Paris Fashion Week Minute: Alexander McQueen and Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013--Photos + Runway Videos!

Paris Fashion Week Minute: Alexander McQueen and Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013--Photos + Runway Videos!

Buzzzzzzzzz...and Joan Crawford/Adrian Homage...



Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013:

 Beekeeper Chic: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013

Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton unveiled her Spring/Summer 2013 offering at Paris Fashion Week and EVERYONE was a-buzz about it. Oh, and did I mention that the inspiration came from Beekeepers, honeycombs and bees?

The models' heads were covered in fashionista versions of beekeepers' veils.  And the honeycomb-like print popped up in every variation (not to mention the buzzzz-ing bees soundtrack at the end). The collection was exquisite--for the most part--and very McQueen. Style.com said "The clothes they wore refracted a honeycomb motif
through a dozen wasp-waisted guises, bound, haltered, and harnessed in a
tortoiseshell that could quite equally have been a rich, sweet toffee.
The hyper-exaggerated female silhouette was derived from the pinups of
Alberto Vargas." 

 Beekeeper Chic: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013

The suits were UBER fitted with  rounded peplums, slim tulip'ed pencil skirts and capri pants--the SKINNIEST EVER!!--and with Princess seamed slits. Where Burton went a little "Oh Dear!" were the Scarlett O'Hara crinolined gowns that looked a little too much like a Carol Burnett/Bob Mackie sketch. Besides that--it was a FAB collection. And, as always with what is shown at an Alexander McQueen Runway Show, it will be very interesting to see what actually makes it to their stores --i.e. THE "Pippa" dress in various colors, black leather jackets, black sheath dresses, black pencil skirts and well, more black...

Which one of these "Beekeeper Collection" Spring/Summer 2013 items can you see on my dear TV Guide Network "Award Show Fashion Wrap" Girlfriend, Tabatha Coffey (she LOVES McQueen you know...)



Here are more Photo Highlights from the collection:

 Tortoiseshell Vamps: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013

Prom Couture: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013

Enchanted McQUEEN: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013

Ball Queens: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013

Click Below to watch the FULL Runway Video of Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013:

Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013

Joan Crawford Homage: Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013

Joan Crawford in Adrian--halter gown and SUPER Shoulder padded gown

Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013 Collection at Paris Fashion Week was all about "Old Hollywood" and all very Joan Crawford. As Style.com says "Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren revisited old Hollywood today. There
was a black and white tile floor straight out of the Regency period, and
the models stepped onto the runway via an antique mirror, like visions
from the past. For clothes they wore long pleated gowns in black, white,
and silver lamé almost as reflective as that mirror, or pastel
georgette draped and swagged from necklines and waists embellished with
ropes of crystals. Shoulders were big and waists were tiny".  



Here are some of my Favorite Looks:

Golden Girls: Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013

Silver Draped Goddesses: Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013

Hollywood Calling: Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013

Gathered Asymmetry: Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013

Click Below to watch Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2013 Full Runway Video:

Red Carpet Minute: CFDA Awards 2012--The Red Carpet Trends

Red Carpet Minute: CFDA Awards 2012--The Red Carpet Trends

Plunging Necklines, High-Low Hems, Color, Metallics, Caftan, The Peplum...The Trends at the CFDA's:



The 2012 CFDA/Council of Fashion Designers Awards were this past Monday June 4th. and well as you might expect it was a Red Carpet Frenzy when it came to the Fashion, Styles, Looks and Trends that celebs, models, designers and fashion glitterati were giving. Usually at such a major Fashionista event like this, one can detect some trends on the red carpet; trends that will end up "in real life"--on the street, as they say. At this 2012 CFDA Awards, a lot of the ensembles we saw came fresh off the Resort 2013--yes 2013, Collections which are just being released to the Fashion Editors. So, basically what we saw Monday night is what we'll end up seeing in the stores next year...so without further ado, here are the 2012 CFDA Awards Red Carpet Trends that you will see NEXT Spring/Summer 2013:



Plunging:

Zoe Saldana in Prabal Gurung Fall 2012: Actress Zoe Saldana--in all her teeny tiny size zero glory-- wore a black gown by Singapore-born Nepal-raised NY-based designer Prabal Gurung. She showed several trends in one dress: the plunging neckline, of course, but then there was the "midriff cut-outs" plus the solid vs. sheer. All in all, she looked Edgy-Vampira Chic.

Julianne Hough in KaufmanFranco: NYC-based design duo Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco KaufmanFranco designs are favorites of the red carpet girls. Actress Julianne Hough wore a plunging neckline side draped gown in "Chinese red" from their Fall 2012 Collection.



Bold Contrast Color Prints:

Kate Bosworth in Joseph Altuzarra Fall 2012: Actress Kate Bosworth looked fabulous in this printed and metallic dress featuring a high cowl neckline, "cut-out" midriff, and knee-length fluttery skirt--from design darling Joseph Altuzarra. LOVE the black ankle-strapped heels and matching clutch. Joseph is originally from Paris France (his father is French-Basque and his mother is Chinese-American) but now he is based out of NY and well his muse, as of late is Miss Bosworth:

Actress and Designer: Kate Bosworth and Joseph Altuzarra

U.S. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour in Marc Jacobs Resort 2013: Here's another example of the "Contrast Trim" trend--U.S. Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour wore a modified version of a dress designer Marc Jacobs showed recently for his Marc Jacobs Resort 2013 Collection. In the Look Book (on the right photo), the dress was ankle length and more A-line shaped,. On Ms. Wintour, it was modified to be a more sheath dress shape with waist-defining belt; very Oscar de la Renta-meets-Marc Jacobs...




Caftan and Cascade:

Marchesa Co-Designer Keren Craig in Marchesa: "The Other Marchesa Designer" Keren Craig, attended the 2012 CFDA Awards looking quite "Mykonos Chic" in a coral silk caftan gown with gold shoulder and waist embellishment...and a FABULOUS tan. THIS. Will. Be. The Dress. Of Summer 2013. Trust.

Ashley Olsen in The Row Resort 2013: Deep lilac silk caftan drop shoulder, oversized cascade front ruffle--shapeless caftan dress--this is what Miss Ashley Olsen gave for Monday night's 2012 CFDA Awards Red Carpet. She was so on-trend in terms of what we'll see come NEXT YEAR! Love this dress.



Peplum:

Devon Aoki: NY-born 5' 5" tall model/actress Devon Aoki wore this strapless gown from NYC-based brand Alice + Olivia--from designer Stacey Bendet. The gown is from the Fall 2012 Alice + Olivia Collection, however, in their collection Look Book (right photo above), it was shown in green. Aoki wore a brick-red version. As you may know, it's ALL ABOUT The Peplum for Fall 2012 but this style detail will continue onto next year. And we can see just how pretty this silhouette detail can be. I showed it in my NIKOLAKI Collection last Spring 2011 so you know I love me a PEPLUM!



Halter Drape:

Erin Heatherton Michael Kors Resort 2013: Illinois-born Victoria's Secret Supermodel (and Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend) Erin Heatherton, wore this turquoise-blue halter liquid silk jersey dress featuring a gold/metallic neckline and plunging back. It's very easy-breezy but at the same time very elegant and chic, and leave it to 5' 11" Heatherton to make it look FABULOUS!

It's from Michael Kors Resort 2013 Collection, as seen from the designer's Look Book photo above.



 Embelished Shoulders:

Mandy Moore in Lela Rose Spring 2012: Singer/Actress Mandy Moore spotted this dress at Lela Rose's Spring 2012 Runway show, and the Texas-born designer customized it for her. On the runway (right photo above), the cream-colored dress was shown knee-length. Moore showed up to Monday night's 2012 CFDA Awards with the floor-length gown version. It's a simple gown with classic lines but what really "sells it", are those embellished cap sleeves.



Color Blocked Sportif:

Hillary Rhoda in Rebecca Minkoff: American model Hillary Rhoda arrived at the CFDA's in this navy/turquoise/ocean blue color-blocked athletic-inspired dress from San Diego-born NYC-based designer Rebecca Minkoff. Color blocking is HUGE for this Spring/Summer but will also continue on being a major trend through to next year.



High Low:

Model Joan Smalls in Michael Kors: Another big trend this Spring/Summer that we will also see next Spring/Summer is this high-low style. Girls are finally embracing this silhouette. It's flattering for tall girls and shorter girls who want to showoff your glorious legs...Speaking of legs, Model Joan Smalls looks "Demure Sexy" in this ivory high-low dress from Michael Kors. The accessories are PERFECT: love the simple gold ankle-strap heels and big gold bracelet, all finished off with a slicked-back I-just-got-off-the-Riviera hairstyle. St. Tropez Sublime.



Metallics:

Actress Lily Collins in Marchesa Fall 2012: Finally, we'll end with actress Lily Collins (yes, daughter of Phil), looking SOOOO cute in this gold high-neck, cap-sleeved fit-and-flare shaped dress from Marchesa Fall 2012. Lily is model-teeny-tiny so I wouldn't be surprised if this was the runway sample. She looked great in this dress. For those girls looking for a "new"-looking Prom Dress, this is the perfect style. Gold, silver or anything embellished will be a big trend come this Fall but it will spill over next year into Spring/Summer 2013, so ladies, keep an eye out for this Trend as well.

NIKOLAKI Designs at FIDM "3 Days of Fashion 2012"--The Gown and Cocktail Dress Recap!

NIKOLAKI Designs at FIDM "3 Days of Fashion 2012"--The Gown and Cocktail Dress Recap!

Fashion Schooling...

Spartan Princess: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013--neon green silk chiffon and silk duchesse cocktail dress with crystal trim waist (left); printed silk chiffon gown with gathered front skirt and fitted waist (right)

Several weeks ago, as the Official Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising--my alma mater--I did my yearly FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" appearances, where I visited all of the college's campuses, staring in San Diego, then Orange County and finishing up with San Francisco and the FIDM "flagship", in Los Angeles. I did my Inspiration Talk/Lecture as well as took lots of photos with the high school students (and their moms and dads!) who attended as well as brought some of my NIKOLAKI Collection gowns and dresses--many worn by A-List Celebs such as Beyoncé and Katy Perry. So here's a Recap--and Gallery--of the gowns and cocktail dresses I brought (several from my newest NIKOLAKI Spring 2013 Collection) all in one concise blog posting--hope you guys enjoy!

Backstage Look Book: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul strapless silk organza gown with multi-jewelled bust trim

Peacock Princess: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul printed silk chiffon gown with gathered skirt and fitted waist--FIDM Orange County "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Lady in Red: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul strapless silk-wool ziberline gown with side pockets and back cascade over-sized ruffles--FIDM Orange County "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

San Francisco COUTURE: Nick Verreos with model Rachael Sitz in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul strapless raspberry-colored asymmetrically pleated bustier dress with side gathered mini-pouf (left), and ...

In lavender silk chiffon sequined column gown with peek-a-boo top section-- FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Flou Queen: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2013 by Nick Verreos/David Paul printed silk chiffon halter-neck gown with draped bodice, plunging back, and gold and silver sequined trim--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Front Close-Up: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2013 by Nick Verreos/David Paul
printed silk chiffon halter-neck gown with draped bodice, plunging back,
and gold and silver sequined trim--FIDM "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Golden Girl: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 gold sequin column gown with side cowl-drape

Gold Fierce: Model Amanda Fields (with Nick Verreos in the background) wearing NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 gold sequin column gown with side cowl-drape and high side slit--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Ivory Wedding: Model Lauren Gish in ivory silk-wool ziberline "mermaid" shaped gown with pleated high neck, open back, crystal trim waist and full pleated back train--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Midnight Stars: Model Lauren Gish in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 silver and black sequin gown with blouson and cowl draped bodice, princess-seamed slit and capelet--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"