FIDM MUSEUM....."Fashion Philanthropy" Exhibition, from The Linda & Steven Plochocki Collection

FIDM MUSEUM....."Fashion Philanthropy" Exhibition, from The Linda & Steven Plochocki Collection

Golden Dress: A Boue Soeurs Paris France Silk Tulle and Silk Satin "Presentation Dress"--The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Even though the 11th Annual Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition closed earlier this month, if you are a FASHION COUTURE ENTHUSIAST, you still have plenty of time to swing by the FIDM Museum in Downtown Los Angeles to enjoy the beautiful "Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection".

           The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los                                                                                     Angeles



The Exhibition showcases collected, purchased and donated items--both garments and accessories--from the Plochocki's collection, and explores Linda's fascination with all things floral and embroidered. In addition to 19th and 20th century pieces, the show also highlights contemporary designs by Prada, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Raf Simons for Christian Dior. FIDM Museum Creative Director Peter Lam's hand-crafted paper flowers adorn the walls and accentuate the blush and grey color scheme. 

Linda and Steven Plochocki (Center), with Barbara Bundy (Far left) FIDM Museum Director and Vice President of Education and Tonian Hohberg, President of FIDM--Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection at FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Here are some photos of the GLORIOUS COUTURE on display:

Couture Garden: Historical Ladies Garments from the Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection--on display at "Fashion Philanthropy Exhibition: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

(Left to right): Evening Dress c. 1837-40 evening dress of silk brocade and a 1908 "Afternoon Gown" of gray silk satin and silk chiffon trimmed with embroidered silk flowers from "Liberty and Company" LTD London...

The front bodice of the 1908 "Afternoon Gown" simulates a jacket as seen in the close-up above--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Chic Debutante: A 1928 presentation dress worn by Miss Sallie Bell Gaston at the Dallas Country Club. Made by Boué Souers in Paris. The dress is of silk tulle, silk satin, lamé, metallic floss and silk ribbon embroidery--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Glam Winter Coat: Charles Worth c. 1885 silk velvet brocade coat, trimmed in sable--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Pouffed & Cinched: A jacket-bodice c. 1898 by Jaques Doucet. Iridescent silk taffeta, silk chiffon, silk satin ribbon, silk lace, and silk chenille (notice how TEENY-TINY the wearer must have been back in that era)---"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Asiana Fab: Andrienne Landau velvet & fur coat, c. 2000--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Raining Flowers: Raf Simons for Dior Spring/Summer 2016 coat/parka--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Alta Moda: 1965 Valentino Garavani silk crepe coat with glass beads, rhinestones, metallic and silk thread and synthetic raffia--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Nuptials Couture: Wedding Gown c. 1878 by Emile Pingat made of silk faille, netting, chiffon, floss, satin, cotton and lace. Orange blossoms made of colored wax detail the gown. The dress is 139 YEARS OLD and in PERFECT CONDITION; better than some of my NIKOLAKI gowns that are worn on the red carpet after one night's event!--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Here are the DETAILS of the fabulous exhibition:

WHAT: Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection 



WHEN: Runs through December 22, 2017



WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries 

                919 South Grand Avenue, Ground Floor 

                Los Angeles California 90015

                Entrance on Grand Hope Park side



COST: FREE!

EUROPE.....Museum Visits Recap Part Two: Les Arts Decoratifs Museum "Fashion Forward: 3 Centuries of Fashion" and "Barbie" Exhibitions!

EUROPE.....Museum Visits Recap Part Two: Les Arts Decoratifs Museum "Fashion Forward: 3 Centuries of Fashion" and "Barbie" Exhibitions!

Couture and Barbie: Collage of the "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" and "Barbie" Exhibitions--Les Arts Decoratifs Paris

Continuing with my EUROPE MUSEUM RECAP, here's Part 2 of my Blog. In my previous blog HERE I covered attending the "Vogue 100 Years of Style" London Exhibition as well as the "James Bond: 50 Years of Style" Exhibit in Paris. David and I were in Paris for less than 24 hours but we wanted to make sure to take advantage of the brief time we had.

David Paul and Nick Verreos--Barbie Exhibition, Les Arts Decoratifs Paris

Mon Dieu!--Nick Verreos at the "Fashion Forward: 3 Centuries of Fashion" Exhibition, Les Arts Decoratifs Paris

We were very excited when we found out that there were TWO fabulous fashion exhibitions in Paris and in ONE Museum: Les Arts Decoratifs. The exhibitions were "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" (3 Centuries of Fashion), and the "Barbie" Exhibition (enough said!). So, naturally, we had to attend!

Les Arts Decoratifs Museum, Paris France

So, let's begin with the "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" fashion exhibition. This amazing exhibition celebrates three centuries of fashion--from the 1715-2016. The Exhibition is a fashion designer's/fashion historian/fashionista/fashion lover's DREAM! It begins with stunning 18th Century clothing from the Louis XIV time including all the fabulous Watteau-backed gowns, elaborate brocade waistcoats, and then into the Napoleon and Empress Josephine era with the delicately gorgeous Empire gowns. The exhibition segues right into the bustle-backed fashion period and the start of modern Haute Couture with Charles Frederick Worth in the late 1800's and early 20th Century Chanel, Lanvin, Schiaparelli and so many more...

Pannier Divine: Court Dress, around 1778--"Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Watteau Couture: Watteau-back dress and petticoat (robe a la francaise), around 1740--"Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition, Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Striped Bustle: Striped satin gown "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Worth Sublime: An 1865 gown from Couturier Charles Frederick Worth--"Fashion Forward: 3                                      Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

  Fortuny Chic: "Delphos" Dress from Mariano Fortuny 1905-1907--"Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles                                          de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

     Empire Couture: Dress from Callot Soeurs 1909-1913--"Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode"                                                Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Empire Train: "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum                                                                                    Paris

Early 20th Century Mode: "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs                                                                            Museum Paris

The exhibition then moved onto the 20th Century highlighting the height of Haute Couture with late 1940s/1950's designs from Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain as well as the fabulous 1960's looks of Andre Courreges, Paco Rabanne, Emanuel Ungaro. When I walked into the main hall of Les Arts Decoratifs which contained these designs...I almost began to cry...

1950's Couture Superb: "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs                                                                             Museum Paris

Dior 1947 New Look: "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs                                                                             Museum Paris

Toreador and Picasso: Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture--"Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode"                                           Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Emanuel Ungaro and Andre Courreges: "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les                                                              Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Cardin Caftan: 1960s Pierre Cardin flower printed silk gown (right)--"Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles                                   de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

   Balenciaga Pouf: Cristobal Balenciaga evening ensemble Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1961--                 "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Comme des Garcons, 2016: "Fashion Forward: 3 Siecles de Mode" Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs                                                                      Museum Paris

Next up was the "Barbie" Exhibition---------------------------------------------------------------------------





Barbie!--Les Arts Decoratifs Museum in Paris also had the wonderful "Barbie" exhibition, showcasing...Barbie (!), of course. The exhibit pays tribute to the iconic doll, featuring 700 versions of the doll with many different styles of Barbie fashion. I was especially excited to seeing this exhibition since naturally, I am and have always been, a big Barbie fan. Also, if you might remember, I had a very nice moment during my time on Season 2 "Project Runway" when my design won the "Barbie Challenge"...

Nick Verreos "My Scene Barbie" Winning Design--Season 2 "Project Runway"

 Nick Verreos "Malibu Barbie" design--FIDM 2009 DEBUT show

I eventually had my own Barbie design sold all over the world. I also designed a "Malibu Barbie" look for the 50th Anniversary of Barbie celebration at the FIDM DEBUT fashion gala show. I was a bit sad that these creations/designs did not make it into the exhibition but, alas, there was enough there, to keep my attention.

Lots of Barbies--Barbie Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Barbie Couture Salon Fashion Show--Barbie Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Barbie Fab: Barbie Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Barbie & Ken Skating: Roller Skating and Figure Skating Barbie and Ken--Barbie Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Paris

Stewardess Barbie: American Airlines Stewardess Barbie--Barbie Exhibition Les Arts Decoratifs Museum Paris

Nick Verreos at the Louvre Pyramid and Louvre Palace Museum Courtyard, Paris France

Paris Sketch: I was so inspired by being in Paris--even for such a short time--that I did a "Couture Fashion Sketch" in my hotel :)

Au Revoir Paris! XO, Nick