Nick Verreos Hosts IADT San Antonio's IMAGINE 2010 Fashion Show!!

San Antonio's Night Of Fashion...
What Brings You To San Antonio: Reporter Gina Garcia and Nick Verreos on the IMAGINE 2010 red carpet

Last week, I was invited to San Antonio Texas to host the third annual IADT Imagine Fashion Show. I'm always excited to return to San Antonio since my parents, my sister and my gorgeous niece and nephew live there!
Uncle Nick...with his nephew and niece, Alain and Casia

So it's a chance to be "Uncle Nick", if only for a brief time. I also love coming back to host IADT San Antonio's Imagine show--the "Graduation Fashion Show" of the school's top fashion design students. This is the THIRD time I have been honored with the task of hosting the show so I guess we are doing something right!
Good Luck Students! The audience at Nick Verreos' IADT San Antonio lecture

My day began with an inspiring lecture to new incoming IADT students, where I told them about how I got interested in fashion, how my mom would buy me all my sketching notebooks and how my dad was so excited when I finally told him that I wanted to be a DESIGNER!!!!! I also gave them a "Nick Pep Talk" on making it in the business and how they can make the most out of their time in fashion school.
Room For Ten: Inside view of Nick Verreos' Limo to the IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 Fashion Show

Before I knew it, I had to return to my hotel room, and change into my "evening" attire for my hosting duties. IADT San Antonio always treats me like a STAR and this was no exception. Take a look at the limo I had all to myself on the way to the Laurie Auditorium, site of this year's Imagine 2010 Fashion Show! Very "flossy flossy!" (do people say that anymore?)
Step & Repeat: Nick Verreos, make-up artist Starley Murray, and Creative Director/Producer of Imagine 2010, Tony Harris

When I arrived, there was a fabulous red carpet waiting for me, where I did many interviews for local press and TV, including a fun interview with Gina Garcia, the "San Antonio Fashionista" (see video at the end of this post).
Shoes, shoes and more shoes: Backstage at the IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 Fashion Show
IMAGINE 2010 went without a hitch: 19 designers showed their mini-collections to an audience of over 500 guests, all there to support San Antonio's Next Great Fashion Designers. It was a diverse showing, from children's clothing, evening gowns to stylish men's collections.
IADT designer Jaime Galvan and his "Romantic City Vampire" models in black with gold details.
IADT designer Nanako Pastol with her "Grandmother's Vinatge Kimono" inspired children's collection (and her ADORABLE models!).
Nick Verreos poses with the IADT Staff, including Cynthia Rangel: Fashion Program Chair, IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 (2nd from the right).

Afterward, there was an "After Party" Meet-and-Greet at the Laurie Auditorium's red carpet lobby, where I got to take photos and sign autographs with every designer--and what seemed like all 500 of the attending guests! I can't wait to return next year!

Click Below for a great Video of IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 Fashion Show and my Interview with Gina Garcia, SA Fashionista:

FIDM Open House: Nick Verreos goes to Orange County

Tag Me: Nick Verreos poses with the fashion designers of tomorrow at the FIDM OC Open House

This weekend, I took a nice one hour drive--from Los Angeles to lovely Orange County--yes, home of beautiful Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Lauren Conrad (OK, she left "The OC" A LONG TIME AGO!!!), and home of design house St. John as well as TONS of surf and active wear companies. Located in the city of Irvine is the pink-a-licious Clive Wilkinson designed Orange County campus of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM. Woof Woof: Nick Verreos and David Paul pose with Benny--in his crystal-encrusted bag

I brought along David, my NIKOLAKI Co-designer and our beloved dog, Benny. I have made several appearances at this FIDM campus and I always bring Benny--much to the delight of the wonderful OC Campus staff. In fact, every time I get there, everyone literally says "Oh Hi Nick, welcome back....Where's our little Benny!!!!???" When he's around, I am "chopped liver".Magazine Rack Overload: The FIDM Orange County Library Magazine Section

The reason I was in the OC over the weekend was for FIDM Orange County's "Open House", when the campus opens its doors to high school students, their parents, as well as college graduates, interested in an education and having a career in fashion. I situated myself in the school's spacious and loft-like library and "set up Camp Nick", signing autographs, taking photos and giving lots of advice. At one point, I was holding court with an attentive audience of over 25 kids and their parents, as I explained my path to a fashion design career and how FIDM became an integral catalyst to it. Of course, I made a point to remind EVERYONE about the premiere of Season 6 of Project Runway and the fact that FIDM was going to be the new "home" for the show--in terms of where the new designers would be working. Nick Verreos and David Paul--with Benny--pose with Michael Mirabella of FIDM Orange County

It was so much fun meeting everyone, hearing their concerns and questions and hopefully, being there to an answer them. Most left with a big warm "Thank You Nick!" so I hope I helped them just a little bit. I always enjoy coming to FIDM Orange County and visiting my friends here--especially Michael Mirabella, its Director of Admissions and his amazing staff. But I think Benny enjoys it even more since he's always really THE STAR when he visits in his crystal-encrusted doggy purse. I guess I'm not the only one who loves FIDM OC, Benny does too!!!

Fashion Students Face Tough Times--Great CNN Article and video!

Advice to Fashion Students:Instructor Nick: Nick Verreos during one of his Workshops/Classes

CNN just published a very informative article about Fashion Students, the fabulous and very respected Savannah College of Art and Design, and the tough times that may be ahead for fashion design students--current or recently graduated ones. It is a "must read" for all Fashion Design students. Designer Isabel Toledo was at the illustrious school to receive the Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from the school and spoke about dressing First Lady, Michelle Obama, as well as gave out very important advice to the students at SCAD /Savannah College of Art and Design. PETA Would Not Likey: Andre Leon Talley giving you Fur!

Editor at Large for American Vogue, the "larger-than-life" Andre Leon Talley, holds an Honorary Doctorate from SCAD and is on the Board of Trustees, and therefore had this Award named after him.
Click HERE for the entire CNN article.
Husband and Wife Design Act: Designer Isabel Toledo and Illustrator/Artists Ruben Toledo

There is also a great accompanying video with wonderful advice from Andre Leon Talley, designer Isabel Toledo and her talented husband, illustrator and renown artist, Ruben Toledo. Here is the video: