GRAMMY AWARDS 2016: is this the worst red carpet of the year?

GRAMMY AWARDS 2016: is this the worst red carpet of the year?

Yes. 

I am not trying to sound mean, but that is a fact: the 58th Grammy awards wins #TEB's trophy as the most underwhelming red carpet of the year. 

Music on point, fashion...next.

Beyoncè skipped the red carpet, no Rihanna, no Nicki Minaj, no JLo, and I hate myself for saying this but no sign of the Kardashian/Jenners (however I would hide too after wearing those terrible creations at Yeezy season 3). All that is left is a bunch of generic (sometimes boring) outfits, except for Lady Gaga of course, I mean nothing is generinc when it comes to her.

Ready? Let's have a closer look to the Grammys red carpet:

ANGELIC VISIONS

Chrissy Teigen in Yousef Aljasmi; Beyoncè in Inbal Dror

We are borderline with the bridal territory, but we can not deny how effortless and classy these dresses look. Pregnancy is looking good on Chrissy Teigen, and fashion-wise I do love her glamorous maternity-style. As for my queen Beyoncè, I was expecting more from her: she has been wearing sheer dresses for too long, and it starting to feel boring, however I do like the tastefull design of this one.

SPLASH OF COLOR

Taylor Swift in Atelier Versace; Kacey Musgraves in Armani Privé Couture

Color-blocking looks good on ex-country star Taylor Swift, even if I have problems to call this Versace number a dress, I mean doesn't it look like a two-pieces swimsuit witha fancy sarong? Anyway this new shorter (Anna Wintour-inspired) hair-do sealed the deal, so gets my nulla-osta.
The actual country princess Kacey Musgraves choose something more elegant and nailed it: this Armani Privé Couture dress from the Fall 2015 collection looked flawless on her.

BOWIE TRIBUTES

Zendaya in Dsquared2; Lady Gaga in custom Marc Jacobs

Tributes are the highest form of respect to someone that has passed away: this year we have lost many big artists, among which the legendary David Bowie.
Lady Gaga had the honor to perform a tribute to the singer at the awards show, and given her personality and character it make sense to see her bringing her tribute also on the red carpet. If you don't stare at the shoes to much, it works, believe me.
As for Zendaya, I can not really decide whether I like the execution of the tribute or not: she took the androginus path, sporting Bowie's famous Ziggy Stardust mullet and wearing a black suit by DSquared2. This is another unexpected yet bold choice made by the young star and her stylist, that unfortunately failed to convince me. A++ for the effort.

IN CHARACTER

Janelle Monae; Florence Welch in Gucci

It's costumy, but I love it...on Janelle Monae: it's Grammys night at the end of the day, what did you expect?
Moving to Florence Welch..., well Gucci is on a roll this year: this is another A-list celebrity wearing an Alessandro Michele's design without looking like a cartoon. Good job.

DIVAS

Jazmine Sullivan in Micheal Costello; Adele in Givenchy

I could listen to their voices for days, but who wins the fashion game? Personally I love Jazmine Sullivan choice better: the RnB diva wore a feminine yet elegant piece by Michael Costello, which fits her like a glove. Adele went classy in Givenchy all night, however the ruby red piece she wore on stage totally outshined this black number on the red carpet.

(OLD) LADY LIKE

Demi Lovato in Norisol Ferrari; Megan Trainor in Micheal Costello

Take to beautiful young rising stars in their 20s...and dress them like they were 40. Pardon 35.

SEXY SEXY SEXY

Bella Hadid in Alexandre Vauthier Couture; Ciara in Alexandre Vauthier; Alessandra Ambrosio in Versace

Plunging neklines, slits, cut-outs, dark smokey eyes and lots of skin: girls you are beautiful, but I am officially bored. It is not even funny anymore. "Less is more"they say, but I do not belive they were referring to the amount of fabric...

1 SINGLE FLAW

Selena Gomez in Calvin Klein; Ariana Grande in Romona Keveza; Lianne La Havas in Vivienne Westwood

Everything was on point except for...

-Selena Gomez hair and make up. She is beautiful but she reminds me of JLo..and not in her 20s.

-Ariana Grande make up and hair: imagine a low ponytail and a softer make up. Is it better?

-Lianne La Havas shoes: too heavy for me.

WORST

Medison Bier; Wiz Kalifa in Thom Browne; Tove Lo

The ultimate cheap-looking party dress, an embellished shrunken three-piece with tails and a beautiful lace nightmare. Impressive.

Sorry, I need to heal my eyes: maybe it's better to look back at the BAFTA red carpet.

Written by: Stella

***

58th annual GRAMMY AWARDS

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Really Love” – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes

To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

Traveller – Chris Stapleton

1989 – Taylor Swift

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

BEST NEW ARTIST

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

“Heartbeat Song” – Kelly Clarkson

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Ship To Wreck” – Florence + The Machine

“Sugar” – Maroon 5

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Piece By Piece – Kelly Clarkson

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence + The Machine

Uptown Special – Mark Ronson

1989 – Taylor Swift

Before This World – James Taylor

BEST DANCE RECORDING

“We’re All We Need” – Above & Beyond Featuring Zoë Johnston

“Go” – The Chemical Brothers

“Never Catch Me” – Flying Lotus Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“Runaway (U & I)” – Galantis

“Where Are Ü Now” – Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

Our Love – Caribou

Born In The Echoes – The Chemical Brothers

Caracal – Disclosure

In Colour – Jamie XX

Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack Ü – Skrillex And Diplo

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE

“If I Don’t Have You” – Tamar Braxton

“Rise Up” – Andra Day

“Breathing Underwater” – Hiatus Kaiyote

“Planes” – Jeremih Featuring J. Cole

“Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)” – The Weeknd

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

“He Is” – Faith Evans

“Little Ghetto Boy” – Lalah Hathaway

“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan

“Shame” – Tyrese

“My Favorite Part Of You” – Charlie Wilson

BEST R&B SONG

“Coffee” – Miguel

“Earned It” – The Weeknd

“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan

“Really Love” – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

“Shame” – Tyrese

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

Ego Death – The Internet

You Should Be Here – Kehlani

Blood – Lianne La Havas

Wildheart – Miguel

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

BEST R&B ALBUM

Coming Home – Leon Bridges

Black Messiah – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

Cheers To The Fall – Andra Day

Reality Show – Jazmine Sullivan

Forever Charlie – Charlie Wilson

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

“Apparently” – J. Cole

“Back To Back” – Drake

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Truffle Butter” – Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake & Lil Wayne

“All Day” – Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

“One Man Can Change The World” – Big Sean Featuring Kanye West & John Legend

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Classic Man” – Jidenna Featuring Roman GianArthur

“These Walls” – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat

“Only” – Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown

BEST RAP SONG

“All Day” – Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Energy” – Drake

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

BEST RAP ALBUM

2014 Forest Hills Drive – J. Cole

Compton – Dr. Dre

If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late – Drake

To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Empire: Season 1 – Various Artists

Fifty Shades Of Grey – Various Artists

Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me – Various Artists

Pitch Perfect 2 – Various Artists

Selma – Various Artists

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“Earned It” – The Weeknd

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

“Til It Happens To You” – Lady Gaga

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Jeff Bhasker

Dave Cobb

Diplo

Larry Klein

Blake Mills

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

“LSD” – ASAP Rocky

“I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” – The Dead Weather

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“Freedom” – Pharrell Williams

BEST MUSIC FILM

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown

Sonic Highways

What Happened, Miss Simone?

The Wall

Amy

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! 

Nick Appearance Minute: Nick Verreos at "3 Days of Fashion" FIDM OC and FIDM San Diego-The Recap!!

Nick Appearance Minute: Nick Verreos at "3 Days of Fashion" FIDM OC and FIDM San Diego-The Recap!!

Fashionista Summer Camp:

Nick and Benny: Nick Verreos, his doggie "Benny" and a very tall FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendee

It's Summer and you know what that means: "3 Days of Fashion" time! The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM has its annual "3 Days of Fashion" every Summer as a way to introduce high school students to FIDM as well as what they might look forward to if they choose to apply and eventually attend the College. This is what you get if you attend FIDM's "3 Days of Fashion":

• Take workshops like Draping the Dress, where you'll create a
  3-dimensional design on a fitting form; Concept to Consumer, which
  focuses on design and merchandising; and Creating a Promotional
  Campaign, where you'll work on a photo shoot and a special event.


• Learn step-by-step how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure.


• Work with other students from all over the world who share your passion for this industry.


• Be inspired by successful FIDM Graduates who are pros in the field.


• Experience FIDM's amazing resources and learn from our stellar instructors.

Talking Nick: Nick Verreos, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I am always happy to come out and make "special appearances" at all the FIDM campuses' (Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles) "3 Days of Fashion" events on the final day. Last week, on June 20th, I began my "FIDM 3 Days of Fashion" Tour at the Orange County campus located in Irvine California which was then followed by my appearance at the San Diego Campus three days later. Here's my BLOG RECAP of these first two events:



FIDM Orange County "3 Days of Fashion":

Runway OC: Nick Verreos and two of the "FIDM OC" "Runway Walk-Off models, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I always love coming to the FIDM Orange County campus for many reasons, but especially, because I can bring my little doggie Benny!! Oh, and yes, I also brought some of my NIKOLAKI Collection gowns and dresses! My appearance to the FIDM OC campus began with an impromptu Runway "Walk Off", where I went into the audience and chose three attendees--two girls and one boy (yes, A BOY!!) to show me how well they could give me "Runway". They all did a great job. Afterward, I got up onstage and spoke about my experience attending FIDM and all that I learned from the college as well as what I have been up to lately (A LOT!!!). As I said in the start of this post, I also brought some of my gowns for the "3 Days of Fashion" guests to see.

Printed Queen: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2013 silk chiffon printed gown, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Naturally, I had to also bring one of my favorite top models from LA--the gorgeous Amanda Fields---who's also one of my NIKOLAKI Muses. She wore three of my designs, including the silk chiffon gown above...

NIKOLAKI COUTURE: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI silk chiffon lavender sequined one-shoulder dress (atop) and red silk-wool ziberline strapless NIKOLAKI gown with back cascade detail, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

As well as the lavender-colored sequined one-shoulder dress that Katy Perry wore to launch her perfume, and a red silk ziberline strapless gown (both seen in the photos above).

Afterwards, as always, I had a Meet-and-Greet. Here are a couple of photos I took with FIDM Orange County's "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendees in the photos above.



FIDM "3 Days of Fashion San Diego":

 Chattin' : Nick Verreos at the FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Several days after my visit to FIDM Orange County, I drove down to San Diego--with my NIKOLAKI Design Partner, David Paul--a native of San Diego--to make my next "3 Days of Fashion" appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising San Diego campus.

 Posin': Nick Verreos, FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Traffic from LA to San Diego was CRAZY (as you can imagine!) so about 3 1/2 HOURS later, we made it; I don't know how my jacket wasn't wrinkled from sitting in the car for that long (and my forehead wasn't overly shiny from the "OMG: Look-at-all-the-traffic stress!") but it was "all good" eventually once we arrived.

San Diego Gals: Nick Verreos during the FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012" Meet-and-Greet--notice the one girl in the right photo--she brought a copy of "Greek Circle" Magazine with the cover featuring one of my NIKOLAKI designs in one of my Fashion Week shows (LOVE HER!!)

The day was GORGEOUS (is there any other type of day for San Diego??) and coincidentally, there was a San Diego Padres game happening at the PETCO Park (which happens to be NEXT DOOR to the FIDM San Diego Campus). Once I arrived, I got right to work and judged the FIDM "3 Days of Fashion 2012 Rock the Runway" fashion show--where attendees got to feature their original and unique styles in different categories:

Rock The Runway San Diego: Nick Verreos judges FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012" Rock The Runway Contest

I also brought some of my NIKOLAKI Collection dresses (naturally) for this event for a very special fashion show to be modeled by yes, Amanda Fields. I was so excited when I found out that my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul's mom (Conchita) and his youngest niece--the beautiful Emilie Coon--were in attendance. 

Model Fab: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Collection, FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

So, unbeknownst to me--David put his niece to work, helping our model Amanda get prepped and ready for the fashion presentation. Here are a couple of pics of our NIKOLAKI model and David's niece Emilie backstage:

Model and David's Niece: Amanda Fields (left, in NIKOLAKI Collection dresses) poses with Emilie Coon (David's niece), FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

San Diego Smiles: (Left to right) David Paul, David's youngest niece Emilie Coon, Nick Verreos, David's mom Conchita Encinas-Hansen--FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I had such a fun time at the San Diego and Orange County FIDM campuses last week--and more importantly, I think all the high school students--and their moms and dads--also had a good time too--and hopefully left with a little more knowledge and information about what makes FIDM so great!!!



Next up: FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"...

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Goes to FIDM San Diego for 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"--The Recap!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Goes to FIDM San Diego for 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"--The Recap!

Fashion in Sunny San Diego, Doggie Day Care, Visit from the Family...Oh and a Baseball Game!!!

Find The One Guy: Nick Verreos and the FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion" attendees

Last week, as part of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's 2011 "3 Days of Fashion", I drove down to San Diego--along with my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul--to make my "Guest Appearance". First, we had to put our little doggy, Benny, in "Doggy Day Care" so he would have lots of play time, while his "daddies" went down to San Diego for the day. After an almost three-hour drive down (oh that LA to San Diego traffic!), we finally made it! Just in time...

The View: Padres Baseball game happening at the same time as FIDM San Diego's 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

The FIDM San Diego Campus is located right next to the spectacular Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. And wouldn't you know it: There was a Padres Baseball Game going on right at the same time!!! At first I didn't realize it and thought "Boy, are ALL these people with shorts and flip flops going to the FIDM 3 Days of Fashion???" I somehow forgot to see all their Padres caps, banners, flags and baseball jerseys!! Ooops...

But yes, once inside the campus, I got ready for my appearance. This was the last day of this event for them---and they had been in different workshops throughout the day, learning the intricacies of draping, sketching, trend spotting.

Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 black silk jersey tunic-gown, FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

But now, they were going to see some FASHION with a Capital "F"...as I brought one of my FAVE Runway models, Amanda Fields (who also drove down from Los Angeles), to show the "3 Days of Fashion" students--over 100 of them--some of my NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses.

Raise Your Camera-Phones: A scene from the NIKOLAKI "Mini" Fashion Show, FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

You should have seen all the camera phones go up as Amanda sauntered into the room each time with a different gown/dress. It was like "mini paparazzi"!!! Afterward, I gave away prizes (the most fun were the "Best Dressed of FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion" prizes!) and of course, I signed bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts...you name it, I signed it!

Baby Blue Meets Pink: FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion" guest (she made her own dress!) and Nick Verreos

We also took great photos with the FAB Petco Park Padres Baseball Game going on in the back! An additional "special bonus" of coming down to San Diego was that David's mom and nieces--the super pretty Emilie and Samantha...

La San Diego Familia: David Paul, Nick Verreos with David's mom, Conchita and nieces Samantha and Emilie, FIDM San Diego Campus balcony

Got to attend the event as well--and spend some time with "Uncle David". The girls enjoyed my lecture I think--David's mom even said I should go into the business of being an "Inspirational Speaker"...Who knows, there's still time!!! After the event, David's mom, treated us to a delicious--yet quick--dinner nearby and then we were on our way (it was 7:30pm and we had only 2 1/2 hrs to make it back before the Doggy Day Care closed. In case you were wondering, we got there at 9:56!!! Just in time...