Nick Verreos Attends Victoria's Secret "What's Sexy?" Party at Drai's W Hollywood

Sexy Sexy...
Fireside: Nick Verreos and Suwana Perry, wearing Nikolaki, at the Victoria's Secret "What's Sexy?" Party

On Wednesday night, I was invited to the 5Th Annual Victoria's Secret What's Sexy? Event at the gorgeous Drai's W Hollywood. I had never been up to the new Drai's and so of course I wanted to attend. Also anything that has "Victoria's Secret" attached to it, you KNOW I'm there! Ever since I did my backstage behind-the-scenes "Panty Raid" video for Victoria's Secret--and yes, my "connection" to the UBER Beautiful Heidi Klum--I have been a VS fan! Model Sexy: LA Models including Talesha Byrd (in white), Eugena Washington (from Cycle 7 of America's Next Top Model), Tanisha Harper (from Season 1 Models of The Runway) and Suwana Perry (wearing Nikolaki one shoulder dress)

I decided to bring a date, one of my gorgeous model friends, the lovely Suwana Perry, who naturally had to be dressed in one of my designs, a (Very Sexy!) raspberry-colored silk charmeuse one shoulder "Disco" concoction. As we made it to the Pink Carpet outside of the W Hollywood, I looked up and there was Paris Hilton waiting to do her step-and-repeat. Paris was so sweet and funny; she forgot who she was wearing and I helped her look at the back of her dress trying to find a label---fun times! Next time, I might have to lend her one of my little cocktail numbers and then she won't forget.Also on the Pink Carpet were the Victoria's Secret Supermodels, Doutzen Kroes (above), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel and of course, Miranda Kerr, who was one of the Hosts of the Event. In keeping with the party's theme, they all looked VERY SEXY of course. Once inside, the place was PACKED with celebs, models, lots of wealthy-looking men and LA/Hollywood A-Listers. I said "Ola" to the Brazilian model Camila Alves, host of Bravo's Shear Genius, sporting a perfect (Brazilian Blow-Out I presume?) mane of chestnut hair and white and silver tunic-dress. Speaking of models, there was a contingency of the prettiest girls from LA Models--lots of whom have modeled for me--including Tanisha Harper and (my Muse and Fit Model) Lisa Blades (both from Lifetime's Models Of The Runway Season 1). Model-and Designer-Posing: Nick Verreos with Models, Victoria's Secreet What's Sexy? Party

When they all saw Suwana and I walk into the party, there was lots of model screamin' and impromptu model "walk-offs" let me tell you. I'm sure other guests were like "What the H***???", but we didn't mind!The best part of the night (other than "Queening Out" with all the models!) was a "Surprise" performance by none other that Pharell, Chad Huzo, and Shay Haley of N.E.R.D. They did a three-song set which capped the night and the event. I even got to stop my shaking and dancing long enough to hold my camera and take some photos.

Thanks Victoria's Secret. Now I really know What's Sexy!

Nick Verreos and His Muse Attend FGILA's "The Designer and The Muse" Fashion Party

Cocktails, Gowns, and a Project Runway Designer-Almost-Without-A-Muse, at the Standard Downtown LA...Helloooooooo?!: Model Lisa Blades and Nick Verreos gossip on the phones at the Standard Downtown LA (Photo Courtesy of Tim Regas for Photomezzo.com)


Last Wednesday, on March 17Th, I was invited to the second annual Fashion Group International of Los Angeles/FGILA's "The Designer & The Muse That Inspires Them" party in celebration of LA fashion Week. This year's party and red carpet parade of Designers and Muses was to be led by the legendary Couturier James Galanos. Well, of course, I couldn't miss it! I was teaching (and giving Finals) that entire day at FIDM and afterward, rushed to my NIKOLAKI design studio to get ready and meet up with my friend--and Muse--the statuesque and oh-so-lovely, Lisa Blades. Lisa was my muse at last year's FGILA Designer and The Muse event and I just LOVE being with her so naturally, I wanted her to be my date again! For this year's event/party, she wore a pale blue and gold silk-wool zibeline, high-neck mini-dress with padded cap sleeves from our NIKOLAKI Fall 2010 Collection. The moment she tried it on, she looked AMAZING and it also made her legs look TEN FEET LONG!! (that's the part I loved).Natalie Cole and designer Lloyd Klein

The moment we arrived, we spotted the stunning Natalie Cole as she was leaving the party and slipping into her very VIP limousine. Inside, the lobby was jam-packed with fashionista guests, designers, and beautiful models mingling and enjoying cocktails. We were then whisked off to the the second level for some red carpet photo ops.
I was happy to run into Palm Springs designer, Michael Costello who was there with his model/muse, the exotic Suwana Perry. I also ran into my really good friend, designer April Mun of Stella & Jamie , who was there with her muse, actress Melissa Ordway .
Model Blocked: Brandise Danesewich, Mila Hermanovski, Nick Verreos and Lisa Blades, FGILA's Designer and The Muse Party

I knew that it would be only a short while before I would run into some Project Runway Alumn. First, Season 7 Model Brandise Denesewich spotted me from afar and we screamed like little girls (OK, I did!). She was there as the Muse of Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski, whom I also had just seen at the Gen Art LA Alumni Party days before!Better Late Than Never: Lisa Blades, Nick Verreos, Althea Harper and Tanisha Harper, the Standard Downtown LA

And then, as Lisa and I were leaving (I had a very early morning flight to Texas the next day!), we bumped into Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, who was in town for Fall 2010 LA Market Week. Althea didn't realize that she was supposed to bring a Muse (somehow she missed the "Muse" part of "Designer and The Muse") so she called her Project Runway Model, the beautiful Tanisha Harper. She left the party, met up with her, gave her one of her gowns to wear and returned to the party! You Go Girl! Althea and Tanisha both get my "Nick At-a-girl Fashion Stars" for the entire week!!!

Nick Verreos Hosts FIDM San Diego Debut Fashion Show!

Uncle Nicky Goes Traveling, Part One: The San Diego Edition
Runway Struttin': Nick Verreos at the San Diego Debut Fashion Show

This last weekend was a busy one: I was invited to host a great fashion show in San Diego sponsored by that city's Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Campus on Saturday afternoon and the next day, I was scheduled to be in Seattle for a big photo shoot for a new campaign I am doing with MSN and their new Victory Project. Time to "Make it Work", as Tim Gunn would say. The Debut Fashion Show--a yearly runway show highlighting the final collections of the top graduates of FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design Program--goes "on the road" each year to several of the FIDM campuses. And this time, it was sunny San Diego!
Model Love: Nick Verreos gets hugs from Mercedes, Lisa and Tanisha

Years ago, I was actually one of those fashion design graduates in FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design Program and now, I am actually one of the instructors in this exclusive program. You may remember (if you've been keeping up on my blog) that these were also the graduates who got to design for Barbie (yeah!)
Gown Happy: Model in Clay Sadler's gown, FIDM San Diego Debut fashion show

The site of the fashion show was the Westin Horton Plaza right in the Gaslamp Quarter of Downtown San Diego. The show featured the designs of FIDM graduates Charles Ryan Sands, Clay Sadler, San Diego native Sara Lighthall, Mike Cheng, Adrian Manuel, Liz Sandhoefner, Brenda Ahamad, Lacey Osberg, Valentina Vardanyan, Johnathan Webster and Natalie Hara. Untied: Models wearing Sara Lighthall's designs on the runway, FIDM San Diego Debut fashion show

Several of them have already done very well: Adrian is working with Single, Charles Ryan interned at Chado Ralph Rucci for his most recent NY Fashion Week Collection, Natalie launched her own company, Natalia Romano and several of them are in Italy as we speak, studying at an exclusive Haute Couture fashion design school.
Muse Mercedes: Modeling at the FIDM San Diego Debut Show (left), and modeling for Nikolaki (right)

A special treat for this San Diego show was seeing lots of my favorite models--including one of my first "Model Muses", the gorgeous Mercedes. She was one of the very first models we ever used when we launched NIKOLAKI back in 2001 and we have remained friends ever since. Lisa Blades models FIDM Debut graduate Valentina Vardanyan's creation

Also on hand was Lisa Blades, whom you might recognize from Lifetime Networks Models Of the Runway show, as well as Tanisha Harper. Both of them are finalists in the show and got a chance to model at Bryant Park (so excited for them!). Jonathan models Charles Ryan Sands' screen printed jeans, coat and scarf, FIDM San Diego Debut fashion show

To the delight of the young audience, there were also lots of male models strutting down the San Diego runway, including Jonathan , the runner-up from Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel". He is THE SWEETEST guy! Love him!
HIIIIIIIII Everyone! Nick Verreos and the line at the Westin Horton Plaza Ballroom

After the show was over, I told the audience that I would be happy to take photos and sign anything! Well, little did I know that hundreds of high school students (their mommies and daddies too!) would be waiting for me in the lobby. I think even some of them got some photos with the models as well which I am sure will end up on Facebook. Get ready to be tagged!
Cheeky Kisses: Nick Verreos and his "fans", San Diego FIDM Debut Show

It was a wonderful afternoon of fashion and models. Maybe there were some future FIDM Debut 2014 Graduates in the audience. Who knows? Thanks for a great time San Diego! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go catch a plane to Seattle! Where's my trench coat when I really need it?

Nick Verreos at the BoxEight Fashion:Refocus Event!

Just Another Sunday Night In Downtown LA...Housewives Meets Baywatch Meets Project Runway: Traci Bingham, designer Michael Costello, Tamra Barney and Nick Verreos at BOXeight Fashion:Refocus event

This last weekend, BOXeight, in conjunction with Flaunt Magazine and l.a. models, presented Fashion : Refocus, a weekend of designer installations, live
Spring/Summer 2010 look book photo shoots and overall, nightly fashion "partying".
Janica and Her Mohawk: Model Janica in Jerell Scott's Perter Gurnz photo installation

I was busy all weekend working (no rest for the "designer-wicked") but on Sunday, I opened a little window in my schedule when Alison Nieder, Executive Editor of California Apparel News, emailed and said "You wanna come with me and be my date?" Of course!
The Next Chanel Iman: Model at BOXeight Fashion:Refocus event

On Sunday, four designers, Kucoon, Jerell Scott (Project Runway Alumn), Linda Antico and Michael Costello were having photo shoots in various sets within the BOXeight Downtown Los Angeles "compound". Jerell Post Apocalyptic: Jerell Scott and model

We walked in and immediately, I was taken aback by these post-apocalyptic exaggerated Mohawk hairstyles on a few of the models walking around. I soon discovered these were designer Jerell Scott's "girls". BOXeight poster boy, the hot Peter Gurnz was photographing Jerell's line and the stage as well as the fashions were, "Giving You!". Peter asked me "Why am I not shooting YOUR line?" I wondered why he didn't call me also? Maybe next time. I guarantee that my gowns and his photos would produce "SHUT THE FRONT DOOR" G-L-A-M-O-U-R kiddies!Costello Pose: Michael Costello photo installation, BOXeight Fashion:Refocus event

Alison and I soon made our way from set to set and stumbled upon Michael Costello, a Palm Springs-based designer whom I met the week before at a Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week event. A fellow Greek, cute and such a sweet guy, I was "done and done". His set was styled to parallel his Palm Springs Boutique. Give A Look: Lifetime's Models of The Runway Tanisha Harper and designer Michael Costello

All of a sudden I spotted a familiar face--and body--the one and only Tanisha Harper, model from Lifetime Network's Model's Of The Runway. She was one of the models in Michael's BOXeight photo shoot. After a bit of "little girl screaming" (OK, from me!), I let her do her job and pose for the photographer's camera! A couple of Michael's clients were on hand to support: Actress Traci Bingham as well as one of the Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra Barney. Both were looking VERY bust-a-licious in their Michael Costello cocktail dresses.
Yep, this was my Sunday night in Downtown LA! See you next time kiddies!

Nick Verreos: The Kevan Hall Spring 2010 Fashion Show: Universal Studios Backlot

Nick's Getaway..to Universal Studios!Tardy For The Party: Nick Verreos on the red carpet at Kevan Hall's Spring 2010 Runway Show

Last Saturday night was a busy one: I was invited to the very A-List black tie Opening Gala for the Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture Exhibit (as you may have read in my previous post) at FIDM Downtown and then I had to attend the Kevan Hall Spring 2010 Runway Show at Universal Studios. After spending two amazing hours enjoying the party and the wonderful Couture gowns at the museum, I realized that David and I only had fifteen minutes to somehow get to Universal Studios! We quickly got in our car and sat in: STOPPED TRAFFIC! I don't know what part of "It's a Saturday Night in Los Angeles" we did not understand? It eventually took us FORTY-FIVE minutes to get to our fashion show destination!Spanish Steps a la Kevan Hall: Designer Kevan Hall strikes a pose

The Kevan Hall show, which was co-sponsored by Ruznak Auto Group as well as Universal Studios, was being held at the Universal Studio's backlot and the invitation warned that there would be over 1000 guests and security would be very "tight". Gay Fashionsita Terrorists can be so harmful to runway shows. One never knows if Sacha Baron Cohen might be showing up as his over-the-top Austrian Bruno. PR Extraordinaire: Nick Verreos and Kevan Hall's pr DIVA, Margaret Schell

Running up the cobblestone streets of the studio's backlot (note to self: YSL Johnny Boots are not conducive to running!), we passed stunning automobiles: Audis, Bentleys, BMWs, Jaguars, Maybachs, Rolls Royces ...Yep, no recession happening here darlings! When we finally arrived at the location of the runway show, we were happy to see that the show had not begun yet, but it was about to and all the guests were already in their seats! Work It: A one-shouldered cocktail dress, Kevan Hall Spring 2010

In our standing-room-only section of "Tardy for the Party" late-comers, we ran into California Apparel News Publisher, Molly Rhodes, Executive Editor Alison Nieder and Fashion Editor Jayne Seward, so yes, David and I were not alone! I also said "hello" to Kevan's wife, Debbie, and dished on our memories of last year's Islands of The World Fashion Week in the Bahamas, where both Kevan and myself had shown our collections.My Fave: A strapless organza gown from Kevan Hall Spring 2010

The runway was set up below an enormous stage reminiscent of Rome's Spanish Steps. The show, entitled "The Getaway", featured lovely satin cocktail dresses and flowing gowns, which Kevan Hall is famous for. One of my favorites gowns being a peach strapless number with a Diamante waist brooch. These were dresses to perfectly compliment those stunning--and very expensive--cars that lined the walkway. Runway Close-Up: Lifetime's Models of the Runway model Tanisha Harper

On the runway, I spotted not one but TWO Project Runway Season 6: Models of The Runway: Lisa Blades and Tanisha Harper. They did a great job maneuvering what seemed like over 100 steps coming down! These girls are pros; no "Model Down" accidents here kiddies! It was a great show in a fabulous location--if only I could have put one of those Jaguars in my tuxedo jacket pocket, I would really be set to go on MY Getaway!

Click BELOW for the Final Runway Walk and Tableau of Kevan Hall Spring 2010 (We were next to the photographer's pit, so excuse the chattering, it's them!):