Gemma Slack S/S 11

Sur La Tete! (on the head)

This is what my "sur la Tete" means.... adorable giraffe HAT!

I love this giraffe knit hat and this is another thing "GO" to Italy w/ me.   
I even start wondering if all those knit and cotton blazer is useful there in Nov. I heard that it normally is still hot that you can wear t-shirt in late Oct.




It got its ear, horn (?) and tail. 
It is made in Peru from local women.
Those hats are simply cute, stylish (not from the runway point of view, of course.) which beyond its eminent functionality.



I altered this jumper's shoulder which originally is spaghetti strips on top but now is off-shoulder w/ elastic band. I thought it now looks sexier.

( PS. I did NOT go out w/ the hat under 89 degree F.  lol)

I still try to figure out if this hair is a DO for me. lol

What's next?

Halloween Party~~

Waiting for fall~

xoxo Rachel

Nick Verreos Hosts the Macy's Fashion Challenge Event, Minneapolis Minnesota: The Recap!!!

A WARM Minneapolis Welcome!

Well It's You Girl And You Should Know It: Nick Verreos poses with the "Mary Richards/Mary Tyler Moore Statue", Minneapolis Minnesota

Last weekend, I traveled to Minneapolis Minnesota to host another Macy's Fashion Challenge Event. Several days before I left I did an interview with the Twin Cities' Star Tribune in lieu of my appearance and its reporter warned me "Bring some sweaters!". I immediately looked online and the "Ten Day Weather Report" said that for the days I would be there, it would be a cold 59 Degrees. Yeaay, I thought: I get to LAYER!!!

Nick Verreos Comes To Minneapolis Minnesota

Well kids, I made the mistake of not re-checking THE DAY I left to see if anything had changed, temperature-wise. I wore my trench coat, sweater and scarf on my flight: Yes, I was GIVING Fall! Upon arrival into Minneapolis, the pilot came on and said something I was not prepared to hear "Welcome to Minneapolis...it's a BALMY 85 Degrees". Say What? Yes, it was GORGEOUS! The night I arrived, I had a nice dinner with my Macy's PR girls and even posed with the famous Mary Tyler Moore Statue--in my Trench Coat and scarf!

Hair Did: Fantasia Salon, site of my Radio Interview, near Minneapolis Minnesota

The following day was my Macy's Fashion Challenge Event but before that, I had a "pit stop": I was to do a radio interview with the St. Paul/Minneapolis "Shop Girls" on myTalk 107.1 FM to talk all about my event, what's "In" for Fall 2010, and give DISH on Project Runway.

Fantasia Girls: The Shop Girls, Allison Kaplan and Alexis Walsko, Nick Verreos and Fantasia Salon Owner, Fantasia Hair Salon Crystal Minnesota

My interview took place at the Fantasia Hair Salon where they were doing a LIVE broadcast in honor of Breast Cancer Month. I had barely walked in and Allison Kaplan and Alexis Walsko--the Shop Girls--swooped me right in, gave me a mic and let me at it! Needless to say: I had a BLAST with the girls! L.O.V.E. them! Thank you Fantasia Hair Salon and Thank You Shop Girls!

I eventually made it to the Southdale Center in Edina Minnesota, the FIRST totally enclosed Mall built in the USA (I know, shut up!), where my Macy's event was taking place. Well, Edina does it right because they had a yummy Green Room feast of cheeses, vegetables, crackers, and chilled water ready for me, just in case I was hungry.

The first floor at Macy's and the Impulse Department (site of my event) was PACKED (love you Minnesota!) as I took the stage and began the Macy's Fashion Challenge. I came up with three "challenges" (How to Dress to Meet the In-Laws, How to Dress for NY Fashion Week, and How to Dress for a Blind Date) and I chose 2 audience members at random per challenge.

Edina Love: Nick Verreos and Macy's Southdale Fashion Challenge guests

They then had 2 minutes to dress the models from their rack and table of Macy's Fall 2010 garments and accessories. The Winners received $100 Macy's Gift Cards and the Runner-Up's got $25 Macy's Gift Cards. So, basically it was a win-win for both of them! The Edina Minneapolis crowd was very rowdy and eager and loved the Challenges.

Nick Verreos with a Mommy-Daughter team at Macy's Southdale, Edina Minnesota

I was scared they'd get mad at me for not picking some of them but in the end, they were GREAT! Not only did I have lots of Mom-Daughter fans come to my event, I also had lots of little fashionistas:

Maybe Macy's will one day ask me to design a pre-tween line of clothing--"Little Fashionista by Nick Verreos"--I like the sound of that!

Thanks Edina, Minneapolis and Minnesota for bringing the warm weather and the even warmer hospitality! Love you and cannot wait to return!

*Click HERE for my Star Tribune Interview
*Click HERE for my entire Radio Interview with myTalk 107.1 FM The Shop Girls

*Click BELOW for a really GREAT Video of my Macy's Minneapolis Event:

Frontrow at Chanel...

Giovanna Battaglia

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 Highlights--Photos & Runway Video: Alexander McQueen, Dior, YSL and Louis Vuitton!!

McQueen Warrior Goddesses, Sailor Girlfriends, YSL Cigarette Girls and Vuitton Asianas

Ombré Queen: Fan-pleated, dip-dyed and twisted organza gown, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011:

Office Diva: Fitted suit with feathered collar, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

As we know, after the untimely passing of designer Alexander McQueen 9 months ago, his right hand, Sarah Burton was in charge of following in his creative genius footsteps. Burton had already been actually designing the line--along with Alexander McQueen for a while so it was a good guess that there wouldn't be a "Design Earthquake" occurring with this or any near-future collection.

Butch McQueen: Pant suit with gold embroidered leaf detail, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

Spring/Summer 2011 was the first full runway show outing for Burton and by all accounts, it was a sublime outing. All the looks were VERY McQueen: The sexy, strong corseted dresses, the bold, whimsical yet mysterious prints, the Nouveau-Renaissance Warrior Goddess suiting, powerful shoes, and almost Angel-like gowns...

High-Low: White gown from Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

There was a flora-and-fauna disposition throughout the collection, from the pheasant-feathered skirts to leather leaves, golden wheat sheath dresses and raffia-covered brocades.

Kaleidoscopic: Printed fit-and-flare cocktail dress, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

There's plenty here for McQueen Muse--and beer heiress--Daphne Guinness to like, as well as Young Hollywood Starlets, the likes of Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley to wear on the red carpet. Designer Sarah Burton has big shoes to fill, but if this collection is any indication, she's on the right path.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show:

Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011:

Shipwrecked: White parka, Polynesian-inspired printed dress and black booties with white scrunchie socks, Dior Spring 2011

Ahoy Sailor! Yep, for Spring 2011 John Galliano's Dior girl is waiting for her sailor boyfriend to return home. Either that, or the Dior girl is his mistress at one of his many port towns. Now, he wouldn't be just a Sailor if she could afford Dior. And she wouldn't just be any girlfriend or mistress: She would be a very EXPENSIVE one. Models stomped the catwalk in sailor hats and ultra feminine frocks constructed from silk chiffon, crepe and georgette. Colorful "island" prints dominated. The hairstyles were definitely Retro as well: Bangs and turned under dos, very Betty Paige Pin-Up.

Calendar Pin Up: Model Chanel Iman works these printed shorts and twist-knot blouse, Dior Spring 2011

Of course, the clothes were great but the stars, were the accessories. Most fashion insiders know that Fashion Houses like Dior only make their money in purses, sunglasses, shoes and perfumes (for the most part). Here were two of my faves from this collection:

The highest leather Bootie pumps featuring Espadrille-like heels, buckles and "scrunchie socks" were so chic.....

And this royal blue Lady Dior patent leather bag will be a must-have for any Sailor's girlfriend with an extra $2500 in her--or her man's--checking account.

Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show (DO NOT MISS John Galliano's end-of-the-show walk!):

Yves Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2011:

Le Smoking 2011: Danish Model Freja Beha Erichsen in a black center-front slit gown, YSL Spring 2011

During this past Spring 2011 Fashion Week Season, so many designers--Jason Wu and Marc Jacobs to name a few, were inspired by the Master, Yves Saint Laurent. I think a lot had to do with this Summer's YSL Retrospective in Paris. I was lucky enough to have gone and yes, it was AMAZING!

Ready for my Cointreau Digestif: Aquamarine printed silk dress, YSL Spring 2011

So, since YSL was in the "air", it was up to the actual designer for the House of Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati, to really show everyone how it's done. And he did. It was an "Homage to the Master"--with plenty of transparency, flounces and ruffles, strong tailoring and even some ensembles resembling the iconic "Le Smoking".

Olé: Strapless ruffled black and fuchsia belted dress, YSL Spring 2011

But at the same time, Pilati brought the YSL woman to this decade, modernized her a little bit and added very directional pieces that she would love. I'm sure Monsieur Yves was smiling up in Heaven.

YSL Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show:

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011

Like Dior, Louis Vuitton is one of those Fashion Houses that makes its bread-and-butter not on the clothes but on it's purses, luggage and sunglasses (to name just a few). I certainly got it when I visited the Paris flagship on the Champs Elysees over the Summer and saw the massive throngs of people BUYING EVERYTHING on the first and second purse-and-luggage floors. The clothing area, alas, was empty.

But Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs has the envious job of having the luxury to push the boundaries of fashion with each new collection. For Spring 2011, he decided to go to the Far East. This makes sense since that's where the new, much-sought after Luxury Goods client is living. But it could be argued as to why a Millionaire's wife in Shanghai would want to dress up like she's in costume? Irregardless, there was lots of Asiana references as seen above.

There was also lots of transparency and high slits to you-know-where. It was a bold, colorful and a visually entertaining collection. Jacobs also got some Top Supermodels of the past to WORK the runway including a red-haired Carmen Kass, as well as Alek Wek (seen above).

and Kristen McMenamy (above) who ended the show in high-waisted black satin trousers and a zebra-print jersey top. Attagurl!

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show: