Runway Report: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012--Photo + Runway Video!

The Versace Warrior Princess:

Glam Coats--and a SEXY-HOT mini dress: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012

As you may know, Paris Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012 Fashion Week is happening right now over in the City of Lights--and love and baguettes--Paris! In my last post I brought you my "highlights" from Belgian designer Raf Simons' debut Dior Haute Couture Fall-Winter Collection. And now, it's time for Miss Donatella...

In her past collections for the Haute Couture hand-made $40,000-$150,000 costing arm of the Versace Empire, she had decided to either show her collections via Look Book images, or in more "Gallery"-like showings (like last season). But she is back! This time, she showed at the famed Ritz Hotel Paris, where her dear brother had shown for EIGHT YEARS. The collection--although Fall, was very Spring/Summer in its bright, bold colors (blush, peach, lilac, lavender, neon green, yellow, and magenta pinks).  

It was very 1990's "old school" Versace. Donatella has been on this 1990's trend in terms of the Versace archive silhouettes, va-va-boom shapes, and an over all "Where's Linda Evagelista, Yazmeen Ghauri, Nadja Auermann and Christy Turlington?" feeling. PS: Those models would be WORKING these clothes OVERTIME on the runway! Is it me, or do these 16 year old girls not EVEN hold a candle to those Supermodel Goddesses?!!! Nevertheless, the clothes on display were sexy, strong, "Warrior Princess" fab. Take a look:

The 90's are BACK: Blush, lavender and nude-colored see-through hand-embroidered gowns, Atelier Versace Fall-Winter 2012

Miss Universe Contestants, Take Note: The perfect strapless A-line cocktail dress and two smoldering UBER-high side-slit chiffon gowns--Atelier Versace Fall-Winter 2012

Entrance-Making--and Wife Stealing: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012

Click below for an edited video of the full runway show: 

Runway Report: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Bravissima!!

Ciao Goddesses: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Haute Couture Fashion Week began today in Paris with a bang. In my last post I highlighted the latest Couture offering from the House of Dior and it's designer Bill Gaytten. Now, it's time for Donatella. Donatella Versace of course. Atelier Versace actually opened Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week with its first runway show since 2004. Between then and now, they've only been showing them via "Look Book" images on the Versace website. So, yes, the Haute Couture arm of Versace has not stopped, in case you were wondering. Now, more than ever though, it realizes the importance of showing these glorious one-of-a-kind garments--especially for new clients (Hello Russia!) and as an extension of the Marketing and PR of the Versace brand.

Grazie Bow: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Donatella showed only fifteen looks (even though officially the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parsienne states there should be a minimum of 35 runs/exits, I think Miss Donatella got an "exemption"), that can only be described as "Versace Gladiator Goddesses". They were corseted, boned, stiffened and sexi-fied to the 9th degree!

Tweet That! The Press at Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

One by one, all of the worlds current top models--Karlie Kloss, Daria Strokous, Arizona Muse, Lindsey Wixson--came down a set of golden stairs, very carefully (take a look at those 5" high Gladiator pumps!). Until all fifteen were done, then Donatella Versace took her bow.

Gray Gowns: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

The Collection: The color palette went from slate gray, neon lemon, tangerine, soft lilac, gold and canary yellow. The fabrications were intense and very Couture-worthy. One gold leather bustier dress (worn by the fabulous Arizona Muse) was laser-cut to look like lace. There was caviar beading so delicately woven into gowns, I could almost hear the cries of needle-breaking desperation from the Italian seamstresses.

Space-age: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

In terms of shapes and styles, there were fitted gowns, strapless gowns, gowns with sleeves, mini corseted cocktail dresses, a jacket or two, sexy asymmetrical back-baring numbers and even some Couture shorts and jumpers. Some styles featured an asymmetrical side-front hip-enhancing detail. One would think this would not benefit a woman's figure but alas, in the Atelier Versace's draping and pattern-making team's hands, it looked fresh and modern.

A Gala or a Club? Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Look for some of these $100,000+ garments on the red carpet--come Grammy and Academy Award time. I assure you. Take a look at some more of Atelier Versace Spring 2012:

Yellow Fierce: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Golden Warriors: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Limoncello: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Hello Russian Multimillionaire Girlfriends: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Click Below for Video of Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012:

Runway Report: Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Grommets, Studs, Seashell Motifs...It's Versace 1992 all over again...And I LOVE IT!

Versace Spring 2012

Last week, Donatella Versace showed her latest Spring 2012 Collection for the House of Versace in the gorgeous garden at the Via Gesù show space. The collection was very "Retro Versace". Like I had seen it before somewhere...

It's All About 1992: Versace Couture 1992 above on Naomi, Stephanie and Yasmeen--and on Lady Gaga

I had. The Versace Spring 2012 Collection had many motifs and style elements from that much-Lady Gaga loved Versace Couture 1992 time period (she's been spotted wearing A LOT from those collections lately). The grommets, the silver and gold studs, the heavily cluttered sequins, the seashell prints and motifs...

Seashell Retro: Versace Spring/Summer 1992

Donatella went back to the Versace Archives (as well she should, maybe inspired by Miss Gaga) and really referenced those years in particular for this collection. And what a surprise, they looked "fresh and new", especially to those "kids" who were probably 3 when those collections came out! But I remember darlings--I could never forget Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour, Karen Mulder and Yasmeen Ghauri in those seashell printed swimsuits and those leather and gold studded gowns!!!

Versace Spring 2012

But back to the present: Versace Spring 2012 showed lots of light "candy sorbet" colors--the light blues, the lemon yellows, the aqua-greens. Lots of luscious draped and shirred silk jersey and silk chiffon added to the "prettiness".

Versace Spring 2012

And yes, those 1992'esque black gold studded skirts and tops and Seashell-motif sequined applique. Donatella also played with some asymmetry, especially with chiffon "overlay" that would "half" cover a simple and elegant sheath dress or a skirt.

Versace Spring 2012

Gowns were seductive, sexy and oh-so-Versace Red Carpet. Also in those light candy-sorbet colors. The grommeting and studded sequin detail was followed through to the final runway-stomping gowns. Now speaking of Runway Stomping...There was a "Model Down":


Poor Lindsey Wixson (American, famous for her "bee-stung" lips) came crashing down almost at the end of the Versace Spring 2012 show. Lindsey happens to be one of Donatella's faves--if not her "Muse", but the 17 year old (A Muse at 17??) came tumbling down as she tried to maneuver those towering 8" lucite stilletto wedge platforms.

She did get back up and instead of running as fast as she could out of the runway, she continued her walk with "Victory" thumbs-up hand signs. Nice Recovery Girl!!!!

If you want to see the stumble--and the Entire Versace Spring 2012 Collection Runway Video, Click Below:

Nick Verreos Attends FIDM Museum & Galleries "Fabulous!" Opening Exhibit Party!!

McQueen, Versace, Chanel, Adrian...and SO MUCH MORE!!!

Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages

Alexander McQueen "Peacock Dress" Fall/Winter 2008-09, Fabulous! Exhibit FIDM Museum & Galleries (above, at the Museum and bottom photo from the Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 Runway)

Last Saturday I was invited to the Opening Night Party of the "Fabulous!" Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's Museum & Galleries. And in one word, it was FABULOUS!!! The exhibition, which opened last Tuesday September 13th, spans 200 years of fashion history 1800-2010 in addition to ten years of FIDM Museum Acquisitions, from 2000-2010. The 200-piece exhibition, co-curated by the fantastic team of Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson of the FIDM Museum, includes historical court costumes, Haute Couture garments, accessories, jewelry, textiles, as well as historical documents that give provenance to the items.

The exhibit features two main and very prominent podiums which "divide" the items into ones that have been acquired through purchases by the FIDM Museum & Galleries and ones that have been donated.

There is also a GORGEOUS "Fabulous!" Catalogue which accompanies the exhibition (and is prefaced by none other than Hubert de Givenchy) and can be purchased at the FIDM Museum Store, which is adjacent to the Museum. It's A MUST HAVE!

Some HIGHLIGHTS of the Fashion at the "Fabulous!" exhibit:

Embroidered Court Suit, belonging to composer Johann Hummel, worn in the court during the rule of Francis I, Emperor of Austria 1810-1814; It's one of the only ones in the World, and especially in such outstanding condition! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

A very rare Empire-style Silk Court Gown with gold laurel leaves brocade and an ELEVEN FOOT train worn by Ann Bloomfield Gamble Post (above) at Buckingham Palace when she was presented to King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903 during Edward's coronation. She was the wife of famous American Author Melville Davisson Post and died only 16 years later of pneumonia.

Gianni Versace: Men's and women's ensembles from the SAME Gianni Versace 1994 collection Lady Gaga has been recently going GAGA for!!! These were donated items. Can you only imagine the FABULOUS guy who wore those gold studded leather pants and silk printed shirt! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Gilbert Adrian: A draped gunmetal-colored iridescent silk taffeta halter-style gown from Hollywood designer Gilbert Adrian.

Mae West's Platform Shoes, as well as her actual foot imprint. Mae West was actually ONLY 5 FEET Tall, so you get to see what made her look SIX FEET Tall--Yep, those 10" platforms!

Also, as part of the "Fabulous!" Exhibition, there is the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection Gallery section. On view in this section is a selection of dresses, all originally belonging to European royalty! And you know how I'm a (fashion) fan of European Royalty...

Wedding Gown worn by Elisabeth of Wied, Queen Consort of Romania, in 1869: The gown is made of silk satin silk netting/tulle with cotton and paper faux flowers. It is in AMAZING condition considering it is 142 years OLD!!! You should see my gowns A DAY after an actress wears them on the red carpet!!! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Queen Victoria of Great Britain's Evening Gown, black silk faille and crepe, from 1897. (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages).

As you know, the black mourning color became popular during Queen Victoria's reign, particularly after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. She never wore anything else, just black. Isn't it AMAZING that you can see a gown worn by a Queen...from 1897 no less?

The Opening Night "Fabulous!" Exhibit Party:

The "Opening Night Party", which was held right outside the street-level FIDM Museum & Galleries, was just as great as the Exhibition itself. FIDM, as always, outdid itself with lots of food, cocktails and a tented seating and socializing area. Lots of FIDM's donors, TV and entertainment personalities and of course, fashionistas were on hand. I made sure to say "Hi" to a lot of them:

Fashion Designers Sue Wong and Nick Verreos, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibit, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

California Apparel News Fashion Editor and VeryVeryChic fashion blogger N. Jayne Seward and Nick Verreos, in front of a Chanel yellow paillette "Scuba" ensemble from 1991, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries

Doris Raymond, Curator and Owner of "The Way We Wore" Boutique, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Nick Verreos, Julian Bermudez and KPCC "Off-Ramp" Host John Rabe, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Barbie Boys: Nick Verreos flanked by James Holmes and Peter Helenek of Mattel, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

The Opening Night Party was so much fun and yes, the "Fabulous!" Exhibition made me shake with "Fashion Glee". It rivals ANY top fashion and costume exhibition I've been to at The Met in NYC, Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris, or the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. DO NOT MISS IT!!!

Here Are The Details:
What: "Fabulous!", An Exhibition of 200 years of Fashion History 1800-2010

Where: FIDM Museum & Galleries 919 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles CA 90015

When: September 13-December 17 2011 Open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm (closed Sunday, Monday)

Cost: FREE!!!!!!