FIDM Museum: 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition!

TV Costume Heaven:

Stewardess Fab: Costumes from ABC series "Pan Am", Pilot Costumes by Chrisi Karvonides, Series Costumes by Ane Crabtree, 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum and Galleries (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Where can you find Pan Am Stewardesses, a Dowager Countess, an Evil Queen, and Marylin Monroe-inspired "NBC's Smash" gold gown? Oh yes, in Downtown LA of course! Well, fashionistas and costume design aficionados, Tuesday was the Opening Day of the 6th Annual Outstanding Art Television Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM, my alma mater, and college of which I am the Official Fashion Spokesperson.

6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition Party/Reception at Hope Park/FIDM (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The exhibition, presented by FIDM Museum and Galleries and Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, was Guest Curated by Mary Rose, Costume Designer and President of the Costume Designers Guild. It features over 75 (!) costumes from a variety of TV shows (sixteen of them), period and contemporary, including seven nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design. This past weekend, a VIP reception/party was held at the FIDM Campus to "unveil" this fabulous new exhibition. Guests included:

(Left to right) Eduardo Castro, Costume Designer for ABC's "Once Upon A Time" (he was also the Costume Designer for ABC's "Ugly Betty"!) and Julie Weiss (love her oversized paillette tunic-dress!) Costume Designer for many films including "American Beauty" "Frida" "The Ring" and (my personal favorite) "Blades of Glory" (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

(Left to right) Chrisi Karvonides, Costume Designer nominated for FX's "American Horror Story", seen here with Mary Rose, President of the Costume Designers Guild and Guest Curator of the 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Mandi Line, Costume Designer for ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars" (above in front of her costumes for the show). Fun fact: Mandi is an FIDM Alumna (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Now, let's get to the costumes at the exhibition. Like I said at the top of this post, there are over 75 costumes featured and some of the highlights include:

English Class: The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design Costumes from PBS' "Downton Abbey": Yes, that's Maggie Smith's "Dowager Countess" silk velvet and sequin ensemble on the far left--PS: She's Tall! (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Costumes from NBC's "Smash" --The gold sequin gown is worn by Katharine McPhee's character and the one on the far right is worn by actress Anjelica Huston (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design costumes from HBO's "Game of Thrones"--And yes, that's the costume worn by actor Peter Dinklage above (top photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)
 

 The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design costumes from ABC's "Once Upon a Time"--This tableau at FIDM Museum is HUGE--above photo is the "Rainbow Fairy" costume from the ABC show (photos courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design costumes from HBO's "Hemingway and Gellhorn"--Nicole Kidman starred in this and I have a fun fact from the costume designer, Ruth Myers: Kidman's inseam is 34". That's the inseam of well, a 6' 2" man ! (she's got fabulously LONG legs) (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Nick Verreos and KTLA-TV's Gayle Anderson, 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Costume Design Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum

On Monday, I had the pleasure of filming some Morning TV segments for KTLA-TV Channel 5 LIVE direct from the FIDM Museum and the brand new exhibition with the always fantastic (and my TV Production Segment MUSE!) Gayle Anderson. We had such a blast filming these segments. Miss Gayle is my "sister from another mister" darlings! LOVE her. As a special VIP treat, two of the Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design costume designers from this past year--Ruth Myers ("Hemingway and Gellhorn") and Chrisi Karvonides ("American Horror Story")--were there for some of the KTLA-TV Morning Show interviews at FIDM Museum so I had the honor of meeting them and of course, getting some behind-the-scenes costume design DISH.

Costume Designer Ruth Myers and Nick Verreos, FIDM Museum

Nick Verreos and Costume Designer Chrisi Karvonides: I had such a ball chatting with Chrisi---she also designed the costumes for ABC's "Pan Am" series pilot so she gave me such great behind-the-scenes dish on the Pan Am stewardess uniforms (you know I LOVE me some Stewardess Uniforms!!).

Coffee, Tea...or Fab Uniforms: ABC's "Pan Am" TV show stewardess uniforms

Stewardess Dish: Costume Designer Chrisi Karvonides and Nick Verreos, 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum

As you can see from the photo above, Costume Designer Chrisi Karvonides and I were in some SERIOUS "Wait, how many pattern pieces to that Pan Am pill box hat? And the Pan Am logo was actually GOLD!!??" conversation. LOVED every minute of it!



You can click HERE to see the segments I did with Gayle and KTLA-TV!! (scroll on the videos to find all the FIDM Costume Design Exhibition segments).

The Dish:

WHAT: 
The 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition, over 75 Costumes, including 2011-2012 Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design costumes 


WHERE: 
FIDM Museum and Galleries, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90015

WHEN:
July 31 through October 20, 2012
open 10am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday

Admission:
FREE!!

FIDM Minute: Nick Verreos and KTLA-5 Gayle Anderson Go Fabric Crazy at the FIDM Designer Fabric Sale: The Recap!

Fabric-a-palooza!!!!

Work It Huney: KTLA-TV Channel 5's Gayle Anderson and Designer Nick Verreos do a pose, FIDM Museum and Galleries, FIDM Designer Fabric Sale to Benefit the FIDM Scholarship Foundation

This morning, very early in the morning (4AM), I got up, showered, got dressed and ready for a fun-and-fabulous shoot with one of my FAVORITE LA Morning News DIVA'S...yes, the one and only MISS Gayle Anderson of KTLA-TV Channel 5!

Earlier this year, I had so much fun doing a KTLA-5 morning news TV segment with Gayle for the FIDM Museum's Academy of Art and Motion Picture Costume Exhibition for the 2012 Academy Awards , and well, I just couldn't wait for another opportunity to work with her again...

Fabric Boy: Nick Verreos at the Designer Fabric Sale Creating Scholarships for FIDM Students, FIDM LA Campus

Well, I got it: The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM was having a ONE-OF-A-KIND Fabric Sale beginning today and I wanted Gayle to know about it...and all her MILLIONS of KTLA viewers of course! Here's the DISH: Noted Southern California Couturier Nora Martin who had an exclusive Atelier on Sunset Blvd originally and then subsequently moved to Palm Springs, was retiring and wanted to DONATE 2,000 yards+ of her Haute Couture-quality fabrics to FIDM.

 FIDM Designer Fabric Sale: Embroidered laces from Valentino ( photo courtesy of Fatih Turgut, FIDM Museum)

This includes brocades, silks from Gandini, wools, boucles and tweeds (above photo) , crepes and appliques from Valentino, flower prints from Emanual Ungaro, Versace, Leonard, hand-beaded sequins fabrics that would normally retail for up to $600 a YARD...are now ON SALE at the FIDM Museum for THIS WEEK ONLY and are a FRACTION of their original prices! I almost DIED and went to FABRIC Heaven when I got to preview the fabrics! I think I literally created my next NIKOLAKI Collection from half a dozen fabrics that were there!

Draped Goddesses: FIDM Museum & Galleries Designer Fabric Sale to Benefit the FIDM Scholarship Foundation (Photo Courtesy of Fatih Turgut, FIDM Museum)

Nora Martin's donation will create scholarships for FIDM students in her name. Every dollar will go to the FIDM Scholarship Foundation. Therefore, I thought it was perfect to call Miss Gayle and bring her out to film some fun KTLA-TV segments to promote this FABULOUS Designer Fabric Sale! For the segments we filmed this morning, I brought along three FIDM Fashion Design Graduates to show how designers are inspired by fabric and show the Art of Draping. These included:

Alicia Czerwiec, who was inspired by this violet-colored silk taffeta and draped a gorgeous gown.

Angela Avanesyan, a former student of mine(!) from the FIDM Debut Advanced Fashion Design Program who has her own line now, utilized this apple green silk taffeta to drape a fan-pleated concoction worthy of a Paris Haute Couture Runway!

Sketch Come To Life: (Top) Nick Verreos Original Design for Gayle Anderson and (Above), FIDM Grad Paul Hernandez' drape using fabric on sale at the FIDM Designer Fabric Sale

And finally, Paul Hernandez, who graduated last year from the FIDM Advanced Fashion Design program/Debut and is a Master draper/Diva as well. I did an original sketch for Gayle Anderson (above) and Paul brought it to life--right then and there--while KTLA's camera's were filming! They all did an amazing job draping and being inspired by the fabric--and on cue--LIVE--in front of millions of viewers--watching Gayle and KTLA! Kudos to them. I gave Gayle my original fashion illustration of her in my "Fantasy Red Carpet Gown" design. The actual gown? Well, all she has to do is call me and we can "Make it Work"!

Here are the Details of the Designer Fabric Sale that Started TODAY!!!! You better go to FIDM ASAP before I buy ALL the Couture fabrics!

WHAT: Designer Fabric Sale, donated by Fashion Designer Nora Martin to Benefit the FIDM Scholarship Foundation

Photo Courtesy of Fatih Turgut, FIDM Museum

WHEN: Sale began TODAY at noon--and continues through Friday, May 25th (or while supplies last!) 10am-7pm.

WHERE: The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM, FIDM Museum and Galleries, street level, 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90015

In case you were not up early this morning to watch our KTLA-5 TV Morning News Segments--Click HERE to watch them!!!!

Nick Verreos Attends FIDM Museum & Galleries' "20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition--Photos & Video!

Costume Gala:

Flapper Fab: Academy Award-nominated "The Artist" Costumes by Costume Designer Mark Bridges, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries

In 1993, FIDM Museum & Galleries launched an exhibition that would evolve into an institution. The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition has become the largest annual curated exhibition dedicated to the presentation of film costumes in the world!

This past Saturday was the Opening Night Party to celebrate the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and FIDM Museum & Galleries honoring this past year in Motion Picture Costumes. I was honored to have been invited to this "Gala" and join in for an exclusive peak at this wondrous exhibit, which features over 100 costumes from 20+ films, including "The Help", "Captain America", "Thor", "Immortals" and of course, the five Academy Award Nominees for Best Costume Design: "Anonymous", "The Artist", "Hugo", Jane Eyre" and "W.E.". The Exhibit opened officially on Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14th, it's FREE and will be going on until April 28th.

Here is a "Taste" of those 5 Academy Award-nominated Costumes on display:

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Anonymous" Costumes designed by Lisy Christl--The film is set in the 16th century Elizabethan era and revolves around the question "Was William Shakespeare a Fraud?" with the backdrop of the tempestuous reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Five costumes from the movie are on display including two dresses for the character of "Queen Elizabeth I" worn by actresses Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson. I did a fun "Costume Piece blog" for Lifetime.com for the "Anonymous" costumes which you can read HERE.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"The Artist" Costumes designed by Mark Bridges--We all know "The Artist" is a black and white film--so it is a great surprise to come to this Exhibition and see COLOR! Notice the dress on the far left of the photograph above and its bright orange-coral color. This is how the dress looked in the film:

Yep, medium-gray! Well, in addition to being surprised by the "pop" of color in these costumes, it's also great to see the delicate gold jacquard, brocade and jeweled sequined dresses in this "The Artist" tableaux. And did I mention those cloche hats are especially FAB when you're standing 5 feet away from them?! The costume designer told me that while most of the dresses were made just for the film, those hats were all vintage.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Hugo" Costumes designed by Sandy Powell--Costume Designer Sandy Powell said she had over 1,000 costumes to oversee for the Martin Scorsese film "Hugo". There are five at the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, including the "Station Inspector" worn by actor Sacha Baron Cohen; an olive Shakespearean-inspired costume worn by Ben Kinsley and a jacket-sweater and shorts ensemble worn by young actor Asa Butterfield who played "Hugo".

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Jane Eyre" Costumes designed by Michael O'Connor: The book was originally written and set in the 1830's but according to the Costume Designer and the Director of the film, they both really disliked that time period in terms of women's fashions (they were big and unflattering "puff cake" gowns), therefore they changed the time to a decade later, the 1840's. The costumes for "Jane Eyre" are both restrained yet very intricate. You HAVE to go to the FIDM Museum to really appreciate the minute details, intricate laces, the seaming and pleating that one might miss on the "big screen".

And Finally...

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"W.E." Costumes designed by Arianne Phillips--The Madonna-directed film, "W.E." tells the love story between American divorcee Wallis (W) Simpson and Edward (E), Prince of Wales , who eventually abdicated the throne of England in exchange for marrying the one love of his life. Wallis was fashion-obsessed and loved wearing designs from all the top Paris Couture Houses. Costume Designer Arianne Phillips collaborated with the Houses of Dior, Vionnet and others to have them recreate dresses and gowns that Wallis Simpson had ordered from them--and worn.

Arianne Phillips, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Phillips was in attendance, giving press and party guests alike bountiful "insider information" on the beautiful costumes she designed for the film-as well as how she got Cartier to make reproductions of Wallis Simpson's fabulous jewels. It was wonderful seeing her and congratulating her in person for the GORGEOUS Costumes and for getting the Academy Award Best Costume Design nomination. Oh, and yes, PS: Arianne looked FABULOUS! You can read a little more background on the costumes and comparing them to the actual photographs of Wallis Simpson and Edward which I wrote HERE last April.

Guest Chic: Also looking fabulous were (Left to Right) Rose Apodaca (loving the turban!), co-founder of A+R, fashion journalist, former West Coast Editor of WWD, author of "A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour" and most recently, the "Fred Hayman: The Extraordinary Difference" and N. Jayne Seward (loving the shoes!), fashion editor of the California Apparel News and Very Very Chic diva.

LA Designer Twosome: Nick Verreos with Kevan Hall, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Here is all the Information on the Exhibition:

*WHAT: 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition

*WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015

*WHEN: February 14-April 28

*HOURS/Phone No.: Tuesday through Saturday 10AM-4PM, 213-623-5821

Click Below for a great video from KABC 7 showcasing the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries: