New York Fashion Week Fall 2011: Jason Wu, Diane Von Furstenberg

Bow Ties, Black & White, Yves Saint Laurent References, Skinny Pants and Dresses Dresses Dresses...

Androgynous Chic: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Jason Wu Fall 2011:

Dinner With The Boys: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Style.com's Nicole Phelps noted that "We lost count somewhere around 90 when we tried to tally the photographers in the pit at Jason Wu's Chelsea show today. The designer's rise has been fairly meteoric, thanks in part to Michelle Obama, of course. But it struck you, looking at his Fall collection: The clothes are legitimately living up to his outsized reputation.".

From the runway photos and video--the collection was meant for a younger Lady Who Lunches. She also does Cocktails, Galas, and she BETTER be seen in Vogue Magazine's "Flash" section...or else her pr person will hear about it! Lots of man-tailoring super-skinny sized. Lace and transparency, embellishment and high HIGH slits in the last gowns. Bow ties are the new "Statement Necklaces". Oh and it all looked very Alber Elbaz-meets-Yves Saint Laurent (the Genius not the brand). Love the tulle-and-lace face veil, by the way!

Enchanted Cocktail: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Slit Happy: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Watch Full Runway Video, Jason Wu Fall 2011:

Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011:

El Wrap Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

For Fall 2011 Diane Von Furstenberg's Collection was named "American Legends", referencing to Style Divas such as Milicent Rodgers, Gloria Vanderbilt, Diana Vreeland, etc. From the Gaucho-esque wide-brimmed hats to the metallic Disco stylings and pops of turquoise, red and in-your-face prints, it all looked more like a Party in Buenos Aires or Marbella circa 1979. I would say Naty Abascal would be a closer Muse than the ones named above. There were tunics, high-slit skirts, transparent Bishop-sleeved blouses and yes, more YSL nods. Here are some highlights:

Winter Color Palette: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Gaucho Girl: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Studio 54 2011: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Watch Full Runway Video, Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011:

NY Fashion Week Spring 2011: Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera and Jason Wu-- Photos and Runway Video!

COLOR, Voluminous Shapes vs Fitted, Purples and Violets, Black & White, 70's Vibe, Prints and Korea???!!!

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 Disco Girl

As we know, NY Fashion Week Spring 2011 occurred several weeks back--and from all accounts, the new venue at Lincoln Center got an A. I was invited to the Project Runway Season 8 Finale which was held at Lincoln Center but unfortunately, work called and I had to be in Miami to hosts Fashion's Night Out for Macy's...I've been busy traveling for those Macy's events as well as working on my own NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection with my partner David Paul so I didn't get a chance to post some of my favorites and highlights from this last NY Fashion Week. I'll try and post more from Milan and Paris, of course, but for now here a few of my thoughts plus photos and video from NYFW.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011:

It's all about the 1970s for Marc Jacobs Spring 2011. Imagine photos from 1976 Vogue Magazine with Iman (above), Anjelica Huston, Bianca Jagger, the Charlie Perfume ad...models with crimped hair, strong smokey eye and even stronger lipstick. All that's missing is the doorman at Studio 54!

It was VERY Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche too! Maybe the young Fashion School Kids of these days are too young too remember but I DO...

Le Pouf: Voluminous violet-colored dress with side pockets

Where's my Cointreau: Wide violet-colored pants, printed knit top, fabulous hat...very Sonia Rykiel...

Golden Girl: Gold kimono-sleeved jacket and micro shorts

Traveling to Vietnam First Class Ma'am: Red floor-length skirt suit with matching safari jacket

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 Runway Video:

Carolina Herrera Spring 2011:
Venezuelan-born American designer Carolina Herrera was inspired by the traditional clothing of Korea as well as botanical plates. Alright Carolina, you go there darling!

In the photos below you could see that inspiration translate into those top hats which are worn as part of Korean costume as well as obi-wrapped ties and bows--very Korean Airlines Flight Attendant Having Cocktails...As usual, she sent out her signature white shirts and blouses (which she always wears for her bow) as well as dresses and suiting perfect for her Park Avenue clientele.

Anybody for Kimchi Tonight: A Khaki sheath dress with floral applique, tucked-draping and that fabulous Korean-inspired hat

Wrap It Up: Chanel Iman models a shapeless & color-blocked (TWO Spring 2011 trends in one!) dress with an obi-tied accent

Where's The Ball: The Finale Gown in heavy ivory jacquard with black accents and of course, side pockets.

Carolina Herrera Spring 2011 Runway Video:

Jason Wu Spring 2011 Collection:
NY Wunderkid Designer--and Michelle Obama's fave--also went rather 70s with his Spring 2011 Collection. And just like Marc Jacobs, seemed to have rather overt nods to the Master, Yves Saint Laurent. Case in point: The see-though blouses, the perfectly tailored pleated pant suits and printed cocktail dresses straight from a "vintage" 1990 YSL Collection. I'm sure when those aforementioned blouses get to a Saks Fifth Avenue near you, they will probably be lined in silk habotai or come with a nice little silk camisole. If not: Ladies, you are on your own...

No Bra Required: White see-through tied blouse with full-pleated natural-waisted trousers

I Need a Virginia Slims: Above-the-knee printed silk ruffled dress

Ebony and Ivory: Black and white ensemble featuring a striped bustier and front cascade ruffled straight skirt.

Jason Wu Spring 2011 Runway Video:

NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Videos and Review: Jason Wu, Marchesa and Herve Leger

Fashion Week continues in NY...

First up: Jason WuFor Fall/Winter 2010 Jason Wu--otherwise known as "Michelle Obama's Favorite Designer", showed lots of grays, burnt oranges, lemon yellows, greens and golds in his collection. The shapes were rather masculine and slouchy, like your dad's cardigan or old blazer, as opposed to fitted princess-seamed batteau-necked shift dresses (preferred by the First Lady, of course) . But he didn't altogether lose his "lady-like" side when he showed pretty and flirty chiffon skirts and softly gathered dresses. Wu said he was inspired by the late photographer Irving Penn, both the man and his photographs. One of my favorite looks is this oversized cashmere coat (above) which opened the show, worn by Polish Supermodel Anja Rubik.
Click Below for the Jason Wu Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Show:


Marchesa:Georgina Chapman (aka Mrs. Harvey Weinstein) and co-designer/founder Keren Craig decided to show their Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Installation style (smart) where the stars were the clothes. They've done this in the past and it has proved well for them. Marchesa is a red carpet favorite, especially among the "Harvey Weinstein Girls"--his A-list actresses such as Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman as well as others. For Fall/Winter 2010, they continued doing what they do best. Their gowns and dresses are meticulous, opulent and serene, as well as abstractly elegant. There were royal blues, blacks, pale pinks, whites and lipstick reds, which I love. We know it's Fall but who cares? Bring on the colors! Details included snake-charm/octopus-like accents embroidered and hand-sewn into the dresses--as well as folded and pleated Origami-like "explosions". One of my favorites was this gown above which would fit a stunning (and very rich) bride as well as an Academy Awards Best Actress nominee any day!
Click Below for the Marchesa Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Show Installation Video:


Herve Leger by Max Axria:
Max Axria and his wife Lubov are smart. They certainly do not need me to tell them that! For their Herve Leger Collection, they sent out S-E-X; in the form of tight above-the-knee bandage dresses the house is known for. One after another, in Winter whites, lots of gray, gunmetal, black, and nude colors; His models were Leger Warrior Queens! Azria said the theme was "Athletic", as in laced-up tennis shoes and of course, I am sure the Olympics were on his mind. Not sure if those healthy size 8 Downhill Skiers would even be able to fit into these, but they looked great on these size 0 models (too skinny btw!). Nevertheless, these are dresses EVERY SINGLE model wants to wear. Hopefully those models can work enough to earn those dresses $3,000+ price tag!I loved the last black one-shoulder dress which coincidentally, wasn't a typical "Herve Leger" tight-fitting bandage dress but still retained all the sensuality of one.
Click below for Herve Leger by Max Axria Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Show:

SAG Awards Red Carpet

SAG GLAM...The Forties: Sandra Bullock Takes a Risk on her Shoulder Padded and keyhole neckline Alexander McQueen gown at the 2010 SAG Awards (love it!)

In lieu of the fact that we didn't do a Red Carpet Fashion Wrap for the Screen Actors Guild/SAG Awards for the TV Guide network, I decided to give my "Nick's Take" on who I thought looked amazing and what I thought may not have worked 100%. To begin with, it seemed like there was a lot more risk taking--or people were more "adventuresome" here at the SAG Awards Red Carpet--when it came to choosing gowns and dresses. White After Labor Day? Kate Hudson in a Pucci low back white jersey gown, 2010 SAG Awards Red Carpet

I remember when the Golden Globes used to be the award show where actresses would be a little more "risky" in their red carpet choices (Hello, remember Lara Flynn Boyle?) but now it seems that the SAG Awards is possibly the place for that. Here were some of my faves:

Diane Kruger:When I saw Diane Kruger on the red carpet, she took my breath away: Simply gorgeous! From the top of her off-kilter chignon to the last 1/4" of the trailing hem, she was perfect. I was sure that it was a gown form a European design house, such as Chanel or Valentino and was happy to see that it was not.I n fact it was by American Jason Wu (of Michelle Obama fame) influenced from a dress in his Spring 2010 Collection (seen in the photo above). She took a risk wearing that color; many people can't pull off that shade of mustard (and I'm sure there were some people that weren't fans of it) but I think it worked on Kruger.

Marion Cotillard:
Marion Cotillard wore an Elie Saab fully beaded cocktail number from his Fall/Winter 2009 "All White" Couture Collection , estimated to cost around $20,000. I absolutely LOVED this collection but I am not sure if I would have picked this particular dress. The silhouette almost looked "padded" at the hips. Cotillard would go under the "risk taker" category in choosing this dress--at least in my "style book". The top section is sensually sublime, with it's draped cowl and asymmetrical padded shoulder-- it's the bottom half that "bugs".

Anna Paquin:
Anna Paquin was one of those who took a risk in wearing this to the SAG Awards. It's a custom Alexander McQueen dress inspired by his AMAZING Spring 2010 Reptilian-Dinosaur-Skeleton Collection. She knew that print would not make friends--especially with the "OMG what is she wearing? I just don't get it...I would NEVER wear that!" crowd (you know who you are, Khloe Kardashian of E! Fashion Police). But the fact that she "went there", well, I am giving her "Nick Verreos Points" for that.

Meryl Streep:
Alright, it's official: I love this woman! Meryl Streep looked like aristocracy straight out of "Hola!" Magazine in this printed silk gown by designer Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga Fall 2009 (I know that Salma Hayek wore it before but I think Meryl looked waaay better). The padded 1940's-like shoulders, the plunging neckline, the cinched waist: You Go Meryl! The finished up-do, black clutch, and open-toe heels were the Cherry on this "Couture Cake".
See you next time at the Grammy Awards!

New York Fashion Week Begins! Fashion Week Daily, Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu and BCBG Runway Video!

NY Fashion Week Mania!YSL Rive Gauche Perfume Bottle: Designer Prabal Gurung's bow top and royal blue pants ensemble, Spring 2010

Well kids, it's that time again, and New York Fashion Week is upon us. If you are a designer and have an extra $200,000 lying around to show your collection during NY Fashion Week (that's about how much it costs to show in the Mercedes Benz official tents!), then this week is all about YOU! Silver Pouf: A look from Jason Wu Spring 2010 Collection

I was invited to several shows but unfortunately "work calls" here in LA, and had to remain in Southern California. Andy Cohen--of Bravo--even asked me if I wanted to attend the She by Sheree Show at NY Fashion Week! (maybe he was just joking!) But you know I would have LOVED to have been there to see the "hot mess" (or not). But alas, it's Emmy Awards Week and I have tons of things to do here in LA.
To check out the "latest and greatest" from NY Fashion Week, be sure to go to one of my FAVORITE sites for "all things fashion", Fashion Week Daily. They are the best! So far, I have looked at some of the collections and Anna Wintour and Michelle Obama "boy wonder", Jason Wu and designer Prabal Gurung's collection--inspired by his mother's YSL perfume bottle--have been my favorites. Prabal's collection is very "YSL Rive Gauche" for 2010.
-Also, be sure to check out a great article on "The Future of Fashion" by LA Times Fashion Critic, Booth Moore. Very interesting. Click HERE for that article.
-And finally (for now), below is the runway video of the Max Axria (a Season 6 Project Runway judge) BCBG Spring 2010 Collection.