5 Fashion Trends We Learned Form Clueless

5 Fashion Trends We Learned Form Clueless

Do you prefer "Fashion victim" or "ensembly challenged"..?

Can you believe our favourite blockbuster from the 90's is turning 21 years old this month ? 21 years of sass, giggles, wisdom and gorgeous outfits just went by while it seems like the famed movie was airing  for the first time just a little while ago. I mean, seriously, who hasn't been completely obsessed over Dionne's sense of Fashion, Tai's incredibly chill vibe and Cher's... Well, Cher's everything; from a colorful and kind personality, to a breathtaking beauty, to an undeniable faith in great love. Not to mention that all of theses gals truly knew how to pull off an outfit and how to keep-up with trends that lasted over two decades now. Let's look into it a little deeper…

1. OVERSIZED BLAZER

Oversized blazers have been a thing since the 80's but Clueless showed a more polished version of the outerwear garment, making it super versatile and easy to wear on the daily. They're the best option for an unconventional Autumn jacket and an essential to achieve the boyfriend look (along with BF jeans!). You can wear an oversized blazer along with skinny dress pants for a modern twist on the woman's corporate suit or you can simply layer it on your shoulders with harem pants, a white tee and a nice pair of sandals for a night out in town. Also, shootout to the timeless white button-down shirts, newly trendy silver footwear and raging knee-high sock game !

2. FRONT BUTTON-DOWN SKIRT

Speaking of button-down, if you don't own a front button-down skirt yet, you better head over to the closet Forever 21/H&M/River Island/Mango/you get the picture around. This is one of the biggest must-haves this season and promises to be so, for a long time coming. So it's like making an investment! Fast-Fashion retailers will have a wide variety of options for very good prices while designers created their own original versions of the 90's classic, twisting it up with their signature styles, for a slightly higher price. My top three button-down's included LOFT, Carven and Etienne Marcel ;)

3. MAD FOR PLAID

Plaid has been one of the oldest and most worn pattern all-around the world for more than five centuries, mostly because associated to monarchy and posh lifestyle. Although it is such a timeless print, it can become extremely old-fashioned if worn the wrong way. Worn the right way though, it is one of those trends that anyone could pull-off, making a major Fashion statement ! Cher and Dionne certainly knew how to sport their classic suits back in 1995, without looking too generic. It is all about appropriating yourself the pattern in the right colour, shape, length and accessorizing it well. Cher's inclination for the colour yellow is such a character statement; bold, happiness-seeker and goal digger !

4. LITTLE RED DRESS

With all do respect for the infamous LBD, a new slip dress is slowly making its way back to the top and it's the little red one ! Of course, Cher knew right away that such a piece in such a colour was a go-getter for the perfect entrance at anytime; she made sure to sport it in a more casual but still Beverly Hills way, while attending a party in the Valley, and to dress it up in a sultry, sexy but very PG-13 kinda-way for a date night with Christian. I'm pretty confident it would have worked if Christian wasn't actually a cake boy but hey, A+ for effort !

I am such a fan of this one, this one and that one too.

5. BLACK & WHITE

Last but not least, the black and white sporty trend. A huge thanks to mind-blowers like Muehleder, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney who single-handedly brought back this genius Fashion genre to life a few seasons ago. Other brands like Alala, FILA, River Island and Pierre Hardy kept-up with it, making it what it is today in the high-Fashion industry. Sportswear no longer have to remain in your gym locker, that's a fact, but if you feel like styling-up a bit your athleisure game, be our guest ;)

Which of these trends are you currently rocking? Feel like trying on a new one this Summer?

Have a great day guys, I'm outtie !

The post 5 Fashion Trends We Learned Form Clueless appeared first on PBTH **

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Europe 2012: "Florence Meets Hollywood" NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation

Europe 2012: "Florence Meets Hollywood" NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation

Alta Moda Italia!

Red Carpet in Firenze: Nick Verreos flanked by two Italian models in his NIKOLAKI Collection gowns, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation as part of my Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" Program visit, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy --and in case you are wondering the model on my left is 6' 2" WITHOUT heels!

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Last month, I had the honor--and pleasure--of flying to Italy with my better half--my NIKOLAKI design partner-for-life David Paul--to be part of a very special event. For the last four years, I have been invited to take part in Miami University of Ohio's "Summer in Italy" program.

It is a highly popular Study Abroad program from Miami University's College o Arts and Sciences in the Department of English, where students travel to Italy, taking English and Journalism courses in Florence Italy and of course, get to experience life there as well as the importance of fashion to that city. Part of my visit includes a special "Fashion Lecture" (in a later post!) but...

This year, with the fabulous help of photographer, creative director and fashion producer EXTRAORDINAIRE Jerry Lee Ingram, the school also organized an amazing fashion presentation titled "Florence Meets Hollywood" where I got to show some of my very exclusive red carpet NIKOLAKI gowns to a specially-invited audience in Firenze Italia! The event was being held at the Consorzio Palazzi/Palazzo Bombicci Pontelli Guicciardini Strozzi in the Sala Rosa or Pink Room of the Florence University of the Arts/FUA.

Traveling Ensemble: Nick Verreos, arriving in Florence Italy via TrenItalia

After a twelve hour flight from Los Angeles to Rome and a 1 1/2 hour "fast-train" to Florence, David and I finally arrived. The following day, we helped set up for that evening's presentation.

 Gowns In Waiting: NIKOLAKI Collection gowns
post-steaming, waiting their final destination--will it be a Mannequin form or
a LIVE model?

 Galleria NIKOLAKI: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul
Gowns, "Florence Meets Hollywood"
Fashion Presentation at the Sala Rosa, FUA Florence
Italy

We steamed and pressed the NIKOLAKI gowns--some worth over $10,000--that  we brought all the way from the US and then set them up on well-appointed mannequins in the GORGEOUS room the event being held in.

Gallery Preparations: "Florence Meets Hollywood" set-up, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Fashion Nerves: David Paul and Nick Verreos of NIKOLAKI getting the mannequins ready for the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

NIKOLAKI Twosome: David Paul and Nick Verreos, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy  

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Then we got back to our hotel, did an outfit change and we were ready to go! A great red carpet was set up to welcome guests at the Florence University of the Arts and up to the Sala Rosa--or Pink Room, site of the event.

  

 Guests at "Hollywood Meets Florence" Fashion presnetation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy Photos courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Including Firenze glitterati as well as FUA students (some of which were BIG "Project Runway" fans!) as well as of course, the Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" students I was scheduled to lecture to the following day.

Hot in Florence: Nick Verreos
(with fan) and "Florence Meets Hollywood" Co-Cost Grace Joh--in
NIKOLAKI Collection strapless red silk dress--Editor-in-Chief of Blending Magazine
and Chair of FUA School of Journalism, Communications and Publishing

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

MC Nick: Nick Verreos hosting "Florence Meets Hollywood", Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

 Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Not only did I show some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet gowns on gorgeous models from Absolute Models Florence (with great hair/makeup by Ronnie Cosma Bigalli), but on display at this AMAZING Sala Rosa "ballroom" at the Florence University of the Arts palazzo where incredible creations by Mazzanti Piume, creators of some of the most amazing feathered designs in the world--from hats, runway gowns, historical costumes to much much more. Here were some of the feathered headdresses at the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation:

Hat Couture: Designs from Mazzanti Piume, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Also, as part of this very special one-of-a-kind fashion presentation, the architectural fashion creations and fab purses and necklaces from Emilia Siano and her brand, Libra Project were on display (photo above) as well as modeled.

Silver Goddess: Model in NIKOLAKI silver and black sequined cowl neck gown with attached capelet, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Final Walk: Models from Absolute Models Florence at the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Italy Fashion Group: (Left to Right) Model in NIKOLAKI black and silver sequined gown; Nick Verreos; designer Emilia Siano of Libra Project; Model in NIKOLAKI black organza strapless gown with jeweled bust line; Model in Emilia Siano/Libra Project designs; Grace Joh in NIKOLAKI Collection red silk ziberline cocktail dress and Mazzanti Piume hat; and NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy  

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

The show and presentation was a fabulous success! I am so thankful to everyone who took part in helping make the event happen--and especially the guests who endured the over 100 degree temperatures that fell upon us inside the super-filled Sala Rosa during this very hot-and-humid Florence July evening! I was so happy to not just host it but be part of it, bringing my NIKOLAKI gowns--along with David Paul--to gorgeous Firenze ITALIA and to "fashion enlighten" the great Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" Program students and of course, everyone else who attended. Stay tuned for Part Two of "Europe 2012" and my "Summer in Italy Miami University of Ohio" visit--next, up a visit to Polimoda, and photos and recap from my Fashion Lecture.



Click Below for the Florence Meets Hollywood Video:

How to Wear the Body-Con Trend

How to Wear the Body-Con Trend

Short for “body conscious” (think super tight bandage style dresses.), body-con is a huge trend right now.  Bodycon dresses have been a wardrobe staple for most ladies who love to flaunt their curves.  It has been one of the most sought after fashion trends not only on the runway but also by celebrities on red carpet events. In fact, it is slowly becoming a classic staple similar to the LBD.

From skintight pencil skirts (or bodycon skirts) to figure-hugging dresses and even form-fitting high-waisted jeans, the body-con silhouette will have you showing off your shape if you choose to partake this season.  But how do you wear it? Will it be flattering? How can you keep your look sultry, not trashy?

General Body-Con Tips:

• Don’t be afraid! The thought of tight, figure-hugging clothing probably inspires fear in the majority of women, but it shouldn’t! Most body-con pieces are actually pretty flattering, due to the fact that they suck you in, smoothing out your shape. Still self-conscious? Try wearing Spanx or even high-waisted sheer footless tights under anything you feel is too tight or short.
• Play with proportions. As I’ve stressed in previous articles, if you’re wearing a tight item of clothing, it’s a good rule to balance it out with an item that’s not as form fitting. Wearing a tight skirt? Try a colourful, loose-fitting tank tank top for balance.
• Choose what to showcase. Sure, a tight bandage dress is a great option for a night at the club, but it’s not for every day! For normal wear, it’s best to decide what assets to flaunt and cover the rest! Example: if you’re wearing tight, high-waisted jeans, put on a short sleeved turtleneck! That way, you flaunt your legs and butt, but keep the cleavage under wraps for a classy look.
• Go dark. Because these styles are so form fitting, it’s best to opt for a dark colour if you’re feeling at all shy about showing your shape. Black, dark gray, brown, navy, and even deep purples and reds are all great colour choices for body-con pieces.
• Length Does Matter. A bodycon dress has been depicted as tight and very short – almost like an exclusively clubwear piece. But in fact, some bodycon dresses can go below the knee.The catch is, make sure you wear the right length of dress to the right occasion. a bodycon mini dress is great for turning heads at a club but would not be appropriate for brunch.
• Work: Office wear doesn’t have to mean boring. Try a slightly conservative version of the body con dress – think longer hemlines and high necks. If you are still unsure, layer your body con dress with a fitted jacket.
• Pick your pairings wisely. What you wear with your body-con is almost as important as the body-con item itself! For city chic looks, pair body-con dresses with bombers, boyfriend blazers, or jean jackets. If you’re doing the body-con thing in the AM choose conservative shoes–think ballet flats or boots. Even your accessories can provide some needed coverage, so go ahead and pull out your scarf from last fall! It’s all about striking a balance between showing off your hot bod and keeping it classy.

 Check out my favourites here.

Zando - Assuili Flory Lace Dress Black/ivory R 579

Stylebop - ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Cotton-Viscose Blend Mini-Dress

 

What Do You Think?

Have you braved the body-con trend yet? If so, how do you wear it? If you haven’t tried the trend yet, are you going to pick up a bandage skirt or dress? Let everyone know what you think — leave a comment!