Nick Appearance Minute: FIDM Los Angeles Open House & Debut 2012 Fashion Club Party!!!

An FIDM Open House Runway Under The "Big Tent", A "Phantom of The Opera" Fashion Club Bash, Lots of Photo-Ops...Oh, and...Jif Peanut Butter...Read on kids...

Nick Postcards From...Debut 2012 FIDM Fashion Club Party--Nick Verreos and some fashionable attendees

This past weekend was FIDM Debut 2012 Weekend, beginning last Thursday and onto this past Saturday. As the Official Spokesperson for my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I take part in a lot of events and appearances throughout the year promoting the College, talking about FIDM to hopeful students and how the school gave me the fundamentals to launch my fashion career. The Debut Weekend is the "Oscars" of the entire FIDM school year and there are always lots of events leading up to the big Debut Fashion Show--where graduates from the Advanced Fashion Design and Costume Design programs show their Collections at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.

FIDM Spring 2012 Open House:

Under the Big Tent: a scene from Spring 2012 Open House, FIDM

One of the first events I MC'ed this past weekend was the Debut 2012 Spring Open House at the Downtown L.A. FIDM Campus. Open House occurs in all the campuses and it's a way for parents and prospective students to get information on the college as well as meet alumni, instructors and take tours of the campus facilities. This Spring Open House was HUGE--hundreds and hundreds of high school students and their parents and family, gathered under a massive tent in Hope Park, next to the campus.

Any Volunteers?? Nick Verreos asks for Spring 2012 Open House "Style Walk-Off" models

After introducing myself, I held an impromptu "Open House" runway fashion show. These attendees were very stylin' so I felt compelled to have them show off their looks. And let me tell you, by the show of hands when I asked for volunteers, we could have stayed there for HOURS doing "Style Walk-Off's"!! Now speaking of the audience, as I looked for those Open House Runway volunteers, I spotted one girl sitting eating some Ritz Crackers with...

A big ol' jar of Jif Peanut Butter (it was the "Reduced Fat" kind, by the way)!! Well, you KNOW I just had to out "Miss Peanut Butter" lover (she was so sweet through it all, as she turned BRIGHT RED!)---Who brings a jar of Peanut Butter to an FIDM Debut Open House, I asked? SHE DID!!! Love her!

Tent Panel: (Left to Right) Nick Verreos, Jason Leigh Shinn, Lisa Vian Hunter and Casey Murphy, FIDM Spring 2012 Open House

Following the "Open House Walk-Off" and the Peanut Butter....I finally got to hosting the Open House Panel discussion on the main stage with four current students and alumni as my guests. The panel included Casey Murphy, a current student in the Merchandise Marketing program who also happens to be Marketing Director of FIDM Mode, the campus-based magazine created and produced exclusively by students; Jason Leigh Shinn, who just got accepted (and won a Scholarship) in the IMPD (International Manufacturing & Product Development) Advanced Study program; Mallory Dempster, an alumna, who is currently a Creative Marketing Consultant with a very successful marketing agency (Mallory also happens to be a former student of mine); and our last panelist was another FIDM alumna, Lisa Vian Hunter, who owns a boutique in Seattle that carries vintage clothing as well as her own designs--she is also a contestant on the NBC's "Fashion Star" reality TV show.

Open House Smiles: Nick Verreos poses with attendees of the FIDM Spring 2012 Open House

As it has become custom, following the Panel Discussion, I did a "Nick Meet & Greet" and took lots of Facebook and Twitter pics with the Spring Open House attendees--as well as gave out signed photos.

Open House attendee Adii Kara and Nick Verreos

Nick Verreos and Open House attendee Victoria Hultquist

It was great meeting everyone--all the high school students from across the US (including Arizona, Missouri, Texas, Hawaii, etc) as well as their parents (love the Mommies and Dads!) But soon, it was time for me to be "whisked" away and drive to Santa Monica to attend the FIDM Fashion Club Debut 2012 Pre-Party at the Barker Hanger...

FIDM Fashion Club Debut 2012 Pre-Party:

The annual FIDM Fashion Club Debut Pre-Party is like the Fashion Prom--but without the awkward dates wearing the tacky rented tuxedos! I got to the Fashion Club Party at Santa Monica's Barker Hanger, right around the same time over a thousand (yes, over a thousand!) high school students and their advisers from Fashion Clubs from all over the U.S. began arriving as well.

Phantom Step-and-Repeat: The Scene at the Fashion Club Debut 2012 Pre-Party

The FIDM Debut Fashion Club Pre-Party tent was set up in the Debut 2012 Theme of "The Phantom of the Opera". Several HUGE chandeliers hung from the tent ceiling and the entire area was covered in draped fabric to evoke the mood of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. There was even a step-and-repeat wall where attendees could pose with a "Phantom of the Opera" and yes, there was a live DJ spinning all the latest hits (I sound soooo OLD saying that!!) as guests began trickling in...

Yummy Treats: Various tables were set up with fruits and veggies, cheeses and crackers (I did not see any Ritz Crackers and Peanut Butter!) and warm appetizers like chicken skewers...

Make-Up Fab: There was also an "Eyelash Corner" to give guests some SUPER DUPER "Fashion Club" eyelashes. Last but certainly not least...

Nick Photo Corner: there was the "Celebrity Corner with Nick Verreos"...

High-Low Posing: Nick Verreos poses with two stylish girls wearing "high-low" dresses/skirts, Fashion Club Debut 2012 Pre-Party

For the next couple of hours, in my "Celebrity Corner", I took photos with many, many of the party's most fashionable guests. There was a professional photographer taking the photos which my photo "dates" could pick up from the photo printer that was set up nearby as a fun souvenir!

I had such a FAB time meeting all the stylish Fashion Club members from high schools all over the nation--as well as around California of course. As a fashion designer, it was almost like doing "Research" as I made mental notes surveying each and every one of the attendees dresses and outfits. PS: Dresses ARE BACK!!! Colorful, high-low styles, mini, long, solid, printed...you name 'em, they were there. So nice to see girls in cute stylish dresses! I took soooo many pics but one of my favorites was this one:

A Three-fer: Nick Verreos, Security Guard Rick Young, and David Paul, Fashion Club Debut 2012 Pre-Party

That's me (naturally), my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul, and in the middle, my Debut 2012 Barker Hanger Security Guard, Rick Young--He was the BEST! He made me feel as if I was Justin Bieber, protecting me from those fashionable and always well-behaved young girls and guys attending the Fashion Club Party and Debut show. He always looked very serious and I (almost) got him to smile for this one!

Following the Fashion Club Party, it was time for me to be onstage and introduce FIDM Debut 2012...

Here's a sneak peek (above with my NIKOLAKI-clad models) of what's to come...on my Debut 2012 BLOG Recap...Stay tuned kids!!!

Nick Verreos Judges Fashion Club's Prom Advice Scholarship Competition!!!

Best Prom Line and Store...

Decisions Decisions: Nick Verreos Judging the Prom Advice 2011 Scholarship Competition

Yesterday, I had the honor of judging the FIDM FashionClub.com Prom Advice 2011 Scholarship Competition as part of my duties for the FAB PromAdvice.com site this year--which also included blogging on Prom Dresses, What Not To Wear, and How to Take a Good Prom Photo, as well even admitting what Prom Outfit Mistakes I made, back in the day...

I was also enlisted as the "Celebrity Judge" to chose the winner of the Scholarship Competition. High School Students from all over the country submitted their entries for two separate contests: The First, more geared for students wanting to go into Fashion Design, were assigned to Sketch a Prom Fashion Line of your own creation--three sketches, including fabric swatches plus a "Theme Board" for Inspiration.

The decor at the Fashion Club's headquarters, FIDM

And the Second, more for students wanting to go into the Merchandising or even Visual Display Majors, were tasked with designing an Imaginary Prom Attire Boutique, again using Mood Boards, showing layout of the store, special "Giveaways", maybe how the website for the store would look, and so on. The winners of each would get a Full Year Scholarship to attend the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater and the school which I am the Spokesperson for.

Fashion Club's Wall of Prom Fashion Goodies, Fashion Club Headquarters FIDM

I took my job as Celebrity Judge very seriously since I knew that the future of TWO students' lives---or the next year of the life--was at stake. I arrived ready to take a look at all the entries, all the boards, all the sketches and finally narrowed them down to my Top Faves.

Board Central: Take a look at some of the boards from entries received for the 2011 Fashion Club's PromAdvice Scholarship Competition

Then, after about an hour of deliberation--and some support from my two FashionClub.com girls at the office, I did it! I chose the winners!!! In the end, it was pretty obvious who the two Winners would be and I "signed off" on my decision. Soon enough the winners will be receiving "those" phone calls and/or Congratulatory emails Yeaayyyy!).

Congrats to the Winners--I'm not telling you now but you'll find out soon enough!---and Hope everyone had a great Prom Season 2011!!!!

Nick Verreos Goes to the FIDM Fashion Club Party--and Debut 2011 Part One!

Fashion Club Carnival: Samba DJ'ing, Colored Feathers, Dipped Chocolate-covered Marshmallows, and much more...

Let's Do It Girls! Nick Verreos leads his models, Amara and Brianna--in NIKOLAKI gowns--down the FIDM Debut 2011 Runway (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Last weekend's "FIDM Fashion Marathon" of Open House, Debut Shows and Fashion Club Parties was a big success! So, without further ado---it's time for the Fashion Club Party!!!

FashionClub.com--sponsored by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--is an online site for aspiring fashion designers, future fashion industry trendsetters in high schools all across the country--and across the world. It gives prom advice, shows you the hottest trends in teen fashion and jewelry and even has contests to win scholarships to go to FIDM.

In addition, It also helps students--and their instructors--start their own "FIDM Fashion Club" at their high school! Every year, during the FIDM Debut Show, Fashion Club holds their big fabulous bash--The Fashion Club Party--and for 2011, the theme was "Carnival in Rio" since this was actually the theme the Costume Design Grads had for their 2011 Debut Collection.

May I Serve You Some Crudités? Nick Verreos, inside the FIDM Fashion Club Party 2011

A HUGE tent is constructed right outside the Santa Monica Barker Hangar just for the party and hundreds of Fashion Club members from all over the US--and abroad--get special VIP tickets to attend. And of course, I get to go too!!!

Inside, plush couches and tables were draped in vibrant "Carnival" colors of aquamarine, tangerine, emeralds and cherry reds. Lots of feathers, beads and sequins were strategically strewn for further "party" effect. Plus, there was a DJ (wearing a Brazilian Carnival Headdress!) playing "Samba House" as well as pop, rock, and anything in between. Picture "Mardis Gras" but in Brazil...at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar!

Guests including high school students, accepted-to-FIDM students, their teachers, and a mom or two thrown in for good measure--got all dressed up in their best "after-five" and were greeted with "Fashion Club Goody Bags" and enjoyed Crudités (above), tropical punch...

As well as "got their sweet-tooth on": Lining up to the always popular Chocolate Fountain (above). There were bananas, strawberries as well as marshmallows ready for the dippin'!

Carmen Miranda Who? Nick Verreos poses with Fashion Club Party 2011 guests--with feathered boas

Also, as it has been the tradition every year at the Fashion Club Party, there was a "Take-a- Photo-With-Nick" section--or Fashion Club Celebrity Corner-- where I posed with any guest who wanted to take a photo. A professional photographer was on hand snapping away and then the photos would be printed out for them to take soon afterward.

Where's Nick? Nick Verreos (head sticking out) and a bunch of his new friends, FIDM Fashion Club Party 2011

I had a BLAST! (and I think all my new photo-posing friends did too!). But soon, it was time for everyone to move into the Barker Hangar and get ready for the 2011 FIDM Debut Show:

Silver-Suited MC: Nick Verreos onstage at the Debut 2011, Santa Monica Barker Hangar (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

There is so much interest in the FIDM Debut Show that they have several shows over a period of three days and this one show was for all the Fashion Club Party guests--as well as thousands of other high school students, educators and parents. I was happy to introduce the show and give my little "pep talk" of what I've been up to lately and how much FIDM influenced me when I was dreaming of becoming a successful fashion designer.

No Pushing Kids: The scene in the Barker Hangar Foyer of Debut 2011 guests taking photos of me (notice the "intense" security guard)

During my introduction, I told everyone that I would be waiting for them in the Barker Hangar Foyer--or Lobby--and happy to take photos and sign anything they had! And boy, they did!!! It was a MAD crazy rush to get photos taken with me that at one point, the security guys were freaking out! For a HOT ten minutes there, I kinda did feel like one of the Jonas Brothers--well the older, bearded, silver-suited, funky-haired one! In the end, it all worked out and most everyone got their photos and autographs: I LOVED every second I spent with each and every one of my photo "dates"!

Take a Bow: Nick Verreos, FIDM Debut 2011 (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

I'll put up photos--and my Recap--of the actual Debut 2011 Fashion Show in another post soon--but for now...

Here's an Exclusive Video of my "FIDM Debut 2011" MC'ing and Introduction:

Nick Verreos Appearance at FIDM Debut 2010 Fashion Club Party 2010!!!

Chocolate-covered Strawberries, Lots of Purple and a Bachelorette: Behind The Scenes at the Fashion Club Party 2010
Last week was the official kick-off to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM DEBUT 2010. To start everything off, FIDM held it's annual--and most popular Fashion Club Debut Pre-Party--in a HUGE tent adjacent to the Santa Monica Barker Hanger, site of the FIDM Debut 2010 Runway Show. Nick Meet Betsy: Nick Verreos flanked by Betsy Bloomingdale's Haute Couture Collection, Barker Hanger Foyer

Last year, if you remember it was a PINK Barbie Party, but this year's theme was a hint to the popular "Twilight" Movie craze. Think lots of moody black and purple decor and mock chandeliers, as if you were in a fun Transylvania castle. Fashion Club Gals: Nick Verreos poses at the "Celebrity Corner" with Fashion Club Debut Pre-Party guests

The party is annually held for high school students from California and beyond (Arizona, Washington, Utah, Nevada) who are fans of fashion design, members of the popular FashionClub.com site and are possibly thinking of attending FIDM after they graduate. There was a DJ spinning tunes, fun pink lemonade drinks with purple Jell-O ice cubes served in plastic Martini glasses!... a chocolate fountain to dip your strawberries into (I had to keep away from that one!), as well as... a fabulous make-up corner so the girls (and some of the boys) could get GLAMMED UP, courtesy of Smashbox Cosmetics and their expert make-up artists. As an instructor and spokesperson for FIDM, I was invited to make a special appearance to the party. The organizers set up a "photo booth" in a corner of the tent for all the guests to come by, and take photos with, yes, yours truly. They called it the "Celebrity Corner" (wink wink!). So many students (and their teachers!) lined up to take photos, and almost instantaneously, they got a "keepsake photo" to take home. I made sure to wear my skinny purple tie so I could match the decor! Where's My Rose: Nick Verreos and ABC's "The Bachelor" Season 14's Tenley Molzahn, Fashion Club Debut Pre-Party

The Bachelor Season 14 First Runner Up contestant, Tenley Molzahn--who works for FIDM Orange County in Admissions-- even came by to get her photo taken with me. Love her!
The party was followed by the first showing of the Debut Fashion Show where the Graduates of FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design and Theater Costume Design Departments got to show their first collections. Work the Runway: Nick Verreos sashays onto the Barker Hanger Runway Stage, Debut 2010

I ran from the Fashion Club Party and into the Barker Hanger stage, to do my "Nick Runway Walk" and to show the 3,000 guests a "preview" of my new NIKOLAKI Demi-Couture Fall 2010 Collection. I had a great time and can't wait for next year's Fashion Club Party. Hopefully next year, I will sneak in a chocolate covered strawberry...or two!