FIDM.....FIDM Los Angeles Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion": BLOG RECAP!!!

FIDM.....FIDM Los Angeles Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion": BLOG RECAP!!!

It's 3 Days of FASHION!!--Nick Verreos onstage with model Amanda Fields Bennett wearing NIKOLAKI silk charmeuse and "feathered" taffeta gown--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Time for the FINAL FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" for Summer 2017! In the past two weeks, I have had the pleasure of visiting the FIDM campuses throughout California for their annual "3 Days of Fashion" Summer Program--you can check out my BLOGS on those HERE for FIDM San Diego, HERE for FIDM OC in LA, and HERE for FIDM San Francisco. So now, it was time for my "Special Appearance" at the FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion"!

Onstage Nick: Nick Verreos--with "3 Days of Fashion" MC Andre Barnwell--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Here are my photos from last week's FABULOUS and SUPER FUN FIDM "3 Days of fashion" 2017 including my "Special Appearance", a special Fashion Presentation of my NIKOLAKI gowns on models, plus a DAD CATWALK CONTEST (!) and a Meet & Greet after all the fun.

Let's start with that aforementioned "Dad Catwalk Contest":

The Dad Winners: Nick Verreos with the three finalists of the "Dad Catwalk Contest" atb FIDM LA Main campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017. 

Right as I got onstage to begin my "Special Appearance", I asked all the dads in the audience to come up onstage and then I surprised them (or shocked them, depending on who you speak to!) when I told them that they were to walk the "runway" for the FIDM 3 Days of Fashion Dad Catwalk Contest.

Runway Dads: Dads of students attending FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" doing their "catwalk"--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

They were all AMAZING and good sports about it (Thank Goodness no one got mad at me!), and in fact our top winning dad, really embraced the term "catwalk" when he literally got on the floor--on all fours--and began slithering like a cat--or Runway Panther! You can only imagine the reaction from the crowd--and especially his daughter! (she was snapping photos and filming video naturally!). I'm sure if you looked on Instagram long enough, you'll find the "blackmail" video :)--Now, let's get to the REAL models:



The NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation:

Amanda Fields Bennett modeling NIKOLAKI burgundy colored silk dress onstage with Nick Verreos--FIDM Main Campus LA "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Model Amanda wearing NIKOLAKI burgundy colored silk charmeuse and "feathered" silk taffeta tea-length gown--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Model Amanda wearing NIKOLAKI copper & gold sequined silk gown with capelet detail--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Model Amanda in NIKOLAKI "Pop Art" multicolored polka dot silk crepe column gown with plunging neckline and long sleeves--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Model Alizee Gaillard wearing NIKOLAKI canary yellow silk crepe-back satin one shoulder column gown with silk organza side cascade detail--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Nick Verreos with model Alizee wearing NIKOLAKI canary yellow silk crepe-back satin one shoulder column gown with silk organza cascade detail--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Model Alizee in NIKOLAKI bubblegum pink silk crepe-back satin "Sari"-inspired draped gown--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Nick Verreos presenting model Alizee in NIKOLAKI grape colored beaded silk gown with back cowl drape--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

NIKOLAKI Divas: Models Alizee (left) and Amanda (right) wearing NIKOLAKI gowns at FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Custom FIDM Tote Bag Winners: Nick Verreos poses with the three FIDM Tote Bag Winners at FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Post-Appearance & Fashion Presentation Meet & Greet Photos:

A Lot O' GUCCI: Nick Verreos poses with student sharing his love for Gucci--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Meet & Greet Smiles: Nick Verreos poses for photos with students (and parents!) during the Meet & Greet portion of FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

SOOOO CUUUTE: When one student came up to me to take a photo and was so overcome with emotion that she started to cry...then I started to cry...and then, well, we all were a CRYING mess! It was so endearing and touching!--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

EVERYONE SAY "FIDM!": Group shots of students (including some with my book "A Passion For Fashion"!) attending FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

It Takes a Mini Village: (L to R), Model Amanda Fields Bennett, FIDM Special Events Assistant (and my "3 Days" GOD!!) Spencer Williams, NIKOLAKI co-designer David Paul and Nick Verreos--FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

That's A Wrap!: Nick Verreos with students attending the final day of FIDM LA Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who attended this year's FIDM 3 Days of Fashion!! I LOVED meeting each and everyone of you! XO, Nick

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 7-9 Top 10 Best Dressed!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 7-9 Top 10 Best Dressed!

 Lace Queen: Actress Charlize Theron in custom Christian Dior Haute Couture at the 70th Anniversary of Cannes Event at 2017 Cannes Film Festival

Cannes isn't over yet...And Thank Goodness for that! I have discussed my Top Ten Favorites of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Day 1-3 HERE and Days 4-6 HERE  and there's been LOTS of fabulous Couture to satisfy fashionistas, fashion watchers, bloggers and flood the Instagram world. 

Printed and Sequined: (L to R) Fan Bingbing, Elle Fanning and Praya Lundberg--2017 Cannes Film Festival

I have already said this but it bears repeating, it's been a very Haute Cannes Red Carpet year, definitely solidifying the film festival as one of the most-watched-for "Fashion Shows" on Earth (sorry Oscars but you're standing is probably losing your red carpet fashion grip!). So, now, continuing with my "Who Wore What?" Cannes 2017 Blog, it's now time for my Top Ten Best Dresses of Days 7-9. Let's see who made the Cannes Cut: 

Fan Bingbing in Christopher Bu at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: One of my favorite Fashion Divas of Cannes is actress--and 2017 Cannes Jury Member--Fan Bingbing and she has been ON-POINT throughout her time at the Film Festival. This time, she wore this printed silk gown from her longtime stylist, Chinese designer Christopher Bu. I loved this design because of its bold sequined applique "print" (yes kids, it's all paillettes, crystals and sequins!), sculpted silhouette (very old school Roma Alta Moda). The gown featured an attached "Watteau"-back like cape, turtleneck collar and...

Her diamonds were FABULOUS! That ring and bracelet were BEYOND darlings!

Praya Lundberg in Rami Kadi Couture at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: Half Swedish, half-Thai actress/model Praya Lundberg (nicknamed "Poo"), was one of my Top 10 Best Dressed from Days 7-9 of Cannes 2017. She wore a beautiful ballgown from Beirut, Lebanon based Lebanese-American designer Rami Kadi and his Rami Kadi Couture collection. The halter neck gown was perfect for Cannes, featuring a navy blue silk base with distinctive hand-sewn encrusted silver paillettes and feathers toward the bottom of the dress. Beautiful, entrance-making and on-point with the Cannes 2017 "Prom Fab" style trend.

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Armani muse Jessica Chastain wore a GORGEOUS Armani Prive (naturally) custom gown and it was one of my Top 10 faves from Days 7-9. The golden silk satin gown was "inspired" by his latest Haute Couture collection shown in Paris in January...

Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2017

The collection featured lots of that Chinese lacquer-gold coloring as seen in this gown from the collection as seen in one of the photos above. I thought the color was impacting and right for red-haired Chastain. I also thought the fit and shape of her gown was perfect. I loved the simplicity and figure-flattering style. I would have done without the mini-pouf above the train/godet but that would be my only not-so-positive critique.

Fan Bingbing in Valentino Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at "The Beguiled" Film Premiere: Oh Fan Bingbing...how much do I ADORE you!! Bingbing has been the Cannes Film Festival Fashion "It" girl for years and this time as one of the Jurors, it's really her time to (Fashion) shine! I liked this red sheath of a gown she wore for "The Beguiled" Film Premiere. The gown is from the Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection...

The style- iconic "Valentino Red" seems simple enough but if you know fashion and fashion design, the simplest looks are usually the most difficult to pull off, technically. This red crepe gown is all handmade and features an "over-cape" hiding a sheath gown underneath. Bingbing looked UBER beautiful in this.

Svetlana Khodchenkova custom Alberta Ferretti Limited Spring 2017 at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova wore one of my other Top 10 Favorite gowns from Cannes 2017 Days 7-9: This gold lame plisse dress from Alberta Ferretti Limited collection; this is from Ferretti's Haute Couture arm of the business. The strapless gown featured dramatic volants cascading down the back of the gown. I thought Svetlana looked very 1930's/40's Old Hollywood Glamour-like.  The dress was "inspired" by a black silk velvet version shown on the runway:

Alberta Ferretti Limited Spring/Summer 2017

Jasmine Tookes in Georges Chakra Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at "The Beguiled" Film Premiere: U.S. model--and Victoria's Secret Angel--Jasmine Tookes looked gorgeous in this gown from Lebanese designer Georges Chakra and his Georges Chakra Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture collection. The lilac-hued crepe gown featured a one shoulder column design with over-the-shoulder draped details and dramatic back overskirt. Simple, elegant, gorgeous.

Izabel Goulart in Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: Another model in my Top Ten Best Dressed of Cannes 2017 Days 7-9 is Brazilian supermodel Izabel Goulart. She wore this gold and nude gown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The fitted dress featured hand-sewn gold sequined applique in a starburst design sewn onto see-through crinoline/organza. It also had a side cascade drape to add a little bit of drama. If you notice, the original runway look had pointed sleeves at the shoulders. This element was wisely removed (or un-pointed!). Izabel is a model so she may already be starting with an advantage (in terms of looking fabulous in Couture) but she did look EXTRA fabulous at Cannes 2017.

Juan Xiopong at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Juan Xiopong was one of my Top 10 faves because she just looked Red Carpet perfect. I have tried to Goggle her and for the life of me (trust me, I have spent HOURS!), I cannot find who she is, where she is from, why she is at Cannes, and most importantly, who did her dress. But...I still think she looked very pretty! I loved this hi-lo gown with pink/fuchsia, silver and light green sequins. The sequin work was exquisite and the finishing of the gown (the hand sewn invisible zipper on the underseam part of her sleeve) was superb! Beautiful gown, beautiful woman and gorgeous RING to top everything off! Let's hope one of my BLOG READERS educates me on who she is--and who did her gown!

Mystery Solved! A trusty reader (Kat from Portugal!!) let us know that Juan Xiopong's gown is Zuhair Murad Spring 2016 Couture. I LOVE my readers! Thank you!

Charlize Theron in custom Christian Dior Couture at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Next on my list is the gorgeous Charlize Theron. Charlize attended the 70th Anniversary Celebration at 2017 Cannes Film Festival in this black lace custom Christian Dior Haute Couture gown.

First off, we are starting with CHARLIZE THERON so as a designer, well, it's like "Done & Done!". This gown was very lingerie-like and ultra feminine with its soft, un-structured shape and fabrication. I thought the delicate hand pleated/gathered draping of the silk tulle'd torso was perfection (of course it is; it's HAUTE COUTURE!) and the fit was very flattering. The jewels were...OTHERWORLDLY! I wondered where the Jewel Bodyguards were because that ring--and those bracelets--LORD HAVE MERCY!

Elle Fanning in Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2017 at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Elle Fanning also wore Christian Dior Haute Couture and this was one of my Top Ten looks. I loved this dress when I saw it on the runway and I thought it was a great choice for Fanning...

The gown featured a "festival" of sequined flower petals (all hand sewn!), over a tulle under-crinoline and fitted/boned Dior Corselette. This reminded me of those old-school 1950's Dior gowns and was perfect for the young and sweet Elle Fanning. If she was to wear a $100,000 costing one-of-kind hand made Couture gown, this would be it!



Finally...

Tilda Swinton in Chanel Fall 2017 RTW at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: I don't think I am alone when I exclaim my LOVE for actress Tilda Swinton--both for her acting talent and her fabulous fashion sense. At Cannes 2017, she wore this black sequined jumpsuit from the French house of Chanel which I ended up putting as my last "Best Dressed" in my Top Ten of Cannes 2017 Days 7-9. The look is chic, modern, directional and Oh-So-Tilda! I just wish she would have worn the boots (as seen on the runway). Besides this, she looked like a Couture NASA Pilot of a Mars Space Mission...in 2055!