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.

Fashion trends of summer 2016

Fashion trends of summer 2016

Summer is here! Designers already begun introducing new summer fashions. So, what are the top fashion trends of summer 2016 to look out for? What should you be wearing if you are the type of person who likes to wear what the stars and runway models are wearing? There are loads of catalogue comparison websites which can point you in the right direction. One example of a site is cataloguesuk.org.uk. These are a few of the items which have already been noted as being must have items, when the summer season officially does roll around.




Slip dress -

Its sexy, sleek, light, airy, and the colour variety is something you simply can't find with many other styles of attire. From a short, spaghetti strap style, to a knee-length, floral print, the slip dress looks good any way you wear it. Further, they are long or shorter styles, top designers make fun prints, and the material options are truly something to marvel at, so you can find a style for any event or occasion you plan on attending.



Bright and bold -

In terms of stripes that is. Countering stripes, vertical or horizontal, deep reds, sky blue, bright yellows, they are all in. Not only do stripes help in slimming your figure, you can wear them in any style. A dress a slip, a maxi, jeans, kartans, you name it. If you want to look your best, be seen, and be visible from nearly any corner in a room, then the colour is the way to go.



Ginham -

The youthful, vibrant style, has already been seen on pop stars like Victoria Beckham, who is one of the most well known style icons in the UK and around the world. So, why wouldn't you want to wear it as well. It can be worn in a tunic style top, full length one piece jumper, blouse, crop top, or any other style.



Sparkle & sequins -

Burgundy, navy, bright reds, yellow, are all great colour varieties. The sparkle of the sequin print, along with different styles for dresses, pants, skirts, or tops, make it a must have style to add to your wardrobe!

No matter what your style is, these are a few must have styles for this year. With the summer season just around the corner you can be rest assured top designers are going to enter the game and introduce several bold and fun styles which are sure to make a splash and stand out.

OLYMPIC STYLE.....Rio Olympics Opening Night Ceremony Fashion: My Favorites--and some Uh Oh's--of the Parade of Nations Outfits

OLYMPIC STYLE.....Rio Olympics Opening Night Ceremony Fashion: My Favorites--and some Uh Oh's--of the Parade of Nations Outfits

Olympics Style: A collage of some of the Fashion at the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony Parade of Nations

This past Friday night, Rio de Janeiro and the famed Maracana Stadium was home to the Opening Ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. The spectacle featured over 6,000 volunteers, incredible Samba dancing and original digital 3-D imagery and strong influence of Brazil's rich cultural and ethnically diverse history as well as an obvious nod to the environment...Oh, and Brazilian supermodel Giselle Bundchen walked her (allegedly) final catwalk.

Rio 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Night Ceremony--Maracana Stadium Rio de Janeiro

So, since I love talking about FASHION and I also LOVE a good Parade of Nations (Hello Miss Universe!!), I wanted to do a recap here of my favorite fashions and looks from the Rio Olympics Opening Night Ceremony Parade of Nations. Usually, this is one of the BIG HIGHLIGHTS for me when watching the Olympics; it's a lesson in geography, fashion, local style, and ethnicity/population. I remember being a young kid seeing past Parade of Nations, learning what people from Comoros look like, for example, or enjoying the great traditional costumes worn by the African or Asian nations in particular. So...with all that in mind, here are my Favorite Fashions from Friday night's Rio Olympics Parade of Nations--including some of the Traditional ones. I am also giving "Special mentions" to Fab Flag Bearers and one Hottie McHottie from Tonga!



Let's begin with my Top Fave (and then the rest are in no particular order):

Indonesia: Seriously! When Indonesia's Rio Olympics delegation walked into the stadium and led by this man in his fabulous red-and-white ensemble...and flanked by a male and female SUPER-fabulously dressed in traditional costume...well, I just about screamed to the TV "You Go Indonesia!" First off, naturally, I adored the traditional costumes. So wonderfully done, festive, and perfect for the occasion. I also loved the "uniform" of the red-and-white jacket and bright red pants. The color is bold and perfect to be seen from the nose bleed seats and I give props to the fact that the print in the jacket miters and perfectly matches down the center front. That is COUTURE DAHLINGSSS!!!

Canada: Love the colors (of course--red and white). But I especially like the very bold Maple Leaf and "Canada" lettering in the back of each jacket. So well done, and again, very visible from the nose-bleed seats. This is SOOOOO important when thinking about designing what the Olympic athletes are to wear. You would think this was a no-brainer but some nations--and their uniform designers--completely forgot about that (I am talking to you Germany and New Zealand).

Serbia: I thought these blue, white, red and black looks from the athletes representing the nation of Serbia were quite chic. I liked the outfit for the women especially, which consisted of a navy cropped/bolero jacket, a white top and striped maxi skirt. These ladies look like they could easily belong in the South of France on a yacht. Note to France: You should feel ashamed because these should have been YOUR uniforms (as opposed to the boring Lacoste ones!); and easily could have been because of the similar colors. And I especially love the espadrilles! Fashionista Alert: Serbian Olympics Athletes are more fashionable than their French counterparts. Ooh La La! 

Croatia: OK, I know, Croatia ALWAYS does this--the red and white checkered print; it's their thing of course. Just take a look at their flag! So, yes, even though they have "been there/done that', I still give them credit for making it work via a cool zip-up track jacket/bomber and points for continuing to utilize the checkered coat-of-arms print since well, you can see it (repeat after me!) FROM THE NOSE BLEED SEATS!

Norway: I liked Norway's fun and sporty red, white and blue looks. Their ensembles featured a printed track jacket (cool print by the way!), a horizontally striped polo, white shorts and a baseball cap. This was a great use of a bold print, and keeping their athletes cool in shorts yet at the same time, looking all very unified. PS: Where can I buy that track jacket!!?? I sooooo want it; I can work that with skinny jeans!

Jamaica: We know Jamaica's Olympic athletes would be outfitted by Puma and that it would probably be the colors of the country's flag. And we were right on all counts. I liked their SUPER bold neon highlighter yellow track jackets and joggers/leggings and shorts looks. Once again, a wonderful use of BRIGHT colors to bring attention to them and be seen from those cheap, cheap, cheap seats at the top (probably not so cheap for the Opening Night!).

Puerto Rico: Me encanta! Great colors (red, white and blue, of course!) on Puerto Rico's Olympic athletes. The jacket and red pants/skirt combo are muy bien. But I especially love that some of their female athletes got to wear this shirt collared hi-lo "tent/baby doll" top (Right). Oh and every person wearing a stylish straw hat...The U.S. island territory may be broke but their Rio Olympics Parade of Nations fashion are SUPER RICH mija!

Spain: One word: Ole! The colors of blood red, SUPER navy blue and white--perfectly bold! Love the hats and the fun yellow-and-red Spanish flag belts. I especially loved seeing some of the Spanish ladies showing off their abanicos (fans). Oh and yes, Rafael Nadal looked kinda cute (I don't usually think so--sorry Rafa fanaticos!) except for maybe looking a little too tan-a-rific but then again, who am I to judge a deep dark tan.

South Korea: South Korea unveiled these Zika-proof uniforms several months back and I liked them! They were, yes, very "uniform-y" but classy and prep-school looking. I admire the fact that every man was wearing a tie and the ladies donned their printed scarves. Nice hats too!

People's Republic of China: Great colors and very put-together looks. I want one of those SUPER BRIGHT red jackets...like NOW! And I also liked the canary yellow ones worn by the women. This is another example of designers/sportswear companies using bright bold colors to have their athletes be noticed from afar. Well done. The mens ties are pretty cool too!

Barbados: Love the super bright highlighter yellow blazers and royal blue pants on the women. Barbados may have had a small contingency but they were powerful with their color-bold styles.

Portugal: Jeans? At the Olympics? Well, yes! I'm including Portugal's Eurotrash Fab looks of jeans and a blazer look here because I love them! Very sporty but still chic.

Bermuda: Bermuda HAD to show their athletes in Bermuda shorts, after all! They all looked very nice. Caribbean Prep School Chic.

Great Britain: I liked the uniforms and fashion worn by Great Britain's athletes at the Rio Olympics Parade of Nations. It was very sporty yet still subdued chic. If you notice, they were all wearing a cotton trench. Naturally: They are from the United Kingdom! I also had to add a photo of the back of those aforementioned trench coats: take a look at those crests! Representin' Great Britain!

Australia: I liked Australia's seersucker notched-lapel jackets and white pants/skirt looks. They were very WASPY for sure but I liked how polished they all looked.

USA: Speaking of WASPY...The Americans took the "WASPY Fashion Award" at the Rio Olympics Parade of Nations with these Ralph Lauren Polo designs. I know that some people have criticized their too East Coast Upper Class Prepster looks but I like them! Check out those Ralph Lauren Polo Team USA boat shoes. They're $350! (Yikes!).

Not-so-Mucheey-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brazil: I wish Brazil would have done a little bit more with what their Olympic athletes wore to the Rio Olympics Parade of Nations. It was a bit of a let-down but...I did like the printed dresses (or is it a top and a skirt?) and the fun hats. Other than that, they all looked like flight attendants for a budget Brazilian airline.

Germany: Oh Germany. Can you say "Bland" in German? What the heck are these looks? Not only are they bland, they are style-boring and quite bad. Let's just discuss the outfit: a wine colored top, a GRAY skirt, black leggings, and a silver/gray plastic raincoat. And that is what the ladies wore. The men just wore a black track jacket, white t-shirt and black joggers. YAWN...

No Style Germany. I just do not understand who approved this and why. I don't think that people sitting in the SECOND ROW could even see them! A major Olympic Fashion Fail. The only good thing about this entire outfit were the shoes. And that is it. These get the Auf Wiedersehen from me!

Sweden: When I first saw the Swedish Olympics athletes, I was intrigued by its flag bearer Therese Alshammar and her H & M designed hi-lo blue and yellow striped zip-up hooded dress. It was kind of fab in a Sporty Couture sort of way. But then...

Oh No Sweden: My eyes began focusing on what the rest of the Swedish team was wearing. The worst fashion offender was the design for the women. Take a look at those canary yellow tops and skirts worn with knee-high socks. Bless. Their. Swedish. Hearts. Unflattering and badly designed. Maybe they should just stick to making cheap furniture for college kids.

Traditional Olympic Couture Fab-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burundi: Go on Burundi! I loved the men in their traditional ensembles! (look at those printed robes/dresses and white satin cape/shawls!) and the women in their brightly printed one-shoulder draped looks...just FABULOUS!

Mali: Kaftan Fashion...epitomized by the Mali Olympic contingency. I love these Mali kaftans--or boubou full length tunics--the perfectly ivory looks stand out and I especially love the decorative trim on the women's and men's yokes

Mauritania: Speaking of kaftans...I also loved the looks seen on Mauritania's Rio Olympic athletes. The Haasaniya/Mulafa dresses worn by the women and long white tunics/kaftans worn by the men were quite impressive.

Madagascar: This African East Indian Ocean island nation's Olympic representatives looked quite nice in their striped Malagasy looks finished off with straw hats and draped shawls.

 Malaysia: Great pumpkin orange color and love the beautiful print of the wrap skirts.

Cambodia: Cambodia's Olympic representatives went with purple and very chic semi-traditional Khmer ensembles. The peplum'ed jackets and wrap skirt looks are quite stylish.



Flag Fashion Divas and Divos------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marshall Islands: Flag bearer for the Marshall Islands Mathlynn  Sasser (she's a weight lifter!) wore a traditional red-and-wheat colored straw costume. And she looked quite festive!

Chile: Erika Olivera held the Chilean flag wearing a traditional Chilean ensemble consisting of the cropped bolero jacket, long skirt and ruffled top and underskirt. The entire design did look a little "polyester-y" but I appreciated how she paid homage to her culture in this.

Turkmenistan: This very tall and very skinny young man--Merdan Atayev--is a swimmer from Turkmenistan. And boy do I love his ensemble--especially that fur hat and embroidered-trim coat!

Kazakhstan: The Kazakhstan flag bearers at the Olympics are known to always look quite Traditional Fab. And this young man was no exception.

 Tuvalu: Printed shirt, flower headdress and multi printed overskirt. Check. Check and Check.

New Zealand: New Zealand did a miserable job in terms of what their Olympics athletes wore at the Rio Olympics Parade of Nations (here's a hint: it's all black with a little bit of blue!). Heck, The Air New Zealand flight attendants uniforms are TWENTY TIMES more Fashion Fabulous! Anyhow, I still had to give props to their flag bearers Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (first time TWO flag bearers would do this for New Zealand) who wore these gorgeous Maori Kakahu cloaks.

 And my SHAMELESS MALE PULCHRITUDE Hottie McHottie Award goes to-------------------

Tonga: Pita Taufatofua, a Taekwondo athlete, was Tonga's flag bearer. He's half Tongan and part Australian/British. And he's very muscle-y and hunk-y hunk-y. He lives in Brisbane, Australia and...He also STOLE MY HEART. Wearing almost nothing. God Bless Tonga. And Pita.