Hairstyles 2014: Long and Medium Length hair

Hairstyles 2014: Long and Medium Length hair

Crop Tops: NO. CROP. TOPS. Peplums: The peplum was everywhere last year; they were on dresses, shirts and jackets. Worn/Washed Out Jeans: Raw denim in mid-toned blue and the occasional unfinished hem is looming on the fashion horizon for jeans. The high-wasted, butt cheek bearing jean shorts that were so "in" in 2013 will longer be fashion acceptable so throw those OUT.

Cutouts: The revealing cutout details of 2013 dresses have been replaced by sheer fabric. You can switch to dresses or shirts with sheer paneling.

IN

This trend is great for dresses and going out tops. Collared Shirts: The crisp, menswear-inspired dress shirt enjoys a makeover with inventively cool, contrasting color and/or textured collars and cuffs. The fashion-edgy sporty look is coming in a big way in 2014.

An appropriate expression that summarizes the evening fashion trends of 2014 is "elegant luxury." This time designers have been forgetting the color palettes, textures, shapes, pathos in the cuts and all other innovations that remind us of the past seasons. This time they're bringing back the traditional old-fashioned styles.

Deep cuts and open shoulders were chosen as the neck designs for designing the most seductive chest area. Given below are some popular trends that you can expect to see in the designs of evening dresses in 2014:

Vivid and spectacular color choices

Noble and elegant color schemes are the future of fashion in 2014, so they've been used in evening dresses too. Enlightening folds on the dresses

Folds, pleats and drapes are some common designing tactics used in the evening dresses of 2014.

Whether clothing or hairstyles, each new year ushers in new fashion trends.

Hairstyles 2014: Long and Medium Length hair

1. Braids:

You can wear them in umpteen styles - crown braids, cornrows, herringbone or fishtail braids, the school girl braid, the loose messy side braid, the waterfall braid, the braided top knot, the side swept braid etc.

2. The Ponytail:

Ponytails suit almost all face shapes and hold well on all types of hair. Gather your hair in a sleek, high ponytail for a sporty or professional look. 3. Loose Waves:

This 90's inspired hairstyle never seems to go out of fashion. If you have naturally curly hair, play up the curls on your hair. Hairstyles 2014: Short hairstyle

Shorter cuts have several advantages. Short hair is easy to maintain. Short styles make one look younger. Bangs and bobs gel well. Try different types of bangs - fringe, Cleopatra bangs, side swept bangs or asymmetrical bangs.

If we take a look at what designers have prepared for the prom dresses of 2014 then we find that the prom trends of next year seem to be the formalwear interpretations of street style and high-end fashion. Many celebrities like Selena Gomez, Vanessa Gomez, Chloe Moretz and Carly Rae Jepsen sparked these fashion trends this year by wearing such dresses at premiers and award ceremonies. Some most notable trends are being mentioned below:

Peplum: Over the course of last few months Peplum has exploded in the market of prom dresses. Peplum skirts, tops and other dresses are available at almost all locations and for all budgets. A highly notable trend in the lace designs is that they're being used as striking designs this time. Brighter hues: Brighter is better for prom dresses in 2014. Generally colored dresses used to dominate the space of prom dresses but this time designers have been shifting to the neon hued designs. The most awesome thing about this trend is that it can be easily combined with other trends (i.e. peplum or lace) for making an outstanding prom dress.

The rise of High-Low: This trend gives designers an opportunity to innovate with multiple colors, prints and design trends. You can find ombre everywhere - from nail polishes to hairstyles to prom dresses. Short dresses with sheer overlay: If you want to loo

k sexy on that prom night then this trend is coming out just for you. Dresses like these look like a combination of gown and party dress.

While each colour body and/or manufacturer has at least one dominant neutral colour scheme within their 2014 trend palettes, colour definitely comes into play.

Colours remain bright, bold and playful, which is a continuation - and furtherance - of current trends. a melding of both vibrant and deep hues... intertwined in intriguingly inventive colour combinations

Watery palettes, combining multiples shades of greens and blues, will no doubt be a favorite. With all the agates and high-sheen finishes seen at High Point, expect blue to sparkle.

• It is refreshing to see in a New Year and witness the changing fashion seasons. Floral Patterns- A daunting concept for some of the more macho men but floral patterns seem to be making a huge impact on men's fashion. Colours- For the quiet and reserved gentleman, bright colours may seem a little much but this season they are set to be vital in the world of fashion.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017: Top 10 Preliminary Gowns

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017: Top 10 Preliminary Gowns

Best In Gown: Miss USA 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown portion of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

Last night was the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries, which occurred at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Preliminary Competition is very important because it's when the Top 10 Semifinalists are decided that will go on to compete in Sunday night's Final Miss USA 2017 pageant. 51 contestants representing the 50 states plus District of Columbia competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Naturally here on my Sashes and Tiaras blog, I'm interested in the EVENING GOWNS!

Satin and Sequins: Miss USA 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown portion of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

The Preliminaries give pageant fans a "glimpse" into what the contestants will wear for the Evening Gown portion and their taste level and more importantly, who went the "Pageant Betty" route or tried to be at least more Fashion Runway Fab. As a fashion designer--and beauty pageant fan--when commenting on the Evening Gowns, there are several things I'm looking for...

Exhibit A, B, C, D & E: Fashion-forward, Red Carpet Fab and...Pageant Gown Gorgeous--Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown at last year's Miss USA 2016 Finals

My criteria for judging a gown is based on my desire to see an element of Fashion-forward/Fashion risk-taking designs combined with the understanding that these dresses are primarily for stage and have to somehow be "Pageant Appropriate"--which inherently has their own set of "Dress Criteria". A perfect example of how one can bridge Fashion & Pageant/Stage Impact would be last year's Miss South Dakota USA  Madison McKeown who wore this cape-fab gown from Lebanese designer Tony Ward and his Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015 Collection seen in above photo. With that said...



Here are my TOP 10 Best Gowns of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries--in order of Highest to Lowest:

Miss Massachusetts USA Julia Scaparotti: Julia's black gown was probably my favorite of the night. She wore this black halter neck gown featuring gorgeous sequined lace applique in a smooth fit-and-flare "mermaid"-like silhouette with Open Back. The gown fit her perfectly, defined her figure and best features and was the correct length (hiding those tacky nude platform pumps!). This is a nice example of a fashionable style that was Pageant Perfect as well--and notice lack of HOOCHIE-licious too-high slits and no breast-a-licious cleavage (Thank You Julia!). I also liked her modern hair and the earrings. I hope, though, she lightens up on the too-heavy makeup. Score: 9.9

Miss North Carolina USA Katie Coble: LOVED this gold gown worn by Miss North Carolina USA. It was my second favorite. The gown featured gold lame pleated fabrication and great criss-cross torso draping detail. The style gave me a definite "Old Hollywood" vibe, harking back to the 1930s and 1940's days of Lauren Bacall, Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich with a nod to Cleopatra. The look was unique and stood out, for all the right reasons. Score: 9.89

Miss Kansas USA Catherine Carmichael: Catherine was a STUNNER last night during the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. When she came out in this coral colored gown, I was like "OK, NOW we're talking!". The crepe gown--which fit her perfectly playing up her 6' 1" tall statuesque beauty--featured a multicolored sequined bodice and DIVA-like dramatic chiffon back cape which she modeled as if THE RENT WAS DUE! Every pageant girl worth her sash needs to watch her modeling this to learn and take a lesson on how to work a gown with a chiffon cape. ASAP! She looked like a QUEEN. Score: 9.8

Miss Louisiana USA Bethany Trahan: Miss Louisina USA Bethany Brehan comes in fourth position of my Favorite Gowns of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries. She made quite a fashion statement with this black sequin applique-over-nude gown with iridescent organza back overskirt. The base gown was GORGEOUS: The sequin work was outstanding and it fit her to a 1/4" of her life! To be honest, I would have done without that back overskirt. I understand why it's there (drama, stage presence, etc.) but it needed to be re-thought. It did not seem organic with the beauty of the dress. Score: 9.65

Miss Nevada USA Lauren York: Lauren--who is one of the favorites to win the top crown (according to many pageant followers/missosologists on the internet) didn't disappoint in her choice of evening gown for last night's Preliminaries. She wore this very pretty column-style gown featuring a side nude illusion panel, white crepe base and unique geometric sequins and pearls. It was from Venezuelan fashion designer Dheymid Galaviz who has created many a sequined-and-crepe gown for many Miss Venezuela contestants and last year's Miss World Venezuela. Sometimes they can look similar to one of his design compatriots Gionni Straccia and at first I thought it was an Straccia gown because the sequin work looked like this: Score: 9.6

Mariam Habach Miss Lara (and eventual Miss Venezuela) at the Miss Venezuela 2016 Pageant wearing Gionni  Straccia

Miss Ohio USA 2017 Dinaleigh Baxter: One of my other Top Ten favorite gowns from the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries was this black and fuchsia dress worn by Miss Ohio USA 2017. One of my all-time favorite color combinations are black and fuchsia mainly because Cristobal Balenciaga utilized this combination in a lot of his super stunning Haute Couture creations back in the day (Lower Photo above). So when Dinaleigh came out, I was like "You Go Girl!". Her gown had a very fitted black velvet base gown with plunging sweetheart neckline and a GORGEOUS satin cape that was precariously knotted and twisted into these tiny shoulder straps. It was dramatic, entrance-making and yes, VERY fashionable and Cristobal Balenciaga-like. Score: 9.55

Miss New Hampshire USA Sarah Mousseau: Nice gown. BAAAD shoes. Let's discuss the dress first (please!). I liked this gown so much that yes, I included it here in my Top 10. I thought the style was impacting, suited her well...I admired the unique silver sequin work and I even liked the back overskirt. Here, in this gown it seemed a bit more natural to the rest of the gown. I also thought her hair and styling were on-point. But then, she wore those nude platform pumps!!! One question: WHY??? Where there no silver strappy shoes available? I just don't get it. It baffles the mind. NO ONE would be caught wearing these type of shoes with this type of a gown on the red carpet, black-tie gala, Haute Couture fashion show...ANYWHERE! Score: 9.3

Miss Montana USA Brooke Bezanson: I included Miss Montana USA's gown here because of its elegant simplicity and chic style. It was giving a little bit of a nod to what Miss South Dakota USA wore last year in the Finals (go to the top of this post). It was also a nice breath of fresh (Gown) air to see NO SEQUINS, NO SLIT and NO tacky platform pumps (she still made a wrong color choice in wearing NUDE shoes!). The white satin crepe gown featured a column shape highlighted by a dramatic hi-lo cape. While I liked this gown, I'm not so sure it was the right gown for Miss Montana USA. Brook is a lovely looking woman but I think this might have been more effective and had more "Diva" stage effect if it was worn by an olive-skinned or darker skin toned contestant...a "Miss Venezuela" or "Miss Curacao"-type.  It also needed to be just 1" longer. Score: 9.25

Miss Tennessee USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat: In 9th place of my Top Ten Favorite Gowns was this golden/Blush-colored sequined gown worn by Miss Tennesse USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat. In terms of style or silhouette, there was nothing really Earth-shattering Fashion Diva about it, but it looked beautiful nonetheless. The halter-style gown fit her well and the sequin-over-nude fabric looked expensive and nice. From head to toe, this was a perfect Miss USA look. Score: 9.2

Miss Washington USA Alex Carlson-Helo: Finally, I want to give MAJOR props to Miss Washington USA Alex Carlson-Helo. While I liked her black sequined gown and thought it was impacting, I just about FELL OFF MY COUCH when I saw that she was NOT wearing those tacky nude platform pumps that EVERY OTHER contestant wore: She wore the PERFECT strappy black heels! Who knew that these women actually had other choices?? And for her perfect shoe choice, Miss Washington USA belonged in my Top Ten list! Score: 9.2



**UP NEXT: The UH OH/Oh No She Didn't/Could Have Been Better...of Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gowns

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!!!

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