Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011: Gucci, Prada

Anjelica Huston, 60's/70's Chic, Chartreuse, Fuchsia, Croq-skin and YSL Mondrian Dress References...Ciao Milano Fashion Week!!!

Fall According to Frida: Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

Gucci Fall/Winter 2011:

Is The Train to Florence Here?: Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

It's Milan Fashion Week kids. I discussed my Highlights of NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 these last couple of weeks as well as Madrid and London Fashion Week Postings HERE and HERE. And so the fashion catwalk continues...For Gucci's 90th Anniversary (90th!!!), Designer Frida Giannini went 70's Glam showing PLUNGING necklines, lots of luxe fur, flowing silk chiffon "Disco" dresses, culottes, silk half-circle skirts and Fedoras. The models can only be described as having a Can-Someone-Tell-Me-Where-My-Driver-Is Attitude that looked chic, effortless and yet Bitchy at the same time: Love it! Colors were no-holds-barred VIBRANT: Chartreuse, bubblegum pink fuchsias, deep violets, lipstick reds. You want Black,? Look somewhere else girls.

Giannini said she was inspired by Anjelica Huston, among other things. I can see it: The Styling and look of the collection reminded me of the Style Icon, especially from a 1970's "snapshot" of her with Jack Nicholson; the slicked hair, the red lips, the I-just-threw-this-on fur...that decolletage! Here are some Highlights...including the Shoes and Purse You Need To Have, come this Fall...

Campari and Soda: Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

Oops, that's my leg: Model Chanel Iman in Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

Milano Disco: Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

Python Fierce: A covered Pump, Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

T-Strap Princess: The Strappy heel of the Season from Gucci Fall/Winter 2011

Bag DIVA: Gucci Fall/Winter 2011 mini-bag

Watch FULL Gucci Fall/Winter 2011 Runway Show:

Prada Fall/Winter 2011:

Color Blocked: Italian Supermodel Mariacarla Boscono Prada Fall/Winter 2011

Miucca Prada unveiled her Fall/Winter 2011 Prada Collection, and of course it had all the Prada "stamps": Kitschy "Thrift Store Couture" looks, boxy 60's shapes, bag-lady chic prints and We-Need-To-Have accessories. It was all very Courreges-meets-Paco Rabanne in a way.

Marcia Marcia: Prada Fall/Winter 2011

Yes, there were 60's influences, but there were also 1920's "Amelia Earhart"-meets-early 70's looks a la Marcia Brady looks as well, with those drop-waist dresses above and below...

Drop-That-Belt: Prada Fall/Winter 2011

There was also an overt nod to THE Master: Yves Saint Laurent, and his iconic 1965 Mondrian dress above.

Also evident in the just-unveiled Prada Fall/Winter 2011 Collection: Lots of Croq-skin. In luxurious colorful drop-shoulder boxy coats as well as...

These ankle-grazing shoe-boots that EVERY Fashion-Girl will risk not paying her next months rent for. I would! Just sayin'

Fish Scale Cocktail: Prada Fall/Winter 2011

For evening: Neon colors and over-sized paillettes and long fuzzy fur. As is usual with the House of Prada, there were NO GOWNS, but that doesn't mean that we might not see one or two Custom Prada Gowns at the Academy Awards Red Carpet this Sunday!

And finally: May I show you THE Must-Have Prada Sunglasses for your next trip to the Italian-Swiss Alps this coming Winter. Time to put my early order in! Watch FULL Prada Fall/Winter 2011 Runway Show:

Vogue's Met Ball 2010 Red Carpet Fashion: Best and Oh No They Didn't!

Met Ball DRAMA!
Duvet Crazy: Andre Leon Talley and Whoopi Goldberg in Chado Ralph Rucci

Last night was the Met's "American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity" Costume Institute Gala. This year’s exhibition, organized by the curator Andrew Bolton, looked at styles between 1890 and the 1940s, relying on pieces from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection like Worth gowns and gray wool walking suits. And as it has been in the past, it was a collision of Fashion and Hollywood. It has become the fashionista sister to the Academy Awards red carpet. Actresses take more risks and there are more "editorial" looks. Some things stood out: Lots of "So-and-So for The Gap" (the entire exhibition is sponsored by The Gap). We know that several US designers have collaborated with The Gap and Miss Anna Wintour is "in charge" of choosing who gets to do it-or at the very least, suggesting it (see "The September Issue"). Now I know that this silk charmeuse $10,000 bias-cut gown by Sophie Theallet (for The Gap) on Jessica Alba AIN'T going to be at my Glendale Galleria Gap Store any time soon... But it WAS , one of my favorites.
There were several "Silhouette Themes": SLITHERING and SLINKY, as seen on Iman, wearing Prada--who has just signed on as the new co-host of Bravo's "The Fashion Show" (Bye, Kelly Rowland, Hello Iman!)--as well as model-turned-actress Amber Valetta, who I thought looked very elegant in RM by Roland Mouret. There was also some BIG and BOLD statements:Anne Hathaway, in gold/nude silk tulle Valentino which was very "Dior-esque" and...Jennifer Lopez, wearing Lebanese red carpet-favorite Zuhair Murad. There were also some Tulip-shaped Gowns:Eva Mendes wore a strapless Dolce & Gabbana flower-printed gown. Some designer-and-actress collaborations tried to pay homage to the Met's "American Woman" theme, giving a nod to the late 19th Century/ early 20Th Century American Woman: Like in actress Christina Hendricks' L'Wren Scott chiffon gown and Bee Shaffer's (Anna Wintour's daughter's) Worth-like Balenciaga Edition gown.
Some of my other favorites from last night's "American Woman" Met Gala's red carpet were:
Naomi Watts , in Stella McCartney raspberry silk, one shoulder, blouson gown (with Liev Schreiber).
This was THE BEST mini-cocktail dress of the evening: Blake Lively, in Marchesa
Australian actress Melissa George in J. Mendel mustard draped silk gazar was truly beautiful.Speaking of Mustard: Stylist Extraordinaire Rachel Zoe, looked AMAZING in this Marc Jacobs velvet draped plunging-neck creation. It was modern yet still gave a subtle "I got you!" to the Met's theme. Her hair and make-up were sublime, naturally, because my good friend Joey Maalouf did it! (congrats Joey!)
I also loved this very Donna Summer-meets-Studio 54 gold lame Michael Kors jumpsuit on model Chanel Iman. This is another, very modern way, of giving red carpet. Models can usually WORK this look much more effectively than actresses.Finally, I must give a nod to the MEN. And one man stood out for me: YSL Designer Stefano Pilati, who dressed actress January Jones. But it wasn't her I was interested in, I think he looked SMASHING! If I had an extra $5,000 to spend on a tuxedo for an event such as this, THIS would be it!

Below is WWD.com video from the red carpet, Met Costume Exhibit Ball 2010:

Latvia Wins Ford Supermodel of The World in Sao Paulo Brazil!

The New Ford Supermodel of The World Is...
Karlina from Latvia

Just yesterday, a new Ford Supermodel of The World was "crowned" in the sexy city of São Paulo Brazil. I say "crowned" since the winner doesn't really get an actual crown, not even a sash. Instead a big hug and a fabulous $250,000 contract with the Ford Modeling Agency. The winner, a lovely young woman by name of Karlina, hailed from Latvia. She beat out 38 other gorgeous girls from countries from all over the world.American Supermodel Chanel Iman co-presented. She looked AMAZING in a printed mini and white tank top(with peeking pink lace bra) alongside Ford Model Marcelle Bittar.
The rest of Karlina's "Supermodel Court" went like this: Second Place: Charlene from the Philippines Third Place: Isabelle from SwedenFourth Place: Olivia from the United States Fifth Place: Maryna from Belarus Sixth Place: Grace from Australiaand Bruna from the Host Country of Brazil received the Seventh Position.
Latina Model Sisters: Nairoby from the Dominican Republic, Anahi of Mexico and Angela from Venezuela

Below is a video of the Ford Supermodel of the World crowning moments:

Nick Verreos: Model Crazy at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009

Model Muses, Pink Carpet, Fergie, and Going Live to the World!Where's My Million Dollar Bra: Nick Verreos gets ready for his Modelinia.com pink carpet assignment

One day I am in Miami shooting a Live segment and dressing a family in wonderful outfits from Sears, the next I am in NYC getting ready to cover the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for the hot model site, Modelinia.com, sponsored by BING (love me some BING!) As you may know: I LOVE MODELS! I had covered previous Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows when they were in LA and so I was ready for this really, really, really tough assignment (wink wink!). I knew that lots of my straight male friends would be very jealous! (Love it!).
Backstage: Miss Universo: Nick Verreos poses with Miss Universe 1991 from Mexico and Director of Nuestra Belleza Mexico (Miss Mexico), Lupita Jones

The day of the show, I headed to the Seventh Regiment Park Avenue Armory early in the morning to begin my "behind the scenes" interviews as the models got ready for hair and make up. Once there, I was excited to recognize Lupita Jones, Miss Universe 1991 from Mexico, who was there with Televisa Mexico.Churrasco Heaven: Nick Verreos hugs supermodel Caroline Trentini

Backstage was crazy packed and I was happy to get quick interviews with lots of the top models, including Brazilian 6 foot stunner and Vogue cover model Caroline Trentini, Lindsay Ellingson, Izabel Goulart and .... the first Asian model to ever grace a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Liu Wen (see photo above), among others. Liu was so excited and still in awe that she was going to be in the show.

VS Fashion Show Pink Carpet:
After I wrapped up these interviews, I made my way outside the Armory and positioned myself to do all the official pink carpet interviews for Modelinia.com as well as for Livestream all over the world. I got to interview Virgin Chairman Sir Richard Branson, Costume Designer and stylist Patricia Field (of "Sex and the City", "Ugly Betty" and "Devil Wears Prada"), the Kigs of Leon, as well as a barely coherent Ivana Trump (God bless her!). Angel vs. Devil: Heidi Klum and Russell Simmons, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Pink Carpet

But the highlight was a fun and impromptu interview with Heidi Klum and Russell Simmons. I brought some props, Devil Horns and an Angel halo (I was asking all the pink carpet attendees if they were an "Angel" or a "Vampire/Devil"). I proceeded to ask Heidi and Russell to put them on and much to my delight (and surprise), they did! I was so excited that I forgot to turn the halo so it would sit correctly (I know I'm dizzy!). Fortunately Miss Heidi fixed it but only after the photographers got to her and Russell.
Boom Boom Boom: The Black Eyed Peas performing at the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The show was amazing: The Black Eyed Peas and Fergie performed. She looked toned and sang really well. The runway was set up with thousands, if not millions of Swarovski crystals.Miss Sweden: Supermodel Caroline Winberg works the Swarovski-encrusted runway

The light show illuminating the stage was incredible and a certain German Supermodel who just had a baby actually modeled in the show (take a guess). She looked RADIANT! You can watch it all when it airs Tuesday December 1st on CBS.

After Party Pink Carpet:Herve Leger Miller: Marisa Miller at the After Party pink carpet

Afterward, I got in a cab and made it to M2 Ultralounge to finish up my Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Marathon, to cover the official After Party pink carpet. Here, it was models and more models as they were done with their runway duties and exchanged their sexy lingerie for equally sexy Herve Leger bandage dresses. Almost EVERY model had one on! Was the press office of Herve Leger just giving them away? Whatever the reason, they all looked hot in them. VS Prom Photo: Nick Verreos and Supermodel Chanel Iman, Victoria's Secret After Party

Maybe one of these days, I can lend them a NIKOLAKI dress or two just to change it up a bit. When I asked the models what was the first thing they would do the next day, most said "having LOTS of waffles!". The gorgeous Marisa Miller added "...and I am DYING for cupcakes!" I was happy to grab a quick photo with one of my favorite models, Chanel Iman. Just look at that stunningly sweet face of hers. Finally after my pink carpet After Party duties, I made my way inside the party, and braved my way through a heavily guarded VIP section and got to say "Thank You" and "Auf Wiedersehen" to Heidi Klum.

Click below for a great video of all the goings-on at this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: