Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos and Gayle Anderson on KTLA 5 Morning News: FIDM Museum Fun!

The Gayle & Nick "Show"...

Museum Twosome: Nick Verreos and KTLA's Gayle Anderson, 20th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries

Yesterday, I was up very early (5 AM) to then go to Downtown LA for a 6AM Call Time to shoot a very special Morning Show--the KTLA Channel 5 Morning Show (of course!!)--with the one and only Gayle Anderson, an ICON of LA Morning TV reporting and journalism and winner of three regional Emmys as well as many many other awards (naturally!).

Gayle (or "Miss Gayle as I now like to call her!) came to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM to do a entire morning full of segments on the just-opened 20th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition".

Costume Fab: 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries

Gayle and I filmed several TV segments for the KTLA Morning News--from 7 AM until about 10 AM--which were shown LIVE on the air and were also shown during the 1PM News as well as this coming Saturday as well. We talked about how there are 20+ films represented as well as 100+ costumes at this 20th Annual Exhibition, including the Academy Award Best Costume Design Nominees, including "Anonymous", "The Artist", "Hugo" , "Jane Eyre", and "W.E.".

Gayle Anderson and Nick Verreos, "Reel Steel" Costume Tableaux, 20th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries

Miss Gayle also loved checking out the other costumes on display, including this silver metallic one from the 2011 film "Real Steel" Costumes designed by FIDM Grad Marlene Stewart.

This one in particular you might recognize (if you're as old as MOI!) because it's from Thierry Mugler and was featured in the UBER FAB George Michael "Too Funky" music video.

Here's another we both LOVED: a costume worn by actress Vanessa Redgrave in the film "Anonymous", costumes designed by Lisy Christl. Redgrave played the elder Queen Elizabeth I. All in all, I had such an amazing time filming my segments with Gayle. She was OUTSTANDING, such a professional---I was in awe of her stamina and how she ran the entire thing!!! She is ONE of a KIND!!!! Can't wait for the next time we get to film another TV segment!

*Click HERE for one of the videos of our KTLA 5 Morning News "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition shenanigans! And don't miss the other ones (just click in the video bar with the heading "More Gayle Anderson Video" when you go to the link above).

*Click HERE for my Recap of the Opening Night of the Exhibit plus all the details regarding the Exhibition, times, hours, etc.

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:

Nick Verreos Talks Academy Award Nominated Best Costumes for TV Guide Channel's The Fashion Team Show and LXTV!

And the Winner Is......
In the spirit of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, below are 2 fun videos I did talking about the AMAZING Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM. This is the 18th year for the exhibit and it is the only place where you can see Academy Award nominated costumes from all the top movies this year!

Click below for segments I did with TV Guide Network and the Fashion Team TV show and LXTV. Hopefully this will inspire you to make a trip to Downtown LA to the FIDM Museum and Galleries! It is FREE and open until April 17th.

TV Guide Network's The Fashion Team Segment:


LXTV:

Nick Verreos gives a Spanish-speaking Tour of the 18Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Exhibition at the FIDM Museum and Galleries

Tour En Español...Spanish Chains: Penelope Cruz' Chanel dress from Almodovar's "Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces)", 18Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition/FIDM Museum and Galleries

Last week, I was fortunate enough to film a "Video Tour" of the 18Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum and Galleries for "La Opinion" Newspaper's website---the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States. It is the second most-read newspaper in LA (LA Times is first).

If you can understand Spanish, click below: Get ready for Nick...en Español!

Nick Verreos, John Rabe and KPCC Public Radio Love!

This one is for Angelenos ONLY!!!Photo Finish: Nick Verreos, Julian Bermudez and KPCC's John Rabe
photo courtesy of FIDM

Last week, as you may remember, I was invited to the 18Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum and Galleries in FIDM's Downtown Campus.

One highlight--besides seeing all the glorious costumes, meeting the costume designers and mingling with friends--was also an encounter I had as I was about to leave: Two handsome men wearing all black, approached me saying what big fans they were of me and Project Runway and if I would oblige them with a photo.
Then, one of them said "Thank You" and I almost fell on the floor: I recognized his voice as John Rabe, one of my favorite on-air radio personalities from one of the only radio stations I listen to in LA: KPCC 89.3. He hosts a show called "Off Ramp" which I listen to religiously. I never knew what he looked like and now, there he was, posing next to me! I truly had an "LA Moment". And now, he even wrote about it on his blog as well! Thanks for the mention John!

FIDM 18th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition: Nick Verreos Gets a Sneak Peak!

And The Best Costume Design Award Goes To...

Crinoline Happy: Nick Verreos at the 18Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit, FIDM Museum and Galleries

Photo courtesy of: Photos(c)Berliner Studio/BEImages

This weekend was Super Bowl Weekend, I know. However, me and football, well, not so much...I stopped watching after Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake had their now-infamous "Wardrobe Malfunction". Boy, those were the days!

Instead of going to some nacho-and-beer filled Super Bowl Pre-Party, I was invited to attend the 18TH Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit Party at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, the very school I teach at.
Where's Fergie? David Paul and Nick Verreos of Nikolaki, stand in front of the "Nine" Costumes

I always look forward to this particular exhibit since I am a big fan of movies and obviously, fashion. Also, my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul--who holds a Masters in Costume Design from UCLA and is a member of the Motion Picture Costumers Union--has educated me A LOT on the art of Costume Design and all its nuances.
Be Italian: Colleen Atwood-designed Costumes from Nine. Costume Tidbit: One Million Swarovski crystals were used on these costumes!

The exhibit, which officially opens Tuesday February 9Th, features the costumes from four of the five Academy Award Best Costume nominated films: Bright Star; Costumes designed by Janet Paterson, Nine; Costumes designed by Colleen Atwood, the Young Victoria; Costumes designed by Sandy Powell, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus; Costumes designed by Monique Prudhomme. The only one not present were the costumes from Coco Before Chanel.Time Traveler: Academy Award nominated Costume Designer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Monique Prudhomme and Nick Verreos

Photo courtesy of: Photos(c)Berliner Studio/BEImages

Canadian designer Monique Prudhomme was actually in attendance at the Gala last night receiving all the much-deserved praise for her Academy Award Best Costume Design Nomination. I introduced myself to her and we spoke at length on such diverse subjects as how she found one of the Corsets in the film to speaking a bit of French when one goes to France and finally we even touched on how incredibly ridiculous the hotel prices at the Vancouver Olympics are ($800 for the Best Western, I checked--trust me!).

Costume Divas: Nick Verreos, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Costume Designer Monique Prudhomme, A Single Man Costume Designer Arianne Phillips, and Andrae Gonzalo

Photo courtesy of: Photos(c)Berliner Studio/BEImages

Also present at the party was the fabulously talented Arianne Phillips, who designed the costumes for Tom Ford's film A Single Man. I was chatting with my Season 2 Project Runway contestant-buddy, Andrae Gonzalo, when I saw Arianne and of course, I had to say "hello" and give praise to her retro-chic designs which also happen to be in the Exhibit. Arianne Retro: Arianne Phillips-designed Costumes for A Single Man

Also represented in the exhibition are costumes from Inglourious Basterds, Sherlock Holmes, Amelia, as well as Pedro Almodovar's Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos) among others. A highlight of this tableaux was the authentic Chanel gold-chain-detail black dress which Almodovar muse Penelope Cruz wore in the film.
A MUST for Trekkies around the World are the Michael Kaplan-designed costumes from Star Trek, which are also in the exhibit.
It was great seeing the furry over-sized creatures from Where The Wild Things Are. Andrae and I were fascinated by the life-like nap in the faux fur.

Victorian Couture: The Young Victoria Costumes

I especially loved seeing the stunning gowns from The Young Victoria. This display is pretty grand--mirroring the costumes. It's so interesting to see Queen Victoria in something other than what we are used to: Black, drab funeral gowns.
DO NOT miss getting up close and personal (as close as you can without a security guard escorting you out!) to these "Young Victoria" gowns. The Duchesse silk satin, the brocades, the embroideries, the cartridge pleating...Absolutely stunning!
Finally: We Are Cooking with...
the Ann Roth-designed costumes for Julie & Julia. I loved this film and couldn't wait to see them. David pulled me aside, as we got in front of these costumes and pointed out the wonderful play on proportion and length which Roth ingeniously devised to make actress Meryl Streep seem as tall as the real Julia Child, who was six foot two, thank you very much!
Check out these wedges: On the left are when she was by herself in the film. The higher and much more stacked ones (right), were the ones Streep wore when she had to stand next to her co-stars. How can I get a pair of those??

*The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition runs from February 9Th to April 17Th at the FIDM Museum and Galleries, FIDM Downtown Los Angeles. And it's FREE and Open To The Public. Click HERE for more info.