FASHION LOS ANGELES AWARDS 2016: Best of the red carpet (kind of)

FASHION LOS ANGELES AWARDS 2016: Best of the red carpet (kind of)

Last night Daily Front Row celebrated the second edition of the Fashion Los Angeles Awards: a star-studded night dedicated to fashion...but with a forgettable red carpet. 

This is going to be fun.

Before we jump to the funny part, let me take a moment to cheer for the winners and honorees of the night: fashion royalty Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld graced the stage to receive respectively the Fashion Icon Award and the Magazine of the Year Award (CR Fashion Book), while Eva Chow was crowned as Fashion Innovator. 

A night to remember also for stylist/designer Brandon Maxwell, who took home the Designer of the Year Award (Is he going to repeat the experience at the upcoming 2016 CFDA?), and the unstoppable Lady Gaga, who was awarded Editor of the Year thanks to her remarkable work with V Magazine's pre-spring issue. 

The last highlight of the night? 

Bella Hadid defeating her own sister, Gigi Hadid, for the Model Of The Year prize.

As I stated before, the good news stop here, because the red carpet was a total snooze fest...except for Nicole Richie, who brought some glam in Valentino, Kate Hudson and her two-pieces by August Getty Atelier, Jennifer Lopez, a chic vision in Ermanno Scervino, and yes, Mrs Kim Kardashian West, who happens to be on my best dressed list when she goes for a more minimalistic and classy attire.

Therefore let's have a look at the worst looks of the night:

"I am more famous than my sister" 

Gigi Hadid in Yanina Couture Fall 2015

Let me get the picture for you: it's your little sister big night, and you decide to support her by attending the special event...what would you be wearing?
Something simple and not too eye-catching?
Well, that's Gigi Hadid's pick for the night: a sheer caftan and a questionable bodysuit. Over-the-top? Yes, but coherent with her latest red carpet appereances: sexy, messy and pointless.
However a floor-length slip and a different hairstyle could have upgraded the final effect. Do you agree?

"Smoking-hot. Literally" 

Bella Hadid in Moschino Fall 2016

At first glance you might think that Gigi burned Bella's dress out of spite for not winning the model of the year award, but unfortunately that is a lie.
The Hadid sisters love each other (and I hope each other outfits at this point), therefore what you see is 1) a conscious choice made by Bella Hadid and 2) a design by Jeremy Scott for Moschino.
A classic beautiful look...until you look at the hem.

"Gaga oh-la-la!" 

Lady Gaga in Saint Laurent Fall 2016

That awkward moment when your stylist is awarded as designer of the year (Brandon Maxwell), and for his big night decides to dress you with an hideous creation from another designer.

Maybe I was too quick on judging the Grammys' fashion.

Written by:Stella

FASHION LOS ANGELES AWARDS 2016

Designer of the Year   

Brandon Maxwell

Women's Stylist of the Year 

Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn

(clients: Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Lily Collins, Ciara, Shakira, Rachel McAdams)

Editor of the Year

Lady Gaga - V magazine

Model of the Year

Bella Hadid

Fashion Innovator

Eva Chow

Jewelry Designer  

Jennifer Meyer

Magazine of the Year 

Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book 

Fashion Icon 

Karl Lagerfeld  

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps: Episode 12 Best Western Red Carpet Challenge Photo Blog Recap!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps: Episode 12 Best Western Red Carpet Challenge Photo Blog Recap!

A Trip to Red Carpet Land: Images from this week's Episode 12 Season 14 "Project Runway"

This week on Lifetime's Season 14 "Project Runway", there are only four designers left in the show and they are very close to going to NY Fashion Week to show their Finale Collections...

Red Heidi: Heidi unveils the "Best Western Red Carpet Challenge"--Season 14 "Project Runway Episode 12

The Challenge this week was to design a Red Carpet look inspired by the "Land of Glamour": Los Angeles. This was also the Best Western Challenge...

Tim Tickets: Tim Gunn had the "tickets" for the designers to fly to Los Angeles. Not sure if these would actually work through the TSA Security but...I give the "Project Runway" Bunim/Murray Art Dept. props for coming up with these "airline tickets". I highly doubt that the four contestants got to sit in "A1"; a $4,000 round trip Transcontinental First Class ticket is not in their budget, kids.

LA-LA Land: Once in L.A., the designers headed to their hotel--their home for the next 1 1/2 days while in Los Angeles

Sunset Villa: Being that it was the "Best Western Challenge", the designers got to stay at the wonderfully located Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel. The hotel is iconic and situated in the heart of the Sunset Strip.

(L to R) Tammy Lucas, Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising Best Western Hotels and Tim Gunn: While at the pool of the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza, Lucas announces to the designers that the winner of this Challenge would get 100 FREE "Best Western Rewards" NIGHTS (!) to be used at any Best Western Hotel and Resort worldwide. Lord have mercy! Yeah...this was Candice's reaction:

Shut The Front Door!!! Designer Candice Cuoco reacts to the "Best Western Rewards" prize for the winner--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 12

After their time at the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza, Tim and the designers were off to a multi-million dollar Hollywood Hills home...

Nice View: Tim Gun and Season 14 Top Four designers--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 12

(L to R) "The Insider" correspondent Keltie Knight and Tim Gunn: The reason for this Hollywood Hills location was to supposedly get the designers "inspired for designing for the Red Carpet. The view was very nice but I think they should have, instead, had a visit with a Red Carpet L.A.-based designer such as Monique Lhuillier or at least, gone to a red carpet premiere. #JustSaying. Also, I had issues with Knight's statements that "this is not the time to play it safe". Has she actually been to a recent ACADEMY AWARDS!!!??? It's ALL about SAFE! And Fashion BOOOOOORING.

Mood L.A.: The designer got to go to Mood Los Angeles--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 12

 FIDM: While in Southern California--and during their 1 1/2 days--the designers got to create their Red Carpet designs at my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM. In case you're wondering, this was the same place we shot "Project Runway: Under the Gunn".

While at the FIDM workroom, someone got SCISSOR HAPPY...

 Cutting Edmond: Designer Edmond Newton cuts, and cuts...and cuts, into his multicolored sequin fabric--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 12

From OK to Oh No: Edmond's design went from a long column gown to a cape-sleeved, fishtail hemmed mini dress--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 12

The Runway:

Ashley Nell Tipton: Cryin' Ashley did a pretty good Red Carpet gown, using copper/gold sequin fabric. It was impacting and sexy, but the top was a little wonky. But overall, good job! Thank goodness she didn't do a CROP TOP and PLEATED CIRCLE SKIRT.

Candice Cuoco: Candice loves the color black so it was no surprise she would do a black gown. This was the "safest" of all the red carpet looks and honestly, one of the most successful designs.

Kelly Dempsey: Kelly's halter neck jumpsuit was oh-so-chic and oh-so-perfect for a young Hollywood Starlet. The fit was EVERYTHING! She won. Rightfully so.

Oh Edmond...

Edmond Newton: No. No, and No. While this is perfect for Heidi Klum hosting "Germany's Next Top Model" or a Eurovision contest, it wasn't Hollywood Glamour Red Carpet. This was cheap looking and tasteless. It reminded me of a costume from...

Mamma Mia: The Musical

Edmond was OUT!

Or Is He???? (Hello! Tim Save!)

Here's my RECAP for this week's episode:

Season 14, Episode 12: A Trip to the Land of Glam

And then there were four! Four designers are left
on this season of “Project Runway” and this week they took a trip to
sunny Los Angeles for the Best Western Red Carpet Challenge. Their
designs ranged from safe elegance to glam goddess and even stretched
into "Mamma Mia" musical theater territory. And of course, there was
that cliffhanger-like ending (To save or not to save?). We’re getting
closer to NY Fashion Week, so there’s no need to dilly-dally…time to
recap.

The episode begins with a shot of a red
carpet-lined runway stage. The designers are there as Heidi calls out to
Tim to “bring the tickets.” Immediately, she announces that for their
next challenge the designers will be heading to the “land of glam. Where
the lights shine and the stars shine brighter." Los Angeles! Tim hands
the designers their “Project Runway” super economy class tickets and
tells them their challenge: to design a look for the red carpet and use
L.A. as their inspiration. He tells them that they will be designing as
well as constructing their creations in Los Angeles. The segment ends
with Ashley saying she is excited to be thinking “outside of the box.”
No crop tops or pleated circle skirts, I hope.

The designers arrive in Los Angeles and check in to the Italian villa inspired Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel...

Click HERE on the myLifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog to continue reading my RECAP

NICK VERREOS FIDM.....Nick Verreos Appearance at FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2016": Blog Recap!

NICK VERREOS FIDM.....Nick Verreos Appearance at FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2016": Blog Recap!

FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016--Nick Verreos Special Appearance

The annual FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Summer Program began last week and as the Official Spokesperson for the college, I was honored to be a "Special Guest". The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's "3 Days of Fashion" is an incredible summer program that occurs in all four FIDM campuses including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco. During the three days of the program, high school students take draping, sketching and how-to-create-a-promotional campaign workshops, do trend research shopping, be inspired by FIDM graduates, experience the incredible resources and instructors the college has to offer and...

Selfie Time: Nick Verreos takes selfie with FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016 attendees

As a bonus, the FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" attendees get to be guests at my Special Appearance and enjoy a special runway presentation of my high-end designs! The first stop on the FIDM 3 Days of Fashion was the FIDM San Diego campus. I love visiting this campus for many reasons including the fact that

A) It's San Diego, one of the cities with the most perfect weather in the US, thank you very much;

B) The FIDM San Diego campus is fabulous, intimate and OMG-Have-You-seen-the-View!? And...

C) I also love visiting because my NIKOLAKI design partner-for-life David Paul is originally from there and so it's a chance for him to visit his family! (and for Uncles Nick and David to use David's niece Emilie as our "assistant"!).



Here is a Blog Photo Recap of my Special Appearance, special "Fashion School with Nick" Lecture + Much More:

Special Guest Nick Verreos: Nick Verreos onstage at FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Lecture with a View: Nick Verres at FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Signed FIDM Tote Bags and NIKOLAKI gowns waiting for their runway--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Model Alizee Gaillard wearing NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul strapless evening gown in black silk zibeline and silk damask--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

What's In a Gown?: Nick Verreos with model Alizee Gaillard describing his NIKOLAKI fuchsia pink duchesse satin cascade drape gown--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Model Alizee Gaillard in NIKOLAKI fuchsia pink duchesse satin cascade drape gown--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Nick Verreos with model Alizee Gaillard in NIKOLAKI chartreuse colored silk chiffon cocktail dress with jeweled crystal waist--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Nick Verreos with model Alizee Gaillard wearing NV Nick Verreos QVC UK printed jersey snap-front jumpsuit--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Fashion School With Nick Verreos: Attendees at FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016 getting a lesson in High Fashion

SMILE & POSE: Post-Appearance Meet & Greet Pics----------------------------------------------------

Nick Verreos Post-Appearance Meet & Greet Photo Collages at FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Signing Time: Nick Verreos signs autographs at FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Uncles and Niece Selfie Time: Nick Verreos and David Paul with David's niece Emilie Coon (our official FIDM San Diego "Assistant")--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

San Diego Familia: (L to R) David Paul, Conchita Encinas-Hansen, Emilie Coon, Nick Verreos--FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion 2016

Petco Park View: View of Petco Park from the campus of FIDM San Diego

**UP NEXT: FIDM Los Angeles 3 Days of Fashion 2016 BLOG RECAP!!!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Begins his FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Tour in FIDM San Francisco!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Begins his FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Tour in FIDM San Francisco!

City by the Bay Couture and Fashion School FAB-U-Lousnesss!!!!!

Nick In Heaven: Nick Verreos at the de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition San Francisco

Last week, I began my 2011 FIDM 3 Days of Fashion "Tour". As the Official Spokesperson--and Alumn of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, I travel to all the Campuses for their annual "3 Days of Fashion" EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! Three Days of Fashion is the event where high-school and post graduates:

• Discover new and exciting career options
• Take workshops such as Draping, Creative Thinking, and Product Development
• Learn how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure
• Find out what a Designer really does
• Meet FIDM Grads who have found success and are doing what they love
• Find out how the industry gets the latest information about trends
• Tour some of the best shopping spots in the world
• Get the answers to all your questions from the people who really know: the working professionals

My first stop was San Francisco:

I flew up to San Francisco from my home base in Los Angeles on Virgin America (my plane above)--one of my favorite airlines! The flight attendants are always so friendly and I love the ordering food and drinks from the TV screen thing--even on a one-hour flight!

Chic Airport: SFO Terminal 2

I landed in SFO's spankin' brand (almost) new Terminal 2. The terminal was outfitted with cool red "egg" chairs and an overall post-modern design aesthetic: Loved it! Reminded me of the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK. After getting my suitcase (I brought gowns kids!!!), I got to the City and checked into my room at one of my FAVE SF Hotels--the Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco.

Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco San Francisco "Welcome"

As always, there was a "Welcome Nick!" bottle of wine (Hello!) and glasses for me to enjoy. Sometimes there is a cheese-and-snack plate but not this time unfortunately. Maybe this was a "Welcome with a small 'w' ". But nevertheless, I was very THANKFUL for the wine but I saved it for later because besides making my FIDM SF "3 Days of Fashion" appearance, I had one other thing on my mind and that was:

De Young Museum: Balenciaga and Spain

Yes....going to the De Young Museum and visiting the "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition Hello??? My Northern California friend Didi Simon and I drove to the Museum (I ordered the tickets online beforehand) and we went and enjoyed EVERY single COUTURE Gown of it!

It was AMAZING!!! The Exhibition closes on July 4th and I will be traveling to Europe July 5th so this was the ONLY time I could see it!!! It was GLORIOUS!!! I absolutely LOVE , adore, admire Cristobal Balenciaga and his creations so to me, it was like being in Fashion Heaven! The Exhibition is organized into six "Inspiration" sections: Spanish Art, Regional Dress, the Spanish Court, Religious Life and Ceremony, the Bullfight, and Dance.

Gown Central: "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition, De Young Museum San Francisco

At one point, I gave an impromptu "Haute Couture Lesson/Tour" as I was describing all the intricacies of the Art of Haute Couture and construction/seaming to my friend Didi, and then I turned around and there were about TEN or so other exhibit visitors listening! And funny enough, many visitors recognized me and were very happy that A) I was there, and B) I was giving them a FREE knowledgeable mini-tour!

But soon, it was time to make my "special appearance" at FIDM SF's "3 Days of Fashion":

I always LOVE coming to San Francisco and the FIDM SF!!! They always treat me like a Star! Today was supposed to be the final day of their annual "3 Days of Fashion" and I was their "special guest star"!!!

FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Welcome

As part of the "3 Days of Fashion" events, FIDM SF organizers have a fun-and-fabulous "Project FIDM" fashion show, where participants get to "re-create" and "re-cycle" garments and then have a fashion show that is judged a la Project Runway.

Jackets Required: FIDM SF Alumna Julia A. Hill and Nick Verreos, FIDM San Francisco "2011 3 Days of Fashion"

For the 2nd consecutive year, I was joined by Clinton Kelly's (from TLC's "What Not To Wear") Executive Assistant and new Director of Design for his QVC line--FIDM SF Alumn Julia A. Hill as one of my co-judges of that aforementioned contest. She was looking VERY "NY Vogue Magazine Jr. Editor" in her pleated high-waist khaki trousers, lilac tank and black "Boyfriend" jacket.

Judges Judging: Julia A. Hill Nick Verreos and three Guest Student Judges discuss who the winners of "Project FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion" will be

Model Rachael Sitz in NIKOLAKI red silk satin-back crepe backless gown with...

Swarovski crystal straps, gathered back and Godet-train

In addition to the Contest, I also brought several of my NIKOLAKI Red Carpet Dresses to show the "3 Days of Fashion" attendees. The dresses were modeled by Look Model Agency model Rachael Sitz, one of the BEST--and favorite--models in San Francisco!!

Model Rachael Sitz in the NIKOLAKI lilac hand-beaded lilac cocktail dress, FIDM SF 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

I even brought THE "Katy Perry" dress--a lilac-colored hand-beaded one-shoulder sequin dress that Katy Perry wore to launch her Purr Perfume. Yes, kids, Miss Katy Perry wore one of my designs!!!

Say "Hi" San Francisco: FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Attendees, waiting for an autograph and a photo

Posin' Fashionistas: FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" attendees and Nick Verreos (center)--and a signed t-shirt

FIDM Goodie Bags:Nick Verreos, Julia A. Hill and Winners pose with their autographed FIDM bags, FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion

All in all, I had a BLAST at FIDM San Francisco's "3 Days of Fashion"; the Contest, the fashion show, showing my gowns/dresses, I even stayed a coupe of hours afterward and signed autographs and took pics with each and every one of the attendees! (which I LUV doing!)

I was even asked to sign someone's iPhone!!! Someone's iPhone may end up on Ebay...

Thanks San Francisco and Northern California for a FAB FIDM "3 Days of Fashion"!! Can't wait to come back!!!!!