London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

Fashion Catwalking as an Olympic Sport:

London 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony Fashion Tableaux

This past Sunday signaled the end of the London 2012 Olympics with the Closing Ceremony. There was A LOT of criticism out there in the social media/Facebook/Twitter-sphere regarding the NBC telecast of the Closing Ceremony--from the Tom Brokaw WW II "History Lesson" to the cutting off of The Who performance in lieu of watching a prepubescent boy band and a full episode of NBC's Animal Practice...but I thought London put on an amazing show--notwithstanding the criticized NBC edits. I thought it was TEN times better than the Danny Boyle Opening Ceremony and certainly much more exciting. But that's just me...

Torino Olympics Flashback: Nick Verreos--in major Torino gear--at the Closing Ceremony, Torino 2006 Winter Olympics

Six years ago, my NIKOLAKI-partner-for-life David Paul and I attended the Torino Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony. It was good but NOT London 2012 Closing Ceremony good!! I think the highlight of the Torino one was Ricky Martin--he was VERY big then and performed his "Ole Ole Ole...Cup of Life" song! But the London Closing Ceremony was a major celebration of British Music, dance, the 80's (George Michael AND Pet Shop Boys! I felt like I was 19 all over again!!!). And then, what really made me get up and start doing my "Nick Runway Walk" in my TV room was when they brought out the Supermodels and the Super Fashion! Now here's a surefire way to get a fashion designer's attention! Thank you Closing Ceremony Producers.

Catwalk Fierce: (left to right) Models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy (model Lily Donaldson is hidden behind Gandy)

The Closing Ceremony Fashion Spectacle began as eight big "billboard trucks" made their way into the
Olympic Stadium. To the musical backdrop of David Bowie’s "Fashion", the black and white billboards were pulled back and BAM!, the billboards fell away to reveal the gold-clad models--all Top British Models wearing Top British Fashion Designer's couture.

Liza Minnelli Envy: Stella Tennant in a gold sequined suit from fashion designer Christopher Kane

Golden Gorgeous: (left to right) The only male model in the Closing Ceremony Olympics Catwalk, David Gandy in gold lurex suit by Paul Smith with Jourdan Dunn  in a Stephen Jones feathered headdress and Jonathan Saunders ivory jersey with gold lame column gown; Karen Elson  in a slit-up-to-there gold strappy gown from the House of Burberry.

Fitted, Short and Sweet: (left to right) Model Lily Donaldson in a corseted bust-pushing gown from Vivienne Westwood; Lily Cole in a gold brocade and lace knee-length dress from Erdem

Sequined Super: one of the MAJAH SUPER Models in the group--the one and only Kate Moss wore a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen bias cut golden sequin gown with cap sleeves and scooped neckline. She SLITHERED on the runway like it was 1994 kids!!

Flared Blue Blood: Georgia May Jagger (yes, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger's beautiful daughter) in gold silk gazar a-line dress from Victoria Beckham--there was criticism on the web-o-sphere about Beckham being included here as one of the "Top" iconic British Fashion designers, and some people suspected that this might have been a "requirement" of sorts--contractually, if she was to perform with the rest of her Spice Girls...who knows...I think it was a very pretty dress.

La Diva: And finally, Miss Naomi. Yes, kids, it wouldn't be a British Fashion Show to End all British Fashion Shows WITHOUT Miss Naomi Campbell. And she delivered darlings. Campbell STOMPED onto the London 2012 Closing Ceremony catwalk showing EVERYONE why she is who she is and why she can throw cell phones at anyone she wants---in an iridescent golden tulle dress from Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

The gown was very Olympics Warrior Goddess and naturally, included a dramatic and very long train.

Cheers to British Fashion, British Models and yes, the London 2012 Olympics!

Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 1 "A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 1 "A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Happy 10th Anniversary Project Runway!



What do the Teletubbies:

Dumpster Diving:



And Mosquito Netting:





 Have In Common with Project Runway?  Well, read on kids...

This past Thursday night was the PREMIERE of Season 10 of Project Runway on Lifetime. Yes, kids, it's the Tenth Anniversary. The show began in 2004 so it's actually been only 8 years but TEN SEASONS. I was part of Season 2, which we shot in the Summer of 2005 and debuted in December of that year. So, in case you're countin', I am part of "Vintage Project Runway". Now, back to the new season, the show has a new set of sixteen designers; lots of talent and LOTS of "characters" and a BIG Flashy First Challenge Runway Show (The BIGGEST in Project Runway history!!) that took place in Times Square. For many, many seasons now, I've had the honor of being asked to Recap the Episodes of my "little ol' show" and once again, I'm back at it!! Hope you guys enjoy Season 10 and yes, also enjoy my Recaps with a "Nick twist".



So...let's get to the Haute and Not-So-Haute of Episode One of Season 10:

 

The Judges: (left to right) Costume Designer/Stylist Patricia Field, actress Lauren Graham, Marie Clair Fashion Director Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum--For the first Challenge, the producers brought in actress Lauren Graham and the first ever Project Runway "Guest Judge", Patricia Field. She was a hoot with her throaty I-smoke-two-packs-of-Marlboro-Reds-a-day voice, great insight and at 71 years old (yes, SEVENTY ONE kids, Thanks Wikipedia!), dresses like a woman who's 29--and looks good! (No Oscar de la Renta Barbara Walters suits for her, thank you very much!).



The Teletubbies Connection:

Domo arigato: For the first episode challenge, the designers had to bring one look from home that best exemplified their design aesthetic. Once at Parsons--on the show--they then had to create a "companion look" with only $100 and one day. One of the designers--and more "Kooky" characters of the season, Kooan Kosuke (above) from Japan, made these two looks above.

Kooky: His first look from home, included this jumper with oversized teal blue polka dot applique, laminated shoulder strap detail and printed long sleeve top. I thought it was kinda fun and quirky. He definitely had a point of view and his style--even in just one look, reminded me a lot of Spanish fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (her fried egg dress with baguette hat design on the right photo above).

Tubbie: However, for his second made-at-Parsons look, judge Michael Kors criticized it as being a little too Teletubbies-esque in its shape. He's right. Kooan was also criticized by Nina Garcia and Kors as well for possibly being too much of a "Character" and less of a Designer per se. We'll see how serious he is and if he'll annoy Miss Nina more throughout the season with his "Harajuku JapFro" antics. I have a feeling, however that the fans--and viewers of the show--will just LOOOOVE him!



The Freegan Hipster:

What's for Breakfast: A First for Project Runway is the fact that one of the designers, a 29-year-old bearded chap, originally from Brazil, named Fabio Costa, is a FREEGAN. I didn't even know what that even meant until A) he described it and B) I looked it up (Thanks Wiki again!). In case you don't know, a Freegan is someone who "reclaims and eats food that has been discarded". Yep, you go "Dumpster Diving' for your daily meals. I wonder how difficult it was for him to eat from what the P.A.'s got for the designers every day during their filming from nearby restaurants. Or did he specifically instruct the producers that they had to send someone out Dumpster Diving for his breakfast, lunch and dinner? I wanna know.




So now, let's get to who ended up on the Top and the Bottom of the first challenge:



The Top:

South American Pleating and Folding: Project Runway Season 10 contestant Ven Budhu (left) with his designs and a design by Angel Sanchez on Miss World 1995 Jacqueline Aquilera of Venezuela

The designers on top in the first episode were Guyana-born Ven Budhu (left) who showed two stunning looks included an ivory crepe palazzo pant and jacket ensemble with a folded-and-draped "Flower" bustier and a bubblegum pink high neck sleeveless dress with diagonal pleats.His designs remind me of another South American designer, famous for designing for Miss Venezuelas, Miss Worlds and Miss Universes--as well as beautiful wedding gowns--Angel Sanchez. To me, Ven should have won this first challenge. However...

Pretty Gown, Wonky LBD: The winner was Christopher Palu. The judges "Oohed" and "Ahhed" at his first look--a gown constructed in strips of satin. And basically they gave him the win because of it. It was very pretty, but I'm not sure how fair this was since this was the look he brought from home and did not make at Parsons with a limited budget and time. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the LBD he did for his second companion look. The fit was wonky and the back zipper was buckling (see right photo above). It was a little amateur hour for me. But he won, nonetheless.



The Bottom:

Mosquito Netting Prom Girl Goes Shopping: The bottom two included the looks from designer Lantie Foster. She "re-worked" vintage-like fabrics but achieving results that the judges did not like. In fact, Miss Nina (never one to hold back) said that the one dress above was "Horrible". Ouch. Miss Lantie likes to do these center front bib things that well, she shouldn't be doing. And then on top of it she makes this dress in a muddy-colored tulle that looked like mosquito netting as Kors pointed out. It was all wrong, poor thing (and I didn't even begin to talk about WHY OH WHY did she style it with a big ol' I'm-going-shopping-on-a-Sunday-at-2pm bag!!??). Hashtag Styling Fail.

Knit Girl Bye-Bye: But deemed the worst were the knit designs from oh-so-pretty Beatrice Guapo (she should be an anchor--or at least the weather girl for Good Day LA Fox Morning Show--if the designing thing fails). She had trouble throughout this challenge with her sewing which I just didn't understand being that she grew up in the industry. And then her final designs were called sad (they were). That maroon/terracotta-colored top on the left photo looked as if she just got some fabric remnant and slopped it on the model and tied it with a belt. It had little design quality or originality. During the show, Guapo said that she loves designing/making scarves. She should probably stick to that.




Anyhow, without further ado, here's my Recap of the 1st Episode for MyLifetime.com:

"A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Eight Years, Ten Seasons

Happy 10th Anniversary "Project Runway"! As a member of the "Runway
Club" (it's like the Mickey Mouse Club, but more fashionable), it's not
surprising that the show has survived this long. Back in 2005, when I
did Season 2, I knew that I was going to be part of something that was
iconic in TV History. The show premiered almost 8 years ago and well, as
we now know, it has become the "Grand-Daddy" of all Fashion Reality
Competition Shows. In fact, last week, while on a trip to Mykonos,
Greece, I was switching channels and stumbled on Greek TV and guess what
was on my hotel TV? Season 6 of "Project Runway"! In Greece! Say no
more. 2012 marks the Tenth Season of the show and last night's premiere
was a doozy so let's get to the Recap'ing shall we.



Center of the Universe Fashion Bang

It is quickly revealed that the first challenge and runway show is
taking place in the HEART of NYC, "Center of the Universe": Times
Square, for the first time EVAH! Models are under a tent squeezing into
their clothes; designers are putting the last minute touches on their
garments and the Stars of the show — Heidi, Tim, Nina and Michael — are
greeting the crowd with a Champagne toast. Cut to the previous day...



The Who, What and Where Are You From

Since Season 3, I have had the privilege to judge the castings and
this past Spring, I took part in the LA Castings for Season 10. I,
obviously, had no idea who would make the Final 16, so it was with great
delight to see several of the designers I saw during those castings,
actually make it onto the show. This included Elena (Miss Futuristic
Thierry Mugler-meets-Claude Montana-meets Lady Gaga), the lovely
Beatrice "jersey knit" and blonde-haired Melissa, who loves black and
edgy.



Click HERE to read the rest...



And make sure to let me know YOUR thoughts!! I always LOVE reading them!!! 

Project Runway Recaps: Episode 6 --"You Ain't No Waif Yourself"!

Project Runway Recaps: Episode 6 --"You Ain't No Waif Yourself"!

Villain Ven, a Brawny Paper Towel (Wo)man, Hoochie Momma's and My Recap:



Oh Ven!

Posterboy for Plus Size Bashing? Project Runway Season 10 designer/contestant Ven Budhu

Villain Ven: Last night's Project Runway episode was about designers working with "real people"--as opposed to size 0 six foot tall Super-humans known as models. It was the "L'Oreal Hair Challenge of Making Over a Friend" Challenge. The ten remaining designers got ten women of varying sizes and it was their job to create a new stylish look for them. Ven Budhu, who up to now has been a top favorite because of his consistent, elegant styles and Haute Couture aesthetic, suddenly became the most hated contestant of Season 10. I, for one, was one of his "cheerleaders"...

Terri (left in her Ven Budhu Cocktail-meets-work design) and her designer, Ven with Terri's friend Theo, on the right photo

But that was all thrown out the door last night. Not because he created something majorly ugly, but because he was a disrespecting human being--toward his lovely client, a woman named Terri. Throughout the episode, he said some doozies like he was "shocked and disappointed" that he had to work with a real person and not a model, and that his client has no fashion sense and isn't fashion forward--I could go on and on...

Take That Ven!

It was so disgusting that at one point, I almost threw my carb-filled Fettuccine Alfredo dinner at him for saying all those nasty thing about--and to--his beautiful client Terri--but I didn't want to ruin my perfectly good flat-screen TV. What. Is. Ven's. Problem? And like I say in my Lifetime.com Recap--I was so surprised NO ONE--his client or her good friend who enlisted her for this Makeover--went right back at him with a "You AIN'T no WAIF yourself Ven!".

Big Is Beautiful

Important Bullet-points for Ven:

* Non-Size 4 Women Are BEAUTIFUL too!

* The Average Size of the American Woman is a 14

* Good Luck having a Fashion Business without MAJORLY apologizing to all these women

and finally

* Wouldn't it be nice to Google your name and see your fabulous fashions first...as opposed to your photo as a "Plus Size Basher"?



Moving on...let's get to some of the FUN parts of last night's Episode:

Guest Judge British fashion designer Alice Tamperley, whose client includes Catherine, Ducchess of Windsor (wearing one of her Temperley London designs at the London premiere of "War Horse"--The designer didn't know what "Hoochie Momma" meant (until Michael Kors translated it into UK-speak and said "a Tart"--in case you still don't understand Ms. Temperley...



This is HOOCHIE:

This Is Not:

Dmitry and his client Angela: Dmitry Sholokhov's look for his client was directional, very NYC, Fashion Dominatrix--It was one of the Top Looks from the episode. I loved this look. I only wished that it would have been longer--right above the knee or to-the-knee would have been perfect! But a good job Dmitry (and his HOT client Angela).

Gunnar and his client, Kim: First off, congrats to Gunnar Deatharage for NOT being a Ven Size-ist and complaining about how "big" your client was. I have to admit that I would have expected that behavior from you (you have been that Bit*** Queen "character" this season huney!) but...you were a PERFECT Gentleman. Your momma done taught you right! Now, back to Kim--she was Fabulous and Fierce on the Runway. Whatever she's drinkin'...I want SOME!!!



Brawny Girl Winner:

Before: designer Fabio Costa's client Ko-Rely (above) and her plaid non-sexually threatening plaid shirt

Ko-Rely's Muse (above)--The Brawny Paper Towel Man

After: Fabio won this "Make Over My Friend" Challenge for his original color-blocked dress for his formerly known as "Brawny Paper Towel Girl" Ko-Rely--she looked great (sans the belt)

The Hoochie Momma's:

Sonija William's twisted knot dress for her client was a little too short and the judges really didn't like it. I was surprised Alicia Hardesty's very, very tacky design--a pink taffeta badly-fitting WAAAY too short dress--did not end up at the bottom. She was VERY VERY lucky because for me, this was WORSE than who actually got the boot:

Nathan Paul's royal blue and black dress for his client--Liana who sings pop/R and B--ended up at the bottom for almost the same reasons I think Alicia's dress should have been at the bottom. Liana did look like a tacky club goer at some Vegas nightclub--and the side illusion panels did not help, but...I still think Alicia's might have been worse. 

Which was MORE Hoochie in your eyes?



Here's My Recap :

You Ain't No Waif Yourself

On almost every season of "Project Runway"
there is the "Dress A Real Person Challenge." In past seasons, designers
have had to work with moms, bratty teenagers, and even on my season, we
had to make over our fellow designers. Don't remind me the outcome of
that one. Moving on... It's the challenge that both furthers the
stereotype that (some) fashion designers are body dysmorphic creatures
who worship and idolize the size 0, 6 foot tall, super human creatures
(models), and at the same time, can show that we do care about a "real
size" woman. It's an intelligent designer who can be successful at the
latter, which is of course the most important factor, since most women
are NOT a size 0, 2 or even an 8 for that matter. In actuality the
average american woman is a size 14. So with that in mind, let's start
this week's recap:



I Have Style ... But My Friend Doesn't

Heidi waltzes onto the "Runway" stage and announces that "for your
next challenge, we have some new clients for you." Ten men and women
enter and flank Miss Klum. Before the remaining 10 designers can whisper
in disgust a, "Are we creating something for them?!" Heidi adds, "Well,
these aren't your new clients ... you'll be creating looks for their
FRIENDS." It's the L'Oreal Hair Challenge of Making Over a Friend. OK,
now you can cut to the designers giving looks of "We have to dress REAL
PEOPLE!?" Even Heidi noticed the "Oh no" looks as she tries to remind
the designers that "this might be a lot of fun..." The operative word
here is MIGHT. Even Heidi wasn't buying what she was selling — knowing
there is bound to be designer/client drama. They all head to the Parsons
workroom where Tim awaits with L'Oreal consulting hair stylist Johnny
Lavoy, who will help in creating the friend makeover transformations.



Meet Your Clients

Time to meet each of the designers' "real life clients" who were
(supposedly) chosen for each designer at random: Sonjia gets Amanda, a
sweat pant-loving tomboy who hates to shop. Elena is handed Jenna, who
is "bubbly" and loves color. Christopher gets Kate, who is hoping for a
trendy jacket. Dmitry is paired with Angela who likes chunky jewelry and
contrast. Alicia gets Martina, who wants men to marry her and women to
BE her (at-a-girl!). And finally, Melissa gets Kannace who likes
dresses...



CLICK HERE to read the rest of my Recap--and make sure to let me know YOUR thoughts--on Ven, Hoochie Momma's, and Big Beautiful Women--after the Recap on my BLOG