Holiday Party Minute: Nick Verreos Attends ZOE Media Group Launch Party!

A Haute Holiday Party!

Winter White: Nick Verreos, at the Rachel Zoe ZOE Media Group Launch Party

Well kids, the Holidays are upon us and that means one thing: Holiday Parties!!! And last night, I was invited to a very fabulous one. The one-and-only Rachel Zoe celebrated the holidays in style with the launch of the ZOE Media Group! The Zoe Media Group is a leading women's media company with a targeted audience that expands across fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Its flagship, The ZOE Report, envelops many areas such as apparel, accessories (AccessZOEries) beauty (Zoe Beautiful), jewelry and lifestyle. And naturally, Team Zoe (love that!) curates all of its content. It's a One Stop Fashion-Beauty-Fabulous Rachel Zoe World!

Now, let's discuss THE PARTY:

The Invitation began with 'Tis The Season To Be Glam, so of course, I decided to be a little glam and bust out my brand new ASOS off-white with black shawl-collared lapel "Dinner Jacket" for this soiree, black skinny jeans and yes, my "Cuban Heel" boots (that's what my friend's call them!). The ZOE Media Group Launch Party was held at the exclusive Sayers Club (photo above) in the heart of Hollywood. The atmosphere: leather couches, an open lounge area, a well-stocked bar, and cute Henley-shirt with skinny suspenders and even skinnier jeans-wearing bartenders--well, who could ask for more? As the very chic guests mingled, enjoyed the yummy vegi steamed egg rolls and tuna canapes, DJ Kelly Cole was spinning the music (DJ Samantha Ronson also did a special set).

Sequined Star: Nick Verreos with Rachel Zoe, ZOE Media Group Launch Party, The Sayers Club Hollywood

The Star of the night, Rachel Zoe, was holding court greeting guests and being the Hostess with the Sequined Mostess--looking Glam-tastic in a Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati Spring 2009 maroon sequined cropped-pant jumpsuit.

Rachel Zoe at the ZOE Media Group Launch Party, in YSL Spring 2009 maroon sequined jumpsuit

A LOT of the girls at the party were wearing sequined dresses and sequined ensembles (they are the RAGE for Holiday and Spring 2012, in case you didn't know) but NONE of them compared to Miss Zoe. Only she could GIVE YOU sequins huney! As my friend would say: "She served it"!

The fab party was "presented" by Fiat and yes, in case you were wondering the Fiat 500 by Gucci was parked outside in front of The Sayers Club for all guests to see--along with a Fiat Gucci Girl--sporting a white Gucci sheath dress and Gucci scarf. PS: I sooo want take the hubcap "GG" logos of the car, and turn them into belt buckles!!

It's Joeyyyyyyyy!!!! Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos, ZOE Media Group Launch Party, The Sayers Club Hollywood

Finally, a big highlight for me was running into my good friend, Joey Maalouf--Rachel's hair-and-make-up bestie. I hadn't seen him in a while (he's been busy with filming The Rachel Zoe Project, as well as running his Maalouf Salon Empire!). Something about him was "different": tonight, he was sportin' his usually semi-pompadoured hair slicked back. He told me he was growing his hair out. Loving the look Miss Joey. Oh yes, and I wanted to take his Reiss scarf--it was very cute!

Happy Glam Holidays Rachel Zoe and ZOE Media Group--Thanks for inviting me to a FAB--and very Haute--Holiday bash!

Party Scene: Going Away Party at Petit Ermitage for John Wade and Joey Maalouf!

West Hollywood Bye Bye...Hello NYC!!!

Winky Wink: John Wade and Joey Maalouf, Petit Ermitage West Hollywood

Last night--between all the prepping for my "High Kicking With The Rockettes" FIDM Event, working on my upcoming Nikolaki Spring 2011 Collection, and still unpacking from my Europe work/R&R trip, I found time to venture out to West Hollywood to the very quiet and chic Petit Ermitage Hotel in West Hollywood, to say Ciao to two of the BEST human beings in the world: My VERY GOOD friends John Wade and Joey Maalouf.

Petit Ermitage Entrance

Why? Because they are moving to New York City! John and I met--and officially launched what will be a lifelong friendship--when we were both on Season 2 of Project Runway. He is now at Marc Jacobs and has been there for quite a while. And he is moving (sad face).

Bon Voyage: Erik Moreno, David Paul and Joey Maalouf, Petit Ermitage

He's still with Marc Jacobs darling...don't you worry! And Joey Maalouf, the WUNDERKID hair guru and co-owner of Maalouf Salon and Rachel Zoe's hair-and-make-up guy on the hit show, The Rachel Zoe Project is moving along with him.

Petit Ermitage Rooftop Pool

They held a Going Away Party at the Rooftop Pool area, and invited all their besties. Everyone from the Marc Jacobs Collection and Marc by Marc Jacobs LA stores were out GIVING fashion!
Will Miss You: Magda Berliner, John Wade, Nick Verreos and Joey Maalouf, Petit Ermitage

I even said "hello" to L.A. Designer extraordinaire, Madga Berliner who's a great friend of John's and wanted to stop by and say "Bye". It was a bittersweet party since I love them so much and will miss them terribly...but I am happy that they are both making the move!
Watch out NYC, the BOYS are comin'!

LA Fashion: Nick Verreos Attends the XR Collection Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Show!

Los Feliz Birthdays, Fashion,& Shangela from "RuPaul's Drag Race"?

Two weeks ago (almost) , I was invited to my friend Alejandro Laguette's Birthday Dinner Party at the UBER hip Los Feliz Vermont Restaurant. It was actually a "Shared Birthday" with other fabulous boys, Feruz, Frank and Iffy.Feliz Cumpleaños: Nick Verreos and Birthday Boy Alejandro Laguette, Rockwell VT

In conjunction with the blowing-out-the-candles celebration, Los Angeles designers Xavier Othon and Richard Bowman of XR Collection decided to unveil their Summer 2010 Collection at the "secret" behind-the-Vermont-Restaurant lounge, Rockwell VT. I couldn't make it to the Birthday Dinner but arrived just in time for the fashion show. Los Feliz Boys: John Wade, Joey Maalouf, Erik Moreno, Rockwell VT

Of course, I didn't come alone: I brought one of my best friends, Erik Moreno, John Wade and Joey Maalouf, who was about to leave to NY to do Rachel Zoe's make-up and hair for the Met American Woman Gala. Front Row Benches: Birthday boy Alejandro Laguette, Nick Verreos (far right)

The show began as models walked from the Rockwell VT upstairs balcony and down the stairs and then sauntered through the capacity-filled invitees. Fashions ranged from sexy Menswear for the guy who obviously has no time for work and LOTS of time for the gym (tank tops and very sexy fitted pants) to... slinky cowl neck gowns in jersey for their "girlfriends".I was excited to see one of my DIVA models, Amara Wilson, who actually came with me back in 2005 to the Season 2 Project Runway Castings, model in the show--she brought the nightclub DOWN kiddies: She worked the flashbulbs and the gowns like a Pro! (BTW: She is!) Making a very "special appearance" in the XR Collection Summer 2010 fashion show was Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 2 Contestant Shangela--yes, that's how LA does it: Models and Drag Queens can sometimes share the same DIVA runway stage!

Vogue's Met Ball 2010 Red Carpet Fashion: Best and Oh No They Didn't!

Met Ball DRAMA!
Duvet Crazy: Andre Leon Talley and Whoopi Goldberg in Chado Ralph Rucci

Last night was the Met's "American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity" Costume Institute Gala. This year’s exhibition, organized by the curator Andrew Bolton, looked at styles between 1890 and the 1940s, relying on pieces from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection like Worth gowns and gray wool walking suits. And as it has been in the past, it was a collision of Fashion and Hollywood. It has become the fashionista sister to the Academy Awards red carpet. Actresses take more risks and there are more "editorial" looks. Some things stood out: Lots of "So-and-So for The Gap" (the entire exhibition is sponsored by The Gap). We know that several US designers have collaborated with The Gap and Miss Anna Wintour is "in charge" of choosing who gets to do it-or at the very least, suggesting it (see "The September Issue"). Now I know that this silk charmeuse $10,000 bias-cut gown by Sophie Theallet (for The Gap) on Jessica Alba AIN'T going to be at my Glendale Galleria Gap Store any time soon... But it WAS , one of my favorites.
There were several "Silhouette Themes": SLITHERING and SLINKY, as seen on Iman, wearing Prada--who has just signed on as the new co-host of Bravo's "The Fashion Show" (Bye, Kelly Rowland, Hello Iman!)--as well as model-turned-actress Amber Valetta, who I thought looked very elegant in RM by Roland Mouret. There was also some BIG and BOLD statements:Anne Hathaway, in gold/nude silk tulle Valentino which was very "Dior-esque" and...Jennifer Lopez, wearing Lebanese red carpet-favorite Zuhair Murad. There were also some Tulip-shaped Gowns:Eva Mendes wore a strapless Dolce & Gabbana flower-printed gown. Some designer-and-actress collaborations tried to pay homage to the Met's "American Woman" theme, giving a nod to the late 19th Century/ early 20Th Century American Woman: Like in actress Christina Hendricks' L'Wren Scott chiffon gown and Bee Shaffer's (Anna Wintour's daughter's) Worth-like Balenciaga Edition gown.
Some of my other favorites from last night's "American Woman" Met Gala's red carpet were:
Naomi Watts , in Stella McCartney raspberry silk, one shoulder, blouson gown (with Liev Schreiber).
This was THE BEST mini-cocktail dress of the evening: Blake Lively, in Marchesa
Australian actress Melissa George in J. Mendel mustard draped silk gazar was truly beautiful.Speaking of Mustard: Stylist Extraordinaire Rachel Zoe, looked AMAZING in this Marc Jacobs velvet draped plunging-neck creation. It was modern yet still gave a subtle "I got you!" to the Met's theme. Her hair and make-up were sublime, naturally, because my good friend Joey Maalouf did it! (congrats Joey!)
I also loved this very Donna Summer-meets-Studio 54 gold lame Michael Kors jumpsuit on model Chanel Iman. This is another, very modern way, of giving red carpet. Models can usually WORK this look much more effectively than actresses.Finally, I must give a nod to the MEN. And one man stood out for me: YSL Designer Stefano Pilati, who dressed actress January Jones. But it wasn't her I was interested in, I think he looked SMASHING! If I had an extra $5,000 to spend on a tuxedo for an event such as this, THIS would be it!

Below is WWD.com video from the red carpet, Met Costume Exhibit Ball 2010:

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 enjoys the Magical Elves Holiday Party!

Lifetime Meets Bravo...at the Elves Holiday Bash!Posing Ladies: John Wade, Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos, Magical Elves Holiday Party

The weekend before I left for Washington DC, I was invited to a special Holiday Party. Every year--for the last three at least--Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth, the minds behind Magical Elves throw a fabulous Holiday Party and once again they were kind enough to put me on the list. Magical Elves are the prolific producers of Top Chef, Air Guitar Nation, Project Greenlight and of course, Seasons 1-5 of Project Runway, when it was on the Bravo Network. Even though Project Runway is no longer produced by them, it is nice that they still have me on their "party radar".Disco Divas: My friends Matt Brubaker and Joey Maalouf (being very shady) dance atop the Plexiglas-covered pool

To come to the party, it was de rigueur to bring an unwrapped toy as a present for Toys For Tots. So naturally, I bought a big Barbie Doll with its accompanying dresses. I also brought some of my "boys", including my buddies John Wade, of Marc Jacobs (and from my Season of Project Runway) as well as Joey Maalouf, Rachel Zoe's DIVA hair and make-up stylist, and my life-long friends Erik and Matt. It was a very rainy Saturday night in LA but that didn't stop Jane and Dan from throwing a fun crazy party. In addition to a Plexiglas floor atop their backyard pool (which was the official party dance floor), they also rented a big ol' tent to protect the party guests.
The house was packed with guests dancing, drinking and enjoying the food (loved those mini burgers!). Among the guests, I said "Hello" to my fellow Season 2 cohort, Daniel Franco. I also spotted some Top Chef boys as well as People's Revolution founder Kelly Cutrone, who coincidentally has a new reality show, produced by Magical Elves (I guess that's why she was there) as well as... Australian celebrity chef, cutie Curtis Stone, whom my friends were swooning over (sorry Curtis, I guess you have a gay following). It was a fun party and thank you to Jane and Dan for inviting me. See you next year (I hope)!