CFDA 2016: BEST AND WORST LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET

CFDA 2016: BEST AND WORST LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET

On Monday (June 6) A-list fashion designers, editors, actors and models gathered at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to celebrate this year's top talents in the fashion industry. 

The so called Oscars of fashion, aka CFDA Fashion Awards, finally announced its winners: as we previously wrote Italy took home the International Award thanks to Alessandro Michele’s work at Gucci, while the late David Bowie was honoured with the Tribute Award.

2016 CFDA winners list

Womenswear Designer of the Year

Marc Jacobs

Swarovski Award for Womenswear

Brandon Maxwell

Swarovski Award for Menswear

Orley: Alex Orley, Matthew Orley, Samantha Orley

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design

Paul Andrew

Menswear Designer of the Year

Thom Browne

Accessories Designer of the Year

Mansur Gavriel: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

Norma Kamali

The Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert

Donna Karan

International Award

Gucci: Alessandro Michele

The Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award

David Bowie

The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard

Imran Amed, editor in chief of The Business of Fashion

One of the highlights of the night has to be Diane Von Furstenberg presenting Beyoncé with the Fashion Icon Award: the superstar took the stage in an eye-catching Givenchy outfit and made a touching speech about her family and the power of fashion.

Among the past Fashion Icon honorees we have Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Iman, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman.

Read Beyonce’s full speech:

“I feel so much love and I feel so proud right now. Thank you guys for this incredible honor. As long as I can remember, fashion has always been a part of my life. Its effect on me actually started before I was born. Most of you guys don’t know this but my grandmother was a seamstress. My grandparents did not have enough money and could not afford my mother’s Catholic school tuition, so my grandmother sewed clothes for the priests and the nuns, and made uniforms for the students in exchange for my mother’s education. She then passed this gift down to my mother and taught her how to sew.

When we were starting out in Destiny’s Child, high-end labels didn’t really want to dress four black, country, curvy girls. And we couldn’t afford designer dresses and couture. My mother was rejected from every showroom in New York. But like my grandmother, she used her talent and creativity to giver her children their dreams. My mother and my Uncle Johnny, God bless his soul, designed all of our first costumes and made each piece by hand, individually sewing hundreds of crystals and pearls, putting so much passion and love into ever small detail. When I wore these clothes on stage I felt like Khaleesi. I had an extra suit of armor. It was so much deeper than any brand name.

My mother — who’s so fabulous and beautiful and is here tonight, I love you — my grandmother, and my uncle were always with me so I could not fail. My mother actually designed my wedding dress, my prom dress, my first CFDA Awards dress, my first Grammy dress, and the list goes on and on and this to me is the true power and potential of fashion. It’s a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength. It transcends style and is a time capsule of all of our greatest milestones. So to my mother, my uncle, my grandma, thank y’all. Thank you for showing me that having a presence is far more than the clothes you wear and your physical beauty. Thank you for showing me to never take no for an answer. Thank you for showing me how to take risks, work hard, and live life on my own terms.

I want to say thank you to every designer who works tirelessly to make people feel like they can write their own stories. Y’all are fairy godmothers, magicians, sculptors, and sometimes even therapists. I encourage you to not forget this power you have or take it lightly. We have an opportunity to contribute to a society where any girl can look at a billboard or magazine cover and see her own reflection. Soul has no color, no shape, no form. Just like all your work it goes so far beyond what the eyes can see. You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, to show people how to embrace their complications and flaws and see the true beauty that’s inside all of us. Thank you so much for this incredible award I’ll never forget this night. Got bless y’all.”

These words are truly inspiring, we appreciate that she took that moment to thank all the people that worked hard to support her career. Isn't this a true Queen? 

Ok, let's not forget the purpose of this article: what about the red carpet?

Best Dressed

Beyoncé in Givenchy

Demure, elegant, classic, costumy...call it as you want it, but this look to us is a win.

We all were expecting the next sheer embellished gown, but Beyoncé surprised all of us in a crystals-embellished Givenchy suit.

The hat is a reminder of the Lemonade's era, as well as a smart advertise for her Formation World Tour.

Fashion as a communication tool: the queen slayed again.

Elsa Hosk in Naeem Khan, Shanina Shaik in Givenchy, Jessica Hart in The Row

Elsa Hosk stole our hearts wearing a custom Naeem Khan gold jumpsuit. 

This look could have easily looked messy, if overstyled: fortunately this is not the case, because at the end of the day it's not simple to deal with net, sheer patterns, metallic emebellishments and fringes at the same time! 

The new Victoria's Secret angel completed her look with statement earrings, light make-up and elegant waves.

Australian beauty Shanina Shaik opted for something less flashy, as she wore a light Givenchy dress. At first sight it felt too simple for the occasion, but it is impossible to not appreciate the proportion, the silhouette, the cuts and drapes of this beautiful design. Shanina styled her outfit with a dainty necklace, which matched the triangular shaped cut-outs of the dress, Tamara Mellon sandals with clear vinyl inserts and a fur Lanvin purse.

Jessica Hart was all about minimal designs last night, as she wore a three piece silk ensemble and Alexandre Birman 'Clarita' velvet sandals. 

Worst Dressed

Taylor Hill in Thakoon, Constance Jablonski in J. Mendel, Adriana Lima in Marc Jacobs

It hurts to see such beautiful women wearing expensive looks that do nothing for their figure: let's get a closer look...

First we have Taylor Hill in what we could easily describe as Granny-chic or Hamish couture: this Thakoon's design definitely needed a bit more drama.

Costance Jablonski seems to have borrowed Taylor's stylist for the night: just another beautiful design...by aprons' standards.

Last but not least one of the most beautiful models in the indutry, Adriana Lima, trapped in a Marc Jacobs suit, that simply does nothing for her bombshell figure.

Written by: Stella & MsD

NIKOLAKI Collection Minute: NIKOLAKI Gowns at Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out!

NIKOLAKI Collection Minute: NIKOLAKI Gowns at Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out!

Gown Fantastic:

Red Carpet at Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center: NIKOLAKI Couture gowns displayed at the FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center  

Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

A little over two weeks ago was Fashion's Night Out all over the US--and the World, on September 6th. If you've been following my travails, travels and this blog, you may remember that on that date, I was in New York City celebrating Fashion's Night Out at the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship with hundreds of shoppers and "Project Runway" fans who came out to "hang out" with the Project Runway Designers--including moi, of course. I was also there to unveil the dress I designed for the first ever "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection".

It was a blast of course, but all the way on the other side of the country--on the West Coast, my dresses were also been exhibited but without me unfortunately--at the exciting "FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition" at the Beverly Center.

Left to right: Lucy Hale, Lisa Love and Kendall Jenner, Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel Photography

The Beverly Center was the epicenter of LA's FNO events. The night was launched by Vogue West Coast Editor Lisa Love, actress and singer Lucy Hale and reality show lovely Kendall Jenner (of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"). This happened on September 6 and then from Friday September 7th-Sunday September 9th, the Beverly Center had a special tableaux in the Center Court of Level 6, showing designs from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut Designers.

 Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel Photography

FIDM Debut is the Advanced Fashion design program of the college I attended and graduated from. I was a Debut student--back "in the day" (don't EVEN think about finding out the YEAR!)--and so my Alma Mater asked me if I could lend them some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet creations to be displayed as part of this three-day exhibition--alongside other Debut graduates (some of which I was their instructor!).

The Exhibition: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out Weekend

Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

The other FIDM Debut Designers that were featured in the exhibition included Brenda Ahamad, Randy Lee Donato, Justin Green, Paul Hernandez, Michael Pinpin, Natalia Romano, Clay Sadler and Valentina Vardanyan. I never got to see the actual display since I was out of town and it came down before I returned to Los Angeles, but luckily, my "friends" at FIDM took these pics here.



Here are a couple more photos of the exhibition:

View from Above: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 Weekend

Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

FIDM Debut Tableaux: Gowns from FIDM Debut Graduates/Designers, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 Weekend

 Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

Remembering André Courrèges, The Master of Space-Age Couture: A Look Back

Remembering André Courrèges, The Master of Space-Age Couture: A Look Back

Couture Astranaut: Fashion designer André Courrèges (1923-2015)

Fashion designer André Courrèges passed away yesterday at the age of 92
after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Courrèges worked under
Cristobal Balenciaga until 1961, when he launched his Maison de la Haute
Couture. He met his wife, Coqueline, while at Balenciaga. Together with his
contemporaries, Pierre Cardin and Paco Rabanne, he became famous for his
Futurist designs that revolutionized fashion during the 1960's.

Boxy, A-Line...Ankle Boots! 60's Modernistic Couture from André Courrèges

Spage-Age 1960's: Fashion designer André Courrèges with his designs

Courrèges was most know for his Modernist "Space-Age" styles.
He redefined the silhouettes and styles from what was then, rather
strict lady-like shapes. He was known for peek-a-boo dresses, miniskirts (André Courrèges is widely credited as inventing the mini, even though some would dispute
this and give credit to British designer Mary Quant), jumpsuits, and what
would become iconic accessories such as flat ankle boots and bug-eye
"Space" sunglasses. He loved using unusual materials such as PVC
and plastic as well as favored the A-line shape, saying that he wanted clothes
to "float". 

Onesie Gals: Colorful ribbed Knit with white fur onsesie looks from André Courrèges

He celebrated the moon landing by designing a onesie. Oh,
and it was mirrored! Courrèges could often be seen wearing get-ups
like Mylar jumpsuits and shiny white go-go boots (naturally!). NASA even
brought him in to visit mission control at Cape Canavaral, probably a first for
a fashion designer.

My Space-Age Homme Muse: Designer André Courrèges

Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Betsy Bloomingdale, Jacqueline Kennedy as well as her sister Lee Radziwill, among others were devotees of his fashion-forward designs:

 Audrey Hepburn (above)--from a shot of the 1966 film "How to Steal a Million"

Socialite Lee Radziwill in André Courrèges Haute Couture--Dress and jacket made of plastic and fur, which she gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City

 Yellow coat from André Courrèges 1968 Collection--worn by Mrs. Alfred Bloomingdale (Betsy Bloomingdale)--The suit is entirely made by hand, exclusively using french seams throughout the coat and features varnished leather buttons. It was gifted to the FIDM Museum & Galleries

Photos courtesy of FIDM Museum

In the ’90s,
he left his label to become a painter and sculptor, and his wife and longtime
collaborator Coqueline took over design duties at the house. Since then, the
House of Courrèges has changed
owners and designers; the latest of which seem to be inclined to follow the
designer's original Futuristic directive.

Here are more of André Courrèges' fabulous designs that shook the fashion world:

Onesies, Minis, Flat Boots, Scalloped Details

Looks from André Courrèges

A-Line Couture--André Courrèges

The Courrèges fashion brigade--models in André Courrèges designs

Adieu. RIP André Courrèges.

10 Favourite Accessory Looks Spotted at Fashion Preview Spring 2017

10 Favourite Accessory Looks Spotted at Fashion Preview Spring 2017

Photo credits:  Tio To Photography©

After seasons of larger-than-life fashion, designers are downsizing for Spring 2017, leaving accessories, the center stage. From bags, to scarves, to jewelry, to footwear some of the most intriguing pieces shown at the Fashion Preview presentations were also some of the smallest but we didn't lose sight of the details.

Scroll through to get up close and personal with 10 of the biggest accessory trends for next Spring...

 seen at Naïké Sping 2017

The search for your everyday bag is over.

When we spotted models at Fashion Preview walking down the runway, wearing their crossbody bags shortened, right below their armpit, we knew we were on to something... These new smaller camera bags-like satchels combine the lust of arm candy with the ease of a fanny pack and are great for storing all of your needed essentials.

seen at Helmer Spring 2017

Emojis speak louder than words.

A few years ago, it might have been hard to imagine that we'd be talking about emojis in any serious context. Now, though, the emojification of our once text-based society is set to become the norm. For Spring 2017, even designers are joining in on the action, with the illustrated faces appearing on several runways, from clothing to footwear.

seen at Helmer Spring 2017

It was glove at first sight.

Good things may come in pairs, but there’s something so tough and fiercely independent about accessorizing your look with only one statement glove. In an effort to surf to less-is-more trend in its most litteral representation, the single-glove trend was all over the runways for Spring 2017. Ad while designers seem to always want to add costume-like effects to their collections, this little move is no joke.

 seen at DUY Spring 2017

Chokers were the accessory of choice back in the '90s.

There were flash tattoo's, candy's plastic's velvet's, and if you were Princess Diana, even pearl-and-diamond-encrusted chokers! Now that they're back, we're seeing a much better version of the it-trend, resting at the base of your neck instead of on your throat and not fitting tightly or closely... But you'll never have to worry about them getting lost in your cleavage when you wear them with something low-cut.

 seen at Leinad Beaudet Spring 2017

The ultimate power dressing for Spring.

For Spring 2017, designers turned to the East for inspiration, thinking of artfully tied ribbons around your vests, coats, dresses, and tops as the new fashion fix to our obession with scarves and bandanas. Not only it is a very interesting new accessory, but it also flatters your waistline and adds up detailing to more low-key parts of your garments such as sleeves and necklines.

 seen at DUY Spring 2017

Remember all those piercing trends of the early 2000's? They're back!

It seems like just about every cool girl got a septum piercing this year, are we right? Whether worn as a sign of rebellion, a fashion statement or a cultural tradition, piercings have long been an idiosyncratic way to express ourselves and on the runways this season, designers celebrated the trend in many fashionable ways.

 seen at Helmer Spring 2017

Call it the mini-me syndrome.

Despite the fact that they require redefining what counts as everyday essentials, mini and micro bags marked huge hit on the runways this season. We think its their cute factor that'll make them such coveted accessories for Spring 2017. The result is not only a weight off your shoulders (literally) but they're also a great way to get your hands on a designer bag at a fairly-good price point.

 seen at Leinad Beaudet Spring 2017

Not since Blair Waldorf ruled the Upper East Side have tights had such a moment.

Designers were experimenting with legwear during Fashion Preview this season in new, bold ways. Tights and stockings are now seen as a detraction from one's over all look, but also add visual interest to it. And with the return of the boudoir trend last season, they've now become your easiest way to sport the trend on a day-to-day basis.

 seen at Leinad Beaudet Spring 2017

For instant added drama.

While probably not the best idea for the office, a veil is definitely a great way to take your outfit up a notch. The accessory has always been a favourite of the designers as it gives their models a mysterious fairytale touch, we're all dying for. For Spring 2017, they're coming in many variants and even more different ways to wear them.

seen at Yoga Jeans

In a conscious effort to go green.

Montrealers do love their bikes, whether they use them for daily transportation, for leisure or to work out. With the city recently ranked #1 bicycle-friendly city in North America (#8 in the world!), prepare for a Spring of pedal pushing; your bike might just be your best accessory to flaunt next season!

The post 10 Favourite Accessory Looks Spotted at Fashion Preview Spring 2017 appeared first on PBTH **

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Patricia Field Style and the City

Patricia Field Style and the City

Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte all had a not-so-secret friend who turned them from women speaking directly into the camera about their dating fiascoes (a rookie season one mistake) into style icons adored the world over. It has been years since the series ended and the last of the films graced the silver screen (breaking box office records) but women all over the world can still not get enough. With this in mind "Style and the City", an exhibition of beautiful gowns and outfits worn by these fictional but very real style icons has been cleverly curated by legendary costume designer Patricia Field and brought to Perth. Launching on Friday morning, the free exhibition will run until May 1st at enex100 and inside Myer at Forrest Chase.

At the launch Patricia shared stories from the set- how she met the actors and how they became family, posed for photos, met and chatted with some 100 women and men all obvious fans of her amazing work. 

Not only is Patricia Field the Emmy Award winning costume designer behind Sex and The City, but Oscar nominated designer behind films like The Devil Wears Prada, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and television series' Ugly Betty, Spin City, Cashmere Mafia, Hope and Faith, Six Degrees and Kath and Kim. Her boutique, which she opened in Greenwich Village in 1966 has been attracting fashion forward locals, internationals and celebrities for fifty years. Named in Time Magazines '100 Most Influential Fashion Icons of All Time', Field is a down to earth and fascinating woman. Her stories brought to life the experiences on set while demonstrating her design process, character analysis and relationship with cast members. 

Costumes from both the HBO television series and both of the Sex and the City films are on display, from the infamous Vivienne Westwood wedding gown (complete with bird!), Zac Posen wedding party gowns (the black worn by Charlotte was Field's pick for Sarah-Jessica Parker to wear in white but Parker chose the Westwood), the Versace ruffled gown Carrie was stood up in by Alexander Petrovsky during that last episode in Paris and a whole lot more. By a whole lot more, I am talking the Carrie necklace, the blue Manolo Blahnick's, that white dress with the gigantic orchid corsage, the Eiffel Tower bag etc etc etc… Patricia Field scoured dresses from across the globe to bring to Perth, just for us. Zac Posen dug into his New Jersey archives for the wedding party dresses, designers and collectors around the world were called, and the results are a stunning collection of 24 colourful, iconic gowns and costume pieces that you just have to see. 

xx Jenelle