In Memoriam: Costume Designer Nolan Miller--A Shoulder Pad GOD!

In Memoriam: Costume Designer Nolan Miller--A Shoulder Pad GOD!

Praise to One of My First Design Gods:

Ruffles and Poufs: Joan Collins, John Forsythe and Linda Evans, "Dynasty" TV Show, Costume Designer Nolan Miller

Last Wednesday June 6th, American fashion designer and television costume designer Nolan Miller passed away, at the age of 79. Miller had been ill for a while and he finally succumbed to lung cancer. He was one of my first "Design Gods". As a young boy--who only DREAMED of being a Fashion Designer while looking at glossy Vogue magazines and shows like "Dynasty" back in the 80's (yes, I am aging myself and I do not care!), I was in awe of his designs and the world he created through his incomparable design eye.

Nolan Miller emphasized elegance, excess, glamour with a capital "G", and one word: DIVA. And yes, he was known for being the Emperor of the 80's Shoulder Pads. Of course, Miller is famous for being the Costume Designer for the TV Show "Dynasty" which aired from 1981-1989--spanning almost the entire decade. In case you may be "Fashion and Costume Design Illiterate", read on...and if you are a "Young UMS" born after 1990, studying to be a Fashion Designer and you do not know who Nolan Miller is, YOU BETTER!

Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere

 Lanvin designs by Alber Elbaz

Every other Fashion Designer worth his Croquis Salt is referencing him--whether they want to admit it or not, such as Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga and  Alber Elbaz of Lanvin (see photos above) as well as many, many others. Anyhow, here's a quick Bio on Mr. Nolan Miller:

Born in Texas, Nolan Miller studied design at the Chouinard Art Institute (now the California Art Institute). He is best known for his costume design work for the long-running TV series "Dynasty" and especially for the looks that top stars Linda Evans, Joan  Collins and Diahann Carroll "featured". Miller exemplified the 80's Excess and Glamour Look.

Dynasty Divas: There were always LOTS of ruffles, lots of DRAMA, and yes, very, very STRONG SHOULDERS.

"The Colby's": Nolan Miller also designed for the "Dynasty" TV Show spinoff "The Colbys"--more shoulder pads, and more hand-beaded sequins darlings! Before he gained his "Shoulder Pad and Ruffle" TV Fame on that show as well as "Dynasty", Miller also was the Costume Designer for shows such as...

 "Charlie's Angels": Butch and Feminine Detective Chic

"The Love Boat": Hello Julie McCoy and her poly-jersey gathered off-the-shoulder "Cruise Ship" Dresses!

"Fantasy Island": Resort Glam

"Gilligan's Island": Ginger's sexy va-va-boom v-neck coral-colored sequined dress was designed by Nolan Miller

Branding and Licensing King:

Blouson Pattern: During the 80's, designer Nolan Miller also created McCall's Patterns--dresses, blouses and much more featuring those very shoulder-padded and BLOUSON'ed sleeves, nipped-in waists and over-all 80's "I-Got-Money-and-You-Don't" style--all based on "Dynasty" characters played by the ever-so-chic Joan Collins and Diahann Carroll.

Nolan Miller QVC: For 19 years, Nolan Miller was on QVC showcasing his fabulous "Nolan Miller Glamour Collection for QVC" jewelry and accessories; they were beautiful, colorful, costume-and Couture inspired and well, for 19 years, they did pretty well for him and QVC.  In 2011, he announced that he was retiring from QVC.



Nolan Miller on The Red Carpet:

Elizabeth Taylor in a Nolan Miller gown: Taylor wore it to the Golden Globes in 1985 when she received the Cecil
B deMille Award for her Outstanding Contribution in the Entertainment
Field. It went for $7,500 in the "Elizabeth Taylor Christie's Online Auction" last year.

Sophia Loren: Nolan Miller (left) and actress (and DIVA) Sophia Loren, wearing a Nolan Miller red gown at the 2000 Costume Designers Guild Awards.

Sketch Fab:

Illustration Fierce: Above are several Fashion Illustrations--including ones of "Dynasty" actresses and Muses Linda Evans and Joan Collins---Nolan Miller



Mr. Miller...

You will be missed. Thank you for inspiring a very young Greek-Venezuelan boy with a Dream!

MILAN FASHION WEEK / PODSUMOWANIE / THE BEST OF

MILAN FASHION WEEK / PODSUMOWANIE / THE BEST OF

Prada

Z pozoru niepasujące do siebie ubrania razem tworzyły niezwykle eklektyczną całość. U Miucci tym razem krata przeplata się z kolorowymi wzorkami na rajstopach, a bluza zyskuje  pikowane wykończenie. Jednak tym co urzekło mnie najbardziej są lakierowane, dwukolorowe botki ze złotą klamrą.

Simingly mismatched clothes. But it all created an eclectic whole. This time Miuccia mixed grill with a colorful patterns on tights. Blouse is quilted. I love lacquered, two-tone boots, with a gold buckle.

Gucci

Gdyby Alessandro Michele założył własną markę byłaby ona prawdopodobnie jedyną konkurencją dla Gucci. W kolekcji na sezon jesień/zima 2016 znajduje się wszystko, dosłownie wszystko, co najlepsze. Kolory, błysk, futra, tiul(!), wzory… Można by tak wyliczać w nieskończoność.

If Alessandro Michele created his own brand, it would probably be the only competition for Gucci. New fall 2016 ready to wear collection has everything what the best. Colors, shine, furs, tulle(!), patterns… You could just enumerate indefinitely.

Versace

Sportowo i seksownie. Momentami bardzo dziewczęco. A to za sprawą kolorów. Różu i niebieskiego.   Między czernią pojawiły się również wzory jakby namalowane pędzlem.

Sporty and sexy. At some moments, it was very girly. That’s because of colors, pink and blue.  Between black, we could see patterns which looked like painted with a brush.

Moschino

Z każdym sezonem Moschino zaskakuje coraz bardziej. Jak już wiemy „zaskakiwanie” jest domeną Jeremiego Scotta. To była rockowa lekcja historia. Pojawił się nawet ogień! Sam projektant powiedział: „Kolekcja inspirowana jest Fajerwerkami próżności”. Nie chodziło mu jednak o film, a o ognisko wszystkich rzeczy próżnych i upadłych w 1497 roku we Florencji. Ach, nie można zapomnieć też o sukni żyrandolu.

With every sezon Moschino suprises more and more. As we know “suprising” is what Jeremy Scott likes the most. It was a rock, history lesson. Even fire was included! The designer said: “It’s inspired by the Bonfire of the Vanities”. He wasn’t thinking about the movie. It was about all things vain and fallen in 1497 in Florence. And don’t forget about chandelier dress.

Roberto Cavalli

Istna dżungla. Kobieta lansowana przez dom mody Cavalli jest drapieżna, seksowna i kobieca. Równie dobrze wygląda w  garniturze, co w prześwitującej sukni wieczorowej.

Jungle. Women launched by Cavalli is Wild, sexy and feminine. She looks good in a suit or in a translucent evening gown.

Photo credit:www.vogue.com/