SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2014 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition Recap Part 2, the "Could Have Been Better" Gowns and Slit Happy Queens

Slit Happy: Miss Arkansas USA Helen Wisner and Miss California USA Cassandra Kunze during the Miss USA 2014 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge Louisiana

In my last post HERE, I discussed my Top Ten Best Gown Picks from the Miss USA 2014 Preliminary Competition. Now, it's time to talk about the contestants's who I wished "Could Have Been Better" and the "Slit Happy" ones...

Now, to begin with there weren't that many "Oh No She Didn't!" gown moments so this isn't the post for the "Worst"; like I said, these just could have been better...Shall we begin:

Miss Mississippi USA Chelsea Reardon: The lovely Chelsea wore a different gown than what she wore for the "Evening Gown Portraits" (right photo). And it wasn't any better. While she chose a popular white/ivory color, and the gown isn't bad at all, it's just a little dated and unoriginal. And in terms of styling, she was ill-advised with the ageing hair up-do and too-big earrings.

Miss New Mexico USA Kamryn Blackwood: I put the pretty Kamryn in my "Uh Oh!" list for what she wore for the Gown Portraits and unfortunately, she wore the same dress for the Preliminaries on Wednesday night. It's waaay too tacky-licious; the exposed midriff, the too-close-to-a-wardrobe-malfunction bandeau one- shoulder top...It's screams "Oh Dear!" and definitely Could Have Been Better.

Miss Rhode Island USA Christina Palavra: One of the youngest contestants at the Miss USA 2-14 pageant (she's 19!), she makes a very strong impression with her exotic skin coloring, hair and height (she's 5' 11"). But with this royal blue velvet gown with long sleeves and silver sequined applique, she's not gaining any style fans. The gown is very Mother-of-the-Bride circa 1996 and it just doesn't do her any favors. I'm liking the red and gold "Bollywood"-like concoction she wore for the Gown Portraits (right photo) better. Christina DEFINITELY could have been better.

Miss Tennessee USA Kristy Landers Niedenfuer: Nashville-native Kristy was ready for the Grand Ole Opry in the black and emerald green sequin applique halter gown she wore on Wednesday night's Preliminaries. It was a Gown Change from what she wore for the Gown Portraits (right photo) and I kinda wished she would have NOT changed. The Preliminaries gown looked dated and very "Pageant Betty".

Miss Utah USA Angelia Layton: First off, it's not a bad looking gown--this royal blue Mermaid-shaped strapless dress. It's just not right for Angelia. The Crest-White Strips smile and too-perfectly blond hair scream "Pageant Betty". The entire look is a little dated. She wore this same gown for the Gown portraits and I just wished she would have gone for something more modern.

And now, the SLIT HAPPY Ladies:

Miss Arkansas USA Helen Wisner: OK, foirst off, I wasn't much of a fan of what she wore for the Gown Portraits (those boobie pads were not cute!) and for the Prelims, the beautiful Helen decided to continue the "I-Am-Too-sexy" vibe with this teal green gown with WAAAY too plunging neckline and too high of a side front slit. She's got a SLAMMIN' body, however, there are other more subtle ways of showing it.

Miss California USA Cassandra Kunze: Oh Cassandra. Why? I (kind ) lliked the copper/gold sequined strapless gown you wore for the Gown Portraits) but for the Preliminary Competition, you decided to show too much leg and too much boobie cleavage: it's a little too "Real Housewives of Orange County". And I HATE seeing those nude too-platform heels: #HideThem.

Miss Maryland USA Taylor Burton: Taylor wore a blush-colored sequined gown with a crystal neckband and very high front side slit. I wish she would have just worn the strawberry gown she wore for the Gown Portrait. A pet peeve of mine is seeing the rippled wrinkled mess that is the inside lining. Someone should have pressed and/or steamed that thang! ASAP.

Miss Vermont USA Gina Bernasconi: I think Gina is so beautiful. She wore this same gown for the Gown Portraits in the Miss USA website. It's OK. And yeah, that's it. This gorgeous woman deserves better, than this. She tries to make it sexy with that slit but take the slit away and it;'s a dress for an older Mother-of-the-Bride.

Miss West Virginia USA Charisse Haislop: Finally, it's time for Charisse. She's definitely a "Slit Happy" girl in this gown. It's not a bad gown but I am a little over the halter/key-hole combo. The gown style is just rather dated and very early 2000's. I just want to see a bit more up-to-date modern Couture styles from these girls. And then there's those tacky platform heels. Seriously???

***THIS SUNDAY the Finals for the Miss USA 2014 Pageant....Stay tuned for my Miss USA 2014 Final Telecast Gown Review!!!

from nickverrreos.blogspot.com

WHO WORE WHAT?.....MET Gala 2014: Beyonce in Stella McCartney

Beyonce in Stella McCartney: MET Gala 2014

For Beyonce, this Stella McCartney 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 McCartney: MET Gala 2014

Beyonce in Stella McCartney: MET Gala 2014

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

from nickverrreos.blogspot.com

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

from nickverrreos.blogspot.com

UNDER THE GUNN.....Nick's Looks Fashion Style Photo Gallery of the Season Finale Episode Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Tuxedo Finale: Nick Verreos "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" Season Finale Fashion Show

For my last "Nick's Look's"/Mentor Style Blog --this post is all about the Season Finale Episode of Lifetime's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" and what I wore. You can read my take on this final episode HERE. but this blog is all about my style. So many people have commented on how nice I looked so that is why I originally decided to do this. And also to give props to my huney--David Paul--who styled EVERY single outfit. Not out of vanity's sake but as a former working stylist/wardrobe costumer, he just wanted to make sure I wouldn't repeat outfits and be "style shamed". So..let's get to my outfits:

Day One: I wore a red jacket from H & M , a striped blue-and-white dress shirt from Zara and printed pocket scarf for the "Introduction Day"--"Project Runway: Under The Gunn" Season Finale

Day Two: I wore a gray striped jacket from Zara , a violet sweater from Zara, striped dress shirt from Bugatchi Uomo , purple and white striped bow tie, polka dotted purple pocket hankie, and black skinny pants from Zara. And yes, my favorite black YSL "Johnny Boots".

Finale Night: For the Finale, I went "black tie" and "fancy" with my very own black and white mini polka-dotted Dolce & Gabbana silk satin tuxedo jacket, tuxedo dress shirt from Ermenegildo Zegna , Marc Jacobs Collection tuxedo pants, pink and white polka dotted pocket scarf from Brooks Brothers , and patent leather black YSL "Johnny Boots" I got from Sui Generis San Francisco Consignment Boutique (a GREAT find!).

The "Under The Gunn" Fashion Mentors: Host Tim Gunn and (L to R) Mondo Guerra, Anya Ayoung-Chee and Nick Verreos--"Project Runway: Under The Gunn" Season Finale Fashion Show

My "Under The Gunn" (clothing) Rack...

Thank You to David for coming up with looks for EVERY SINGLE day of my "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" filming! In honor of him, here's his fabulous Season Finale Look:

Dapper David: David Paul in wine-colored velvet shawl-collared tuxedo jacket ensemble--"Project Runway: Under The Gunn" Season Finale Fashion Show, Los Angeles Theater

from nickverrreos.blogspot.com

Royal Couture....Roayl Wedding of Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo in Switzerland, Valentino Couture Wedding Gown + More!

Couture Wedding: Andrea Casiraghi, second in line of succession to the throne of Monaco and Tatiana Santo Domingo (in Valentino custom Haute Couture)--wedding in Gstaad Switzerland

Last month a "Royal Wedding" occurred to not much fanfare: the wedding of the second in line to the Monagesque throne, 29 year-old Andrea Casiraghi (Princess Caroline of Hanover's eldest son) and Tatiana Santo Domingo, heiress and socialite, in a Roman Catholic wedding in the village of Rougemont in Switzerland. Tatiana's father who passed away in 2009, was listed as the second richest man in Colombia by Forbes , and her mother is from Brazil.

South American-Euro Royal: NY-born Colombian-Brazilian Tatiana Santo Domingo and Andrea Casiraghi of Monaco

Civil Wedding Pretty: This was Andrea and Tatiana's second wedding as they had already held a civil wedding service in Monaco in August (above photo)

Wedding Gown--and Cape--for Tatiana Santo Domingo by Valentino Haute Couture custom

The beautiful 30-year-old bride wore a bespoke Valentino Haute Couture gown and an elegant cream fur cape. Her long dark hair was swept into an chignon and held in place with a glittering tiara.

Monaco's royal Andrea, 29, who arrived at the church by car, sported a smart grey suit. The 11th century church had been transformed into a winter wonderland, adorned with boughs and urns of flowers, some of which came from Paris. Candles added to the magical atmosphere. Andrea and Tatiana, who are a notoriously private couple, had made every effort to keep the wedding an intimate affair and Monegasque police stood guard outside. Guests, who included, Andrea's mother Princess Caroline, Prince Albert...

Charlotte Casiraghi (above photo), Princess Alexandra, Pierre Casiraghi and his girlfriend Beatrice Borromeo, all arrived in cars with blacked-out windows. The wedding party were also shielded by dark umbrellas. Representing Tatiana's side of the family were her mother Vera Rechulski and younger brother Julio Mario Santo Domingo as well as numerous relations. Her brother was thought to be giving her away as Tatiana's father Julio Mario Santo Domingo passed away in 2009.

Hooded Haute: Photo of the Bride, Tatiana Santo Domingo and her wool crepe hooded coat/cape from Valention Haute Couture

Tiara Bride: Tatiana Santo Domingo in the car on the way to her wedding, looking every bit a "Royal Bride"--Could she be the next "Monaco Princess"? That multimillion dollar tiara tells me yes, possibly.

Beatrice Borromeo: Girlfriend of Pierre Casiraghi (brother of Andrea, the Groom) and member of the ancient aristocratic House of Borromeo. Borromeo wore a custom-made camel-colored coat and golden silk gown from Armani Prive, naturally:

Armani Prive sketches of Beatrice Borromeo's coat and gown--Tatiana Santo Somingo and Andrea Casiraghi's Wedding

Princess Caroline of Hanover--the Groom's Mother--wore Chanel Haute Couture. Princess Caroline featured a long boucle coat and gown from Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012 collection:

Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Many Bouquets to the Happy Royal Couple!

from nickverrreos.blogspot.com