Fashion Banner: FIDM San Francisco CampusLast weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a "surprise" visit to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM SF Campus, as part of their annual Open House. The Open House is when High School juniors and seniors (and their parents) get to know FIDM, tour the campus, meet the staff, see student work, and learn more about all of its 18 majors.
Window Couture: FIDM SF Graduate Colleen Quen's Design on displayIt's also a way to "introduce" newly accepted students to the campus. As an FIDM Instructor and Spokesperson, I love reaching out to the students, telling them about my experience, and how to get the most out of FIDM and what it has to offer.
Birthday by the Bay: Celebrating my friend, Didi Simon's (left) Birthday at Lime RestaurantMy quick in-and-out, overnight visit began with meeting up with my SF friends who I grew up with while I spent my "younger years" living in the Bay Area. It was my friend, Didi's Birthday. I decided to take her out and celebrate at one of my favorite SF restaurants, Lime.
I also got to do some last minute "retail damage" at what is now MY FAVORITE Men's Store in California, Sui Generis, a Consignment Men's Designer Vintage Store. We passed by it on the way to the restaurant and my SF friends said "Oh, you would LOVE this store..." Well, I don't waste time kiddies, so I went right in! Its buyers have an amazing editorial eye because everything was FAB! 
After meeting my "Bearded Brother", co-owner Miguel Lopez, in less than ten minutes I had found a pair of Hermes shoes, several Hermes ties, Gucci loafers and a DSquared shirt that I wanted to buy! And all at about 60-70% off their original retail prices. BTW: I didn't get everything, I had to "edit" my purchases.But now, it was time for the FIDM SF Open House:
Nick and The Ladies: Nick Verreos poses with the FIDM SF "Divas in Black"The San Francisco campus is conveniently located in SF's Union Square, near all of it's fabulous shops, such as Barneys NY, Macy's, and H & M as well as the great Westfield Shopping Plaza. They just got a new banner so now it is very recognizable to all the shoppers, business people (and potential students!) in the very busy Union Square Area.
Mother-Daughter Chic: Trudy Noren, FIDM SF Director of Special Events and College Rep, with her beautiful daughter LindsayI also LOVE seeing two of my favorite FIDM Divas, the always stylish Barbara Cupper, Director of the FIDM SF Campus, and equally chic Trudy Noren, College Rep and Director of Special events, SF FIDM. They are my Fairy Godmothers in the City by the Bay.
I was excited to see the campus' recently redone Library/Media Center which I had not seen since my last visit. On display were some gorgeous pieces from their Archival Museum Collection, including this dusty rose colored Chanel Couture Suit from the early 1960s:
It was in INCREDIBLE condition and they let me touch it (OMG!). There are so many secrets to a Chanel Couture Suit that I would have been there for HOURS inspecting it--For Example: The lining had about 50 fish-eye darts and seams combined, all sewn INTO the boucle tweed outer jacket! 
During this visit, I got to meet a lot of the incoming students, pose for photos with them and sign a lot of their cool FIDM totebags (I even sketched an original "Nick Verreos Croquis" on one or two...or three...or fifty!)
It's always fun to do these Meet-and-Greet Open Houses, and as always, I look forward to returning to say "Hi" to my San Francisco FIDM "family"--and to do some "secret" shopping!!!
