Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Style LA Swim and Resort Runway Show 2009: Nick Verreos hangs out with Kit from Project Runway and Joey from Rachael Zoe Project!

Miss California USA '07, Project Runway Designers "Reunion", Rachael Zoe Make Up and Hairstylist...and Hot Swimsuits!
Shut It Down: Make Up and Hair Stylist Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos

It seems I may need to rent a house by the Beach. First it was the LA Fashion Week Designer Call-to-Action Cocktail Party at Venice Beach's Hotel Erwin. Then, last week I was invited to designer Chris Benz' Summer Party at Thomas Weens and Hill Salomon of The Branding Farm's Craftsman Home, also in Venice Beach. Now this: I was invited to the Style L.A. Swim and Resort Runway Celebrity Fashion Show 2009, held at Santa Monica's posh Viceroy Hotel. No Swim Zone: The Viceroy Hotel Pool Runway Area

It's really taking a toll on my car and racking up on the miles! (Downtown LA--where my studio is-- to Venice Beach isn't a hop, skip or a jump kids!) Thank God I was away in Europe for two weeks not using it. I guess I had mileage to "make up"! I picked up my new "going out partner in crime", make-up and hair stylist extraordinaire Joey Maalouf. He happens to be on one of my favorite shows, The Rachael Zoe Project and does her fabulous hair and make-up, of course! I warned him: It would be a bumpy ride!Safari Beach: A Look from Style L.A.: Swim & Resort Runway Fashion Show '09

The Style L.A. Swim and Resort Runway Fashion Show Party--an event to raise money and awareness for a great charity, Operation of Hope-- has become an annual event, thrown by one of my favorite agencies, TMG International. I attend all their fabulous Oscars' Suites and have even hosted/judged a recent "Cutest Dog" contest, at an event they put together. In other words: Love them! Did You Lose Your Shirt? A look from Style L.A: Swim & Resort Runway Fashion Show '09

This year's event showed the designs of John Galliano (swimwear), Gottex, Rock Star, Guess and Paul & Shark, among others. The pool area was at capacity--Joey and I could barely make it to the bar!. Once situated (standing room only), I spotted Lorenzo Lamas, actress Elaine Hendrix, and fellow Venezuelan Luis Barajas, founder of Flaunt Magazine. The Show Someone Should Pitch: Stylist and former "Project Runway" Designer Kit Scarbo, Nick Verreos, and "Rachael Zoe Project" hair and make up artist Joey Maalouf

But to my biggest surprise, I spotted Project Runway Season 4 Designer, Kit "Pistol" Scarbo. Besides being one of the FIERCEST girls in LA, Kit also happens to be a fabulous stylist, who works with various clients including Samantha Harris of "Dancing With The Stars". Pool Catwalk: Models strut down the Style L.A.: Swim & Resort Runway Show '09

I just about dropped the Champagne glass I was holding when I saw her! Joey, myself, and Kit, watched the entire fashion show together. We gave minute-by-minute commentary (can you imagine? Yeah, where's Bravo and/or Lifetime when you REALLY need them!)Miss California USA 2007: Meagan Tandy works the runway

I was extra excited to see--among the models--former Miss California USA 2007 Meagan Tandy!! She looked stunning and her body--well, as straight boys say, she was "slamming!" (do they really say that?) I love me some Meagan, she actually modeled in our Spring '09 W Hotel NIKOLAKI Fashion Show and she wore one of my Custom NIKOLAKI gowns to almost win Miss USA 2007 at the Kodak Theater. Also modeling in the show was America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 model Analeigh Tipton. She was very tall and very thin--and walked the runway perfectly! Miss Tyra would be proud. It was a fun show but the best part was yet to come: As I waited to get my car in a 50 person-deep Valet line, Joey went around the corner and 5 minutes later, motioned me to come to the sidewalk. Yep, my car was there! Don't know what he did--but I was very happy!
Click here on The Insider for more on the event.