SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress": The Top Ten "Best" According to Miss World Judges...Really?

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress": The Top Ten "Best" According to Miss World Judges...Really?

World Fashion Designer Top 10: Maybe, Maybe Not--Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" Event, Sanya China

Photos courtesy of MissWorld.com

Events leading up to the Finals of the 65th Annual Miss World Beauty Pageant are occurring this past week. The Finals are December 19th but yesterday there was a "Preliminary" event for the Miss World--World Fashion Designer Dress Event, where all the 100+ contestants wore ensembles/gowns made by designers from their home countries. Tomorrow are the Finals of this event where the Miss World Top Model and World Designer Award fashion gala take place.

But at the Preliminary event, the contestants modeled their designs in front of the judges and the Top Ten "World Designer Dresses" were chosen. Here they are in alphabetical order (country-wise).

I'm not so sure these would have been my Top Ten Best Designer Dresses/Ensembles, in fact I would have probably put one or two in my "Uh Oh!" List. Not so sure what "Designer Dress" Kool-Aid the judges were drinking but here were their choices..

Miss Bosnia and Herzegovina Marijana Marcovic: Right away, I have an issue with this big ol' mess being named as Top Ten Miss World 2015 "Best World Fashion Designer Dress". This cha-cha black and silver trimmed design was created by Carmen Line according to the Miss World website. It is tacky and very "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". The pointed strapless neckline is not just obnoxious but would be ripped to shreds by any red carpet correspondent if this was ever worn at a red carpet event. It's BAD.

Miss Brazil Catharina Choi: Catharina wore this midnight blue lace gown designed by Olga Blanc. It's OK; nothing extraordinary. I've seen these styles in the back of an "After Five" Dress section at Macy's. I think that a gown worn at the "Miss World--World Fashion Designer Dress" event should be just a little more Haute and a little less department store-like. Maybe it's just me.

Miss Cote D'Ivoire Andrea N'Guessan: I actually like this mustard yellow jumpsuit with vest/cape design worn by Andrea. It's elegant, contemporary and makes a strong impact. I especially love her accessorizing; the gold earrings, gold belt, and THAT head-turban is EVERYTHING! I just wished that the top was a bit more interesting--an asymmetrical drape/pleat perhaps. The princess-seamed pattern to this silhouette is very "Design School 101".

Miss Guadeloupe Arlene Tacite: Arlene wore this ivory crepe gown with blue sequin applique featuring a strapless bustier designed by Jessica Jordan. I liked this. Once again, it's not very innovative--design-wise but it is quite nice; maybe that's the criteria I need to be considering. At least it fits well and the length is perfect.

Miss India Aditi Arya: I expected much more from a Miss World India. Seriously. This gold and ivory sequined column gown designed by Monisha Jaising is, again, just OK, but nothing spectacular. I could see this dress at a department store...or in the Downtown L.A. Garment District.

Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti: Maria wore this blue and ivory gown which evokes a possible "Ming Vase" inspiration. The gown was designed and created by private clientele designer brand Windy Chandra Couture. It's nice but certainly not on the scale of an UBER fabulous Guo Pei creation.

Miss Italy Greta Galassi: Greta wore this golden and silver/pewter colored satin-and-sequined gown from Erasmo Fiorentino. The design featured some cut-out's and peek-a-boo's. It had a hint of "Art Deco" but I just don't understand why this ended up as a Top Ten. The sketch was better than Greta wearing it. I think on a dark-skinned contestant, this might have had a bit more of an impact, but on her, it was a "meh".

Miss Mongolia Anu Namshyrin: Anu wore this white illusion, chiffon and silver sequin gown designed by Tserenlkhagva Khuyag-Ochi. It featured sheer sleeves, 80's shoulders, and a drop waist silhouette. This was a bit wedding gown vibe to the dress; too cutesy and too Mother-of-the-Bride--or maybe the father's Mistress(!)...at a Russian millionaire's wedding. Just saying.

Miss Puerto Rico Keysi Vargas: Keysi's black nude netting/illusion with black sequin applique gown , designed by Jose Karlo, was one of the better ones chosen in the Top Ten Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" event. I loved the architectural aspect of the design and sharp shoulder/front detail, as well as the contrast fabric knit long sleeve top section. I just wished the sequined lace applique would have started a little lower in her hips/thigh area; it was just a little too close to her "Uh Oh" regions.

Miss Vietnam Tran Ngoc Lan Khue: Not sure how this rather plainly-designed ombre-hued blood red-to-yellow gown ended up as one of the Top ten best. The off the shoulder dress was designed by Ly Qui Khanh. I think this was rather basic and not memorable. And certainly not "Best World Designer Dress" material.



*UP NEXT: MY CHOICES for BEST Miss World 2015 "World Designer Dresses"...and the OH DEAR!

Style Week OC 2012: My Photo Recap Hosting the Cadillac Contemporary and Irvine Spectrum Collections!

Style Week OC 2012: My Photo Recap Hosting the Cadillac Contemporary and Irvine Spectrum Collections!

OC Style Fab!

Cadillac 2012: Nick Verreos hosting Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012 at Style Week OC Irvine Spectrum Center

Several weekends ago, I had the pleasure of hosting--for the FOURTH consecutive year!--Style Week OC. This year, Style Week OC 2012 kicked off on Fashion's Night Out (September 6th) with fashion shows/events/parties at both Irvine Spectrum Center and Fashion Island.

I was in NYC doing an appearance/event unveiling the "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection"at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue during Fashion's Night Out so I couldn't be there, but...I flew back to the West Coast the following day (right after attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Lincoln Center) to make sure I could host the Final FABULOUS night of Style Week OC 2012 that Saturday night at Irvine Spectrum.

A View From Above: The Runway Scene (and my runway walk entrance!) from Style Week OC 2012, Irvine Spectrum Center

The night involved TWO great fashion shows: the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition and the Irvine Spectrum Center Collection. The two runway shows were seamlessly put together and then afterward, was the important and final judging of who would win the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition.

Let's Start with Cadillac Design Competition:

Hanger Appeal: The Cadillac Contemporary Design 2012 Competition looks from FIDM designers

Prior to the Runway Show, I had the honor of pre-judging the five looks created by designers from my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM: Eduardo Reategui, Ahmad Murtaza, Steve McDonald and Chelsea O'Neill. I was joined by Christie Baca of Cadillac and Lejla Hasanagic, Irvine Spectrum Center Nordstom General Manager. They were tasked to create contemporary designs using denim--as well as actual Cadillac Car Components.

Orange Suit for Orange County: Nick Verreos Hosts Style Week OC 2012 "Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition" fashion show

Each of the looks were inspired by the new Cadillac ATS and one of four international locales--Chile, China, Monaco and Morocco. These are World-re-known locations for testing riding dynamics and also featured in Cadillac Commercials/Ad Campaigns.

Cadillac Morocco and China: FIDM designer Steve McDonald's "Morocco" design (left) and FIDM designer Ahmad Murtaza's "China" design (right)--Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012 Irvine Spectrum Center Style Week OC

Cadillac Chile and Monaco: FIDM designer Chelsea O'Neill's "Chile" design (left) and Eduardo Reategui's "Monaco" design--Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012 Irvine Spectrum Center Style Week OC

Irvine Spectrum Center Collection:



Right after the Cadillac Contemporary Design fashion show (and before the final judging announcement), the show continued with the "Spectrum Collection"--a fashion show highlighting Fall/Winter 2012 trends and looks from retailers at the Irvine Spectrum including...

 Macy's, and...

Nordstrom--Irvine Spectrum Collection Style Week OC 2012

Max Studio--Irvine Spectrum Collection Style Week OC 2012

Tommy Bahama (left) and Demetrios Bride (right), as well as many others--Irvine Spectrum Collection Style Week OC 2012

And now the Cadillac Contemporary Design Winners:

  

The Cadillac Fan Favorite:

Steve McDonald and his "Morocco"-inspired design--he won a $500 check from Tustin Cadillac--Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition Irvine Spectrum Center Style Week OC 2012

And the WINNER of the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012:

MONACO!!! Model Kerstin Lechner--you may remember her from Project Runway Season 9 and as designer Bert Keeter's model---Nick Verreos, and FIDM designer Eduardo Reategui...

Le BIG Check: Eduardo Reategui and his "Monaco"-inspired design on model Kerstin Lechner--he won $2,000 from Tustin Cadillac for his Monaco Racetrack-inspired denim jumper featuring seat belt straps, an iPod nano collar brooch, and Cadillac ATS accessory pockets...

Le Sketch: FIDM designer Eduardo Reategui's fashion illustration of his "Monaco"-inspired "Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition creation

Post Show Pics:

Following the fabulous show, I spent some time posing at the official "Style Week OC 2012" Step-and-Repeat with lots and lots of guests--including many fashionistas and yes, a little doggie (I LOVE the doggies, of course!!):

Puppy Posing: Nick Verreos, OC Fashionistas and cute doggie---Style Week OC 2012 Irvine Spectrum Center

Barbie Love: Nick Verreos with Nava and Ava Baghai and their sister's "My Scene Nick Verreos Project Runway Season 2 Barbie"--You KNOW this made my entire night!!!! Love me some Nava and Ava!!!

Thanks to ALL of the OC, Cadillac, and Irvine Spectrum, for a FABULOUS and very successful Final Night of Style Week OC 2012 at the Irvine Spectrum Center!!!

Click Below for a Video Recap of Style Week OC 2012 Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition from the FAB allGLAMMEDupStyle:

Project Runway for Lord & Taylor: My Dress! Original Sketch, Detail Pics + Much More!

Project Runway for Lord & Taylor: My Dress! Original Sketch, Detail Pics + Much More!

Tenth Anniversary Fab:

Grecian Blue: "Nick Verreos for Project Runway/Lord and Taylor" gathered front and back halter-neck cocktail dress in cobalt blue chiffon

Months ago, I was asked to design a dress for the Tenth Anniversary Project Runway Capsule Collection to be sold exclusively at Lord & Taylor. One designer from each of the last nine seasons was asked and I was humbled to be the "Season 2" pick. Now, who's the 10th Season designer for this Lord & Taylor collection, you may ask? Well kids, that will be known tomorrow night when this week's Project Runway episode airs.

The Challenge will be to design a dress for Lord & Taylor (the show's Store Sponsor) and the winner will then join the rest of the nine alumni to complete the ten design tableaux. Immediately following tomorrow night's episode, all the dresses will be available to purchase on LordandTaylor.com--all for under $350...

And next NEXT THURSDAY, September 6th, I (along with the other nine Project Runway alumn/designers) will be in NYC at the iconic Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship to "unveil" all the dresses to the public at a fun Fashion's Night Out event/party from 6-11 PM.

More on My Dress:

Nick Verreos Fashion Illustration of his Lord & Taylor/Project Runway Dress

Original Sketch: Here's the original sketch/design I did for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway when they asked me to be part of this exclusive capsule collection. I originally had envisioned it in a golden color with leather (or faux leather) neck and racer-back "harness" accent. It was inspired by my love of draping, Grecian Goddess and a gown style I did in my high-end NIKOLAKI line. But after some edits and adaptions from the Lord & Taylor design team, it evolved into this:

Nick Verreos for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway cobalt blue gathered front chiffon dress...

...with gathered back and iridescent organza over sequin fabric back yoke

Here's a close-up of the front halter neckline

And here were some of the other designs/sketches I also submitted to them as dress style suggestions. The two themes I was chosen to focus on were "Embellished Body Con" and "Draped"--they eventually chose the halter style as you know by now:

Nick Verreos Fashion Illustrations for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway

Here are the other Project Runway dresses for Lord & Taylor from the Project Runway Capsule Collection:

Left to right: Dresses from Bert Keeter and Chris March

Left to right: Dresses from Gordana Gehlhausen, Jay McCarroll

Left to right: Dresses from Korto Momolu, Mondo Guerra

Left to right: Seth Aaron Anderson, Uli Herzner

So, if you're in NYC next week...See you Next THURSDAY September 6th 6-11 PM, for the UNVEILING of the Tenth Anniversary Project Runway for Lord & Taylor Collection at Fashion's Night Out Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue NYC!!!!