London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

Fashion Catwalking as an Olympic Sport:

London 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony Fashion Tableaux

This past Sunday signaled the end of the London 2012 Olympics with the Closing Ceremony. There was A LOT of criticism out there in the social media/Facebook/Twitter-sphere regarding the NBC telecast of the Closing Ceremony--from the Tom Brokaw WW II "History Lesson" to the cutting off of The Who performance in lieu of watching a prepubescent boy band and a full episode of NBC's Animal Practice...but I thought London put on an amazing show--notwithstanding the criticized NBC edits. I thought it was TEN times better than the Danny Boyle Opening Ceremony and certainly much more exciting. But that's just me...

Torino Olympics Flashback: Nick Verreos--in major Torino gear--at the Closing Ceremony, Torino 2006 Winter Olympics

Six years ago, my NIKOLAKI-partner-for-life David Paul and I attended the Torino Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony. It was good but NOT London 2012 Closing Ceremony good!! I think the highlight of the Torino one was Ricky Martin--he was VERY big then and performed his "Ole Ole Ole...Cup of Life" song! But the London Closing Ceremony was a major celebration of British Music, dance, the 80's (George Michael AND Pet Shop Boys! I felt like I was 19 all over again!!!). And then, what really made me get up and start doing my "Nick Runway Walk" in my TV room was when they brought out the Supermodels and the Super Fashion! Now here's a surefire way to get a fashion designer's attention! Thank you Closing Ceremony Producers.

Catwalk Fierce: (left to right) Models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy (model Lily Donaldson is hidden behind Gandy)

The Closing Ceremony Fashion Spectacle began as eight big "billboard trucks" made their way into the
Olympic Stadium. To the musical backdrop of David Bowie’s "Fashion", the black and white billboards were pulled back and BAM!, the billboards fell away to reveal the gold-clad models--all Top British Models wearing Top British Fashion Designer's couture.

Liza Minnelli Envy: Stella Tennant in a gold sequined suit from fashion designer Christopher Kane

Golden Gorgeous: (left to right) The only male model in the Closing Ceremony Olympics Catwalk, David Gandy in gold lurex suit by Paul Smith with Jourdan Dunn  in a Stephen Jones feathered headdress and Jonathan Saunders ivory jersey with gold lame column gown; Karen Elson  in a slit-up-to-there gold strappy gown from the House of Burberry.

Fitted, Short and Sweet: (left to right) Model Lily Donaldson in a corseted bust-pushing gown from Vivienne Westwood; Lily Cole in a gold brocade and lace knee-length dress from Erdem

Sequined Super: one of the MAJAH SUPER Models in the group--the one and only Kate Moss wore a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen bias cut golden sequin gown with cap sleeves and scooped neckline. She SLITHERED on the runway like it was 1994 kids!!

Flared Blue Blood: Georgia May Jagger (yes, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger's beautiful daughter) in gold silk gazar a-line dress from Victoria Beckham--there was criticism on the web-o-sphere about Beckham being included here as one of the "Top" iconic British Fashion designers, and some people suspected that this might have been a "requirement" of sorts--contractually, if she was to perform with the rest of her Spice Girls...who knows...I think it was a very pretty dress.

La Diva: And finally, Miss Naomi. Yes, kids, it wouldn't be a British Fashion Show to End all British Fashion Shows WITHOUT Miss Naomi Campbell. And she delivered darlings. Campbell STOMPED onto the London 2012 Closing Ceremony catwalk showing EVERYONE why she is who she is and why she can throw cell phones at anyone she wants---in an iridescent golden tulle dress from Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

The gown was very Olympics Warrior Goddess and naturally, included a dramatic and very long train.

Cheers to British Fashion, British Models and yes, the London 2012 Olympics!

NY Fashion Week Minute: Attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Collections--My Recap!

NY Fashion Week Minute: Attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Collections--My Recap!

Finale Fab:

Instamatic 2012: Nick Verreos at NY Fashion Week Project Runway Finale Fashion Show--photo courtesy of SHOEDAZZLE

I know I'm (almost) 2 weeks late but I wanted to do this post and recap the fun time I had attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week on Friday September 7th. As you may know, I flew to NYC to attend various events and parties celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Project Runway. Also, because I was one of the designers chosen to design a dress for the exclusive Project Runway Dress Collection at Lord & Taylor I was invited to the VIP "Unveiling" and to take part in Lord &Taylor's Fashion's Night Out event on Thursday September 6th.

Finale Glam: Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Guest Celeb Judge Jennifer Hudson and Nina Garcia--Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion week Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show

It was a whirlwind of a week that ended with the Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Lincoln Center. If you're watching and are a fan of Project Runway, you know that we are halfway through the season--on TV that is. The actual Finale of the season (which always involves only the Top 3 or 4 designers left in the show) won't happen for maybe another couple of months. "TV Timing" doesn't coincide with "Real Timing" and NY Fashion Week was happening right now, so ALL the current contestants/designers still on TV were able to show at NY Fashion Week so, you the TV viewer wouldn't know who the actual Top 3 or 4 were---only the designers, judges producers, editors...Tim Gunn, Heidi, Nina and Michael know--and yes, they are all SWORN to secrecy.

Strike a Pose: Heidi Klum poses for the cameras at the Season 10 Finale Project Runway Fashion Show Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

I was so excited to attend the show and happy to be invited, naturally. The fashion show took place in the largest runway show stage--called the "Theater"--at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week at Lincoln Center.

Fab Back: Heidi Klum showing her perfectly toned back--at the Season 10 Finale Project Runway Fashion Show Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

It was PHOTO MADNESS when Miss Heidi came out (in a slinky sequined Alexandre Vaultier dress)--with fellow Project Runway judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia (in Lanvin) and Celeb Guest Judge--the beautiful Jennifer Hudson--who was wearing a very fitted Emerald Green suit by Michael Kors.

JHud: The photographers all kept asking Jennifer Hudson (OK, maybe yelling at her!) to take off her jacket and she was like, "Oh No Huuuuuney!!!". She remained a perfect Diva throughout. 

I got to seat in the 8th row behind some of the most recent seasons' designer (the seating criteria  seems to depend on what season you were on, current seasons in the front, older seasons in the back). The really fun part of my row, was that I was with other "old timers":

  

Season 1 Winner Jay McCarroll and Season 2 Winner Chloe Dao (above photo). I felt so privileged. I absolutely LOVE those two so we had a BALL of a time watching the entire show together.



**SPOILER ALERT!:



Now--Like I stated before, at the time of the Finale Fashion Show there were still 8 designers left on the show, all of these eight showed their "mini-collections" (lucky them!!)--Here are images from each of their collections and which ones were my Top Faves for making it into the Final:

 


Gunnar Deatharage:

As we know now little Gunnar got the "auf" in this past week's episode. The NY Fashion Week Finale show occurred before this but to be perfectly honest, it was the weakest of all the eight collections. There was an obvious tribal/African-inspired theme. The clothes lacked directionality, drama and maturity. Let's look at the bright side: he got to show at NEW YORK FASHION WEEK!



Sonjia Williams:

Sonjia was one of my favorites so far in the season but her Finale Collection was all over the place. She began with a look that had her "Sonjia Turban Bow" which was cute...

But then she did some looks that well, were a bit odd--including this skirt over stretch lace leggings. I think Nina would call this "a miss".

Ven  Budhu:

Season 10 contestant/designer Ven Budhu of the pleated flower/rose fame--and "I Don't Like Plus Size Ladies" infamy--showed a collection of (almost) ALL Pleated Flower looks. It was a definite "F You" to EVERYONE--including the judges, I think (especially after watching last week's episode). My instinct tells me that he's not in the Finals.

He was one of my favorites from the Castings and a frontrunner at the beginning of the show and I know many of the other casting judges thought that he could have won--after seeing his designs and obvious impeccable talent and taste level but...

That episode with his client Terri and the fact that he kept doing those pleated flower treatments...well, that will haunt him forever. Nevertheless, his Finale Collection had some beautifully crafted Ladies-who-Lunch-and-impeccably-made-Red-Carpet clothes. Polished, elegant and gorgeously constructed. He needs to get a job as Oscar de la Renta's Design Assistant. Like NOW!



Elena Slivnyak:

I really liked Elena's Finale Collection. Mainly because she sent out very colorful--Spring 2013 ON TREND--clothes. I was surprised that she didn't do "Lady Gaga" structured multi-seamed coats with UBER shoulder pads. Instead, she opted for very now dresses.

Her very fitted color-blocked dresses were SO Heidi Klum; I can see Miss Heidi worshiping them. Her mini-collection was very Narciso Rodriguez as well. She either needs to send her resume to him--or to Max Axria of BCBG/Herve Leger Empire.



Christopher Palu:

Christopher--whom I think is one of the Top Four Finalist after seeing the Finale Fashion Show--did an outstanding job. However, there were some missteps. Some of the looks were disjointed, in terms of a collection. It's like he needed someone to get up in there to tell him "Yes, and Yes...and Oh No!". The first transparent sheer look with high slit skirt was very Video Vixen. And then there was A LOT of leather and Fall-like looks for a Spring/Summer Collection. This was his final gown on his Project Runway model:

A pretty dress but not cohesive with the rest of the collection and in my estimation way too referential of Christian Siriano.




Melissa Fleis:

Melissa was one of my top favorites from the NY Fashion Week show. I loved her high boat neck burnt orange leather asymmetrical dress. It was so chic, it was BEYOND Chic. I would not want to mess with that girl. I would just want to be her "Best Gay". She also did some sleek jacket and super-skinny pants looks that seemed very NOW. But she had TWO particular "Oh NO's":

First, a navy blue-and-black leather leotard/swimsuit(?) that was HOOCHIE-COOCHIE short! While the model walked, we (the audience) could see her white underwear., Not good. Whether or not this shows up on the show, will be very interesting. The other look that was an issue:

This white tank dress. It was very fitted and there was NO SLIT. The model could barely walk down the runway. I even noticed the judges--Heidi, Michael, Nina, Jennifer--turning to each other to comment. I just do not understand why Melissa did not put a slit--or two in this dress. The photo looks great. The runway LIVE version. Not so muchey.



Dmitry Sholokhov:

Wow. Dmitry sent out a very sleek, modern, polished collection. To me, he is one of the top for sure. Not only did I LOVE this cowl bias-cut dress above but his separates were so ON TREND.

The color story was dark for a Spring/Summer Collection but it still felt light. He also sent some looks that referenced his cut-out "HP Challenge" winning look, including this creme dress:

I wonder if one of those Final Challenges involves designing a look based on one of their Season 10 Winning creations. I really liked this dress. He is one of my Top Three for sure. Go Dmitry.





Fabio Costa:

Fabio's collection was probably my favorite. It was light, airy, very Spring 2013, and I LOVED, LOVED, his bias-cut, silk charmeuse, asymmetrical cowl draping. And I wasn't the only one who was gushing. EVERYONE I spoke to, also thought his was the best. But who knows who will be in the Top 3 or 4 or be in the Finals. We will soon find out...



Here are some fun After-Show Snapshots:

Season 2 Boys: Andrae Gonzalo and Nick Verreos--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Fro Fab: Nick Verreos and Season 10 designer Kooan Kosuke--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Mustache Fashion Week: Nick Verreos with Valerie Mayen (Season 8) and Mondo Guerra (Season 1 All Stars Winner and Season 8 Finalist)--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

(Left to right): Gorgana Gehlhauisen (Season 6 and Season 1 All Stars), Nick Verreos, Uli Herzner (Season ) and Nathan Paul (Season 10)--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Nick Verreos and Terri Herlihy--Ven's client on that infamous Season 10 episode--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

NIKOLAKI Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center