Thursday, November 13, 2008

Nick Verreos and the Juicy Couture Girls!!!

Juicy FIDM: Celebrating the Unveiling of the JUICY COUTURE Dedication Wall Juicy Gals: Juicy Couture Designers and Founders, Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor at their FIDM Dedication Wall (photo courtesy of berlinerstudio.com)

Two nights ago, I arrived back in Los Angeles from my week-long trip to the Bahamas, and my so-called social (and work) calendar was up-and-running. Of course, I immediately returned to teaching my "kids" at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM and last night, right after class, I was invited to the special VIP party at the LA Campus for the unveiling of the Juicy Couture Dedication Wall. Pamela Skaist-Levy, one of the founders and co-designer of Juicy Couture, is a FIDM alumna and therefore it was fitting that the school would dedicate a wall to her and her fabulous design company.Fur and Plaid: Juicy Couture Designers' fabulous backs, as they entered the party/receptionShould Have Worn My Juicy Tracksuit: Nick Verreos posing with Juicy Couture Designers and Founders Pamela and Gela

Pamela and her design partner, Gela Nash-Taylor arrived in style , donning some "out of control" fur stoles (didn't venture to ask whether or not they were real or faux, but they were still fabulous and I wanted one!). Immediately, we were treated to a posh reception, which included a fully-stocked open bar (the "Pink" Sparkling Wine was perfect for quenching my thirst), and delicious hor d'oeuvres ranging from mini beef taco salads, cheese ravioli, Mediterranean salad and three-cheese stuffed egg-plant. Doris Raymond, the stylish owner of "The Way We Wore" boutique

Juicy Threesome: Nick Verreos posing with guests, including Stephanie Marovich of Shiseido (FIDM Alumna)

Guests included FIDM President Tonian Hohberg, Fashion PR Diva, Margaret Schell of SPR, Stephanie Marovich of Shiseido, TV producer/reporter Patricia Edwards and the uber-stylish Doris Raymond, owner of "The Way We Wore" Vintage Couture Boutique. Pamela and Gela, were brought up to the podium to give a mini-speech and City Congresswoman Jan Perry read a "special proclamation" dedicating November 12 as "Juicy Couture Day". How fabulous is that? I want a proclamation for "Nick Verreos/Nikolaki Day". That day, everyone can drink as many Cadillac Margaritas as they want, and will get free make-overs and shopping sprees.
After the proclamation, all of us were led to the Third Floor of FIDM's main campus for the official unveiling of the Juicy Couture Wall.
The dedication wall pays tribute to Pamela and Gela and their Juicy Couture Empire. Lots of fanciful symbols and diverse elements such as a life-size suit of armour, Baroque-like graphics (similar to those ubiquitous Juicy Ads and stores), a mounted faux animal and, of course, several surfboards (it's LA after all), fill the 32 foot long wall (see above photos).
It was my first time meeting Pamela Skaist-Levy and GelaNash-Taylor. We chatted and posed for photos. They were both extremely sweet, in fact Pamela made a comment about how great that people like myself were at FIDM to inspire the students and the designers of tomorrow. She said something to the effect of "I wish I had teachers like you..." Ahhhh, I just about clutched my Juicy Pearls....

Click Below for a video I captured of the Juicy Couture Designers giving Thanks for the Dedication Ceremony: