Nick Verreos Attends 2012 Costume Designers Guild Awards

Costume Designers' Extravaganza!

Black and White Fab: Angela Avanesyan and Nick Verreos, Costume Designers Guild Awards 2012, Hilton Beverly Hills

Last night, my NIKOLAKI partner--David Paul--and I were invited to a very fabulous event: the 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards. This is the "Oscars of Costume Design"--where awards are give out for outstanding achievements in Costume Design in various areas of the Entertainment field--including Contemporary TV and Film, Period/Fantasy TV series, Fantasy Film, Period Film and even excellence in Commercial Design (the Carl's Jr. "Miss Turkey" commercial costume designer was nominated!!).

Model Form Centerpiece: The LACOSTE Alligator-emblazoned Costume Awards Table Display "Centerpiece"--created by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM

This grand award ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills Hilton and David and I were honored--and humbled--to be guests of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater--and the College of which I am a Spokesperson. FIDM was also one of the Platinum Sponsors. They also created all the wonderful "Mini Model Forms" which were on each and every table at the Hilton International Ballroom--site of the award's show. LACOSTE was the Presenting Sponsor and each "Form/Table Centerpiece" had the iconic LACOSTE Alligator on it, of course.

Fashion Glee: (left to right) Jennifer Eve, Jane Lynch and Lou Eyrich

The Award's MC was actress Jane Lynch (in a red David Meister gown) of "Glee", and she was very funny (naturally) trying to keep the show going. Lou Eyrich and Jennifer Eve, Costume Designers of "Glee" received the "Outstanding Contemporary TV Series" Award and in addition, Eyrich (looking very Retro Chic in a bright pink semi-Watteau-back ankle-length dress) was honored with the Career Achievement in Television trophy.

Silver Pretty: Actress Kate Beckinsale was also honored with the LACOSTE Spotlight Award. She looked radiant in a silver-colored corseted gown by Vivienne Westwood.

Super Red: 90's Supermodel and actress Amber Valletta introduced the Disaronno Career Achievement in Film Award to Costume Designer Marlene Stewart--a FIDM Grad incidentally-- in a red chic sheath knee-length dress with outside dart detail by Roland Mouret.

"The Artist" Costume Designer Mark Bridges

"Hugo" Costume Designer Sandy Powell

Green Gorgeous: "W.E." Costume Designer Arianne Phillips in emerald green Lanvin by Albert Elbaz. Phillips won the "Excellence in Period Film" Award for the Madonna-directed "W'E.".

Costume High-Five: Costume Designer and stylist Trish Summerville, won the award for "Excellence in Contemporary Film" for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"---here she is above high-five'ing fellow winner Costume Designer Arianne Phillips

"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Costume Designer Trish Summerville (in a red version of the Alexander McQueen Pippa Dress) and actress Rooney Mara (in plum-colored J. Mendel), 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, Hilton Beverly Hills

Nick...and Rooney: I just about shook in my skinny ASOS tuxedo pants when I realized that "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" actress Rooney Mara was sitting right above me during the awards ceremony/dinner (to my right in the photo above). I went up to say "Hi" to one of my good friends, Make-Up Artist Extraordinaire Gregory Arlt and later afterward realized that Ms. Mara was seated at his table--the "Dragon Tattoo" table!!!

LA Fashion Sandwich: David Paul, California Apparel News Fashion Editor and Very Very Chic Blogger Jayne Seward, and Nick Verreos, 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, Hilton Beverly Hills

FIDM Debut Alumn Fab: (Left to Right) FIDM Debut 2008 Grad and Fashion Designer Angela Avanesyan, FIDM Spokesperson Nick Verreos, Debut 2011 Grads Ethan Bartlett and Paul Hernandez, 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, Hilton Beverly Hills

Speaking of Costumes and Costume Design: don't miss FIDM Museum & Galleries "20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition--running through April 28th...and see some of the Costumes that won!

Nick Verreos Attends FIDM Museum & Galleries' "20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition--Photos & Video!

Costume Gala:

Flapper Fab: Academy Award-nominated "The Artist" Costumes by Costume Designer Mark Bridges, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries

In 1993, FIDM Museum & Galleries launched an exhibition that would evolve into an institution. The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition has become the largest annual curated exhibition dedicated to the presentation of film costumes in the world!

This past Saturday was the Opening Night Party to celebrate the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and FIDM Museum & Galleries honoring this past year in Motion Picture Costumes. I was honored to have been invited to this "Gala" and join in for an exclusive peak at this wondrous exhibit, which features over 100 costumes from 20+ films, including "The Help", "Captain America", "Thor", "Immortals" and of course, the five Academy Award Nominees for Best Costume Design: "Anonymous", "The Artist", "Hugo", Jane Eyre" and "W.E.". The Exhibit opened officially on Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14th, it's FREE and will be going on until April 28th.

Here is a "Taste" of those 5 Academy Award-nominated Costumes on display:

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Anonymous" Costumes designed by Lisy Christl--The film is set in the 16th century Elizabethan era and revolves around the question "Was William Shakespeare a Fraud?" with the backdrop of the tempestuous reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Five costumes from the movie are on display including two dresses for the character of "Queen Elizabeth I" worn by actresses Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson. I did a fun "Costume Piece blog" for Lifetime.com for the "Anonymous" costumes which you can read HERE.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"The Artist" Costumes designed by Mark Bridges--We all know "The Artist" is a black and white film--so it is a great surprise to come to this Exhibition and see COLOR! Notice the dress on the far left of the photograph above and its bright orange-coral color. This is how the dress looked in the film:

Yep, medium-gray! Well, in addition to being surprised by the "pop" of color in these costumes, it's also great to see the delicate gold jacquard, brocade and jeweled sequined dresses in this "The Artist" tableaux. And did I mention those cloche hats are especially FAB when you're standing 5 feet away from them?! The costume designer told me that while most of the dresses were made just for the film, those hats were all vintage.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Hugo" Costumes designed by Sandy Powell--Costume Designer Sandy Powell said she had over 1,000 costumes to oversee for the Martin Scorsese film "Hugo". There are five at the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, including the "Station Inspector" worn by actor Sacha Baron Cohen; an olive Shakespearean-inspired costume worn by Ben Kinsley and a jacket-sweater and shorts ensemble worn by young actor Asa Butterfield who played "Hugo".

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Jane Eyre" Costumes designed by Michael O'Connor: The book was originally written and set in the 1830's but according to the Costume Designer and the Director of the film, they both really disliked that time period in terms of women's fashions (they were big and unflattering "puff cake" gowns), therefore they changed the time to a decade later, the 1840's. The costumes for "Jane Eyre" are both restrained yet very intricate. You HAVE to go to the FIDM Museum to really appreciate the minute details, intricate laces, the seaming and pleating that one might miss on the "big screen".

And Finally...

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"W.E." Costumes designed by Arianne Phillips--The Madonna-directed film, "W.E." tells the love story between American divorcee Wallis (W) Simpson and Edward (E), Prince of Wales , who eventually abdicated the throne of England in exchange for marrying the one love of his life. Wallis was fashion-obsessed and loved wearing designs from all the top Paris Couture Houses. Costume Designer Arianne Phillips collaborated with the Houses of Dior, Vionnet and others to have them recreate dresses and gowns that Wallis Simpson had ordered from them--and worn.

Arianne Phillips, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Phillips was in attendance, giving press and party guests alike bountiful "insider information" on the beautiful costumes she designed for the film-as well as how she got Cartier to make reproductions of Wallis Simpson's fabulous jewels. It was wonderful seeing her and congratulating her in person for the GORGEOUS Costumes and for getting the Academy Award Best Costume Design nomination. Oh, and yes, PS: Arianne looked FABULOUS! You can read a little more background on the costumes and comparing them to the actual photographs of Wallis Simpson and Edward which I wrote HERE last April.

Guest Chic: Also looking fabulous were (Left to Right) Rose Apodaca (loving the turban!), co-founder of A+R, fashion journalist, former West Coast Editor of WWD, author of "A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour" and most recently, the "Fred Hayman: The Extraordinary Difference" and N. Jayne Seward (loving the shoes!), fashion editor of the California Apparel News and Very Very Chic diva.

LA Designer Twosome: Nick Verreos with Kevan Hall, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Here is all the Information on the Exhibition:

*WHAT: 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition

*WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015

*WHEN: February 14-April 28

*HOURS/Phone No.: Tuesday through Saturday 10AM-4PM, 213-623-5821

Click Below for a great video from KABC 7 showcasing the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries:

Red Carpet Report: Madonna "W.E." Red Carpet Premiere at the 68th Venice International Film Festival

La Madonna...

Madonna in Vionnet, Palazzo del Cinema, 68th Venice International Film Festival "W.E" Premiere

Tonight, the first day of September 2011, in the fabulous Italian city of Venice in the Palazzo del Cinema, Madonna GAVE it to them!!! The occasion: The Venice International Film Festival Premiere of her directorial debut, "W.E" the melodrama that chronicles the loves and lives of twice-divorced Wallis Simpson and Britain's Kind Edward VIII.

Actors Andrea Riseborough and James D'Arcy, as Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII in "W.E."

Wallis Simpson and Edward Duke of Windsor

I wrote about the Arianne Phillips-costume designed wardrobe HERE, in case you want to take a look at the fashions--as well as what THE Wallis Simpson and her husband, the Duke of Windsor, wore.

Group Couture: "W.E" Director Madonna, with actors James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Abbie Cornish and Oscar Isaac , at the 68th Venice International Film Festival "W.E." Premiere.

At tonight's Premiere in Venezia, Madonna wore a lilac-colored, armhole-cowl gown from the House of Vionnet featuring red sequined applique butterflies. She accessorized it with matching red sunglasses.

Violet Goddess: "W.E" Actress Abbie Cornish was there and wore Atelier Versace Spring 2011, a violet-colored Mermaid-shaped strapless Sweetheart-neckline Bustier gown with degrade' shading.

Atelier Back: This Atelier Versace gown--if ordered and purchased could go for $100,000. Just so you know...



Venice Ball: Andrea Riseborough, the English actress who played the part of Wallis Simpson, wore Christian Dior Fall 2009 Haute Couture--another $100,000+ gown. Incidentally, during the actual Dior Haute Couture Runway Show almost three years ago (collection was designed by the fired John Galliano), this ensemble was shown as a Ball Gown Skirt and Bra Top. A strapless draped silk bustier was added...for red carpet purposes...

Horsehair and Tulle: Madonna, Actresses Andrea Riseborough and Abbie Cornish (and Harvey Weinstein in the far top right) Palazzo del Cinema, 68th Venice International Film Festival "W.E." Premiere

Other Notables Present Included:

Designer Valentino Garavani, tan--and fabulous--as always.

Joaquin Cortes--Spanish Flamenco wunderkid and former "flame" of Madonna

Compare and Contrast: Duke and Duchess of Windsor-- Madonna's "W.E" Movie Costumes & The Real Thing!

A Style Story...



For their September 2011 issue, Vanity Fair just published photos by Tom Munro from Madonna's (Happy Belated Birthday!) feature-length directorial debut "W.E".

Madonna, the Director

"W.E." is a film on the lives of Wallis Simpson and Britain's Kind Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry the twice-divorced Simpson. She became Duchess of Windsor when they married in 1937.



Academy Award-nominated Costume Designer--and longtime Madonna style collaborator Arianne Phillips (above) designed the costumes (GORGEOUS!!!). According to Phillips, she worked with design houses such as Cartier, Dior and Dunhill for the 60+ costume changes for the actors playing the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Costume Encounter: (Left to Right) Nick Verreos, Costume Designer Monique Prudhomme, Costume Designer Arianne Phillips, and fellow Project Runway Season 2 Designer Andrae Gonzalo

In the film, British-born actors Andrea Riseborough and James D’Arcy play the Duchess and Duke respectively. I thought it would be fun to "Compare & Contrast" between the Vanity Fair photos from the film--and the actual COUTURE the Duke and Duchess of Windsor wore (as seen through available photographs, of course). Let's take a look at some of the photos from the film with actors:

Striped Daywear: Actors D'Arcy and Riseborough--Notice the impeccable mitering (stripes matching) in her dress--that is COUTURE darling!!!

Zig-Zag Diva: Actors Riseborough and D'Arcy lounging for cocktail hour

Home Sweet (Couture) Home: Actress Andrea Riseborough, wearing Dior and Cartier jewels

Hosting Pair: Actors Riseborough and D'Arcy playing the Duchess and Duke of Windsor

The Schiaparelli Jacket, ordered by Wallis Simpson: Wallis purchased 18 items from the Elsa Schiaparelli Summer 1937 Collection for her Marriage Trousseau to the Duke of Windsor, including a gown and jacket combination of carbon blue jersey (above). The Baroque scrolls on the jacket were white leather.

Wallis Simpson--in her Schiaparelli ensemble--photographed by Cecil Beaton

Wedding Day: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor at Chateau De Conde France 1937; The simple crepe gown was designed and created by Mainbocher, a Chicago-born Paris Couturier and Paris Vogue Fashion Illustrator (his actual name was Main Rousseau Bocher). The Duke wore a Morning Suit. Her Trousseau consisted of almost 70 garments, including the above Schiaparelli suit-gown, many Chanel's and others. Diva.



Garden Chic: In 1937, Wallis Simpson posed for Vogue in a Schiaparelli evening gown that had a lobster printed on its skirt. Salvador Dalí designed the print, which also featured sprigs of parsley. The Vogue spread was intended to introduce readers to Mrs. Simpson, who in July of that year would marry Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor and abdicated King of England.

Lobster Couture: The Schiaparelli-designed Salvador Dalí-printed gown

Color Blocking: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor--and their dog--Miami, circa 1941--Between his ascot, her Cartier pin and turban, and their colored ensembles...well, I think this may be one of the fiercest "Holiday" photos ever!

Nipped In: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, circa 1946

Resort Wear: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor vacationing in Italy, 1953--in HIGH STYLE!!! PS: Where can I get a robe like that??

High-Low: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, early 1960's

I cannot wait to see the film and more importantly, the fashions!!! Kudos Madonna and Arianne!!!