Red Carpet Minute: Best Red Carpet Gowns 2012

Red Carpet Minute: Best Red Carpet Gowns 2012

Le Red Carpet Fab:

We have come to the end of another year, and naturally that means it is time for the "Best of" lists. Here--on my NICKVERREOS.COM blog, I discuss--amongst many things--Red Carpet Fashion, Royals and Royal Weddings, Figure Skating Costumes and yes, Pageant Gowns, so I will do a "Best Of" list for all those. So...let's begin with my Favorite Red Carpet Gowns of 2012:



The Best Ivory, Blush & Color Gowns:

 Gwyneth Paltrow, Academy Awards 2012--Statuesque column one shoulder silk crepe gown with attached--but detachable--cape, from Tom Ford. The Best Gown of the entire night--and probably 2012. Gorgeous, simple, elegant, regal...gown perfection.

 Charlize Theron, Golden Globes 2012--Theron wore one of my favorite gowns of the year at the Golden Globes. It's a blush colored silk chiffon gown featuring a plunging neckline, side slit and folded-down silk gazar bows. The gown is a Custom Dior. Charlize's hair looks perfect, the Cartier headband is chic and so 1930's, and the waist diamond brooch just put's the right amount of sparkle to a fairly neutral-colored gown.

Kate Beckinsale, 2012 Golden Globe Awards--This strapless subtly sparkling fit-to-flare blush-colored gown is from Roberto Cavalli was one of my favorite of the year and of the 2012 Golden Globes red carpet. She was perfection.

Angelina Jolie, Golden Globes 2012--Angelina looked like a Madame Toussauds statue in this white silk satin gown from Atelier Versace. When she got on the red carpet, it was as if "Oh, yes, a Star has arrived!" I loved the pleated side draping, the perfect fit, slight dramatic train and pop of color highlighting THAT face of hers. This was the gown in which she "tested" that now-infamous "Angelina Slit Pose" using her other leg.

Tina Fey, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--One of the BEST Tina Fey has ever looked, in this burgundy colored strapless gown from British designer Vivienne Westwood. It's a simple column gown with a diagonally draped top "corset" section and a delicate peek-a-boo gold and black brocade embellished detail.

Nicole Kidman, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--I LOVED this gown and therefore had to put it here on my "Best of 2012" red carpet gown list.  It's an Antonio Berardi Spring 2013 ivory column gown with turquoise sequins in the form of wings. It fit her beautifully. Nicole was "subdued" elegance...with a sparkle PUNCH!

Natalie Portman, Golden Globes 2012--This is probably my favorite gowns of color from this year's awards shows red carpet. This strapless side-pleated gown is a Custom Lanvin by Alber Elbaz. I absolutely LOVE the fuschia color, and the tone-on-tone effect. The silhouette and side draping is so Classic Couture and very 50's "Old Hollywood Glamour". One of the best!

Best of the Metallic Gowns:

 Nina Dobrev, Met Gala 2012--The gown is Custom Donna Karan and "The Vampire Diaries" star looked stunning! The splashed metallic bias-cut gown is a Donna Karan staple and it works beautifully on Dobrev. She looks like an Erte drawing. I love the open back with side cowl drape and the UBER train is so Pageant Fab!

 Nicole Kidman, Golden Globes 2012--Nicole Kidman makes a second appearance here on my list in one of my other favorite gowns of 2012. This time, Kidman is looking very "Rock-&-Roll Chic" in this Versace Spring 2012 silver-gray column gown with metallic gold studded details. This had S-E-X written all over it. And yet, still looked elegant and red carpet perfect.

Stacy Keibler, Academy Awards 2012--George Clooney's gorgeous girlfriend almost made everyone forget who she came with--in this golden side twisted/draped gown from Marchesa Fall 2012--at this year's Academy Awards. This is not a gown for everyone and not everyone will think it's one of the Best of 2012, but for me, it belongs here for sure.

 Karolina Kurkova, Met Gala 2012--This gown is a golden metallic gown and it's a Custom Rachel Zoe. It's perfect from the front--and back. Love the matching turban...now, that's DRAMA. And yes, it helps that it all being worn by one of the top Supermodels in the World. But, even models can fail at the red carpet. But here, Karolina gets an A+.

Camila Alves, 2012 Cannes Film Festival--Brazilian-born Camila looks Frothy Fab in this Marchesa Fall 2012 lavender gown with a multi-layered tulle bottom and silver metallic embellished torso. This gown reminds me of an updated "Hello Dolly" Couture Goddess. 

Best of the Grecian Goddesses:

Diane Kruger, 2012 Cannes Film Festival--This Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Grecian-inspired silk chiffon gown was one of my Top Picks of 2012. I love the one shoulder style, light-as-a-feather delicacy, back "fall"...it's the complete package of a gown.

 

Viola Davis, Golden Globes 2012--Classic, chic, elegant...all words to describe Viola Davis in this burgundy-colored gathered one shoulder silk chiffon gown featuring a side slit and dramatic back "fall" (just like Diane Kruger's Giambattista Valli creation) from Pucci and Norwegian designer Peter Dundas.

Dita Von Teese, Elton John AIDS Foundation 2012 Academy Awards Viewing Party--She looked exquisite in this Jenny Packham Grecian Goddess style gown with sequined neck, shoulder and sleeve details. A beautiful gown.

Heidi Klum, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--I LOVED Heidi in this seafoam Grecian Goddess-style silk chiffon gown with fitted, gathered waist, deep V neckline and side slit from French designer Alexandre Vauthier. It was one of my favorite gowns of the 2012 Emmy Awards red carpet.

The Best of the All Over Sequin Gowns:

 Milla Jovovich, 2012 Academy Awards--One of the BEST gowns of the 2012 Academy Awards red carpet. This is a gown from the Elie Saab Couture Fall 2009 collection. That means it is over three years old, and frankly, it still surprises me that more stylists don't look through various Couture House's archives of past collections to borrow gowns (if the designer's allow them to, that is). This one shoulder gown features hand-beaded sequins over silk and if ordered, could set a millionaire's wife back about $100,000 (it's one-of-a-kind, made to order and done without one sewing machine--all by hand). It's stunning!

Sofia Vergara, Met Gala 2012--This blue-gray gown is from Marchesa Fall 2012 and features gold and silver sequin embellishments throughout. I loved the cascading peplum style and I think
it was one of my favorite looks on the gorgeous Sofia. We're so used to
seeing her in Va-Va-Voom styles and shapes, this was a nice very High
Fashion departure. Speaking of Va-Va-Voom...

 Sofia Vergara, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--This was also one of my favorite gowns of 2012. It was from Lebanese Couturier Zuhair Murad and the very fitted fit-to-flare teal-colored gown featured all over sequins. She was very "Miss Universo" in this, and maybe that's why I LOVED it! I'd be remiss not to mention the fact that yes, this dress was SO fitted that the center back invisible zipper famously broke (darn those invisible zippers!).

Evan Rachel Wood, 2012 Golden Globe Awards--FLAWLESS is the only word that comes to mind. This halter gown is Custom Gucci and has ombre deep-hunter green-to-emerald colored pailletes hand-sewn covering the gown which then "spill" out into a glorious bottom of feathers. She looks like a Couture Bird of Paradise.

Blake Lively, "Savages" LA Premiere--Blake is simply stunning in this Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2012 gown with black hand-beaded sequins strategically placed throughout the silk tulle and organza gown. One of THE BEST gowns of 2012. She looks like a blond Rita Hayworth.

Finally...

Ali Landry, TV Guide Network 2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet Coverage--Now, being that this is MY blog, after all, I had to be self-indulgent and last but not least, include one of MY own gowns, in this "Best Of 2012" list--Actress Ali Landry wore this raspberry-colored silk ziberline gown from my NIKOLAKI/Nick Verreos & David Paul Collection. to co-host TV Guide Network's 2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet Coverage (seen above with co-host Marc Istook). And yes, I think she looked AMAZING! And therefore, she HAD to make my list.

***Next Up: Best Royal Wedding Gowns of 2012

Pageant Minute: Miss World 2012--World Fashion Designer Award Competition--The Best Gowns!

Pageant Minute: Miss World 2012--World Fashion Designer Award Competition--The Best Gowns!

Beauty Pageant Evening Gowns Good:

Gown Runway: The Miss World "World Fashion Designer Award" Competition, Shanghai China

The Biggest International Beauty Pageant in the world is happening in
Ordos Inner Mongolia China, as we speak--the 62nd annual Miss World 2012 (The finals are August 18th). Ordos isn't exactly Sao Paulo, Miami, Las Vegas or a typical fabulous destination to hold big international beauty pageants, but the host city payed a ton of money and from what I can see, they are doing a fantastic job organizing and showcasing their gem of a city in northern China.

 Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela

116
contestants from 116 nations, islands and territories are competing for
the title of Miss World, won by Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela last year. The ladies have
been in China to for several weeks, attending functions, photo-op's, rehearsals, and various events and official competitions, such as "Beach Beauty", "Sports", "Top Model", and so on.

Of the many events and competitions, one of my faves is the Miss World "World Fashion Designer Award" where
all the contestants model evening gowns from fashion
designers from their homelands.This contest occurred in Shanghai last week so without further pageant-gown-ado...here are my "Nick Faves" in the World Fashion Designer Award evening gowns--and don't worry kiddies, following this post I will be doing my very popular "What the HECK Was She Thinking??" posting.

Miss Sri Lanka Sumudu Prasadini: This was one of my favorite gowns from seeing the photos. This ivory gown had elements of Grecian Goddess and Sari Princess with its draped one shoulder effect. It was dramatic and elegant. Outstanding job Miss Sri Lanka and her designer. Score: 9.8

Miss Ireland Rebecca Maguire: Red was a popular color for the contestants this year (it's always a popular beauty pageant gown color!). This red with silver sequin applique plunging neckline fitted gown on Miss Ireland was one of my Top Faves from this Miss World 2012 World Fashion Designer Award Competition. This is a perfect example of a gown that can work for an international beauty pageant but in a major awards red carpet as well. It fits perfectly, her hair is great and she wisely kept the accessories to a minimum. Miss Ireland must have some Good Style Gays near her! Score: 9.9



Some other Red Dresses I liked:

China People's Republic and England:  Miss China PR Wen Xia Yu (left) wore a simple red fitted gown with sheer bateau neckline and sequin applique. She looked very pretty in it. Score 8.8.



Miss England Charlotte Holmes (right) wore a copper-red colored one shoulder gown with sequin Empire-waist detail. It flowed gloriously down the catwalk/stage and looked modern and red carpet-worthy. Score: 9.0.

Miss Philippines Queenierich (love her name!) Rehman: One of the best in RED! Her gown is very Marchesa-meets-Givenchy Couture (see "Miss Nepal" toward end of this post) the Pageant Version--it looks expensive, well-made, red carpet-and-runway ready--and fits her beautifully. Score: 9.6

Miss Colombia Barbara Turbay: This red strapless number could have easily gone into "Hoochie Coochie" territory--you've got the sheer, the high slit...but somehow it worked on her.

 Gucci Fall 2011 (left) Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2011 (right)

Gucci and Givenchy Haute Couture recently (Fall 2011) showed a lot of gowns that were not lined--just like the red gown on Miss Colombia Barbara Turbay. Hers reminded me of one of those styles from the runways. I just wished the shoes weren't so "clunky" and why the mini box on them?? Too tacky-licious. Strappy heels huney. Next time. Score: 9.0

Printed Beauty: Usually it's Hit or Miss when wearing a printed dress---on the Red Carpet as well as in international beauty pageants. I think it works here on the very pretty Miss Ethiopia Melkam Endale. I LOVE the colors and silhouette of this dress. The neckline and gathered torso/bust detail is fabulous as well. Score: 9.2



Best in Ivory:

Georgia and Israel: Another popular color (or non color) in the pageant world is ivory/white. Lots of ladies wore white and these were several of the best, in my eyes. Miss Georgia Salome Khomeriki (top left) wore a one shoulder draped chiffon and satin gown. It featured a very high slit BUT it was rather hidden among all the chiffon over-layering. The gown was very Pronovias and it worked on her. Score: 9.2



Miss Israel Shani Hazan looks STUNNING in this fit-to-flare gown that hugs her EVERY curve perfectly. The gown itself isn't so exciting but it does the job of making her look elegant, it fits her well and she doesn't look HOOCHIE (Thank You!) . The six foot tall beauty almost looks REGAL. Score: 9.7

Miss Russia Elisaveta Golovanova stayed safe with this creme halter-style gown with yes--a big side slit (hello, it's a beauty pageant of course!). The gown wasn't earth shattering in style or "Wow" appeal but like I said, she played it safe. Score: 8.6

Miss Bolivia Mariana Garcia wore a blush-colored strapless gown (more pink than ivory but I chose to put her here nonetheless). I liked this gown. It could have gone "Feather KRAZEE" in a hot minute (wait 'till you see my "Oh NOOOO!!!" posting) but it didn't. I like the beaded swirl patterns on the dress as well and the gown fits her nicely. Score: 9.0

I think Miss Guatemala Monique Aparicio looks very "RetroFab" in this orange duchesse satin gown. The color pops onstage, and the dress looks expensive. I also love that she had added a retro hairstyle too-very Oscar de la Renta meets Jackie O--the Guatemalan version. Score: 9.4

Miss Mexico Mariana Berumen: One word: WOW.  From head to the tips of her stacked heel pumps: fab! The elegance of the black color, the waist-defining detail of the thin jeweled belt, the high-neck contrasted with the slit (yes, if there was one criticism, it's that slit is WAAAAY to high darling!). One of my faves (if only she closed up about four inches of that slit!). Score: 9.8

And finally, a "Wild Card" Good One:

Miss Nepal Shristi Shrestha (try and say her name FAST four times!): First off, she's very pretty. The picture above may not be a good one but there is something about this gown that made me stop and go "Oh, I think she looks HOT!" I know that maybe some of you out there might think it's a bit much but trust me darlings, you haven't see my "Oh Dear!" list yet. I like the gown because it's modern, it's sexy but not HOOCHIE and evokes a Couture-like feeling.

Marchesa Fall 2012 (left) and Beyonce in Givenchy Custom, Met Ball 2012

It reminds me a lot of Marchesa (above, left) and the Givenchy gown Beyonce wore to the Met Ball (right) earlier this year. Miss Nepal's gown is a good Knock-Off of both combined! Score for Miss Nepal's gown: 9.5



Up Next: My "Oh NOOOO!!!!" List from the Miss World "World Fashion Designer Award" Competition...




Here's a Sneak Peak of the MESSES:

 Feathered Vegas Gay Pride Float on Miss Ukraine

Oh Huney: Miss Mongolia is SERVING Nefertiti Mongolian Goddess!

***STAY TUNED to the rest of the Hot Messes!

Nick TV Minute: NBC-LA TV Emmy Awards 2012, FIDM Scholarship Store Red Carpet Finds, and Much More!

Nick TV Minute: NBC-LA TV Emmy Awards 2012, FIDM Scholarship Store Red Carpet Finds, and Much More!

Emmy TV Minute:

Today in Fashion Fab: (Left to right) Carl Bell (Weathercaster for the weekend editions for "Today In LA NBC"), "Today In LA Weekend" Anchors Ted Chen, Michelle Valles, and Nick Verreos

Last weekend was Emmy Awards time and as it has become a tradition, I was asked to go to visit my NBC-LA friends as the Fashion and Museum Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--to give my "Nick Two Cents" on what I thought the "Red Carpet Trends for the Emmys 2012" would be before the actual Emmy Awards and then I returned the day after to give my Emmys Fashion Round Up.

Speaking of the Emmy Awards and Costumes and FIDM--just so you know--the winning designs for this year's Emmy Awards "Outstanding Costumes for a Series" was HBO's "Game of Thrones" (above photo) and yes...

They are featured at this year's "6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design" Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries. And don't forget, they are open (Tuesday through Saturday) until October 20th and best of all, it's FREE. Go check it out (if you haven't!).

Now, let's discuss my predictions: last Saturday prior to the Emmy Awards 2012 Live Telecast, I went on NBC-LA Channel 4 "Today in LA" weekend news program with anchors Ted Chen and Michelle Valles to discuss what I thought would be the Red Carpet Trends using gowns from my very own NIKOLAKI Collection. I mentioned "The High Low Hem":

 NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul "high-low hem" gowns

And that came true in various forms, including the black Zac Posen gown "Mad Men" actress January Jones wore:

I also talked about COLOR--particularly corals, reds, etc. being a possible big trend--and lo and behold, they were:

Left to right: (my example) NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul coral colored gown and Ginnifer Goodwin in a Monique Lhullier coral and nude gown (also High-Low Hem BTW!)

Finally, I told Ted and Michelle on NBC-LA "Today in LA" weekend show that full-on sequins would be a presence on Emmy Awards 2012 red carpet...and it was:

Left to right: (my example) NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, and Sofia Vergara in Zuhair Murad all-over sequin gown

NBC-LA News Anchors Chuck Henry, Colleen Williams and Fashion Designer FIDM Spokesperson Nick Verreos

On Monday after the Emmy Awards, I had the pleasure of being invited back to the NBC-LA Burbank Studios to discuss my "Top Picks" and those styles that well, were great but "Needed Improvement!". For the NBC-LA Channel 4 5 o'clock News, I joined my FAVORITE Anchors Colleen Williams and Chuck Henry. In case you were wondering, my Best Dressed was...

Heidi Klum in seafoam green Alexandre Vauthier silk chiffon double-slit gown. Perfect Miss Heidi.

To finish off my NBC-LA appearances over the weekend, I also shot a fun TV segment with Ted Chen showing "How to Dress for Red Carpet Events" on less than $100, featuring looks from the wonderful FIDM Scholarship Store, located in Downtown LA, street level at FIDM LA Campus.

Gown Sale: FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A.

Fashionista Jewelry Options: FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A.

I was so excited to film a special TV segment with NBC-LA's Ted Chen showing how women can dress for their own "Red Carpet" events but not spend thousands and thousands of dollars. The FIDM Scholarship Store is great for that. It has LOTS and LOTS of gowns, cocktail dresses, for under $100 from BRAND name designers--that would work perfectly at events such as the Emmys.

Strapless Girls: Nick Verreos, with models (left to right) Zdenka Sutton, Amanda Fields and Etirsa--FIDM Scholarship Store

Joining me on the NBC-LA "Red Carpet Under $100" segment were three of my favorite models in Southern California including Amanda Fields, Etirsa, and Zdenka Sutton.

Gown Prom Dates: FIDM Spokesperson and Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and NBC-LA's Ted Chen join models Zdenka Sutton, Amanda Fields and Etirsa--FIDM Scholarship Store

We all had so much fun shooting the segment and hopefully (if you watched it), we were helpful in getting the message out there that you don't have to spend $50,000 to look Red Carpet Fab!