Last week, on December 5th, Queen Fabiola of Belgium passed away at the age of 86, after a long illness. She was the wife of King Baudouin of the Belgians. She was the queen consort for 33 years, from her wedding in 1960 until her husband's death in 1993. Since then she was seen as a "Queen Mother" sort of figure for the country of Belgium and beloved by many.

Queen Fabiola and King Baudouin never had children (she was pregnant five times--all ending in miscarriages) so the crown passed on to King Baudouin's younger brother, King Albert II. Fabiola was born Fabiola de Mora y Aragon in Madrid, Spain from Spanish aristocracy. Her father was the 4th Marquess of Casa Riera and 2nd Count of  Mora while her mother was the Marchioness of Casa Torres and Viscountess of Baiguer. And if that isn't enough Haute Spanish aristocracy, Fabiola's godmother was Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain.


Queen Fabiola was a Fashion Diva. From her 1960 wedding to King Baudouin in which she wore a Haute Couture Cristobal Balenciaga gown to her latter years, she remained always stylish.




She loved color, coordinated ensembles, tiaras, mink coats and abanicos (fans). The last one probably being her sly homage to her Spanish roots. She was also known for her fabulously styled hair.
Let's take a STYLE Look Back at Queen Fabiola:

The Wedding Gown:


At her 1960 wedding, she wore a custom Balenciaga Haute Couture wedding gown designed by Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga. The silk satin gown featured a Bateau neckline, raglan sleeves and a low waist and "Watteau"-like cape/train trimmed in mink. Yes, kids, mink! To this day, it is considered one of the most iconic wedding gown designs of all time.

Color Queen:




Tiara Queen:




Silver Hair Queen:
Normally, when you see women of a "certain age" (especially these days!), their hair is dyed...that's the trend. But leave it to Queen Fabiola to not follow trends. She kept her hair color it's true gray for the last decade+. And she looked FABULOUS!

Fan Queen:

City by the Bay Couture and Fashion School FAB-U-Lousnesss!!!!!
Last week, I began my 2011 FIDM 3 Days of Fashion "Tour". As the Official Spokesperson--and Alumn of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, I travel to all the Campuses for their annual "3 Days of Fashion" EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! Three Days of Fashion is the event where high-school and post graduates:

• Discover new and exciting career options
• Take workshops such as Draping, Creative Thinking, and Product Development
• Learn how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure
• Find out what a Designer really does
• Meet FIDM Grads who have found success and are doing what they love
• Find out how the industry gets the latest information about trends
• Tour some of the best shopping spots in the world
• Get the answers to all your questions from the people who really know: the working professionals

My first stop was San Francisco: I flew up to San Francisco from my home base in Los Angeles on Virgin America (my plane above)--one of my favorite airlines! The flight attendants are always so friendly and I love the ordering food and drinks from the TV screen thing--even on a one-hour flight!
I landed in SFO's spankin' brand (almost) new Terminal 2. The terminal was outfitted with cool red "egg" chairs and an overall post-modern design aesthetic: Loved it! Reminded me of the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK. After getting my suitcase (I brought gowns kids!!!), I got to the City and checked into my room at one of my FAVE SF Hotels--the Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco.
As always, there was a "Welcome Nick!" bottle of wine (Hello!) and glasses for me to enjoy. Sometimes there is a cheese-and-snack plate but not this time unfortunately. Maybe this was a "Welcome with a small 'w' ". But nevertheless, I was very THANKFUL for the wine but I saved it for later because besides making my FIDM SF "3 Days of Fashion" appearance, I had one other thing on my mind and that was:
Yes....going to the De Young Museum and visiting the "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition Hello??? My Northern California friend Didi Simon and I drove to the Museum (I ordered the tickets online beforehand) and we went and enjoyed EVERY single COUTURE Gown of it! It was AMAZING!!! The Exhibition closes on July 4th and I will be traveling to Europe July 5th so this was the ONLY time I could see it!!! It was GLORIOUS!!! I absolutely LOVE , adore, admire Cristobal Balenciaga and his creations so to me, it was like being in Fashion Heaven! The Exhibition is organized into six "Inspiration" sections: Spanish Art, Regional Dress, the Spanish Court, Religious Life and Ceremony, the Bullfight, and Dance.
At one point, I gave an impromptu "Haute Couture Lesson/Tour" as I was describing all the intricacies of the Art of Haute Couture and construction/seaming to my friend Didi, and then I turned around and there were about TEN or so other exhibit visitors listening! And funny enough, many visitors recognized me and were very happy that A) I was there, and B) I was giving them a FREE knowledgeable mini-tour! But soon, it was time to make my "special appearance" at FIDM SF's "3 Days of Fashion": I always LOVE coming to San Francisco and the FIDM SF!!! They always treat me like a Star! Today was supposed to be the final day of their annual "3 Days of Fashion" and I was their "special guest star"!!!
As part of the "3 Days of Fashion" events, FIDM SF organizers have a fun-and-fabulous "Project FIDM" fashion show, where participants get to "re-create" and "re-cycle" garments and then have a fashion show that is judged a la Project Runway.
For the 2nd consecutive year, I was joined by Clinton Kelly's (from TLC's "What Not To Wear") Executive Assistant and new Director of Design for his QVC line--FIDM SF Alumn Julia A. Hill as one of my co-judges of that aforementioned contest. She was looking VERY "NY Vogue Magazine Jr. Editor" in her pleated high-waist khaki trousers, lilac tank and black "Boyfriend" jacket.
In addition to the Contest, I also brought several of my NIKOLAKI Red Carpet Dresses to show the "3 Days of Fashion" attendees. The dresses were modeled by Look Model Agency model Rachael Sitz, one of the BEST--and favorite--models in San Francisco!!
I even brought THE "Katy Perry" dress--a lilac-colored hand-beaded one-shoulder sequin dress that Katy Perry wore to launch her Purr Perfume. Yes, kids, Miss Katy Perry wore one of my designs!!! Say "Hi" San Francisco: FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Attendees, waiting for an autograph and a photo
All in all, I had a BLAST at FIDM San Francisco's "3 Days of Fashion"; the Contest, the fashion show, showing my gowns/dresses, I even stayed a coupe of hours afterward and signed autographs and took pics with each and every one of the attendees! (which I LUV doing!) I was even asked to sign someone's iPhone!!! Someone's iPhone may end up on Ebay... Thanks San Francisco and Northern California for a FAB FIDM "3 Days of Fashion"!! Can't wait to come back!!!!!

Viva España...in San Francisco!
This past weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a special appearance at FIDM San Francisco's "Open House" (soon, a BLOG post on that!). There was something else that happened over the weekend in San Francisco which I unfortunately didn't get tickets to (or get on the VIP List for--insert sad face): The Opening Night Bash for the de Young Museum's much-awaited "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition. Even though I didn't attend (I had to fly back to LA that night), I still found photos of the FABULOUS event. The Exhibition, curated by Vogue Magazine's European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles with assistance from Fine Arts Museum Curator Jill D'Alessandro, just opened and will run through July 4Th. It spans the couturier's life and includes 120 pieces. I am returning to the City by the Bay in late June so...YOU KNOW I will be going so I'll have a complete report of the exhibition--I hope! And now onto the Party: Well, as expected it was a "Who's Who" of San Francisco Elite who showed up, all decked out in their finest Oscar de la Renta's, Carolina Herrera's and Ralph Rucci's. All the last names that dot the grand homes of the Marina, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Hillsborough: Getty, Traina, Wilsey, Hale...they were all in attendance for this black tie-and-gown affair. I'm sure the gown departments at Union Square's Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were abuzz this last week! No borrowing here kids, it's all purchased! Even Anna Wintour made the transcontinental flight from NYC to San Francisco for the opening. Here are some highlights of the Party Guests and their Couture:

Click Below for Video of Anna Wintour being interviewed as she arrives to the Grand Opening Bash: