Selena Gomez's best fashion moments (boy, has she upped the ante!)

Selena Gomez's best fashion moments (boy, has she upped the ante!)

Is it just us, or has Selena Gomez seriously stepped up her fashion game lately? Long gone are the sweet but safe prom dresses in pretty pastel hues - Selena's transformed into a fully-fledged fashion star, hitting the red carpet in her stride with a wardrobe of big name, molto sexy Italian designers like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, and a love of plunging necklines, sharp tailoring and mega-watt embellishment. See Selena's style transformation from sugary sweet Disney Princess to uber-glamorous red carpet queen - we bet the Bieber's kicking himself for letting this fashion maven go.

Returning back to where it all began, the former Disney Channel star appeared on Radio Disney wearing a Proenza Schouler black dress with copper foil printed embellishments.

Selena pairs a Shaina Mote dress with a casual leather jacket for a Music Choice event in New York. Loving that cross-print look.

An unexpected fashion choice for the singer, Selena pairs this highlighter pink Miu Miu jumpsuit with a pair of Gianvito Rossi heels.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals: Winner + TOP 15 EVENING GOWNS!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals: Winner + TOP 15 EVENING GOWNS!

La Mas Bella: outgoing "Miss Venezuela 2016" Keysi Sayago crowns the new "Miss Venezuela 2017" Sthefany Gutierrez who was "Miss Delta Amacuro"--Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals, Caracas Venezuela

Some Photos Courtesy of MissVenezuela.com

This Thursday evening was the Finals of  one of the most anticipated beauty pageants in the world: Miss Venezuela 2017! For a short time, many pageant fans even wondered--especially since what the country has been going through--if the pageant would still happen or if they would even send contestants to "Miss Universe" and "Miss World" but Yes, Yes, and Yes, to all those inquiring mind's questions.

Top Three: (L to R) Miss Venezuela International Mariem Velezco, Miss Venezuela 2017 Sthefany Gutierrez and Miss Venezuela World Veruska Ljubisavljevic

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves IN THE WORLD but it has recently been going through some unfortunate problems. According to Reuters, the country's inflation has risen to 826% and according to The Guardian, 10 million skip a meal a day, 9/10 homes can't cover the cost of food and 3/4 of Venezuelans have lost weight an average of 20 lbs as a result of not being able to feed themselves or buy food. It's all so sad but...in Venezuela, THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!! None of the unspeakable hardships could stop the 65th Annual Miss Venezuela Beauty Pageant... 

Ayyyy Dios Mio!--Stefhany Gutierrez is the new "Miss Venezuela"--Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals, Caracas Venezuela

Fiesta Time: Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Miss Venezuela--Venezuelan singer/icon/diva Mirla Castellanos plus entertainers Jordán Mendoza, José Andrés Padrón, Natalia Moretti and Los Boys as well as hosts of the Miss Venezuela 2017 Beauty Pageant

As you may know, I grew up in Caracas Venezuela from the late 60's until the late 70's and it was a much different country than what it is now. But I will always have a special place in my heart for that South American nation. The "Miss Venezuela" Beauty Pageant inspired me to be a designer and to sketch--and particularly draw beautiful women in fabulous gowns. And now, it has inspired me to co-author my new "Pageant Coloring Book".

Sthefany Fernandez "Miss Delta Amacuro" and now, "Miss Venezuela 2017"

Now, speaking of pageants, time to discuss the WINNER as well as all the sequins, crystals and very expensive silk seen in this year's "Miss Venezuela 2017". First the winner: The representative of "Delta Amacuro" Sthefany Gutierrez, beat out 23 other beautiful women to get the coveted George Wittels-designed crown.

Sthefany is ONLY 18 years old (most recent winners have been in their early 20's), stands 176M (5' 9") and works as a model. She does not have the typical blond "Barbie" Miss Venezuela look but was still a favorite with her olive skin, gorgeous long black hair and perfect figure. She will now spend the next 12 months preparing for NEXT YEAR'S edition of Miss Universe (and hopefully learning English, if she doesn't already know it); even though she is "Miss Venezuela 2017", she will compete in the "Miss Universe 2018" Beauty Pageant.

Sequin Parade: Miss Venezuela 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown Competition Fashion Show

And now...THE GOWNS: I have NO IDEA how the Miss Venezuela Organization paid for what it costs to create these Couture-worthy gowns (especially since most Venezuelans can't even buy Harina P.A.N.!) but this year's pageant featured some intricate and UBER Glam gowns, in fact this was one of the BEST "Miss Venezuela" Gown Fashion Shows in a long time! With that said, here are my TOP 15 BEST LIST, starting with my Number One Choice, which just happened to be THE WINNER "Miss Delta Amacuro":

1. Miss Delta Amacuro (and eventual Miss Venezuela 2017 winner) Sthefany Gutierrez--Of all the 24 gowns during the "Miss Venezuela 2017 Desfile de Traje de Noche" (Evening Gown Fashion Show), this strapless sequined gown was my top favorite! The crinoline based gown was completely covered in crystals and featured a sweetheart neckline with a creme silk ziberline inner dress. The gown was designed by Alejandro Fajardo and was stage-impacting, fit gorgeously and looked like Gown Couture Art!

Score: 9.98

2. Miss Distrito Capital Sofia Santa Rodriguez--My second best gown score goes to the design worn by "Miss Distrito Capital" (she represented the capital city of Caracas). This silk gazar ballgown--designed by Alejandro Fajardo (same designer of the winner's gown)--featured a plunging neckline and conic/godet shaped pieces that formed the architectural shape of this incredible dress. I also loved the contestant's styling of her swept-back chic hair and earrings. Even one of the co-hosts--while describing the dress during the show--had to concur that this gown was SPECTACULAR!

Score: 9.85

3. Miss Potuguesa Nariman Batthika: Nariman wore this powder pink colored gown designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed. This was another stunning design worthy of those good ol' days of Venezuelan Couturiers like Guy Meliet. The dress featured that very popular "nude gown" tulle netting style, all covered in crystals, bugle beads and pearls in varying sizes. Through extraordinary patternmaking and technical artistry, his atelier then attached a voluminous pink satin overskirt. Beautiful!

Score: 9.70 

4. Miss Zulia Mariangel Galban: Miss Zulia came at the end of the Miss Venezuela 2017 Evening Gown Fashion Show because her state Zulia was the last one--in terms of alphabetical order. After a slew of endless all-over sequined/crystal, nude/gold/blush colored gowns...this GORGEOUS vision of red silk ziberline appeared and I literally got up from my couch and clapped! (I know, I'm gown-silly like that!). This "Valentino Red" color dress made of Italian silk ziberline was designed by designer Joan Delgado and he did a marvelous job. It was dramatic, elegant and architectural.

Score: 9.65

5. Miss Barinas Mariem Velazco: This white gown from designer Alejandro Fajardo is my 5th pick. The dress was A LOT but somehow, it worked. The gown, which was made of silk crepe and gazar featured an asymmetrical column dress with nude panels, covered in incredible silver sequin applique. It looked like a Wedding Gown from "Game of Thrones" (or at least MY dream-like "Game of Thrones"!).

Score: 9.50

6. Miss Aragua Oriana Rodriguez: This dress above was the gown worn by Miss Aragua Oriana Rodriguez for the Finals of Miss Venezuela 2017. The design was made of ivory silk crepe and nude illusion, cut into panels that created a fit-and-flare silhouette. The beautifully-fitting dress was designed by Julio Mora and featured thousands of degrade-style crystals. I loved the heavy-to-light sequin work and the panels were done in an exquisitely sexy yet not vulgar manner. Muy bien!

Score: 9.40

7. Miss Vargas Versuska Ljubisavljevic: This royal blue colored sequined gown--designed by Benito Santos--was one of the most striking dresses of the pageant. The color was bold and stage-impacting. Inspired by an "Ocean Queen", the design featured thousands of Austrian crystals, an illusion panel neckline and silver crystal waist.

Score: 9.35

8. Miss Nueva Esparta Yerardy Montoya: Yearady wore an ensemble/gown which included an extravagant cape made of thousands of ostrich as well as Coque/rooster feathers fully lined in pink silk satin. She started with this and then released her coat/cape to reveal a beautiful pink sequined applique gown. It was a VERY INTENSE entrance which I admired and the entire look was quite fabulous!

Score: 9.25

9. Miss Falcon Bilianniz Alvarez: Bilianniz wore this golden/nude gown designed by Hugo Espina. The gown featured a column shape with a nude tulle base and golden colored "petal"-like sequins in varying sizes. It was simple, sequin-stunning and an impressive Pageant Fab gown.

Score: 9.20

 

10. Miss Tachira Maria Sofia Contreras: Maria Sofia wore this silver/ivory/lilac/nude gown from designer Dheymid Galaviz. It was pretty impressive! The gown featured 10,000+ pastel colored sequins sewn on the gown, a "plunging" neckline with nude illusion panel, as well as dramatic back falls...oh and yes, there were baby blue colored ostrich feathers on the hem of the gown and those falls. I would have probably removed those feathers, otherwise, this was a VERY FABULOUS gown.

Score: 9.15

11. Miss Amazonas Megan Beci: Megan wore this golden/nude VERY Versace-like sequined gown. The dress featured asymmetric lines, a nude base and thousands of crystals. It was a clean, chic and modern gown from Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza, known for creating gowns for these Colombian beauties:

 Score: 9.10

12. Miss Merida Yoselin Rojas: This fit-and-flare shaped gown was designed by Carlos Ferrera and featured a "nude" tulle base with 300 meters of crystals and pearls sewn in a magnificent manner covering all the necessary parts. She looked like an Ice Queen! And I have to add: Notice that in this and all the other "nude"/see-through gowns there was NEVER any tacky inner lining as we saw in the gowns worn by Miss Grand Indonesia and Miss Grand South Sudan at the "Miss Grand International" HERE. Well done Carlos!

Score: 9.00

13. Miss Yaracuy Rosangela Matos: When the co-announcer was describing this Honicer Sandoval gown, she said it was Art Nouveau and Art Deco-inspired. Not sure where that "inspiration" is (maybe the gold?) but it was an impressive work of fashion art! The mermaid-shaped dress featured 30,000 gold and amber crystals fitted very close to her body, showcasing the lines of the strapless bustier and shaped skirt, all culminating in hundreds of Coque/rooster feathers. Notice the heavy-to-light crystal work...and the silver crystals that looked like exaggerated princess seams. While it was slightly gaudy, it still looked rich and fabulously extravagant. Rosangela looked like she was OOZING gold!

Score: 8.99

14. Miss Miranda Oriana Gil: At No. 14, I wanted to add this design by Carlos Ferrera worn by Miss Miranda Oriana Gil. First off: She is GORGEOUS! OK, frankly, they ALL were! Moving on... when she walked out, she wore this Empire-waist tulle concoction and at first I thought "Ooooh, someone is trying to give a Giambattista Valli Moment"(and not so well!) and then I thought "I bet she's going to remove it ASAP!" (I hope!). And she did...well, kind of; when she untied it, it drew gasps since, it turned into the overskirt of a quite stunning sequined column gown that she was hiding underneath. The tulle thing was a MESS and did not flatter her at all and then it looked so unnecessary once she displayed the dress underneath. The saving graces were: Oriana was GORGEOUS (I think I already said that!), and the inner dress was quite pretty.

Score: 8.85

15. Miss Sucre Zharat Bruzal: Last but not least, I included this ivory colored gown worn by Miss Sucre. The dress looked well-done and was VERY "Miss Venezuela" circa 1980's; look at the crystal bustier, the cascade overskirt, those OUT OF CONTROL earrings AND THAT HAIR!!!! OMG!!! I literally thought I was 8 years old and still back in Caracas watching Gilberto Correa hosting this darn over-the-top show! And for that, I had to include her!

Score: 8.10

CONGRATULATIONS & Felicitaciones to Sthefany Gutierrez and her "Miss Venezuela 2017" Royal Court!! 

And don't forget to go to AMAZON.COM to Purchase my NEW "The Pageant Coloring Book". There are over 25 hand-drawn Pageant Gown Sketches for you to create your very own Evening Gown Competition! Click HERE to purchase:

The Inside Story of Donatella Versace’s Homage to Gianni: Classic Prints and Your Favorite ’90s Supermodels

The Inside Story of Donatella Versace’s Homage to Gianni: Classic Prints and Your Favorite ’90s Supermodels

MILAN — When she began creating her Tribute collection, an ode to the work of her brother, Gianni Versace, that would become her spring women’s wear show, Donatella Versace knew what people were going to think. Not of the clothes; of the rationale behind the clothes.

She knew the rumors that have been roiling the fashion world since January. “Rumors,” she said, sitting on a dark, squashy sofa in an opulent reception room in the Versace Palazzo on Via Gesù a few days before the show, rolling eyes rimmed in dark shadow and making exaggerated quote marks with her fingers. “Oh: rumors.”

She knew people had been saying that she was going to step aside as designer and name a successor. First it was Riccardo Tisci (that was after he resigned from his job at Givenchy); then Virgil Abloh; and, as of this week, during the London shows, Kim Jones, men’s wear designer at Louis Vuitton. The front row had been abuzz with the whispers. She knew the risks: that a show premised on nostalgia would be seen as a farewell, a sign that, at 62, her era was over. That it would fuel the addictive speculation that has become the new normal in the fashion world, where designers come and go from brands so often that a month without some gossip about creative musical chairs has started to feel like a month gone cold turkey.

But she decided to do it anyway. Not as a goodbye. As a statement about what’s next. And yes, there are multiple interpretations attached to that phrase. This is, after all, a brand that has specialized in the peekaboo dress.

It has been 20 years since Mr. Versace was shot and killed on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion, and the world has been busy mining his narrative in time for the anniversary: FX’s “American Crime Story” has a Versace series in the works starring Penélope Cruz as Donatella and Edgar Ramirez as Gianni, set to air early next year; starting next month FarFetch is selling a selection of 500 Gianni-era Versace pieces curated by William Vintage.

“Over the years I’ve seen so many homages to Gianni Versace and direct reference to Gianni Versace,” she said. “But I didn’t have the courage to do it myself. I was always afraid to touch the work of Gianni. I thought I would be criticized: ‘She isn’t Gianni.’ I thought I was going to fail. I mean, I did fail for a while! But then I realized: I was there for all of it. And the younger girls — Kendall, Gigi — kept asking what it was all about. Because you know, he died before there was social media.”

post by: https://www.nytimes.com

Women Fashion Tips For Body Types - 10 Rules.

Women Fashion Tips For Body Types - 10 Rules.

Being fashionable can be a struggle at times. What to wear? What accessories go with which style of clothing? The questions go on and on. For women looking for fashion tips, the following 10 fashion tips every woman should know offer insights into fashion-forward thinking.

When searching for fashionable wardrobe items, research available clothing options before making a purchase. Also, find out which fashion styles work best with each particular body type, how much is too much to spend on an outfit, and places to find and buy fashionable wardrobe items, such as at local clothing stores or online marketplaces like eBay.

Every shopper would like to know how to make the best decisions when it comes to fashion. The following section contains 10 tips every woman should know before buying new wardrobe items.

Top 10 Fashion Tips for Women

The following detailed 10 fashion tips offer women some guidance on fashion-forward thinking.

1. Focus on Strengths

Shoppers need to know the ABCs of fashion: Accentuate, Balance, and Camouflage. Shoppers should also look for styles that accentuate their body's strengths and downplay their weaknesses. For example, shoppers who have an hourglass figure should wear clothing that accentuates those attributes, including scooped or V neck outfits, vertical striped outfits, or dresses and one-piece outfits that cinch at the waist. For tall women, for instance, avoid stripes, which make a wearer look even taller. To create volume, add colors and patterns to pants or skirt. This accentuates a triangle shape.

Women's body types include:

Tall and slender. Considered the most desirable body type.

Endomorph

Apple-shaped. Women with this body type carry a lot of their weight in the upper body area.

Mesomorph

Athletic build. Women with this body type have broad shoulder, wider hips, and smaller waists.

2. Quality Versus Quantity

Always buy fashion pieces with quality in mind. A few really good pieces will do a shopper better than numerous items that might not have as much of an impact. Another strategy: Buy a few pieces that shoppers look fabulous in and then augment those classics with more trendy items over time.

Quality does not always mean high cost. Buying well-made brands that fit into the shopper's look and plays to their strengths can ensure each purchase is justified.

3. Create a "Personal" Look

Look for clothing designs, certain cuts, and styles that look the best and offer superior comfort. Buy more than one if something is found that works. For example, if a shopper finds a pair of jeans that accentuate her glamorous attributes, she should consider buying multiple pairs in more than one color.

The best way to make a powerful and lasting impression through fashion includes developing a fashion style that others won't forget.

4. Try New Things

While sticking to what works best, shoppers should also try new fashions out. This doesn't mean abandoning what has worked for shoppers. One way to experiment with new fashions and still save money is to buy pre-worn clothing that remains in great condition.

5. Simplicity Is Best

Staying simple is usually the best way to go. This goes for both makeup and wardrobe items. When in doubt, keep the accessories to a minimum and use timeless, classic fashion styles, such as a black dress with red pumps. When wearing makeup, shoppers should use only enough to highlight the best features of their face: cheekbones, lips, or eyes, for example.

6. Don't Break the Bank

Shoppers don't have to buy the most expensive items to be fashionable. Less expensive items can work just as well, especially if they play toward a shopper's strengths. So, instead of buying an expensive Versace dress, shoppers could instead buy a less expensive Banana Republic dress.

Used items of fashion are also an option, especially lightly used clothing. This way shoppers can get the items they want in almost-perfect condition at a much lower price point compared to new items.

7. Take Note of Fashion Trends

Shoppers should keep their eyes on the latest fashion trends. That said, shoppers should only adopt those styles that match their body type and personality. If the latest fashions do not look good on a shopper and accentuate their strong points, it doesn't matter if those fashions are in style or not.

Read magazines such as Allure, ELLE, and Fashion Magazine to keep up on the latest styles. This allows shoppers to keep up with the latest fashion news and trends, especially in regard to upcoming seasonal options.

8. Accessories Make the Outfit

Shoes and other accessories can make or break an outfit. A perfect belt or piece of jewelry can really tie an outfit together and make a statement. Another important tip: Do not overdo the accessories. As stated above, shoppers should keep their outfits simple. This goes double for makeup, as too much looks gaudy and draws too much attention away from the entire ensemble.

Mix and match accessories between outfits. Also, neutral colors and blacks and browns are best to extend the use of accessories between outfits.

9. Tailor an Outfit

If shoppers can afford it, they should have their outfits properly tailored to fit their body. Wearing clothes that look custom made is a first step towards taking a standard look from plain to fashionable. Another way to assure a good fit: Go for a fitting.

10. Implement the Basics

The basic wardrobe items every woman should own include a black dress, a blazer, a pair of great-fitting denim jeans, a classic pump, a neutral handbag (black, brown, or both), a leather jacket, and a ballet flat. With just these few articles of clothing and accessories, shoppers can come up with a fashionable ensemble on the spur of the moment.

Neutral colors, blacks, and browns are best for establishing a basic fashion wardrobe. Throw in some whites, such as a blouse or pumps, and shoppers are set.