Nick Verreos Attends "Compassion In Fashion" APAIT/FIDM Fashion Show: LA Fashion Week

Compassion IS Fashionable...

Project Runway Model Sandwich: Nick Verreos poses with Brandise Danesewich (Season 7), Amanda Fields (Season 3) and Lauren (Season 4), Backstage "Compassion In Fashion" fashion show

Last Thursday night, I was invited by my very good friend--and NIKOLAKI client--the absolutely gorgeous Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee--to attend "Compassion In Fashion" Fashion Show for Los Angeles Fashion Week. She was emceeing the entire event and she--of course--was going to wear one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses.

Gorgeous Beauties: Model Amanda Fields and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 and Emcee of Compassion In Fashion (wearing NIKOLAKI)

"Compassion In Fashion" was a fabulous benefit event presented by the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team/APAIT and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM at the amazing Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles. APAIT does wonderful work providing HIV/AIDS prevention and care especially for the Asian and Pacific Islander Community. The event was also co-sponsored by one of MY favorite retail department stores--Macy's (Love them!). Upon arriving--and checking in with Brook--I made sure her NIKOLAKI Couture dress was "just right".

Brook Lee, Compassion In Fashion (Photo courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

She chose a salmon-pink silk/linen Lurex strapless very "Mad Men" number from our collection. She looked AMAZING! Hello, she was a Miss USA AND Miss Universe! The line up for the wonderful night included a dance performance by Ek Do Teen/NDM Bollywood Dance Troupe (which was SO good!)

Model Amanda Fields wearing a Red carpet Gown design by FIDM Grad Clay Sadler, Compassion In Fashion (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

A FIDM "Red Carpet Gown" fashion show featuring designs by FIDM Grads( Gorgeous!) as well as...

Model in Andrew Christian Fashion Show (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

An Andrew Christian Fashion Show (HOT!). Also there was a very special T-shirt Design Contest, where FIDM Student Activities partnered with APAIT to have students design t-shirts for the organization.

There was a panel of very special--and distinguished--judges, including my good friend Alec Mapa, star of "Ugly Betty" and LogoTV's "The Gossip Queens", Greg Matsunami, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Metropark Stores, Karla Ferreira, 2009 Quest Woman Of The Year, and Melissa Magsaysay, style writer and editor for the LA Times.

The winning t-shirt designer was FIDM Fashion Design student Larry Le (modeled above by Zdenka). It was an amazing night of great fashion, gorgeous models and more importantly for a very-worthwhile cause and organization of which I wholeheartedly support.

Below are some great Videos I shot of Compassion In Fashion...and for more photos, click HERE.

Compassion In Fashion Fashion Show--Model Amanda Fields in a Clay Sadler Design:

Intro Dance Performance by NDM Bollywood Dance Troupe:

Final Walk of Andrew Christian Fashion Show, Compassion In Fashion:

Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee Announces The Winner of APAIT/FIDM T-shirt Design Contest:

Nick Verreos Hits Up Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party in LA!!

Project SHUT IT DOWN!!!!
I DIIIIEEE: Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

Last Thursday-- as many of you know--was the Finale of Project Runway Season 7. The Angel Mafia and Project Angel Food--along with Finalist Mila Hermanovski, "Big Brother's" Marcellas Reynolds, and Designer Andrew Christian (famous for those sexy underwear) were hosting a Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party at the West Hollywood nightclub, Eleven. I had been in town just one day from my trip to Atlanta and the OC, and of course I decided I had to attend. Underwear Party: Designer Andrew Christian poses with his models, Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

I put on a mask, got a "Disco Nap" in and called my friends, John Wade (of Marc Jacobs and Project Runway Season 2) and Joey Maalouf (Rachel Zoe's Hair and Make-Up Stylist and co-owner of the Maalouf Salon) to be my dates. John had just returned from a ONE DAY/ONE NIGHT trip to Milan Italy (I know, FIERCE!) for the opening of the Marc Jacobs store (how he got through that Icelandic Volcano is beyond me!) and Joey is about to leave for NY for the Met and get Miss Rachel Zoe red carpet ready kiddies!). Blow Out: Hair and Make Up DIVA Joey Maalouf getting ready for the Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party

So I was happy to have them both for this one night!The party was in full swing as we got there. Soon enough, the Finale Episode was playing on the bar's flat screens and we actually stopped whatever we were doing to watch it (sometimes--OK, MOST TIMES--at these "Finale Viewing Parties" NO ONE gets to see anything!). We actually got to see the Final Episode and you could hear the crowd cheering and jeering for the winners and the finalists. Group Shot: Joey Maalouf, Nick Verreos, Andrew Christian, and John Wade, Eleven West Hollywood

In between, I got to "socialize" and ran into co-co-co-host, my good friend, Designer Andrew Christian, who even showed me sneak-preview photos of his new exclusive Andrew Christian Store (via his IPhone).I also got to chat with Palm Springs-based Designer Michael Costello, who was there with his model, the very blond Tracy Chapman, wearing one of his little cocktail dresses (above).I also ran into one of my fabulous "Muses", the one and only Runway Diva, Amanda Fields (from Project Runway Season 3) (above), who is filming a "secret show" and therefore got there a bit late. Better late than never as they say. Models Of The Runway: Alison Gingerich, Amanda Fields, Nick Verreos and Holly Ridings, Eleven West Hollywood

Speaking of models, there were LOTS of them that night, including Holly Ridings (wearing a long maxi black-and-white print dress, black leather jacket and sneakers--still the TALLEST GIRL in the room!) and Alison Gingerich from Season 7.Semi-Finalist Mila Hermanovski's Model, Brandise Daneswich was also in attendance, enjoying the Viewing Party, along with her designer.There weren't that many other Project Runway Alumn there (and no other Project Runway Season 7 Designers) however, we (John, Joey and I) get to hang out with Season 6 Designer Johnny Sakalis (above).Young Hollywood: Actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, Eleven West Hollywood

One of the nicest moments of the night (besides seeing Seth Aaron Henderson win and his family give him a congratulatory hug) was meeting young actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, who confessed their love of Project Runway and how they were "big fans"! Love them! Maybe one of these days, they will wear NIKOLAKI for a big red carpet event--who knows! They were SOOOO SWEET!

Nick Verreos Takes The PLUNGE at the Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration at the Hollywood Roosevelt

Well...Welcome To LA FASHIIIIOOOONNNN!!!!!!!!!!Purple Daze: Nick Verreos walks the carpet, Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana

Last week, on March 16Th, my good friend--and Los Angeles Fashion DIVA--Jennifer Egan, Vice President of Gen Art National Development, Marketing and the company's "IT" girl---invited me to attend the Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration, held at the Tropicana Pool of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Pool Party: Jen Egan of Gen Art holds court at the Tropicana Pool, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

The event/party was designed to give props to the LA fashion alumni who "have helped shape and influence the design community".
T-Zone: Jen Egan grabs Nick Verreos for a Clean & Clear "Prom" Interview, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

Jen was also holding court and doing some fun on-camera interviews for the party and the skincare company CLEAN & CLEAR, who were there promoting their CLEAN & CLEAR Skincare Makes Your Prom Beautiful from Start to Finish-Designer Dress Competition.
Prom Couple: Nick Verreos and Jen Egan of Gen Art, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

She just happened to grab me at one point--after I finally wheedled my little purple Top Shop-pants-wearing-butt into the party--to do one of those "prom interviews". Of course, I talked about how both guys and girls need to be matte-blotted both before and during their "prom fabulous" moments with some of their Oil Absorbing Sheets!
I was really excited to see my good friend--underwear and bathing suit KING--designer Andrew Christian (above) who was working his fitted gray shirt and skinny tie.
Wanted: Nick Verreos and Kit Scarbo, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

As I made it through the Hotel Roosevelt's Tropicana, it soon became evident that it was beginning to look like a Project Runway "Love fest" Reunion of sorts: Besides seeing Jeffrey Sebelia (Winner of Season 3) and Rami Kashou (Finalist from Season 4) briefly, I ran into Project Runway Season 4 Contestant, and Stylist to the Stars, the one and only Kit Scarbo. There aren't words enough I can write here on my blog to tell you how much I love me some Kit!
Color Blocked: Nick Verreos with Project Runway Season 7 Model Brandise Danesewich (left) and Designer Mila Hermanovski (center)

I also saw Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski. The last time I saw Mila was many months ago when she stopped by my NIKOLAKI design studio (I had no idea that she was on this season's Project Runway) looking for gowns to fit on our good friend and client Carrie Ann Inaba--whom she was freelance styling at the time-- for last season's Dancing With The Stars show. She was there with her model, Brandise Danesewich, whom I happened to just see at the FIDM Debut 2010 Fashion Gala.
And speaking of models, I had a "Nick Model Orgasm" when I ran into Lifetime Network's "Models of The Runway Season 2", Alison Gingerich (left) and--one of my personal favorites-- AMAZONIAN Runway DIVA, 6 foot + tall Holly Ridings (right). Don't know what they were doing at the Gen Art Fashion Alumni Celebration party...but I didn't care! Look at the big ol' smile on my face. Nick HEARTS Models, Project Runway...and Gen Art!

JUDY, LIZA...and Nick Verreos? The FIDM Debut Runway Show 2010!

LA Fashion Gala...FIDM Style!Presenting FIDM Debut 2010: Nick Verreos, Debut 2010
(photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com)

Continuing with my FIDM Debut 2010 posting, here's THE BIGGIE: Last weekend I attended, made an appearance and even handed out awards at...the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's annual fashion gala, the Debut Fashion Show. Warhol-esque: Debut 2010 Background
(photo courtesy of Feliz Salzman and www.lookbookla.com)

Held at the MASSIVE Santa Monica Barker Hanger, the Debut Show has grown into an extravagant showcase of the creme de la creme of the school's top graduating students in the Advanced Fashion Design, Theater and Costume as well as Interior and Textile Design.Group Photo: Nick Verreos poses with the Debut 2010 Advanced Fashion Design Graduates

The show began with Chairing Styles--a collaboration between the Advanced Fashion Design, Textile Design and Interior Design students and generously supported by the Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated--in which they all design chairs, fabric for the chairs (assisted by Mimaki) plus a corresponding dress. This year's theme was "Garden Party".Somewhere Over The Runway: Judy Garland impersonator Denise Rose, FIDM Debut 2010
(photo courtesy of Feliz Salzman and www.lookbookla.com)

Next was the Theater Costume Advanced Design portion of the show. This year, the theme was "Tribute To Judy and Liza". The old-school "sistahs" in the audience were LOVING IT (moi included!). The young kids, however, didn't even know who these women were (shame on them!)--nevertheless, they were about to get SCHOOLED!!! Jazz Hands: Liza Minelli impersonator Suzanne Goulet in the "Cabaret" excerpt, FIDM Debut 2010
(photo courtesy of Felix Salzman, www.lookbookla.com)

This portion spanned through all of Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minelli's career in Hollywood and the effect they--and their movies--had on Theater and Motion Picture Costume Design. Students designed costumes for "The Wizard of Oz", "New York, New York", "Cabaret", "Meet Me In St. Louis" among others.Trophy Time: Mary Stephens, Nick Verreos and the Nikolaki Couture models onstage FIDM Debut 2010
(photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com)

Afterward, I was honored to have been asked by my esteemed Mentor and Advanced Fashion Design Program Chair, Mary Stephens, to present the Debut Awards for 2010, in which we find out who next year's "best and brightest" are. Nick's Angels: Models Danika, Veronica and Tamara, backstage Debut 2010

As a special treat, I brought three looks from my newest NIKOLAKI Collection to be featured on the "trophy girls".
Model Danika Thompson working her NIKOLAKI Couture Fall 2010 Raspberry Silk-wool Zibeline "keyhole" Gown

The Awards Show portion was then followed by the Guess Design Challenge. Guess and the Marciano Brothers are HUGE supporters of FIDM and for Debut 2010, the Advanced Fashion Design Students (whom I mentored and guided for a bit), were asked to design a look for Guess, which then would be shown at Debut 2010, and Maurice Marciano was In attendance to chose the winner...GUESS Who Is The Winner: Brittany Vu winning the FIDM Guess Design Challenge

Brittany Vu, was the winner and was offered an Assistant Design position with Guess and would be able to oversee her design from conception to retail! (AMAZING!!!). Then it was the time for the Advanced Fashion Design graduates to show their individual collections. The collections ranged from extravagant evening gowns (Juan Carlos Fabian) to Kimono-inspired subdued elegant separates (Dominique David) to even a Little Girls Collection (a crowd favorite from graduate Meghann Fanara).
I was excited to see my MUSE (and fit model)--Project Runway Season 6 Model, Lisa Blades (in Juan Carlos Fabian) and...
Project Runway Season 7 Model, Brandise Danesewich (in Nick Gaska) who were both modeling in the show. The evening's fund-raising Debut 2010 Fashion Gala (to support the FIDM Scholarship Foundation) was a huge sold-out success!
I had the pleasure of doing an interview with Julian Bermudez for KPCC's "Off Ramp". That's my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul with us.
(photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com)
And did a Prom Photo with The Bachelor Season 14 Runner Up Tenley Molzahn (photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com)
Also at Debut 2010, was designer Tadashi Shoji
(photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com) and... The Mattel Barbie boys, Peter Helenek and James Holmes

It's all about COLOR kids!!!!! We look like the LA version of "The Jersey Boys"...or is it "Destiny's Child"? Don't answer that!

Click BELOW for a GREAT Debut 2010 Photo Slide Show from LookBookLa.com and photographer Felix Salzman: