MUSEUM MINUTE.....Viva Oscar! My Top 20 Looks from the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

MUSEUM MINUTE.....Viva Oscar! My Top 20 Looks from the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

 Oscar Fabuloso! Nick Verreos visits the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

This past week, I flew to San Francisco--along with my partner David--to enjoy a quick overnight trip at the invitation of David's mom Conchita. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Embarcadero with Conchita's friend of 58 years, Susan Burns...

(L to R) Susan Burns, Conchita Encinas-Hansen, Nick Verreos and David Paul--The Waterfront Restaurant Embarcadero San Francisco 

View of the San Francisco Bay Bridge from The Waterfront Restaurant

Susan happens to be a docent at the de Young and procured tickets for us to attend the fabulous Oscar de la Renta Exhibition/Retrospective at the de Young Museum. The retrospective lasts until the end of May so we HAD to see it!!!

Nick poses a la Oscar--Oscar de la Renta Retrospective de Young Museum San Francisco

 (L to R) David Paul, Conchita Encinas Hansen and Nick Verreos--Oscar den la Renta Retrospective de Young Museum San Francisco

As a young aspiring fashion designer--when I lived in the S.F. Bay Area--I loved fashion and I was especially obsessed with Oscar de la Renta. My mom even took me to see him when he was making an appearance at the San Francisco I. Magnin many, many years ago. I was thrilled that there was a Latino fashion designer--and a very elegant looking one--that was representin', as it were! Needless to say, I was more than excited to attend this fabulous retrospective giving an homage to one of my design influencers.

There were so many fabulous looks in the exhibition, it made it hard to choose which ones I liked best, but here are my Top 20 Favorite pieces from the Oscar de la Renta Retrospective at the de Young Museum San Francisco--in no particular order...

#1: Battle of Versailles--Oscar de Renta silk georgette and jersey looks from the iconic "Battle of Versailles" in 1973--I am obsessed with these pre-Disco era designs for their fluid asymmetric silhouettes and how un-Oscar de la Renta they seemed. Where's all the pouf? I kinda loved pre-pouf de la Renta!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#2 and #3: Flamenco Oscar--These Spain-centric designs were some of my favorites from the retrospective. I was a big admirer of Oscar de la Renta's designs as a young fashion-loving adolescent and especially his overt references to España--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

 #4 Watteau Couture: As part of the "Marie Antoinette/Flower Garden-inspired gallery, this was one of my top favorite looks--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#5 Black and White Flower Train--This black and white flower printed silk satin gown was truly one of my top looks from the exhibition: Gown fabulous!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#6 Sequined and Embroidered Mink Trimmed Coat--This decadent UBER luxe coat is the definition of Haute Couture; the unbelievable sequin and embroidery craftsmanship, the mink trim and notice how you barely see where there is a in-seam side pocket...it all blends because of the handwork of the sequin applique...Stunning!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco 

#7 Blue Duchesse Satin Coat--I love this gorgeous duchesse satin coat worn by Annette de la Renta. It is dramatic and so architecturally beautiful--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#8 Flemenco Tiered Ruffles--More Flamenco-inspired fabulousness! Si!!!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#9 and #10 Caftan Fab--I have never met an Oscar de la Renta caftan I did not like! I can just see the ghost of Elizabeth Taylor blushing over these designs--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#11 Pantaloon Ensemble--Orientalism Couture at its best! Lord knows I wish I was one of those Ladies-Who-Lunch who could wear this on their next Orient Express First Class Trip!Oh and yes, Miss Barbara Walters wore that stunning red and black sequined jacket to an event as well!(in 1989)--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#12 and #13: Gown Gorgeous--These two gowns are more recent examples of the late fashion designers' work; in fact this collection was more attributed to being designed by the genius (and very controversial) John Galliano--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#14 Sequined and Embroidered Coat--Very over-the-top, very Louis XIV and very fabulous! Oh and yes, Art Doyenne Ann Getty wore it...that's enough for me!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#15 Fur-trimmed gowns--This tableaux consisting of three fur trimmed flower-printed gowns was Couture beautiful; just three simple gals sitting on a bench waiting for their Champagne!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#16 Gown Fab--A Museum tableaux recreation of a U.S. Vogue Magazine photo by Steven Meisel---Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#17 Pouf Sleeves and Turban. Those two things amount to a definite inclusion in my Top 20 List!--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#18 Asiana Luxe--Asiana-inspired Tunic and Sable-trimmed pants worn by Couture Doyenne Nan Kempner. Can you just see her greeting her guests for aperitifs and dinner at her Manhattan pied-de-terre...in this?---Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#19 Custom Oscar de la Renta gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker at 2014 Charles James Met Ball Gala--To be honest, I was not  a big fan of this gown that SJP wore to the 2014 Met Ball; it was a little tacky to see the designer's signature on the dress and almost verged on provincial and common; it reminded me of those 1970's Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. But for good or bad, it has become iconic and people do remember it--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#20 Gown worn by Taylor Swift at 2014 Charles James Met Ball/Gala--Now this was a gown that I did like from that 2014 Met Ball; the simple silhouette was contrasted with such a dramatic back bow and train detail. It reminded me of a John Singer Sargent painting come to life!--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

 (L to R) David Paul and Nick Verreos--de Young Museum San Francisco

 Outstanding views from the Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young Museum

Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles and San Francisco's Creme de la Creme: Balenciaga de Young Museum Party!

Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles and San Francisco's Creme de la Creme: Balenciaga de Young Museum Party!

Viva España...in San Francisco!

Toreador Entrance: Vogue Magazine European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles at de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Grand Opening Party

This past weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a special appearance at FIDM San Francisco's "Open House" (soon, a BLOG post on that!). There was something else that happened over the weekend in San Francisco which I unfortunately didn't get tickets to (or get on the VIP List for--insert sad face):

The Opening Night Bash for the de Young Museum's much-awaited "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition. Even though I didn't attend (I had to fly back to LA that night), I still found photos of the FABULOUS event. The Exhibition, curated by Vogue Magazine's European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles with assistance from Fine Arts Museum Curator Jill D'Alessandro, just opened and will run through July 4Th. It spans the couturier's life and includes 120 pieces. I am returning to the City by the Bay in late June so...YOU KNOW I will be going so I'll have a complete report of the exhibition--I hope!

And now onto the Party: Well, as expected it was a "Who's Who" of San Francisco Elite who showed up, all decked out in their finest Oscar de la Renta's, Carolina Herrera's and Ralph Rucci's. All the last names that dot the grand homes of the Marina, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Hillsborough: Getty, Traina, Wilsey, Hale...they were all in attendance for this black tie-and-gown affair. I'm sure the gown departments at Union Square's Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were abuzz this last week! No borrowing here kids, it's all purchased! Even Anna Wintour made the transcontinental flight from NYC to San Francisco for the opening.

Here are some highlights of the Party Guests and their Couture:

Chatting Divas: Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (in Balenciaga sequined gown by Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere) and Fine Arts Museum/FAM Board President Dede Wilsey (who also has a Museum Court named after her!) wearing Oscar de la Renta lace and polka-dotted ball gown.

SF Doyennes: Exhibition Sponsor, the ever-elegant Denise Fitch, wearing Ralph Rucci silk tunic with feathers, and SF Retail Icon, Wilkes Bashford

All In Black: (Left to Right) Rosetta Getty, her husband, actor Balthazar Getty, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom

De Young Best Dressed: Serena Perkins, wife of Alec Perkins of Perkins Investment Management, wearing salmon pink silk taffeta Carolina Herrera

Blue Blood Class: Emma Fisher (left, in Rodarte) with her grandmother, exhibition co-sponsor (and Gap co-founder) Doris Fisher and mom, Randi Fisher

Mantillas: Alexis Traina, with her husband, Fine Arts Museum/FAM Trustee Trevor Traina and singer Vanessa Carlton

Flamenco Couture: Owner of "Ricky's Exceptional Treasures" Ebay Vintage Couture Store Ricky Serbin and Nob Hill Gazette social columnist Jennifer Raiser, wearing vintage Oscar de la Renta corseted red-and-black printed silk ball-gown

Perfect Couple: Investor and venture capitalist Bandel Carano and his wife, Paula Carano ,in a vintage Balenciaga black gown that looks very similar to...

This Balenciaga flamenco-inspired evening dress from a Vogue editorial in 1951. Photo by Henry Clarke for Vogue.

Juicy Feathers: Juicy Couture founders Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy wearing matching black feathered vests

Black Swan Beauties: Rodarte designers Kate Mulleavy and her sister, Laura Mulleavy

A-List: Actress Gywneth Paltrow with Fine Arts Museum Trustee Juliet de Baubigny

Click Below for Video of Anna Wintour being interviewed as she arrives to the Grand Opening Bash: