SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Guatemala 2014, Evening Gown Recap

Golden Girl: Ana Luisa Montufar Miss Universe Guatemala 2014

This past weekend were the Miss Guatemala 2014 Finals, held in Guatemala City. The contest crowned it's representatives for Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International, three "Grand Slam" international beauty pageants. The top winner--Miss Universe Guatemala 2014  was 20 year-old Ana Luisa Montufar who represented "Ciudad Capital" (Capital City").

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals: Winner and Gown Recap

A new Latina beauty: Aleyda Ortiz is crowned "Nuestra Belleza latina 2014" on Sunday night

This past Sunday night were the Finals of Univision's very popular Reality Competition Show "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014". Last week on my blog HERE, I discussed the Semi-Finals and Top Five Gowns and gave my prediction on who would probably win the 8th title. And yes, I was right...

 Third Puerto Rican...to win "Nuestra Belleza" crown: Aleyda Ortiz

To no one's surprise, the top crown went to Puerto Rican Aleyda Ortiz. The 1.76 M (5' 9 1/2") tall Aleyda was the front-runner from the beginning, the gorgeous beauty is an experienced pageant contestant, having won the First Runner-Up title of this year's Miss Universe Puerto Rico and also was First Runner-Up at Miss Intercontinental 2014. She now is the third woman of Puerto Rican descent to win the "Nuestra Belleza Latina" crown.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe Thailand 2014: Elie Saab-inspired Gowns, The Controversy

Miss Universe Thailand 2014 Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut 

Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

This past Saturday night, in a glitzy ceremony in Bangkok's Royal Paragon Hall in the Siam Paragon shopping mall, the representative to wear the Miss Thailand sash at this year's Miss Universe pageant was crowned; Miss Universe Thailand 2014 is 22 year-old Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut.

NICK HOSTS.....WKNE-FM Women's Expo 2014 Keene New Hampshire Saturday May 31st

Nick Verreos Special Appearance at Women's Expo 2014 WKNE-FM at Keene State College New Hampshire

NEW HAMPSHIRE: I'm Coming BAAACK!!! I'm so excited to announce that I will be returning to New Hampshire to be part of the Women's Expo! On Saturday May 31st, I will be one of the "headliners"/lecturers at the 103.7 WKNE-FM Women's Expo 2014.

WHO WORE WHAT?.....67th Annual Cannes Film Festival "The Homesman" Premiere

 Freida Pinto in Oscar de la Renta Fall 2014 ball gown--"The Homesman" Premiere, 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival

The 67th Cannes Film Festival is happening in the South of France and it's been a COUTURE fashion frenzy--in terms of the Red Carpet---Here are the FASHION HIGHLIGHTS from tonight's "The Homesman" Premiere. The film is a Western starring Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep and Hailee Steinfeld, among others. One of the attendees at tonight's premiere Indian actress--and stunning beauty--Freida Pinto:

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Printed Dresses at 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival

 Printed Beauties: Actors Mireille Enos and Rosario Dawson, "The Captive" photo-call, 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival

Today, there was a "Photo-call" for the thriller film "The Captive" at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival. "The Captive" actors Mireille Enos and Rosario Dawson were there, dressed and ready: both actresses gave you printed dresses...

Rosario Dawson in Sportmax: Rosario opted for a Jackson Pollack-inspired printed sleeveless below-the-knee dress with asymmetrical peplum detail from Italian brand Sportmax's Fall 2014 collection. Sportmax is part of the MaxMara Italian Fashion empire. Here it is on the runway:

WHO WORE WHAT?.....67th Annual Cannes Film Festival: "Mr Turner" Premiere Red Carpet

 Blake Lively in Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014--Day Tow of the 67th Cannes Film Festival--"Mr Turner" Premiere

Tonight was "Day Two" of the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival and the Premiere of the much-acclaimed (as opposed to last night's "Grace of Monaco" premiere) film "Mr. Turner"--the British bio pic based on the eccentric British painter J. M. W. Turner. The film is selected to compete for the Palm d'Or, the Top Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and some critics say it might just get it. But let's just get to the more important stuff: the "Who Wore What?" red carpet...

WHO WORE WHAT?.....67th Annual Cannes Film Festival Opening Ceremony: "Grace of Monaco" Premiere

Nicole Kidman and Tim Roth--67th Annual Cannes Film Festival Opening Ceremony--Premiere of "Grace of Monaco"

Tonight was the Opening Ceremony to the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival in the South of France. As it's been tradition in the recent years, this red carpet rivals the Academy Awards. This year was no different. And as it's always been the case: it's always more "Fashion Fun" in Cannes; actors take more of a "fashion risk" when they are in Europe. And I LOVE that.

SASHES AND TIARAS....."Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" Semi Finals Gowns Recap

 Latina Swimsuits Beauties--Nuestra Bella Latina 2014

Last night was the Semi-Final Episode Before the Finals--of this year's Nuestra Bella Latina beauty pageant and Reality TV Show. If you follow beauty pageants, you're well aware of Nuetra Belleza Latina and if not, well, the TV show is a cross between "America's Next Top Model" and "Miss Universe"--but only with Latina contestants. Castings are held across the US to find which women will make the final round to be on the show and contest.

PROJECT RUNWAY.....LA Castings/Auditions of Season 13 Project Runway with Tim Gunn

 Mentor Twosome: Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos---Judging the Southern California/Los Angeles Auditions/Castings of Season 13 Project Runway--Bunin-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA

This past week, I had the chance to judge the Season 13 Project Runway Auditions/Castings. This is (wait for it!) the ELEVENTH season I have been asked to be part of the judging pre-final audition/casting process.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Peru Universe 2014, Winner Jimena Espinosa, Evening Gowns

 South American Beauty: Jimena Espinosa, Miss Peru Universe 2014

Last month, a new Peruvian Beauty Queen was crowned: Jimena Rumini Espinosa Vecco, 24, became the new "Miss Peru Universe" at the Parque de la Amistad in Lima Peru. The gorgeous light brown/dark blond haired beauty is 1.83 (6 feet tall)! and is a model. Jimena represented "Region Lima" (Lima region, the capital city). She also is no stranger to pageants: Jimena competed at the "World Miss University 2008" beauty pageant in South Korea. 

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Rachel Roy Wears Gown by "Under The Gunn" Designer Oscar Lopez to Met Gala

The Met Gala 2014 Gown for Rachel Roy: Gown designed by Oscar Garcia-Lopez, Winner of "Project Runway: Under The Gunn"

Photo Courtesy of Oscar Garcia-Lopez

This Monday, I had the opportunity to shoot the "Photo Spread" for Marie Claire Magazine as one of the prizes I won as the Winning Mentor on Project Runway: Under The Gunn. The photo shoot was actually for Oscar Garcia-Lopez and the beautiful finale collection he created (I don't actually get my own editorial), but I was THRILLED to be part of his big winning editorial moment, hang out with Oscar again and see all the beautiful clothing he made in a short 3 days for the big finale show!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Nuestra Belleza El Salvador 2014, Miss El Salvador Universe: Winners, Gowns

 La Mas Bella: Miss Nuestra Belleza El Salvador 2014/Miss Universe El Salvador 2014 Patricia Murillo 

Last week on May 2nd, a new Salvadorean Beauty Queen was crowned: the 2014 Nuestra Belleza El Salvador Beauty Pageant occurred. The Top Two winners of this contest got the crowns--and chances--to represent their nation of El Salvador at the "Miss Universe" and "Miss World" pageants. The Top Winner was 21 year-old Claudia Patricia Murrillo. She is 1. 76 M (5' 9 1/2") tall and is a model.

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Messes & Misses

Tabitha Simmons in Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2014 Alta Moda: Shoe designer Tabitha Simmons wore this silk tulle ball gown with hand-applied flower petals sprinkled throughout the gown. The gown was from Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda (Haute Couture) Spring 2014 collection. First things first: how does a shoe designer get to be lent a $100,000+ Couture Gown? Just asking. Nothing against shoe designers but...Nevertheless, props to her and her PR team. However, this was a bit of a MESS and MISS for me. If I saw this in a movie as a costume about Spring flowers...I would probably be like "that's glorious". But at the Met Gala red carpet, not so mucheey.

It looked fabulous on the runway (and hanger) at the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2014 Alta Moda show:

 But yes, at the Met Gala, it was a tulle-and-flower mess.

Rita Ora in Donna Karan Atelier: Rita Ora--always one to take risks on the red carpet--wore a Donna Karan Atelier (the Haute Couture only-for-celebs-on-the-red-carpet arm of the brand) antiqued matte gold sequin silk tulle gown with asymmetrical sculpted train. Here's the thing: I get the whole "look" and it's very "Game of Thrones Wedding"-like but at the same time, it reminds me of something a just-out-of-fashion-school kid would create: It's A LOT and much of it is a mess.

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Liu Wen in Zac Posen Fall 2014

Liu Wen in Zac Posen Fall 2014

Model Liu Wen WOWED at tonight's "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Costume Institute Met Gala. Wen looked like a Charles James Goddess in this strapless ball gown from Zac Posen's Charles James' inspired Fall 2014 collection. The sea-foam green silk satin gown featured multiple jutting godets creating a super voluminous shape that would have made Charles James proud.

Liu Wen in Zac Posen Fall 2014

The shape had a mini-homage to... 

Charles James' famous "Four Leaf Clover" gown from 1953

Spectacular: Liu Wen in Zac Posen Fall 2014

I thought that Liu is definitely one of THE BEST DRESSED of the 2014 Met Gala. What do you guys think?

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Beyonce in Givenchy

Beyonce in Givenchy: MET Gala 2014

For Beyonce, this Givenchy Gown could almost be considered subdued! I actually really like this look on her. It has all the elements you would expect in a Beyonce outfit with the sheer fabric, plunging neckline and high slit. But at the same time seems quite covered with the 3/4 sleeves and peplum.

Beyonce in Stella Givenchy: MET Gala 2014

Beyonce in Givenchy: MET Gala 2014

Love the beaded netting and, of course, her hair and make up are flawless!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Lupita Nyong'o in Prada

Lupita Nyong'o in Custom Prada

What is sure to be one of the most controversial dresses of the evening, Lupita arrived at the Costume Institute Met Gala wearing a custom Prada dress made of a beaded and feathered overdress.

One thing is for sure: Lupita LOVES fashion and certainly looks like she is having a great time. If there is ever a night to take a "fashion risk", the Met Gala is the night to do it.

Lupita is clearly channeling and inspired by Josephine Baker. Maybe she didn't get the memo that this was a night honoring Charles James?!

Close up of Lupita's Art Deco inspired Headband

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa Spring 2011

Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa Spring 2011

Karolina Kurkova proves that you don't need to wear a custom designed gown or something from the most current season to look AMAZING! 

Karolina chose to wear this stunning Marchesa gown from their Spring 2011 Collection. It had all the elements that you would want to honor Charles James: Structure, Drama, Modernity and Elegance.....check, check and CHECK!

Good job Karolina....I also found the photo below very interesting. It looks like this gown is actually two parts. The bodice/peplum top over the very large ball skirt:

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung

Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung: Met Gala 2014

The dress Hailee Steinfeld wore to the Costume Institute Gala tonight is a a perfect contrast to SJP's gown.

It takes the essence of a Charles James gown without being a direct copy. Hailee's gown was designed by Prabal Gurung and has all the amazing structure of an original James gown, but with a modern touch.

I love the high-low front with the blush pink lining!

Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung: Met Gala 2014

And the extreme racer back, with tuxedo shirt detailing is creative and stunning!

 Hailee Steinfeld (left) and with designer Prabal Gurung (right): Met Gala 2014

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta: Met Gala 2014

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of the co-chairs of tonight's Costume Institute Metropolitan Museum Gala. We knew she would be one of the first arrivals and she came on the arm of her date Andy Cohen wearing a custom Oscar de la Renta Gown.

It was clearly an homage to the original Charles James gown below:

Charles James "Petal Gown"

From the arrivals I've seen so far, we are going to see a LOT of Charles James inspired Ball Gowns. I, for one, am excited to see all the glamorous gowns, but it will be interesting to see if designers will be able to interpret the "Charles James style" without directly copying his designs.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta: Met Gala 2014

To differentiate this design from the original, ODLR added a black window pane train with his signature at the bottom. In my opinion, the signature is a bit tacky and too much. I don't think it was necessary.

 Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta: Met Gala 2014

 Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta: Met Gala 2014

Sarah always loves her big hair and accessories and she didn't disappoint tonight. She added several vintage pins to her long white gloves and a bracelet high up on her arm.

Her hair was accented with beautiful Gardenia flowers.

What do you think of SJP's Met Gala 2014 style?

NICK APPEARANCES...."Discover L.A. What's Your L.A. Story" Photo Shoot at FIDM

Drape Fab: Nick Verreos "Discover L.A." Instagram photo-shoot--Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Los Angeles

Today I had the honor of doing a quick photo shoot at my Alma Mater and college I am the Official Spokesperson for--FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising--for a great campaign entitled "Discover L.A." and "What's Your L.A. Story?" for Instagram. The photo shoot was done by photographer Michelle Yam...
The campaign features "L.A. Stories" of Angelenos--as the site says:
"L.A. is a city of stories. Not just screenplays and novels. But real life stories that can only happen in L.A. A close encounter with dolphins. A brush with a celebrity. A cupcake from a vending machine. It could be an event, an exhibit, a song. But the moment it happens, you can’t wait to tell everyone back home about it. What’s your L.A. story?"