Nick Verreos Attends Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA "ARTrageous"

FASHIONrageous at Macy's GLAMORAMA LA 2011:

Nick Verreos, Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA 2011 Red Carpet, Orpheum Theater Los Angeles

This past Friday, I was invited (as well as my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul) to attend Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA 2011. Macy's Glamorama is an AMAZING event that combines runway fashion, entertainment, music, and all the while raising money for the fight against HIV/AIDS. They do a four city tour, which includes Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco and LA.

For the past 29 years, more than $29 million--yes, MILLION--has been raised for outstanding and worthwhile organizations such as AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food in Los Angeles and many others in the other cities. Side Note: I remember actually going to one of the very FIRST Macy's Passport shows in San Francisco back when I lived in the Bay Area. I think my Mommie took me (please don't do the math!).

Macy's Glamorama LA 2011 was held at the historic Orpheum Theater in Downtown LA, and the Theme for this year was "ARTrageous". I knew this would be a fun night when the first person I ran into as I get out of my car is...

Ice Queens: Nick Verreos and Johnny Weir

Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir--looking much more fabulous than I (Thanks Johnny!!) in a Chris Benz purple knit sweater-jacket and iridescent leggings and some SERIOUS wedge bootie pumps! Now, you might know how much I am a fan of Figure Skating, and especially the Costumes. Last year, I also did some "Fashion Commentating" for Universal Sports during the Vancouver Olympics (with Johnny in fact, but he was in the Vancouver studios while I was in LA). Needless to say, it was wonderful finally meeting him. My partner David was also excited to say "Hi" to Johnny (wait until you see the last photo in this blog!)...

But back to the show:

Macy's Glamorama LA 2011 had so many many highlights. Let's begin with the musical performances. First came Far East Movement (above). I knew their songs, just didn't know who sang them--but Lord Knows now I do! (I know, I'm such a loser when it comes to what "the kids" are listening to these days!). They were GREAT by the way.

Beyond great was Cee Lo Green, who had everyone on their feet by the end of the night. If I wasn't seated all the way in the back, I would have run up on stage and become a groupie/fan and started dancing with him right then and there! (Thank goodness for David that I did not!).

A definite highlight of the evening was a Special Tribute to Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who devoted so much of her life to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Tribute was presented by Sharon Stone. Ms. Stone looked every bit a Hollywood Star in a fitted royal blue side shirred dress and LOTS of diamonds (an homage to Miss Taylor I presume?). It was such a loving tribute which also included a brief yet poignant appearance by Elizabeth Taylor's grandsons, Quinn Tivey and Tarquin Wilding.

Oh and yes, then there was The Fashion:



As always, Macy's Passport Presents Glamorama involved showing lots of Fashion. There were nine runway presentations showing the latest Fall 2011 looks from brands that are at Macy's: Armani Jeans, Kenneth Cole, Rachel Rachel Roy, Tommy Girl, Tracy Reese, Impulse Macy's Department, Calvin Klein, bar III...

And Papi, the underwear line. This last "runway portion" of the show was, of course, a BIG HIT with the audience--men and women alike, thank you very much. How those boys can be up on that stage almost naked is beyond me. But I guess if I had their bodies...

After the show was over, it was time for David and I to head to the After Party, which was held at the nearby California Market Center, in its expansive lobby. For tonight's Glamorama After Party, the lobby was transformed into a Las Vegas-style Nightclub. Guests arrived and began to enjoy the Patron Tequila Bar, several food/hors d'oeuvre sections (the roast beef sliders and vegi wraps were delicious!), as well as a See's Candy and Don Francisco's Specialty Coffee tables, among others.

At the After Party, I ran into my friend Ross Mathews, who was there with his partner Salvador--both looking quite dapper. Ross was working his grey H&M jacket with white piping, skinny tie and skinny jeans.

Also, a woman in a cute red dress approached me, telling me how she was a "big fan" and how her daughter would so jealous that she was meeting me. Her name was Michele and her beau turned out to be "The Young and The Restless" actor Sean Kanan (above with Michele). We had a very fun conversation which involved everything from Project Runway to our mutual love of Italy, my experience of almost drowning off the coast of Capri and his new cooking book "The Modern Gentleman". And of course, I made Michele call her daughter so I could say "Hi" and give my best Tim Gunn "Make It Work" impression. With that, it was time to say "Ciao" to them, and the fabulous Macy's Glamorama After Party.

Oh and before I forget, I promised a certain photo of David and Johnny Weir--well, Here ya go:

Get Your Hands Off My Man: Johnny Weir and NIKOLAKI co-designer David Paul

It doesn't get more Figure Skating Fabulous than this! If this doesn't end up on David's Facebook, I don't know what will!

Figure Skating Love: Nick Verreos Interview for ICEnetwork.com on "The Inside Edge With Sarah and Drew"

Talking Figure Skating...

Sitting Pretty: Nick Verreos and US Figure Skater Rachael Flatt

As many of you know by now, I have a personal love for Figure Skating which yes, was spurred on by my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul (who REALLY REALLY Loves Figure Skating). He and his "Skating Buddies" would watch the sport and I would just be the "Skating Wife" in the background. Well, of course, that all changed once I was on Season 2 Project Runway and I had to design a costume for Sasha Cohen. I was subsequently "infected" with the Figure Skating virus! Now, naturally I respect the athleticism and power of the sport but of course, I watch it for the COSTUMES!!!!

Drew Meekins with former pairs partner Jessica Rose Paetsch in 2008

Recently, I got a fun email from Writer/Illustrator and IceNetwork.com Contributor Sarah S. Brannen and American Pairs Figure Skater--and 2006 World Junior Champion-- Drew Meekins requesting an interview from me for "The Inside Edge with Sarah and Drew".

Besides being a great Children's Book Author and Illustrator, she is an avid fan of Figure Skating and has photographed the sport for years. Here are some samples of her work:

Johnny Weir at 2006 US Nationals

Sasha Cohen, 2006 Marshall's Challenge

Well, of course, I said YES YES and YES! I had a blast doing the interview and we talked about my love of Figure Skating, and my thoughts of various skater's costumes of course.
Click HERE to read the entire interview.

Nick Verreos AND Johnny Weir: Frozen Runway Part 2!- Review of the Olympic Ladies Free Skate Costumes!

2010 Olympics Figure Skating Red Carpet!!!
Bob Costas Who?: Nick Verreos anchoring the Universal Sports Desk in Westlake Village, CA

Fresh of the heels of my Universal Sports Commentary of the Olympic Ice Dancing Costumes, I was back for more! This time we were discussing the amazing Ladies Free Skate Finals and in the Vancouver Studio, joining in on the discussion was none other than....JOHNNY WEIR!!!

We had a great time discussing all the top ladies costumes and Kristi Yamaguchi and Peter Carruthers even presented me with quite a surprise finish to the segment!!! A perfect Figure Skating Costumes ending to mirror a most fabulous 2010 Winter Olympics Ladies Figure Skating Final!

Click BELOW to see the entire segment and make sure to not miss the ending:

The fabulousness of Johnny Weir: Nick Verreos' Interview on KNBC Channel 4 Los Angeles

Quadruple Axle???No Fur Johnny: Pink and black rubber and spandex with corset strap detail and tassel: Short Program Costume at the Vancouver Olympics

This week, while teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I got a call--interrupting my class--saying "it's important!"--Cary Berglund, of KNBC Los Angeles Channel 4, contacted FIDM, saying he had read my Tweet (I can't believe I just wrote that!) in which I said I was at the FIDM Museum doing TV interviews for the Art of Motion Picture Costume Exhibit. KNBC was doing a story on the Figure Skating Costumes--and particularly , Johnny Weir and his Figure Skating "fashion sense" and his fur/no fur controversy--and they wanted an interview with...yours truly! Fur and Sequin Diva: Johnny Weir off and on the ice

Done and done! The interview was taped at the FIDM Downtown LA campus and I spoke about how Johnny Weir could wear just about anything...and at the same time, do an unbelievable jump sequence. So unbelievable, I said that he could even do a "Quadruple Axle" (a non-existent jump in Figure Skating kiddies, I know!). I'm sure some Figure Skating aficionados will make fun of me to no end for saying that, but who cares. I was trying to make an "extreme" point.
Figure Skating Fanatics:Cary Berglund, Nick Verreos and Camera Person at FIDM Hope Park

It was to my surprise that the interview was THE LEAD STORY on the 5 PM Los Angeles Channel 4 NBC local news! Oh Cary Berglund, I LOVE YOU!!! And take this as a lesson in "social media" and marketing. Who knew my Tweets were actually being read...I didn't!

Click BELOW for the KNBC Lead News Story and my interview (it was very sunny at the FIDM Hope Park, I know!):

Nick Verreos on Public Radio International's "The Takeaway": Reviewing Best and Worst--and Most Iconic Figure Skating Costumes!

This morning I was a guest on Public Radio International's "The Takeaway" and had a wonderful time discussing, what else: Figure Skating Costumes!!!! This is the topic Du Jour for me these days and I love it! Well kiddies, don't fret, I haven't forgotten about you. Click above for the interview and at the end, Celeste Headlee mentions that they will have my list of Best and Worst Costumes of all time. Unfortunately they were unable to post it so instead I have added all the juicy commentary and photos here. Enjoy!

Best Figure Skating Costumes:
Michelle Kwan: 2003 World Championships
Michelle won the Gold Medal skating to Concierto de Aranjuez. I absolutely LOVED this design. The turquoise blue stretch and chiffon costume (with gold embroidery) was so impacting---that even the people in the nose-bleed seats couldn't miss it! It was exotic, a bit on the Christian Lacroix vibe and fit Michelle's GORGEOUS performance.

Nancy Kerrigan: 1994 Lillehammer Olympics
Wearing a custom Vera Wang. Illusion sleeves with hundreds of Swarovski Crystals. Subtle, not-over-the-top elegance defined. This is directional and modern--at least for the Figure Skating world. Vera Wang AND Nancy Kerrigan were YEARS AHEAD with this simple elegant and very high-fashion design.

Carolina Kostner: 2006 Torino Olympics
I think Carolina's costume--which was designed by Roberto Cavalli-- was actually very fabulous. It looked well-made and expensive, the Star sequined crystal embroidery was beautiful and the Ombre light gray-to-almost-black effect was sublime. One of my favorites.

The Worst Figure Skating Costumes:Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin: 2010 European Championships (will keep the same music but are expected to change their costumes for the Olympic Games). Skating to an Aboriginal Dance for their Original Program. To start with: Get rid of the "Spray Tan"/way-too bronzed bodysuit, then why did all those plants ATTACK the culturally-insensitive too-dark bodysuits? How do you say "Not Cute" in Russian?

Tonya Harding: 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.
Where do I start? The sequined Mandarin collar, those gathered "petal" sleeves, the "happy Hands at Home" (Thanks Tim Gunn) embroidered torso beading. Polyester chiffon and the BEDAZZLER never looked sooooo bad!

Debbie Thomas: 1988 Calgary Olympics
This was the year Debbie Thomas faced off against Katarina Witt in the "Battle of the Carmen's". Both ladies skated there Long Programs to Carmen (Witt coming out on top and winning her 2nd Gold Medal). Here, Debbie shocked the world by wearing a beaded unitard for her short program. RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 here she comes!

Oksana Baiul: 1994 Lillehammer Olympics
Although Oksana won the gold by beating Nancy Kerrigan, she certainly lost the Fashion Olympics, at least in my eyes. This outfit is better suited for one of the young girls from TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras as opposed to a Gold Medalist! There is such a thing as one too many cheap sequins from Jo-Ann's Arts and Craft Stores! Is there a Russian version of Jo-Ann's? If there is, Oksana must have been there!

Ilia Kulik: 1998 Nagano Olympics
Ilia won the Gold Medal in THIS! He looks like the Spokesperson for The Parking Spot Airport Parking/Shuttle service.

Most Iconic Figure Skating Costumes:
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean: 1984 Sarajevo Olympics
Torvill and Dean became the highest scoring Figure Skaters of all time receiving 12 perfect 6's with their unforgettable performance to Maurice Ravel's Boléro. The Ombre-shaded blouson tops (him and her), the Grecian-draped cowl (her), those exaggerated Bishop sleeves (him)...26 years later and the same Ombre effect is being used by Olympic Gold Paris Medalists Shen and Zhao.

Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov: 1994 Lillehammer Olympics
Classic in it's simplicity. Gordeeva and Grinkov were clearly on trend with the simple design echoed throughout the early 90's. Ekaterina looked like a young Audrey Heburn in Hubert de Givenchy in this simple yet elegant costume. Timeless.

Johnny Weir: 2006 Torino Olympics
The inspiration for Blades of Glory. In his Swan-inspired costume, Johnny skated to "The Swan" and called his red glove "Camille" after the composer of the song he skated to. The red glove was a bit "Skating Muppet Show" of him but I LOVED IT!!!! Kudos to Johnny and his Costume Designer.
Dorothy Hamill: 1976 Innsbruck Olympics
Who can forget Dorothy Hamill skating to Olympic Gold wearing the simple red costume with that iconic wedge haircut. It is probably the worlds most copied hairstyle! The skating costume was simple yet elegant--and very 70's! It is so iconic that if you wanted to make a Figure Skating Doll, this is probably the model! I loved how her white skating boots matched the white of her neckline sequins.

Katarina Witt: 1988 Calgary Olympics:
In a historic back to back Olympic Gold Medal performance Katarina skated to Bizet's Carmen and brought a sexiness to Figure Skating never before seen! Much more of a woman than at the the previous Olympics, Katarina Witt brought a fire to the ice that was reflected in her plunging Spanish-inspired Costume. Very Hola Magazine meets the Goya Infantas!

Figure Skaters in Rodarte: Rachael Flatt, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir!

Fashion Triple Axle
In light of the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (they begin THIS Friday!!!), New York Times Magazine recently published this great "Photo Essay" by Ryan McGinley entitled "The High Flyers" showing US Olympians and capturing them mid-flight in an exhilarating ski jump, or a snow-filled moment of close-up repose. Skiers, snowboarders and (my favorite) Figure Skaters. Included in this photo essay is our US Nationals Champion, Rachael Flatt, photographed mid-turn wearing a braided/crochet design by Rodarte. 2009 World Champion Evan Lysacek (can't really see if it's a Rodarte or a Vera Wang, his current favorite) is seen from behind--in silhouette-- while he looks to be in mid-Camel Spin.My favorite, however, is the one of Johnny Weir. Always a risk taker when it comes to fashion, Johnny is fresh off a new controversy involving PETA and for this NY Times Magazine photo essay, he is wearing a custom Rodarte "spiderweb" red and black yarn jumpsuit. The design is very similar to what the Pasadena, California-reared Mulleavy sisters showed for Spring 2010.
It's like her male partner-in-crime! Somehow I cannot see Evan Lysacek in that same ensemble...but Miss Johnny: Huney, done and done!

Johnny Weir Looks FAB in Heels! Take that Evan Lysacek!

The MOST FABULOUS...and the GAYEST...thing I have seen in a LONG time! And I LOVE IT!!!!


Yes, that's Johnny Weir, three-time US Nationals Champion, 2008 World's Bronze Medalist, and two-time Grand Prix Finalist in a fabulous--with a Capital "F" ad for his TV show "Be Good Johnny Weir", which is debuting on the Sundance Channel tomorrow, Monday January 18Th. Great timing since the AT&T US National Figure Skating Championship is occurring as we speak. The show will be an eight-part documentary following Johnny--and his heels I hope. I saw that promo clip above while watching the US Nationals today and I almost did a triple flip on my couch! Someone spent A LOT of money making that and it showed huney: It's glossy, well-produced, well-edited and very GAY!!!

Nick Verreos reviews Figure Skating Costumes at the 2010 US Nationals

Sequins, Straps, lots of Mesh and Costume Changes: US Nationals Costumes

Pairs Fashion:The US Nationals of Figure Skating are happening right now in Spokane Washington and of course "Uncle Nicky" is all over it--at least in terms of the costumes! To begin with, Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett won 2010 US National Pairs Championship. Caydee is only 16 years old and she and her partner only started skating together 18 months ago and now, they will be going to Vancouver for the Olympics. They skated to Sheherazade, which ironically is the same music Michelle Kwan used when she competed at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002.
In terms of their costumes, I actually liked them! Caydee wore deep violet shirred outfit featuring lots of interesting and original draping and all very asymmetrical--a theme of Figure Skating costumes--very similar incidentally to the costume I designed for the "Sasha Cohen Challenge" back in my season of Project Runway. I also liked her partner, Jeremy Barrett's costume. It was a clean, elegant black stretch jumpsuit featuring details taken from Caydee's costume, such as the beaded violet arm criss-cross straps and gold sequined deep-V neck "buckles".

The Men:
Jeremy Abbott was in the lead after the Men's Short Program at the AT&T US National Championships...but his costume was so boring I'm not even going to discuss it. Thank You very much. He looked like he was in a local high school play and his aunt from Poughkeepsie made it (no disrespect to aunts from Poughkeepsie, I am sure there are some wonderful seamstresses there!).

Evan Lysacek (2nd after the short program) debuted yet another Vera Wang creation:Slowly as the season progresses he seems to be losing more and more feathers. Let's hope his routines aren't moulting like his costumes! I like it for it's dark, almost Gothic tendency but still loved that first one he originally wore early in the season at a Grand Prix event.

Johnny Weir currently in 3rd place "Rocked the tassel" as seen here:Leave it to "Miss " Johnny. Love that he just doesn't care and as always, has been consistent in not wanting to please anyone or follow any rules. It totally works for him since HE OWNS it.

The New York Times had strong commentary on the new trend of over-the-top costumes.

Now on to the Men's Finals and the Women's Costumes next weekend!--and of course, feel free to leave me your comments which I love reading, especially from fellow Figure Skating fans!