Tag Archives: Greek fashion

Dressing John Stamos for Awards Season

31 Jan

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It’s awards season in Hollywood, and Greek-American actor John Stamos just won Favorite Actor in a New Series for Grandfathered at the 42nd People’s Choice Awards! At the January 6, 2016, event, he hammed it up for the crowd, stopping to take selfies with adorable young fans. He looked quite suave in a black velvet suit accented with a red pocket square.

He seems to be a fan of the red pocket square.

He wore the red pocket square again recently, still with an all black suit, though this time it wasn’t velvet and there was a tie involved. (William Shatner was also involved.)

He wore it better with a tux a few weeks prior to the People’s Choice Awards when he attended The 67th Emmys Governors Ball. He told People:

“All dolled up and sporting Frank Sinatra’s pocket square. Given to me by his manager, the great Tony O.”

Okay, if I had a pocket square that once belonged to Frank Sinatra, I might wear it out as often as possible too!

But the pocket square might be getting a bit too ubiquitous. I mean, it’s kind of like how fellow Greek-American Jeffrey Eugenides became so known for his vest that someone started a Twitter account for Eugenides’ vest. Is someone going to start @StamosPocketSquare?

Even The Washington Post commented on it, though that time he wasn’t wearing Sinatra’s red pocket square but a different one.

I think it’s time for John Stamos to find a new accessory! If you follow him on Instagram, you know the man looks good in a pair of glasses. I’d like to see Stamos rock a pair of glasses at his next awards show. I’d recommend these Greek Handmade Frames:

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It would be great to see more Greek-American stars using their influence to help Greek and Greek-American companies, particularly during the Greek economic crisis.

John Stamos strikes me as a man who can pull off a piece of jewelry. I say, ditch the red pocket square and wear a piece of striking jewelry. After seeing Konstantino’s exquisite jewelry at the welcome reception for the GABBY Awards, I would pick a piece from his Byzantium collection for Stamos to wear:

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And you know how his Full House (and now Fuller House!) character Uncle Jesse was obsessed with his hair? I would obviously have Christo, the Greek-American hairstylist behind Curlisto, do Stamos’ hair. Curlisto did hair for the runways for the Greek American Fashion Week, and he has an entire line of men’s haircare products:

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On to the fashion! For clothing, John Varvatos is a Greek-American clothing designer who creates stylish looks. For an awards show, Stamos could wear a grey John Varvatos Cotton Shirt.

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Over the shirt, I would add some sophistication with this black Cotton Vest with Piping Detail:

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And over that, I’d layer Varvatos’ black Cotton Jacquard Jacket:

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For pants, a simple black pair of pants like Varvatos’ Wool Blend Pant would do nicely:

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When Tommy John approached me about dressing a Greek star for the red carpet this awards season, I thought to myself:

Really? But can’t I just leave him … undressed?

I mean, he did just recently share a picture of himself on Instagram in his undies!

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And then there was that time in 2014 when the Oikos spokesman showed off his underwear with the Greek yogurt logo on it.

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Why not just leave him in Tommy John’s underwear Second Skin Square Cut:

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And Tommy John’s Second Skin Crew Neck Undershirt:

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Have mercy!

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Greek American Fashion Week Presents Stratton

18 Sep

The elegant designs of Stratton hit the runway at the 2013 Greek American Fashion Week.

Stratton’s sophisticated designs suit women looking for a tailored look. They are structured, well cut, and made from luxe textiles. They belong to those who favor the iconic styles of Jackie O. and Audrey Hepburn.

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Perhaps the most telling trademark of Stratton’s collection is the neckline—from boat neck to keyhole, high cut to spaghetti straps, the details are in the décolletage.

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In addition to his dresses, Stratton makes refined everyday wear. Though these pieces are a little more flowy, they still feature precise cuts and are in a classic color palette. This strappy number could be dressed up or down, for instance.

 

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Stratton Bouloukos graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and studied fashion design at Parsons in Paris and fine arts at Parsons here in New York City. He is a counselor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

As the Stratton website says:

Season after season, Stratton’s design ethos has demonstrated how forward yet timeless creations of graceful, structured pieces can become progressive, modern classics. He produces his luxurious made-to-measure clothing line and handbags in the United States. Superior in both design and fit than ordinary ready-to-wear, each made-to-measure garment is constructed to fit the client individually. After her measurements are taken, they are then paired with an existing base pattern of equivalent size and altered to create a new pattern from which to construct the custom garment; the result is a well-fitted product, created in the client’s chosen textiles. The usual time-frame for made-to-measure clothing is approximately three weeks.

Following his success at Barneys, Stratton interned for four months with the international house of Carolina Herrera before landing a two-year stint at Albert Nipon as head design assistant. When the company folded, Stratton decided to once again venture out on his own. His Fall 1992 line of chic day dresses in sumptuous wools and silks earned him an article in WWD as a promising young talent. Henri Bendel and a few specialty boutiques carried the line. He then began generating a number of private clients who were seeking one-of-a-kind designs.

Today, his clients include high-profile names.

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Greek American Fashion Week Presents Angelo Lambrou

18 Sep

Fashion designer Angelo Lambrou was back again this year at the 2013 Greek American Fashion Week.

You may recall that last year, the event’s founder Maria Pardalis wore one of his designs at the show. You can read my full coverage of his collection from last year here.

As in 2013, Angelo Lambrou showcased his gorgeous wedding dresses. His designs are painstakingly detailed.

Take for instance, this dress. The bodice is intricate and tactile with 3D flowers. The back features a low scoop neck, with flowers sewn to the straps. The back is a particularly important aspect of a wedding dress, as guests, family, and friends have grown accustomed to watching a bride walk down the aisle and pay more attention to the back of a wedding dress more than they would the back of any other dress.

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Lambrou also showcased high-sheen evening wear. In frosted plums, Concord grapes, and silvers, these dresses exuded the magic of a winter’s eve. They were sophisticated yet over-sized bows kept them playful.

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Angelo Lambrou is based in the East Village here in New York now, but he was born in Southern Africa to Greek-Cypriot parents.  He studied fashion in Johannesburg and London before returning to Botswana to start his own fashion line.  He worked with Miss Botswana in 1999 and designed all the contestants’ dresses for the 2000 Miss Universe competition; he dressed Patti LaBelle for the 2002 Grammy Awards and Maria Bello for the Secret Window premier.

Greek American Fashion Week Presents Tatiana Raftis

18 Sep

Tatiana Raftis made her return to the Greek American Fashion Week runway event this year.

You may recall Tatiana Raftis’ feminine fashion from last year’s show, when she sent sequins, florals, and sheer fabrics down the catwalk. As the program for the 2013 Greek American Fashion Week states:

Since debuting her collection at the first Greek American Fashion Week in 201, Tatiana and her collection have been featured in various Greek American media, including NEO Magazine, The National Herald, GreekAmericanGirl.com and appeared on an interview segment on Kalimera USA talk show on NGTV.

The Astoria-born designer who studied fashion illustration and evening wear at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) was back this year to show off her latest gorgeous designs: party clothes and evening wear.

Raftis’ skin-tight party dresses are guaranteed to turn heads. Her cocktail dresses are the ultimate in style for a night out on the town. If you like Bebe—the women’s retail store founded by Iranian businessman Manny Mashouf—chances are you’ll adore Tatiana Raftis’ latest fashion line. They are sleek, sexy, and youthful.

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Tatiana Raftis’ show featured looks that were sophisticated, daring, and ethnic. The program for the event, put it this way:

Thematically, Tatiana draws influence from her fascination with antiquity. She painstakingly channels the attention to detail, which characterized the fashions of classical Mediterranean cultures. Her creations make use of soft and hard textures, which empower femininity while providing a delicate allure.

These dresses are bold, statement-making creations that command a room.

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One of my favorite aspects of Tatiana Raftis’ new collection is her headpieces. The turbans are available at a great price on her Etsy shop!

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Update! Here are some additional photos Tatiana herself sent over.

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Love the daring cuts and intricate details. That last look is one of my absolute favorites!

Greek American Fashion Week Presents Nikki Poulos

18 Sep

Nikki Poulos kicked off the 2013 Greek American Fashion Week runway event.

Nikki Poulos does retro right. The fashion designer’s eponymous ready-to-wear collection has vintage appeal with modern sensibilities. Poulos’ designs are all about bold graphic prints, feisty colors, and flirty cuts. They’re figure-flattering and sexy but never uncouth.

Take this punchy Palm Beach look for instance. The model has mile-long legs in these chic high-waisted shorts. The shorts are perfectly balanced with a conservatively cut shirt in bright stripes colors. Is it any surprise that Poulos is based in Delray Beach, Florida?

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Poulos is tops when it comes to bottoms. In addition to those killer-cute shorts, she has designed pants and a jumpsuit that ooze femininity.  Poulos pulls off the printed pant with a nod to the seventies.

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Her printed dresses offer something for everyone. Poulos’ maxis achieve that ideal balance between unfussy and stylish. Whereas the maxis may have plunging necklines, the tighter, shorter dresses—which have a Lily Pulitzer vibe—feature higher necklines, so that the right amount of skin is always showing. Right in the middle is the knee-length, button-down blouse dress, whose cut is reminiscent of the office wear of the fifties and sixties.

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Poulos is also a fan of stripes, and this little number is simply adorable. The boat neck collar, synch-tied sleeves, and belt are very gamine. The short scarf is quintessential fifties, adding a playful twist. (If someone finds the accessory too retro, they could swap it with a short red beaded necklace or a chunky gold necklace, but really the scarf does the trick!)

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Given the nautical stripes of this look, it’s not surprising that Nikki Poulos’ heritage stems from Kythera, a Greek island off the Peloponnese that was a naval crossroads.

Poulos starred on NBC’s “Fashion Star,” and her collection was included in the European spin-off of “Next Top Model.” She recently launched ‘nikki by nikki poulos’ on HSN. Her designs have been featured in the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Elle, Lucky, and Fitness magazines.

Fun fact: Poulos studied marine biology and worked in coral reef conservation:

In the 1990’s, Nikki was the designer and proprietor of ‘ecobaby’ an environmentally friendly babies and children’s clothing business in her native hometown Sydney, Australia. A love affair with the ocean led Nikki to pursue a career in marine biology and her Bachelor of Science degree and a scholarship opportunity brought Nikki to US shores. Working in coral reef conservation, Nikki juggled the dichotomy between science and fashion; ultimately her creativity lured her back to the fashion world.

I wish I could raid Poulos’ closet. I love, love, love her designs. Her nikki collection on HSN is actually quite affordable and adorable.

 

2013 Greek American Fashion Week Overview

18 Sep

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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just wrapped up in New York City, and with it came the second—and highly anticipated—Greek American Fashion Week!

Greek American Fashion Week is presented by the Greek America Foundation, which was founded by Gregory C. Pappas to “promote, preserve and perpetuate the Greek culture, history and heritage in North America,” and the Committee for Fashion & Design was founded by Taso Pardalis and Maria Pardalis. Greek American Fashion Week is “a platform for talented, emerging, and established Greek and Greek-American designers to showcase their creations.” Some of the proceeds from the event go toward an annual scholarship to a Greek American student who is studying fashion design.

The runway show was held on Friday, September 6, at Studio450:

Studio450 is a penthouse duplex loft encompassing the 12th floor, enclosed rooftop room and rooftop terrace of 450 West 31st street. Located in the Hudson Yards, the penthouse features an all white room surrounded by large wrap around windows. The rooftop features a glass room and wrap around outdoor terrace. Both the penthouse and rooftop allow for stunning 360 degree views of New York City and the Hudson River.

On the left is Maria Pardalis, the host of Greek American Fashion Week. Doesn’t she look fabulous?! Her heels are killer.

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Fashionistas, models, and those in-the-know mingled at the show.

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Loi—the New York City owned by superstar chef Maria Loi—offered a delicious spread of mezze that included spanikopita and tiropita. Cocktails like “the Greek Greyhound” and a selection of wines were provided by Ya Mastiha and Nammos.

Here are Maria and Taso Pardalis with designer Timothy George at the start of the runway show. Timothy George showed his exquisite collection last year (see my coverage here), and this year came back as a mentor.

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The 2013 Greek American Fashion Week runway show presented the Spring/Summer 2014 collections of:

Hair was done by Curlisto.

I’ll be featuring each one today on my blog so check back soon!

 

Photos from the Greek American Fashion Week Kick-Off Event

6 Sep

I’m about to head out to the Greek American Fashion Week Runway Event, so I’m leaving you with a few photos I snapped at the Greek American Fashion Week Kick-Off Event that was held on Wednesday night at the Lower East Side’s lush rooftop bar The DL.

Parked outside was the aptly named Nomad truck, “the wandering fashion boutique” … and you know my obsession with sweet rides.

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The rooftop of The DL was turned into a pop-up shop with fashion by the likes of Dani Djokic and Panda Rhand.

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In case you’re wondering, I wore a black shift with buttons down the side to the kick-off event. My hair was in a low side bun. I had neutral eye makeup with strong brows and dark, berry lips, inspired by Michelle Williams and Emma Watson.

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I felt like I was at my house in Greece with all the palm trees on the rooftop!

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Pizza was provided by Patsy’s (so good with that fresh basil!) and dessert by A2 (the peanut-butter cupcakes were to die for!).

Lomogram_2013-09-04_09-20-54-PMIn full disclosure, the organizers of the Greek American Fashion Week invited me to cover the Greek American Fashion Week events.

 

Coming Soon: Greek American Fashion Week

22 Aug

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Last year’s Greek American Fashion Show was so inspired that this year, they’re putting on an entire WEEK for Fashion Week:

The Greek America Foundation is hosting “Greek American Fashion Week” September 4-8, 2013 with events taking place throughout New York City.  The week culminates in a Greek American Runway Show at Studio450 and after party at Meli Restaurant on September 6, 2013.

Greek American Fashion Week events include “Greek Fashion’s Night Out” and multiple cocktail hours at venues such as Anassa Taverna. At the main runway event, guests will be dazzled by cutting-edge fashion designs with Greek and American entertainment, a high-end silent auction and gift bags to cap off the evening. All events showcase emerging and established North American fashion designers of Greek descent in an effort to help them forge relationships with those in the fashion industry, assisting them with advancement of their careers.

In addition, renowned menswear designer John Varvatos will be honored with an award for his exceptional contribution to the fashion industry.

A host of supporters and friends will be on hand for the weekend events, including several prominent members from the fashion and retail industry as well as celebrity fashion bloggers.

Proceeds from this program will benefit the programs of the Greek America Foundation, with a particular focus on the creation of a scholarship for a student pursuing fashion design. The Greek America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and perpetuating the Greek culture, history and heritage in North America.

Tickets will go on sale August 12, available for purchase from the Greek America Foundation’s website (www.greekamerica.org).

More details to be released soon! For additional information, please visit http://www.greekamerica.org/projects/greek-american-fashion-week/.

Who’s coming with me?!