Wedding Red Carpet: The Wedding of Rafael Medina, Duke of Feria and Laura Vecino, in Toledo Spain

Spanish Bridal DIVAS:

Cover Exclusivo: The Wedding of Rafael Medina and Laura Vecino, exclusive on iHOLA! Magazine

In October, a FABULOUS Wedding took place in Spain, which went pretty much unnoticed here in the US, since it involved Spanish nobility which no one, except Spain and Latin America, really care about. I didn't even know this wedding--and the "Red Carpet Fashion Show" that was part of it--had occurred until my mom mailed me a copy of ¡HOLA! Magazine (my mom LIVES by that magazine!) which then enlightened me on what I had missed...

And GIRL, it was a lot:

El Couple Elegante: Rafael Medina, Duke of Feria and his new bride, Laura Vecina

The wedding was between the Model-Handsome Rafael Medina Duke of Feria and the beautiful Laura Vecino, an architect. This was dubbed "The Wedding of The Year" in Spain (they say that like FOUR times a year at every other semi-royal wedding there!) and of course, made the cover of that aforementioned iHOLA! Magazine my mommy sent me--and the 85+ page spread inside of it!!

That's a Train: View of the Giambattista Valli-designed wedding gown

In case you are "out of the loop" when it comes to Euro-Aristocracy, they are the "celebs" of Europe, where tabloids and magazines track their every move, rate all their fashions and yes, cover all their weddings, which the public--and my Mom--EAT up! The dirty little secret is that a lot of these European nobles survive on the money the tabloids give them for exclusives on their weddings, vacations, announcements, etc. It's like when People Magazine pays Carrie Underwood for the exclusive of her wedding...well, same here. So, needless to say, Rafael and Laura probably made a KILLING from iHOLA! Magazine and enjoyed their honeymoon in the Maldives very nicely.

What Did The Bride Wear: Laura wore a custom gown by Designer Giambattista Valli. It featured a fan-pleated silk chiffon strapless base that had a detachable Silk Brocade Ball Gown skirt with a HUGE tulle-and-organza petticoat which held the very heavy skirt up. For the "Wedding Reception", she removed the Ball Gown Skirt and partied in the fitted and very sexy fan-pleated gown that was underneath (see photos above).

Good Genes: Naty Abascal and her dashing two sons

Who Is The Groom: Rafael Medina is one of the two GORGEOUS sons of Naty Abascal, former Duchess of Feria. Abascal was a former model from the 1960's, who quickly became part of the Euro A-List Circle and a yearly fixture on the World's Best Dressed Lists and a Muse of Valentino. She even made a brief cameo in his documentary "Valentino: The Last Emperor".

Speaking of the Italian Couturier, he "came out of retirement" just for this one time to design Naty her Haute Couture Valentino sea-foam green silk crepe gown with Batteau neckline, 3/4 sleeves and waist-tie bow. Of course she finished it off with the traditional Spanish Peineta and Mantilla. Diva Fashion Points: Off The Chart!

And now to the "Red Carpet" Parade of Guests:

Of course, Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani was there, looking very dapper in a black tuxedo tailcoat, vest and tie ensemble--and his perpetual tan.

Spanish supermodel and TV hostess Nieves Alvarez wore Fall 2010 Chanel, without the fur Sasquatch boots, thank goodness.

Rosario Domecq, wife of Spanish Matador/bullfighter "El Juli", wore a red ruffled peplum dress from Lanvin by Albert Elbaz.

Former Miss Spain, model and TV presenter María José Suárez wore a very sexy chocolate brown silk charmeuse dress with gold-and-black belt from Spanish Fashion Designer Miguel Palacio.

Carolina Herrera (the daughter), and wife of another Spanish Matador/bullfighter, Miguel Baez "El Litri" (her momma done taught her well, kids!) wore a navy blue ensemble designed by her Venezuelan-born mother, Carolina Herrera, of course. Her hat was from Philip Treacy for Reyes Hellin.

Former wife of Cayetano Martínez de Irujo y Fitz-James Stuart, Count of Salvatierra and youngest son of the Duchess of Alba, Mexico-born Genoveva Casanova, wore a silver-gray very 50's style suit from Christian Dior by John Galliano, looking very Evita Peron.

Finally, the biggest applause from the crowd viewing the Rafael Medina and Laura Vecino Red Carpet Wedding Spectacle (yes, huney, there was an audience, just like the Oscars!) went to Spanish Society Doyenne, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, who just happens to be in the Guinness World Records for holding the most noble titles in the world! In other words, the King and Queen of Spain--as well as the Queen of England--basically have to bow down to her as opposed to the other way around. Her descendants, by the way, are the ones in the iconic Goya paintings. The 84-year old 18th Duchess of Alba wore a red jacket and multi-tiered skirt ensemble, matching red flats, a turquoise evening bag, and fishnets and attended with her much-younger boyfriend. Gotta love her!

Click HERE for video of the "Wedding Red Carpet" and the illustrious guests: (it's in Spanish, by the way)

Paris Part Deux: Nick Verreos goes to the Vionnet Exhibit and Sees Naty Abascal!!!

The Geometry of Couture: Paris Part TwoTaking The Metro: Nick Verreos arrives at the Rue de Rivoli stop in Paris

My Paris visit last ended with my visit to the Louvre for some fashion inspiration and waiting in line during a thunderstorm (sans umbrellas, thank you very much!) for the Eiffel Tower and an eventual elevator ride up to the famed structure. Les Arts Decoratifs Museum

After sightseeing, we decided to return to the Louvre area, but this time we were in search of BIAS CUT DRESSES. As we exited our Rue de Rivoli Metro stop, we made our way to the Arts Decoratifs, our favorite Paris Museum (sorry, Louvre). It's the one that holds the Costume and fashion exhibitions and various other more "tangible" arts.Bias Hankerchief Cocktail Dress, Vionnet Exhibit Les Arts DecoratifsRectangular Bias Cut Heaven: One of my Favorite Dresses from the Vionnet Les Arts Decoratifs exhibit

They had just unveiled the new Madeleine Vionnet Exhibition. Vionnet was the "creator" of the bias-cut dress and actually one of my greatest inspirations. When people ask me "Who are the greatest Designers and influences?", Vionnet is on my list. The gowns and dresses on display were stunning! I marveled at the construction and all the flowing geometry in front of me. There were so many gowns that could EASILY work for 2009, it was proof that a Vionnet gown is without a doubt, timeless. Shirred Silk Tulle Meets Bias: Gowns at the Vionnet Arts Decoratifs Exhibit

The exhibit was sectioned into time periods. Starting with the beginning of her altelier in the early 1900s, through the 1920's and 30's until her retirement in 1939 (she lived until 1975: aged 98!!). There were also great digital videos explaining the technical mastery of Vionnet's dresses and how 3 simple squares somehow (in Vionnet's hands) would be transformed into the definition of an exquisite cocktail dress. I wish young students of fashion were more passionate about fashion and especially the patternmaking and technical aspects of the craft.
A Vionnet Gown circa 1933 that could easily be worn in 2009, Les Arts Decoratifs Museum

Vionnet also understood the significance of her work and meticulously documented her own career. Upon her retirement in 1939 she donated the majority of her work to the archives of the UFAC (today part of the Musée de la Mode et du Textile in Paris) including 120 dresses from 1921 to 1939 and all of her patterns, lookbooks and photos. Work that tie-neck: Emerald silk plunging-neck silk crepe dress, Vionnet Exhibit Les Arts Decoratifs

There weren't too many visitors at this exhibit since it had just opened a week before. However as I was gawking at the dresses--nose-to-the-glass--I spotted the one and only, Spanish socialite and Haute Couture Icon Naty Abascal! Yes, the DIVA herself! She was there, also touring the newly-opened exhibit. I doubt anyone else in the museum recognized her but as a child who has been brought up by HOLA MAGAZINE and having just watched the Valentino Documentary, I sure as heck knew! La Diva: Nick spotted (and followed) Naty Abascal at Les Arts Decoratifs

She was in town for Haute Couture Week (I assumed) and was giving "Le Sport", in white skinny denim jeans, driving flats, a printed Pucci blouse with turned up collar and a sweater around her shoulders. Yeah, I have an AMAZING eye for detail. Don't even mess with it! As my heart began to palpitate faster (and David got farther and farther away from me), I wanted to approach her and introduce myself, but I decided against it. I should have. No Should've Would've Could've I like to preach, however, for this instant, I didn't follow my own mantra. Besides being at the unbelievable presence of Vionnet's creations, being near such a style icon as Naty Abascal, was really one of my highlights of my Paris trip. Really.
Well, time to bid Paris Adieu and make my way to Italy....
Nick on the TGV, Paris to Florence Italy