Royal Fashion Minute: Holiday Fashion from Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and more!

Fashion Lesson #235: How to Dress For Holiday Parties...if You're a Royal!

United Kingdom: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge looks festive and regal at the same time, attending The Sun Military Awards in London wearing Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton.

The gown, a strapless very fitted black velvet (a very "Holiday" fabrication)"fit-to-flare" dress featured mini-ruffle detail at the sweetheart neckline.

Princess Diana, 1985 with John Travolta at The White House

It's rather 80's in its style and silhouette and harks back to the "Princess Diana" days, I must say. It's like she's "channeling" her, if you will. But it still looks quite lovely on her---naturally most ANYTHING looks quite lovely on the Duchess of Cambridge.

I especially love her modern, soft yet elegant hair style. At least she didn't put it up in a big up-do--now that really would have made the entire ensemble look very 80's. I also love the Art-Deco style necklace and bracelet. Hard to go wrong with jewels like those!!

Monaco: Princess Charlene of Monaco is seen in photos above and below as she arrives for the Ein Herz fuer Kinder ("A Heart For The Children") Charity Gala on December 17, 2011 in Berlin, Germany, in this strapless silk organza maroon gown. The gown features layers and tiers of organza "petals".

She wore it with a matching shawl (very Princess-like), her hair swept-up and little jewelry, save for some delicate drop earrings. She carried a golden metallic clutch. A modern look for a modern princess.

Sweden: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attended the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall on December 10, 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Princess, as you may know (if you've been keeping up with the Royals like I have), is very pregnant and is showing pregnant women EVERYWHERE that they to, can dazzle during the Holidays. This gown is well, A LOT of gown, and features A LOT of midnight-blue sequins. But somehow, it's still not overwhelming. It's Gala-appropriate, entrance-making, and definitely worthy of a Crown Princess. The gown, designed by Swedish designer Pär Engsheden (who also created her Wedding Gown) features a dropped bateau neck (good choice since it exposed just "a little bit" of skin), it was fitted and so not Pregnant Mu-Mu, and had a very dramatic train.

Dazzling and Pregnant: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

This year's awards had added resonance for Victoria, who is the only female heir apparent in the world. Three women were honored bringing the total number of female peace prize laureates to 15. Recipients were Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and women's right activist Leymah Gbowee, also of Liberia, and democracy activist Tawakkul Karman of Yemen.

Queen Silvia of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall on December 10, 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Her mother, Queen Silvia also dazzled in a peach and gold brocade gown with a much more open neckline than her daughter's. The fitted gown, created by one of her favorite designers, Jacques Zehnder Paris, also had cap-gathered long sleeves and a dramatic "pouf" full back.

This is actually a "repeat" gown for Queen Silvia. She wore this same gown for her daughter Crown Princess Victoria's Pre-Wedding Dinner last year. Finally...

Luxembourg: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, also attended the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony last week, and besides that OUTRAGEOUS Chaumet Emerald Tiara, a tucked-in baby blue satin sash, a pearl choker necklace and diamond earrings, she also wore a maroon-red off-the-shoulder gown with an over-sized waist-bow (that's a descriptive mouthful!) from Elie Saab. With all that stuff going on, she was two minutes away from looking like a Christmas Tree! Oh and guess what? It was also a "Repeat":

Maria Teresa wore the same Elie Saab gown back in April when she attended--along with her husband, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Pre-Wedding Dinner of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--then Prince William and Kate. I guess, the economy has hit the royals as well---or at least, they may be thinking that it may not be "kosher" in this day and age to well, look soooo rich, and therefore, they are being "Recessionistas" when it comes to repeating their Couture at high profile events. Irregardless, I think she looked "prettier" here than at the Nobel Prize Award Gala, where she was too "accessorized". What do you guys think? Let me know!

Royal Fashion Minute: Swedish Royals Celebrate Sweden's National Day

Blue Victoria...

Asymmetrical Day: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland, celebrating Sweden's National Day

Today, the Swedish Royals were out in full force to celebrate Sweden's National Day. To know what the Swedish National Day is, well you can click HERE. What's more important to me, is of course, the FASHION! Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her bespectacled husband, Prince Daniel Duke of Vastergotland (say that THREE times!), visited the Stockholm City Hall as part of the "National Day" celebrations.

Crown Princess Victoria wore a "Swedish Flag Blue" dress with asymmetrical draped pleating details, fluttery drop shoulder and fitted pencil skirt shape. I must say, this color is AMAZING on her! Prince Daniel looks dapper but still somehow reminds me of a prep-school frat boy who is just about to go on his interview as an Intern with an Investment Banking Firm. I'm just sayin'.

Costume Victoria: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland, and her brother and sister ride on "National Day"

For the actual Parade, as the Swedish Royals rode in carriages, the ladies in the family--Crown Princess Victoria, her gorgeous sister Madeleine and Mother, Queen Silvia--all wore traditional Swedish Costumes in the Swedish flag yellow & blue colors, as well as white for their blouses. The men were elegant and professional in their suits, with ties and pocket hankies.

Miss Sweden Universe 2006 in her National Costume

Interestingly enough, did you know that the Swedish Traditional Costume was only made "official" since 1983? This was also the first year, a "Sweden National Day" was made official. So there you have it kids. Some Swedish Historical lessons...

Half German-Half Brazilian Queen Victoria of Sweden--seen above with King Carl XVI Gustaf (is he always grumpy??) of Sweden--took her folksy costume up a notch (after all, she IS the Queen) by donning the traditional headdress as well.

Wave to the very good-looking Swedish Royal progeny...and Happy Swedish National Day!

Crown Princess of Sweden Wedding: Royal Fashion Hits & Misses by Nick Verreos

Royal CoutureStockholm Queen: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden enters the church with her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf

Today the country of Sweden celebrated a Royal Wedding. Their beloved Crown Princess Victoria married commoner Daniel Westling. And as far as Royal Weddings go, this was probably "The Wedding of The Year"! There was a lot of controversy back when the nuptials were announced, since Victoria's father, King Carl XVI Gustaf did not hold back his disdain for the fact that his oldest daughter (and the next Queen of Sweden), was marrying a a fitness trainer with no royal blood (like that matters in 2010, but I guess it does to him). But all that was set aside and it was a day of royal celebration.
Now to the important part: Let's take a look at "those crazy royals" and their "unique" fashion sense ranging from chic Haute Couture to "Oh No She Didn't!".

Lets begin with the Bride:Victoria chose a Swedish designer by the name of Par Engsheden to create her simple yet very elegant gown. It was a cream colored silk duchesse gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline that came to a "V" back. It featured a fitted midriff bodice, A-line shaped skirt and a VERY LONG train (of course, she's the future Queen!). She also wore the same Cameo Tiara that her mother, Queen Silvia of Sweden, wore on her wedding day back in 1976. The tiara is thought to be from Empress Josephine-Charlotte of France and it was a gift from Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Queen Silvia's wedding gown was decisively not, by a Swedish designer, but actually from the House of Dior's then-designer Marc Bohan.
Speaking of Queen Silvia, the Mother of the Bride, looked REGAL, in a lilac lace embroidered gown with a side-front chiffon godet and scooped neckline. Let's just say as far as Mother-of-the-Bride dresses, this is how you're supposed to do it ladies! Victoria's sister (yes, the one with the Movie Star Looks!) Princess Madeleine looked dazzling in a sky blue multi-layered, off-the-shoulder gown. Not a big fan of her gown (maybe a bit too much for such a young, beautiful girl) but I have a feeling, she could wear a Trash Bag and still look great! Now, in case you wonder what a Mother-of-the-Bride should not wear? See below for what Groom Daniel Westling's mommie wore:Royal Divas:Queen Rania of Jordan didn't disappoint as one the most stylish women on the planet, as she arrived (with her husband, King Abdullah), in a deep purple crepe sheath gown with diagonal side slit.
A definite FASHION HIT at the Swedish Royal wedding was Best Dressed Hall of Fame (and a Valentino muse) Rosario Nadal y Fuster de Puigdorfila, Princess of Preslav (Bulgaria) after marrying the sexy Kyril of Preslav. Last year, it was announced that they would "live separately" but with no intentions of a divorce(?). They were at the wedding together looking like the "Brad and Angelina" of European Royalty. Her gown was Couture PERFECTION. She looked like a Grecian sculpture.Another HIT for me, was Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo and her mother, Queen Sofia of Spain. Elena has become a serious Fashion Plate, embracing her "Inner Fashion Diva", especially after her separation and later divorce from Jaime de Marichalar. I give her "ten Nick V Points" for just GOING FOR IT! Not only did she decide to wear a strong bubblegum pink silk gazar gown! But then she's like "You know, I don't think that gown is enough!" So she throws on a snappy embroidered Toreador bolero jacket: Viva España! Her mother Queen Sofia, elegant in a pale silk shirred bodice gown gave a nice subdued "balance" to Elena's "This might be Princess Victoria's day...but I'm going for it!".
Continuing with Spain, Crown Prince Felipe looked dashing in his military uniform, next to Letizia, Princess of Asturias. First of all, I have to say this: She looks TOO THIN! There, I said it, I had to get that out of the way. Her gown was nice, but I think the color choice was wrong. It was just too close to her own skin color. She should have looked at her sister-in-law Elena for some color advice.Points for Looking Like a Queen Should Look Like: Queen Sonja of Norway. It's a mess, yes, but I didn't expect anything less. It's still quite fabulous. It all evens out for me. The Fortuny-pleated coral full gown PLUS a matching Fortuny-pleated attached shawl-cape. I mean: Really!!! Total Queen!

The Royal Misses:
Well, now that we got the royals with some fashion sense out of the way, here were some royal guests who missed the mark. You just know that during the wedding reception dinner, people were saying "Did you see HER mess of a dress??" For now, I've just highlighted two, and they happen to be from The Netherlands (coincidence?): Princess Laurentien of The Netherlands. Oh Laurentien, your Mother-In-Law, Queen Beatrix would be proud (she loves them crazy prints!). The Black and White Print, on it's own is not too bad. But once you mix it with the Red sash, matching bolero jacket and Orange detailing(?) it became a definite Royal "What Was She Thinking?"...
But the prize goes to Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands): The slate-gray shirred bodice is actually nice, but then...wait...are those PANTS???? It's a cross between an outfit created by a bad Fashion College student and something from Victor-Victoria. Maybe she was trying to tell us that she's both a Man AND a Woman, when it comes to fashion, or she just wanted to be that "artsy fashion ingenue" royal. Whatever the case, in both instances, they are not giving Dutch Fashion a good name.

Well, Hej då! (goodbye in Swedish) from the Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and my own "Nick Verreos Red Carpet" Royal Fashion Report...Until next time.

Click BELOW for video of the Wedding (in Swedish):