0 Nick Verreos Attends Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA "ARTrageous"

FASHIONrageous at Macy's GLAMORAMA LA 2011:

Nick Verreos, Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA 2011 Red Carpet, Orpheum Theater Los Angeles

This past Friday, I was invited (as well as my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul) to attend Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA 2011. Macy's Glamorama is an AMAZING event that combines runway fashion, entertainment, music, and all the while raising money for the fight against HIV/AIDS. They do a four city tour, which includes Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco and LA.

For the past 29 years, more than $29 million--yes, MILLION--has been raised for outstanding and worthwhile organizations such as AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food in Los Angeles and many others in the other cities. Side Note: I remember actually going to one of the very FIRST Macy's Passport shows in San Francisco back when I lived in the Bay Area. I think my Mommie took me (please don't do the math!).

Macy's Glamorama LA 2011 was held at the historic Orpheum Theater in Downtown LA, and the Theme for this year was "ARTrageous". I knew this would be a fun night when the first person I ran into as I get out of my car is...

Ice Queens: Nick Verreos and Johnny Weir

Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir--looking much more fabulous than I (Thanks Johnny!!) in a Chris Benz purple knit sweater-jacket and iridescent leggings and some SERIOUS wedge bootie pumps! Now, you might know how much I am a fan of Figure Skating, and especially the Costumes. Last year, I also did some "Fashion Commentating" for Universal Sports during the Vancouver Olympics (with Johnny in fact, but he was in the Vancouver studios while I was in LA). Needless to say, it was wonderful finally meeting him. My partner David was also excited to say "Hi" to Johnny (wait until you see the last photo in this blog!)...

But back to the show:

Macy's Glamorama LA 2011 had so many many highlights. Let's begin with the musical performances. First came Far East Movement (above). I knew their songs, just didn't know who sang them--but Lord Knows now I do! (I know, I'm such a loser when it comes to what "the kids" are listening to these days!). They were GREAT by the way.

Beyond great was Cee Lo Green, who had everyone on their feet by the end of the night. If I wasn't seated all the way in the back, I would have run up on stage and become a groupie/fan and started dancing with him right then and there! (Thank goodness for David that I did not!).

A definite highlight of the evening was a Special Tribute to Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who devoted so much of her life to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Tribute was presented by Sharon Stone. Ms. Stone looked every bit a Hollywood Star in a fitted royal blue side shirred dress and LOTS of diamonds (an homage to Miss Taylor I presume?). It was such a loving tribute which also included a brief yet poignant appearance by Elizabeth Taylor's grandsons, Quinn Tivey and Tarquin Wilding.

Oh and yes, then there was The Fashion:



As always, Macy's Passport Presents Glamorama involved showing lots of Fashion. There were nine runway presentations showing the latest Fall 2011 looks from brands that are at Macy's: Armani Jeans, Kenneth Cole, Rachel Rachel Roy, Tommy Girl, Tracy Reese, Impulse Macy's Department, Calvin Klein, bar III...

And Papi, the underwear line. This last "runway portion" of the show was, of course, a BIG HIT with the audience--men and women alike, thank you very much. How those boys can be up on that stage almost naked is beyond me. But I guess if I had their bodies...

After the show was over, it was time for David and I to head to the After Party, which was held at the nearby California Market Center, in its expansive lobby. For tonight's Glamorama After Party, the lobby was transformed into a Las Vegas-style Nightclub. Guests arrived and began to enjoy the Patron Tequila Bar, several food/hors d'oeuvre sections (the roast beef sliders and vegi wraps were delicious!), as well as a See's Candy and Don Francisco's Specialty Coffee tables, among others.

At the After Party, I ran into my friend Ross Mathews, who was there with his partner Salvador--both looking quite dapper. Ross was working his grey H&M jacket with white piping, skinny tie and skinny jeans.

Also, a woman in a cute red dress approached me, telling me how she was a "big fan" and how her daughter would so jealous that she was meeting me. Her name was Michele and her beau turned out to be "The Young and The Restless" actor Sean Kanan (above with Michele). We had a very fun conversation which involved everything from Project Runway to our mutual love of Italy, my experience of almost drowning off the coast of Capri and his new cooking book "The Modern Gentleman". And of course, I made Michele call her daughter so I could say "Hi" and give my best Tim Gunn "Make It Work" impression. With that, it was time to say "Ciao" to them, and the fabulous Macy's Glamorama After Party.

Oh and before I forget, I promised a certain photo of David and Johnny Weir--well, Here ya go:

Get Your Hands Off My Man: Johnny Weir and NIKOLAKI co-designer David Paul

It doesn't get more Figure Skating Fabulous than this! If this doesn't end up on David's Facebook, I don't know what will!

0 Runway Report: D&G Spring 2012: Final Show and Final Collection!

Ciao D&G!

D&G Spring 2012

Days ago, during Milan Fashion Week, Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showed their latest Spring 2012 offering for the "lower line" D&G. They also announced that this would be the last season for D&G . According to the designers, D&G will now be merged with it's main signature line Dolce & Gabbana.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, waiving "Ciao" to D&G

It seems a bit odd since from what industry experts say, it is a cash cow for the company. Many buyers were heard saying that in fact, they buy little of the signature line (or at least not consistently) but ALWAYS order EVERY season something from D&G. But the statement Domenico and Stefano released said that the move was in order to give "even more strength and energy to our collections".

D&G Spring 2012

This final collection was "Scarf happy". In continuing with the same scarf-print motif of their recent menswear Collection, the clothing was an explosion of The Foulard. It was very Versace meets Hermes meets Lily Pulitzer and so retro 1994 in its over-the-top in-your-face don't-look-for-solids here vibe. Frankly I don't see why Hermes doesn't do a Runway Presentation for their Ready-to-Wear shows just like this! I thought it was great! And so ON TREND since it's ALL ABOUT bold, colorful prints come next Spring/Summer.

D&G Spring 2012

There were mini dresses, bandeau tops, blouses, pajama pants, shorts, maxi-dresses, shoes: EVERYTHING had the SCARF Crazy Stamp.

D&G Spring 2012

I have a feeling that it will be a BIG hit when it hits the stores come next year and we will see LOTS of these prints on the red carpet...

Click Below for the D&G Spring 2012 Full Runway Show Video:

0 Runway Report: Gucci Spring 2012--Photos + Full Runway Video!

New Color Blocking, 20's Flapper Dresses, Beading Galore and Lots of Chic Luxe Clothes...

Gucci Spring 2012

Wow, Designer Frida Giannini has done it again for the House of Gucci. From the first look on the runway--modeled by the gorgeous Joan Smalls, it was "I'll take That, That, That, oh and That...." Or at least if I was a wife--or girlfriend of a very rich Euro--that's what I would be saying. Gucci is celebrating its 90th Anniversary in Florence and as Style.com editor Nicole Phelps put it: "...the evening clothes in particular will ensure that Gucci's 91st year, like so many before it, is a success". For Spring 2012, it was about Art Deco motifs, architectural shapes, color-blocked designs and loose off-the-body drop waisted dresses.

Gucci Spring 2012

Great tailored jackets with dangling gold chain closures, as well as Resort-y harem pants. I can just see Victoria Beckham disembarking from her British Airways First Class transatlantic flight in one of those ensembles. Sunglasses and all...

Gucci Spring 2012

No floor-length evening gowns (Frida saves those for her Gucci Premiere Couture Atelier), but there were lots of loose tunic 20's style cocktail dresses, perfect for the girl who doesn't want to go the "Herve Leger tight" route and also so right on Trend. They also had some great "Open" backs (another Spring 2012 Trend).

Gucci Spring 2012: The final paillette and bugle beaded "Flapper Dresses" were fantastic with a 70's Liza Minnelli vibe.

The Backs at Gucci Spring 2012

The Gold Strappy Heel at Gucci Spring 2012

Click Below for Gucci Spring 2012 Full Runway Video:

0 Project Runway Season 9 Recaps: Episode 9--Bears, Sheepdogs and Woodstock Hippies!

A Very Hair-y Bear-y Sheepdog-y Project Runway

Last night, we had another episode of Project Runway Season 9. As always, there are several things I need to get off my HAIRY Chest:

First, What Does A Musical Revival of "Hair"...

Bad Brady Bunch Hippie Halloween Costumes...

"Massive" Men...

And Gay Bears...

Have In Common? According to last night's episode, A LOT--The Challenge was to create a look and "image" for The Sheepdogs, an up-and-coming band from Saskatoon Saskatchewan (say that three times!). They beat out 15 other bands to win Rolling Stone's "Choose The Cover" contest. They were the first unsigned band to do so, in fact. Oh, and they are all MEN!

And the designers were not happy--to design, create, and fit, men's clothes, that is. The results were worthy of many many MANY Michael Kors one-liner zingers! In fact, so many, that this week provided enough Kors-isms to last through an ENTIRE season! The Sheepdogs told the designers that they liked a 70's Boho/Hippie-but-2011-Hippie Vibe. The designers took that too far. The clothes were cartoony and costumey, for 98% of them. Madonna British-accented Olivier who is a specialist in Menswear did not fare well.

Speaking of Olivier...this episode stood out for his insensitive and almost body-dysmorphic remarks against anyone who wasn't a size 2. He called his client, the lead singer Ewan Currie "MASSIVE" (he's not!). And it didn't end there, Olivier went on and on about not liking to design for "Plus Size" and that he got "The Fat One". Boy, did I just want to dump Olivier in a (Name your Local Gay Bear Bar) and have my MASSIVE Boys at him!!!

The Hippie Winners and The Woodstock Losers:

Joshua McKinley's creation for bass player Ryan Gullen: It was a costumey and reminiscent of a local community college musical performance of "Hair", but DANG, those pants fit very well.

I didn't like those contrast back patch pockets though. No need for those. A little too "Fashion School First Semester Project".

Bert Keeter's look for lead singer Ewan: He looked like a Viking during Oslo Norway's Gay Pride. And I actually mean that in a good way. Not sure if the braids were necessary, but at least the rest of his look was not a "Hippie Chick" costume.

Viktor Luna's look for guitarist Leot Hanson: The jeans fit well and that fringed-and-braided jacket was outstanding. Not so sure about the tucked-in shirt. Most "rock-band"/musicians do not do TUCK-IN's but he was the Winner.

Now, The Bad:

Anya Ayoung Chee's look for drummer Sam Corbett: Huuuuuney!!! What. Were. You. Thinking? That is a Dashiki Don't. Kors, and guest judge Adam Lambert were having a field day with this one, saying that it reminded them of something...

Greg Brady wore on the "Brady Bunch"

And poor Sam, he got it AGAIN--this time from another designer, Kimberly Goldson. He looks like he sells some really cheap--and bad--pot somewhere in Amsterdam! Supposedly Kimberly is "famous" for her pants...but these were one of the WORST pair I've ever seen; too big, too loose, too much rise. I think Sam should get a special "Good Sport" award just for dealing with the embarrassment.

But the BIGGEST LOSER--Massive in fact--was Olivier "I Hate Fat People" Green and his design. At least he mitered the print down the center front and it wasn't straight out of "Hair". But, the shirt was too lose, too cropped, and the entire look had no Design "It" Factor. Anyway, I think just for being so UGLY to Ewan, he should've gone home anyway.

Now that I've quickly summed up my "Main" thoughts--Below you can begin reading my "Extended Version" and what I REALLY thought of this week's "Image Is Everything" Episode on myLifetime.com:

The episode begins, and once again, within 30 seconds, there are two ominous hints at what’s to come: Anya’s can’t-sew issues and Olivier’s time-management problems are both quickly revisited. Unless the editors are trying to throw me for a loop, I just have a feeling one of these two is going home. And I just KNOW it isn’t Anya — those judges have drunk the Anya Kool-Aid, and they’re not sending her back to Trinidad and Tobago, that’s for sure! Oh and yes, Olivier still hates fat people …

Musique C’est Chic
Let’s begin. Last week, the designers thought that they were designing for men — when they saw nine guys walk onto the runway — and they weren’t happy. But as “‘Project Runway’ luck” would have it, they had to create looks for the men’s respective girlfriends/wives. Whew! That was a close one. Well, kids, don’t do the “happy dance” just yet. This week, the designers head out to Rockwood Music Hall, where they meet up with Monsieur Gunn and Peter Butler, Consulting Stylist for Garnier. There, Tim tells the designers that fashion and music are forever linked, adding, “Think The Beatles and,” um, “Lady Gaga.” (I know that took A LOT out of Tim to even mouth —the Lady Gaga part, that is).

The Dogs Get Groomed
It turns out that Garnier and Rolling Stone magazine have partnered to showcase a new band, The Sheep Dogs. Here’s the first catch: The “Project Runway” contestants would be responsible for creating the band’s fashion image, and the winning look would be worn by a band member at an event as well as be featured in a Marie Claire/Garnier advertorial. Here’s the second (more important) catch: They’re ALL men! Yes, kids, this is THE Menswear Challenge, officially. Third catch: They must work in teams ... again.

Click HERE to read the rest of my Recap...and leave your comments on the site! I read 'em all!!!