Nick Appearance Minute: FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House--The Recap!

OC Open House Fun, Entertainment Panel and some GORGEOUS Titanic-era Fashion...

Nick Verreos hosts the FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House Entertainment Panel

This past weekend, I visited the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Orange County campus in Irvine California to make an appearance at their fun--and yes, very informative--Spring 2012 Open House.

The Open House is a way for prospective students--as well their parents/family/friends--to get to visit the campus, do a tour, get to know the facilities, meet faculty, learn about all the different majors; generally, get to know what the college has to offer.

I have a great time visiting all the four different FIDM Campuses throughout the year. As a bonus to my "appearance" this past Saturday at the FIDM OC Open House, I also hosted an "Entertainment Panel" discussion featuring FIDM Alumni:

FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House Panel: (Left to right) celebrity stylist Leslie Christen (2001 FIDM Merchandise Marketing Grad), host Nick Verreos, and Sarah Beers (2002 FIDM Graphic Design Grad)

They included the statuesque Leslie Christen, stylist and fashion editor, who runs a fabulous Life Styling business, where she offers Closet Edit and Organization, personal, online, and men's styling, as well as many other services. She also happens to be the stylist to the newest UBER rich housewife of Bravo's hit show "Real Housewives of Orange County", Heather Dubrow.

Marvel Entertainment's Sarah Beers, FIDM Graduate--FIDM Orange County Open House 2012

And our other alumna for the Entertainment Panel Discussion was Sarah Beers. Sarah is a 2002 FIDM Graphic Design Graduate and now, she is the Creative Merchandising and Promotion Manager at Marvel Entertainment. She brought with her some of the products which she oversaw and helped develop recently at Marvel--including lots of the fun "The Avengers" products (as seen from above photo).

Panel Talk: We did two separate Panel Discussions so most (hopefully all!) of the Open House attendees got to hear us talk about our experiences at FIDM, what we learned from the college and our majors, as well as how we took it all and applied it to our current entertainment-based jobs--whether they be fashion design, red carpet reporting, graphic design, product development and/or styling. Afterward, we got some great feedback from the attendees (both prospective students and their parents) who felt that yes, we gave them A LOT of information that helped them.

Nick Verreos (center), Leslie Christen (left) and Sarah Beers (right) pose with FIDM Orange County Open House 2012 attendees

It's always the "icing on the cake" when Mommies (or dad's) come up to me and tell me "Nick, that was SO informative and this Talk really helped...not only me but more importantly my daughter/son..." I only wish I had something like this, when I was struggling to decide what to do in my life, so that is why I love doing these events.

After our event, I made sure to do my "Nick Meet-&-Greet"--Here are some pics from that:

The FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House was a big success and I was so happy--and honored--to be part of it. Finally, can I just mention the extra-extra bonus fabulousness of coming to the FIDM Orange County Open House?

From Day to Evening Couture: "Titatic Era Fashion" Exhibition, FIDM OC Gallery

Paying tribute to the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, FIDM Museum (in the OC) had a petite exhibition--entitled "Titatic Era Fashion"-- of 1912 garments.

  

The garments and accessories on display are all part of the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, a Proposed Acquisition of the FIDM Museum & Galleries, which the FIDM Museum is fundraising to acquire:

Promenade Ensembles c. 1912--FIDM OC Gallery "Titanic Era Fashion" Exhibition

Evening Ensemble c. 1912--FIDM OC Gallery "Titanic Era Fashion" Exhibition

Sable fur hem detail of a 1912 Haute Couture evening ensemble--FIDM OC Gallery "Titanic Era Fashion" Exhibition

The mannequins on display (and their corresponding fashions) are all from 1912 and represent the elite First Class passengers and the Haute Couture they would be wearing at the time of the voyage (they are NOT from actual Titanic passengers). It is truly remarkable to be able to see so many incredible ensembles in such excellent condition from this time. It's a MUST SEE if visiting the OC and especially the FIDM OC campus!

Nick Appearance Minute: Meet Nick Verreos at Open House FIDM Orange County THIS SATURDAY, April 28th!

OC Fashionistas...Get Ready!

Meet & Greet: Nick Verreos THIS Saturday April 28th, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House

This Saturday, April 28th, I will be in the OC for a very special appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House!!! "Open House" is an event designed to help prospective students get to know the College, meet Alumni, instructors, facilities and get a sense of the College as a whole and all that it has to offer. As you already may know, I am an alum of FIDM (Class of ...Don't EVEN Try and Look Up The Year!!) as well as the College's Official Spokesperson.

FIDM Orange County, Irvine California

I do various events for the College throughout all their campuses and I'm especially excited whenever I am invited to the OC!!! FIDM Orange County is located in Irvine and can't be missed with its FAB bubblegum pink facade.

This Saturday, I will be there to host an Entertainment Panel Discussion and speak about how I got started in fashion, share thoughts about being a red carpet fashion expert on TV Guide Network, Style Network, and NBC-LA as well as a lot of "Inside Dish" on the entertainment side of the Fashion World and the upcoming new Season 10 of Project Runway!!!

Panel Guests: (Left to right) FIDM Alumni Sarah Beers (2002) and Leslie Christen (2001)

Joining me are two FIDM Alumni: Sarah Beers--a 2002 FIDM Graphic Design Grad--who is Creative Merchandising and Promotion Manager at Marvel, and Celebrity Stylist Leslie Christen--a 2001 FIDM Grad in Merchandise Marketing--who is currently working on  Bravo's "Real Housewives of Orange County".


Come to the FIDM OC Spring 2012 Open House, get to know the College, check out our very informative Entertainment panel, and yes, stay to take photos and get some valuable advice on pursuing a career in fashion and/or the fashion/entertainment field.

What: FIDM Orange County Spring 2012 Open House

When: Saturday April 28, 2012, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.


Address: 17590 Gillette Avenue, Irvine California 92614-5610

RSVP: Open To The Public and FREE-- RSVP HERE or call 949.851.6200

For Press Inquiries/Media Contact: Shirley Wilson swilson@fidm.com 213.624.1200 x2625

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!!!

FIDM Fall Open House Los Angeles--The BLOG Recap!

Fashion School Fabulous...

FIDM Bag Diva: Nick Verreos with Chloe (@Chloekinss), the Winner of the FIDM Fall 2011 Open House "Go Social" Contest

This past weekend was the fabulous FIDM Fall Open House, held at the Downtown L.A. Campus of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--the college where I am an instructor and a spokesperson--oh and yes, also my Alma Mater!

As part of the great Open House events, I was asked to host a FIDM Alumni Panel Discussion, which attendees of the FIDM Fall Open House came to. I put on my brand new TopMan pink-ish jacket and pink dress shirt, my Brooks Brothers pink-and-white polka dot pocket hankie, black jeans and YSL "Johnny" boots, and well, I was ready to go!

Packed House: FIDM LA Fall 2011 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

I LOVED hosting this FIDM LA Fall 2011 Open House Alumni Panel event. First, I chatted with the audience--both the students and their parents. I also dished a little bit on this last season of Project Runway and being on the Lifetime Network "After The Runway" TV shows. And of course, I also did a little Nick "Runway Walk".

FIDM LA Fall Open House 2011 Panel: (left to tight) FIDM Alumni Denshai Lee, Brooke Cody and Allison Moehlis

Then, I introduced the three panelists: first, there was Fashion Design Alumna Denshai Lee (left), who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from FIDM (naturally) and currently is a production manager at a private label company that makes clothing for various retailers across the US. Brooke Cody (middle) was the next panelist. Brooke also holds two degrees from FIDM--an A.A. in Merchandise Product Development and a Bachelor's in Business Management. She now runs her own retail store in Pasadena, Kodi Boutique. Our third guests was Allison Moehlis. Allison is a FIDM graduate of the Merchandise Product Development department and is now Product Coordinator for UGG Apparel. After the Panel Discussion, I stayed around to meet everyone and take lots of fun photos--and autographed LOTS of the attendees handbags (it was a MAJAH signing trend this time!!). Note to self: must design & sell "Nick Verreos" handbags to sign at next year's FIDM Fall Open House!

Here are some "Post FIDM Open House Panel" fun photos:

Fashionable Ladies: Nick Verreos poses with attendees from Hollywood High School's "Fashion Club" stylish students

FIDM Open House Smiles: Nick Verreos with the GVHS/Golden Valley High School Fashion Club students and instructors

Boys Club: Nick Verreos and two of the most stylin' boys attending FIDM LA Fall 2011 Open House event

Heeeeyyyyy!!!: FIDM LA Fall 2011 Open House Attendees pose for my camera

Hope everyone enjoyed the fun & fabulous (and very informative) FIDM Fall Open House! I had a BLAST meeting each and everyone of you!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos at FIDM Orange County Open House Summer 2011

Fun In the OC...



This past Saturday, as one of my "duties" as the Official Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I made a trip to the FIDM Orange County Campus for their annual FIDM Summer 2011 Open House. FIDM Open House is a chance for high schoolers (and post-graduates) and their parents to check out FIDM, its facilities, alumn, instructors as well as the curriculum--just in case they might be thinking of attending a fashion college.

FIDM Orange County Campus, Irvine California

I live in LA so I thought "heck, it'll take just 45 minutes to get there!" (it has before). Nope, try almost TWO HRS...On a Saturday morning! Yep, welcome to the world of LA Traffic. Finally, I made it and just in time for my first "Lecture/Special Appearance". FIDM OC invited members of the FAB Nordstrom Brass Plum (BP.) Fashion Board to come and check out FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House--and hear me speak!

Southern California Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board...and Nick Verreos, FIDM Orange County Summer 2011 Open House

Members of the Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board from all these different areas/local shopping centers were already waiting for me as I walked in and did "my thang"! I told them all about my recent Europe Trip and my new FAB red "Man Bag" as well as how I got into fashion, my love of sketching, talked about Project Runway, owning a fashion design business for ten years, as well as having celebs like Beyonce, Katy Perry and Heidi Klum wear my NIKOLAKI creations.

Nick Verreos Doing the "Hands on the Hips" pose with Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board members, FIDM OC

Afterward, I posed with EVERY Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board group and even met a BIG FAN--who was almost crying (well, a bit teary eyed) when she met me:

LOVE her!!! (look at my "Clutch my Pearls" face!)

Then it was onto my next Lecture at the FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House. These were general--but still VERY IMPORTANT!-- guests who came to the Open House to check out the Campus. I loved this group as well because there were several "Mommies and Daddies" in the audience, so you KNOW I had to give a couple "Mom & Dad" high-fives! There were also several attendees who GAVE some Fashion LOOKS!!! Naturally, I had to get some pics:

Funky Hair, Custom Tees and Stripes: Nick Verreos poses with two attendees at FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House

Blue Fashion Boys: Nick Verreos poses with a FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House attendee--with (almost) matching blue-colored H & M skinny jeans

Until next time FIDM OC!!! Bye for now!