Compare and Contrast: Duke and Duchess of Windsor-- Madonna's "W.E" Movie Costumes & The Real Thing!

A Style Story...



For their September 2011 issue, Vanity Fair just published photos by Tom Munro from Madonna's (Happy Belated Birthday!) feature-length directorial debut "W.E".

Madonna, the Director

"W.E." is a film on the lives of Wallis Simpson and Britain's Kind Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry the twice-divorced Simpson. She became Duchess of Windsor when they married in 1937.



Academy Award-nominated Costume Designer--and longtime Madonna style collaborator Arianne Phillips (above) designed the costumes (GORGEOUS!!!). According to Phillips, she worked with design houses such as Cartier, Dior and Dunhill for the 60+ costume changes for the actors playing the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Costume Encounter: (Left to Right) Nick Verreos, Costume Designer Monique Prudhomme, Costume Designer Arianne Phillips, and fellow Project Runway Season 2 Designer Andrae Gonzalo

In the film, British-born actors Andrea Riseborough and James D’Arcy play the Duchess and Duke respectively. I thought it would be fun to "Compare & Contrast" between the Vanity Fair photos from the film--and the actual COUTURE the Duke and Duchess of Windsor wore (as seen through available photographs, of course). Let's take a look at some of the photos from the film with actors:

Striped Daywear: Actors D'Arcy and Riseborough--Notice the impeccable mitering (stripes matching) in her dress--that is COUTURE darling!!!

Zig-Zag Diva: Actors Riseborough and D'Arcy lounging for cocktail hour

Home Sweet (Couture) Home: Actress Andrea Riseborough, wearing Dior and Cartier jewels

Hosting Pair: Actors Riseborough and D'Arcy playing the Duchess and Duke of Windsor

The Schiaparelli Jacket, ordered by Wallis Simpson: Wallis purchased 18 items from the Elsa Schiaparelli Summer 1937 Collection for her Marriage Trousseau to the Duke of Windsor, including a gown and jacket combination of carbon blue jersey (above). The Baroque scrolls on the jacket were white leather.

Wallis Simpson--in her Schiaparelli ensemble--photographed by Cecil Beaton

Wedding Day: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor at Chateau De Conde France 1937; The simple crepe gown was designed and created by Mainbocher, a Chicago-born Paris Couturier and Paris Vogue Fashion Illustrator (his actual name was Main Rousseau Bocher). The Duke wore a Morning Suit. Her Trousseau consisted of almost 70 garments, including the above Schiaparelli suit-gown, many Chanel's and others. Diva.



Garden Chic: In 1937, Wallis Simpson posed for Vogue in a Schiaparelli evening gown that had a lobster printed on its skirt. Salvador Dalí designed the print, which also featured sprigs of parsley. The Vogue spread was intended to introduce readers to Mrs. Simpson, who in July of that year would marry Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor and abdicated King of England.

Lobster Couture: The Schiaparelli-designed Salvador Dalí-printed gown

Color Blocking: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor--and their dog--Miami, circa 1941--Between his ascot, her Cartier pin and turban, and their colored ensembles...well, I think this may be one of the fiercest "Holiday" photos ever!

Nipped In: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, circa 1946

Resort Wear: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor vacationing in Italy, 1953--in HIGH STYLE!!! PS: Where can I get a robe like that??

High-Low: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, early 1960's

I cannot wait to see the film and more importantly, the fashions!!! Kudos Madonna and Arianne!!!

Los AngelesTimes: Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibit Mention!

LA Times Love!

Academy Award-Nominated Costume Designers Colleen Atwood ("Alice In Wonderland"), Mary Zophres ("True Grit") and Nick Verreos, FIDM "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

Yesterday--on my Birthday no less!!! I opened up my Los Angeles Times--the BIG Sunday Edition--and there was a FABULOUS article--written by Ellen Oliver--about the opening of the 19Th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition at my Alma Mater (and College I am an Instructor and Spokesperson at) the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM.

And the best part (well, not the best part but it was nice!): It included a wonderful photo of myself, and the Academy Award Nominated Costume Designers, Colleen Atwood (for "Alice In Wonderland"), and Mary Zophres ("True Grit") as well as a short & sweet quote. It was a bit of a shock and (nice) surprise to be having my coffee and scrambled eggs---and then all of a sudden see the photo! Thanks LA Times and by the way, it begs repeating: Wonderful article!

Below is the Los Angeles Times Sunday Edition Article, published yesterday:

Scene & Heard: Costume designers in the spotlight

At the preview of "The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design," two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood said Johnny Depp wanted his Mad Hatter costume to capture the flavor of a mood ring. So she layered his topcoat with multiple colors of silk.

Standing beside his costume from "Alice in Wonderland," Atwood said the challenges of designing for Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter included the changing sizes of the characters. "Alice shrinks and grows, and Helena's big head made her neck look as thick as a thigh," Atwood said, adding that she solved that problem by creating a collar to narrow the appearance of Bonham Carter's neck.

An estimated 1,400 guests, mainly members of the Costume Designers Guild, turned up on Feb. 5 to view more than 100 costumes from 21 films at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's museum (www.fidmmuseum.org) in Los Angeles. Four of the five nominees for this year's Academy Award for costume design were represented: "Alice in Wonderland," "True Grit," "The Tempest" and "The King's Speech." (The fifth film is "I Am Love.")

"In the best pictures, the costumes are subtle," said Nick Verreos, an FIDM instructor and "Project Runway" personality. "The goal of costume design is to create real people, but when it's a fantastic movie like 'Alice,' the costumes have to be fantastic."

For the rest of the article , CLICK HERE.

Nick Verreos and FIDM SuperLab for Alice In Wonderland: Part 2 The Exhibition

Part 2: And Now...Here Is The "Disney's Alice In Wonderland" FIDM Exhibit:Red Carpet Queens: The FIDM SuperLab Gowns designed by FIDM designer grads inspired by Disney's "Alice In Wonderland"

In conjunction with the "Media Only" Party and FIDM SuperLab Alice In Wonderland-inspired Red Carpet Gown Fashion Show thrown by Disney at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM which I recapped in my last posting, there was of course something else: This also marked the opening of the "Disney's Alice In Wonderland Costume Exhibit" at the FIDM Museum and Galleries. Underland Costumes: Nick Verreos at the FIDM Museum and Galleries "Alice In Wonderland" Exhibition

Right after Kerli's "Tea Party" performance, guests were led into the FIDM Museum to enjoy the actual costumes designed by 2-time Academy Award-winning costume designer (and special guest of the party) Colleen Atwood. For the first time ever in the US, everyone was treated to a viewing of many of the original costumes, including Johnny Depp's Mat Hatter ensembles, including the iridescent blue "frock coat", waistcoat, and plaid kilt seen above.
Helena Bonham Carter's Red Queen Dress, shown here sans the Queens BIG HEAD;Stayne, Knave of Hearts' exuberant cape and intricate armor costume (love the dramatic cape's inner lining);
And of course, several of Alice's dresses. Here is the original demure pale blue dress worn by actress Mia Wasikowska that you've seen in all the film's press photos (she's SOOOO TINY--go to the Exhibit and you'll see what I mean!);
and above is Alice's "Red Dress" from the Red Queen's Court Scenes: This is one of my favorite of Atwood's designs, very modern and reminiscent of the late Alexander McQueen's work.
In combination with Disney's Alice In Wonderland Costume Exhibit, there was the
Art of Costume Illustration exhibition, which was already on display in the FIDM Museum and Galleries. There are over 200 film and television costume illustrations on display from designers and illustrators like Edith Head, Orry-Kelly (his costume illustration for "Auntie Mame" seen above) and Helen Rose, who is famous for designing the wedding gown for Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco.Sketch by Helen Rose for actress Alice Kingsley "Washington Story" 1952

Originally I wanted to be a Fashion Illustrator (since I love to draw!), until a teacher a LONG TIME ago (in high school I think), told me there "was no business in that", so I decided to become a Fashion Designer. But I've always been an avid fan of fashion and costume illustrations, and love and respect the art so this was a HUGE HIGHLIGHT for me.
Sketch by Helen Rose for Elizabeth Taylor

If you want to check out Disney's Alice In Wonderland Exhibit, the FIDM SuperLab Red Carpet Gowns designed by FIDM grads as well as the Art of Costume Illustration, get thee to the FIDM Museum and Galleries...NOW!!!

Below is a "Sneak Peak Video I took of the FIDM SuperLab Alice In Wonderland Red Carpet Gowns (which I mentored!) on display NOW at the FIDM< Museum and Galleries:


Exhibition Details:
Where: FIDM Museum and Galleries, 919 South Grand Avenue, LA CA 90015

When:
Art of Costume Illustration Exhibit runs May 18-June 19
Alice In Wonderland Exhibit runs May 27-September 30
Open Tuesday-Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays)

Fee: FREE!!!!!

Nick Verreos attends FIDM 4th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Exhibit

A Costume Party!White Before Labor Day: Nick Verreos walks the red carpet for the "Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibit" Party

Over the weekend, I was invited to the exclusive Opening Party of "The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design" exhibition at the Downtown LA campus of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM. In its fourth year, this exhibition is always an event where costume designers, academia, stylists, news media and entertainment executives get together to celebrate the costumes of TV programs shown in the past year. As my date, I brought David Paul, of course. David is a member of the Costume Designers Guild and received his Masters from UCLA in Costume Design and prior to designing with me, he worked on numerous TV shows, including NBC's Passions, MTV's Undressed and Bravo's Queer Eye For The Straight Girl. In other words, this is "his thang", as they say.
Tudor Couture: Costumes from Showtime's The Tudors

FIDM knows how to throw a party (remember the "Wizard of Oz 70Th Anniversary" one?), and this was no exception. Adjacent to the Exhibit, the Hope Park grounds were transformed into an outdoors party with several fully stocked bars (costume designers drink kids!) and hors d'oeuvres tables (they also eat!). For a change, instead of heading for the bar and the food first, I went right into the exhibit in order to take in the drama and beauty of all the clothes.
Coco Madness: Costumes from Lifetime's Coco Chanel

This year, the exhibit spans a wide range of "TV Style", from Period Dramas like Showtime's The Tudors (love those Corsets!) and HBO's John Adams as well as Lifetime's Coco Chanel (costume designers Stefano De Nardis and Pierre-Yves Gayraud did an amazing job of reproducing those iconic Chanel suits!) to more contemporary shows, such as Gossip Girl, The L Word, and Without A Trace. Polka Dot Dance Partner: Costumes from ABC's Dancing With The Stars

One of my favorites on display were the fun exuberant costumes from ABC's Dancing With The Stars. As you know, co-host Samantha Harris and judge Carrie Ann Inaba wore my NIKOLAKI gowns on the show so David and I have a special fondness for the program. We always marvel at those costumes. All that intricate beading, all those backless, illusion-mesh handkerchief hemmed swirling dresses; we always wonder if costume designer Randall Christensen must have a staff of 500 petite mains trying to get all those finished--and in one week's time! Tie that Scarf Darling! Costumes from HBO's Grey Gardens

I also loved seeing the costumes from HBO's Grey Gardens. I thought Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange's performances were amazing and so did the Emmy voters since after all, they were both nominated for Best Actress. Costume designer Catherine Thomas did a great job of showing the extremes--in their wardrobe--of "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" and their glamorous Upper East Side beginnings and their sad yet elegant latter years....And The Winner Is? Leanne Marshall's Project Runway Bryant Park Collection

A nice surprise capped this exhibit of "Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design": Leanne Marshall's winning Project Runway Season 5 Bryant Park Collection. Mannequins stood on a raised runway as if waiting for the designer to take her bow.

Next year maybe they will have a retrospective of Tim Gunn's Banana Republic suits or Heidi Klum's mini-dress outfits that she has worn on the show. I'd pay to see those! Speaking of paying: The Exhibit is FREE!!! So get thee to the FIDM Museum and Galleries, on the floor level of their Downtown Los Angeles Campus. The exhibit runs from July 29-September 6Th. Click HERE for more info.Costume Spectators: Nick Verreos and California Apparel News' Alison Nieder, enjoying the Dancing With The Stars costumes

Oh, and in case you wanted to know: Once I made it out into the party after the exhibit, the bars were closed and there was no food left. Well, just one potsticker which David and I fought for. Oh well, that's the price you pay for enjoying a wonderful exhibit!
Until next time...enjoy your favorite TV shows--and make sure not to miss the wonderful costumes!

Nick Verreos and Motion Picture Costumes!!

And The Oscars for Best Costume Design Goes To.....

Super Trouper: Nick Verreos stands by the costumes of "Mamma Mia!"

Last weekend, I was invited to the 17th Annual "Art of of Motion Picture Costume Exhibition" at the Downtown Los Angeles campus of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM. Of course, I had to attend! I missed last year's opening and therefore felt compelled to "make up for lost time". Also, my design partner and Vice-President of NIKOLAKI, David Paul is a member of the Motion Pictures Costumer's Union (Local 705) so he also wanted to come (finally , something he is also interested in!). As we showed up, a fabulous catered party awaited us before we even entered the exhibit (remind me again why I didn't attend last year?). Three's Company: David Paul, Raymundo Baltazar and Nick Verreos

We made the "rounds" and greeted old friends, FIDM staff and lots of Costume Designer Industry glitterati.
I was so excited to run into my Project Runway Season 2 confidante, designer Raymundo Baltazar (a graduate of FIDM) that we almost knocked some other guests over!

California Gold: Raymundo Batazar, Huell Howser and Nick Verreos

We immediately spotted LA public TV icon, Huell Howser and had to get a photo. Love him! I also said "hello" to LA designer (and fellow Islands of the World Fashion Week designer) Kevan Hall, as we posed for photos. LA Fashion Week: Designers Nick Verreos and Estevan Ramos

Trying to make my way to the "make your own mini burger bar", I also ran into fellow LA designer-- and FIDM graduate of course-- Estevan Ramos. I spotted designer (and Costume Design Legend) Bob Mackie out of the corner of my eye but was too scared to say "hello"...Batman: "The Dark Knight" Costume designed by Lindy Hemming

Finally, David and I made it into the wonderful exhibit. There are over 20 movies represented (and its Costume Designers) in this glorious exhibition that it was almost too much to take in--especially in a quick tour such as this.

Heavenly Costumes: Ann Roth's "Doubt" costumes

But I made sure to stop and see the iconic construction and dark sexiness of designer Lindy Hemming's "The Dark Knight" Batman costume as well as Ann Roth's stark and memorable costumes for "Doubt" (including those worn by Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Panier Who? Cate Blanchett's costume for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

Other highlights included Alexandra Byrne's 2008 Academy Award-nominated costumes for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" as well as Ann Roth's (she's a busy woman!) "Mamma Mia!" 70's Disco costumes. Those sequined bell sleeves slayed me to (happy) tears!
There were so many others which I loved, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian", "Changeling", "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", as well as Sandy Powell's "The Other Boleyn Girl" (above) and Jacqueline West's sublime costumes for one of my favorite movies of 2008, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".I will definitely have to make a return trip so I can really appreciate the handwork, construction and beauty of these talented designers.I had to end my "tour" with a quick photo of one of my favorite "camp" films of the year: Mona May's (an FIDM Graduate) costumes for "The House Bunny" (above). My "gays" will be happy!