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:
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 MillerMr. Miller...You will be missed. Thank you for inspiring a very young Greek-Venezuelan boy with a Dream!
Nick Verreos/NIKOLAKI Design for Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown
I was asked, along with many, many Project Runway Alumni (over 50 so far!), to submit a sketch for "my vision" for Kate Middleton's wedding gown. After much thought--about two seconds--I said "Of Course!".
As you may know from reading my NICKVERREOS.COM Blog here, I LOVE me a Royal Wedding and I also love me a Royal or two. Reading one too many "Hola!" Magazines as a young child in Venezuela (and still to this day!!) leads to this syndrome I call "Royalty OBSESSED".
I sketched out my idea for Kate's perfect wedding gown which was: An ivory silk mikado fit-to-flare column high-neck drop-shoulder gown with hand-encrusted Swarovski crystals at the neckline, waist and hem of the gown. It featured a plunging back and a detachable train with stiffened cascaded folds for dramatic architectural effect.
My design also has a Chantilly Lace and silk tulle veil and of course, the same Spencer Crown worn by Princess Diana on her Wedding Day (above). White gloves and THAT engagement ring finish off the look.
