looked on him and how it fit, especially showcasing those very toned arms of his!
Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Nikolaj Soerensen (Canada) Rhythm Dance--Take one guess at what they skated to? If you guessed "Top Gun", you were right! In fact, they skated to Top Gun Anthem (Top Gun soundtrack) by Harold Faltermeyer, Steve Stevens, Playing With the Boys (Top Gun soundtrack) by Kenny Loggins, Take My Breath Away (Top Gun soundtrack) by Berlin, Hot Summer Nights (Top Gun soundtrack) by Miami Sound Machine, and Danger Zone (Top Gun soundtrack) by Kenny Loggins. In terms of costumes, they got it right! Nikolaj looked Tom Cruise-dashing in his figure skating version of the iconic "Top Gun" bomber jacket (tighter and with stretch, and worn as a shirt). I also liked the "jeans". Laurence looked pretty in her red and dark denim mini-wrap skirt. 
Free Dance to Music from "Notre Dame de Paris"--Laurence and Nikolaj looked the part of Esmeralda and Grigoire (I assume he's not Quasimodo!) in these costumes above for their Free Dance. The looks evoked the blend of 1990s and late 1400s Period (the time when the story was from) which were the inspirations for the original designs from the musical, created by the costume designer Fred Sathal. While Nikolaj's top was more 1492-esque, her green swirly crop top and low-slung wrap skirt were definitely 90s...with the top especially being reminiscent of Esmeralda's costume in the musical (above photo) but updated to showcase Laurence's incredible body. 
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac (Canada) Rhythm Dance--Skating to Need You Tonight, Never Tear Us Apart, and Devil Inside by INXS, Lauriault and Le Gac wore these red and black looks above. Marie-Jade wore a skin-tight red bodysuit with sheer panels, an open back, and silver crystal embellishment. Romain's look featured black stretchy jeans and a loose deep-v-neck tunic top. The jeans and top were a bit of a Michael Hutchence homage since we know he loved those loose-fitting rocker/hippy looks. Interestingly enough, the top had prints that looked like Louis Vuitton's classic monogram featuring the quatrefoil and flower symbols. I haven't found any reference to Vuitton creating these looks so?
Free Dance to Corpse Bride (soundtrack) by Danny Elfman--One word: WOW! Oh, and let me add two more: SPOOKY Couture! These looks were great for many reasons: Of course, they went with the music and theme/inspiration, and they were done very well, very thought out, and complete--from the hair, and makeup (both his and hers) to each of their costumes. Her violet ombre dyed skeletal look was Iris Van Herpen-like in its design and detail...and Romain looked both debonair and evil in a sleeveless tuxedo tails suit with perfectly gathered sleeves. 
Marie Dupayage and Thomas Nabais (France) Rhythm Dance--For the 1980's-themed Rhythm Dance, this French team chose to skate to a more Rocker 80s by skating to St. John by Aerosmith, Cry Me a River by Aerosmith, Should I Stay Or Should I Go by The Clash. I liked the black, the slashing, and especially, his asymmetrical open-sleeve top, and to be frank, it gave me more of a 1990s-style vibe than 80s. But I still thought they looked HOT!
Free Dance to Mechanisms by Kirill Richter, Arioso (Largo F minor concerto) by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by William Haviland--For their Free Dance, they wore these black looks with a velvet-and-chiffon "windowpane" detail, as seen on their arms, neck and shoulders. These were modern, and minimalist designs that worked with the music. My only critique is that from the black sleek looks of their Rhythm Dance to these black sleek looks, there really wasn't that much of a differentiation. 

Lorraine McNamara and Anton Spiridomov (USA) Rhythm Dance--For their Rhythm Dance this season, McNamara and Spiridomov went with the one-and-only Prince! They skated to Kiss by Prince, Slow Love by Prince, Let's Go Crazy by Prince, and Slow Love arranged by Karl Hugo wearing these looks featuring...what else? PURPLE! Lorraine's costume featured a multicolored printed number with nude netting illusion and purple straps and trim, as well as fun fingerless gloves (of course!). Anton went with THE ICON (Prince), as the inspiration, with a lace/jacquard printed jacket and pants and a very sexy sheer second-skin top that I am sure made Prince proud up somewhere in his Purple Heaven.
Free Dance to Chalkboard by Johann Johannsson, A Deal With Chaos by Johann Johannsson, Camping by Johann Johannsson, and Run by Ludovico Einaudi--For their Free Dance, the costumes were minimalist in design and modern dance-inspired, featuring clean lines, no crystals, no ruffles, just showcasing the lines and movement of their skating and their very toned bodies.