FIDM Museum: 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition!

FIDM Museum: 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition!

TV Costume Heaven:

Stewardess Fab: Costumes from ABC series "Pan Am", Pilot Costumes by Chrisi Karvonides, Series Costumes by Ane Crabtree, 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum and Galleries (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Where can you find Pan Am Stewardesses, a Dowager Countess, an Evil Queen, and Marylin Monroe-inspired "NBC's Smash" gold gown? Oh yes, in Downtown LA of course! Well, fashionistas and costume design aficionados, Tuesday was the Opening Day of the 6th Annual Outstanding Art Television Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM, my alma mater, and college of which I am the Official Fashion Spokesperson.

6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition Party/Reception at Hope Park/FIDM (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The exhibition, presented by FIDM Museum and Galleries and Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences, was Guest Curated by Mary Rose,
Costume Designer and President of the Costume Designers Guild. It features over 75
(!) costumes from a variety of TV shows (sixteen of them), period and contemporary, including
seven nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design. This past weekend, a VIP reception/party was held at the FIDM Campus to "unveil" this fabulous new exhibition. Guests included:

(Left to right) Eduardo Castro, Costume Designer for ABC's "Once Upon A Time" (he was also the Costume Designer for ABC's "Ugly Betty"!) and Julie Weiss (love her oversized paillette tunic-dress!) Costume Designer for many films including "American Beauty" "Frida" "The Ring" and (my personal favorite) "Blades of Glory" (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

(Left to right) Chrisi Karvonides, Costume Designer nominated for FX's "American Horror Story", seen here with Mary Rose, President of the Costume Designers Guild and Guest Curator of the 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Mandi Line, Costume Designer for ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars" (above in front of her costumes for the show). Fun fact: Mandi is an FIDM Alumna (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Now, let's get to the costumes at the exhibition. Like I said at the top of this post, there are over 75 costumes featured and some of the highlights include:

English Class: The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design Costumes from PBS' "Downton Abbey": Yes, that's Maggie Smith's "Dowager Countess" silk velvet and sequin ensemble on the far left--PS: She's Tall! (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Costumes from NBC's "Smash" --The gold sequin gown is worn by Katharine McPhee's character and the one on the far right is worn by actress Anjelica Huston (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design costumes from HBO's "Game of Thrones"--And yes, that's the costume worn by actor Peter Dinklage above (top photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

 

 The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design costumes from ABC's "Once Upon a Time"--This tableau at FIDM Museum is HUGE--above photo is the "Rainbow Fairy" costume from the ABC show (photos courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design costumes from HBO's "Hemingway and Gellhorn"--Nicole Kidman starred in this and I have a fun fact from the costume designer, Ruth Myers: Kidman's inseam is 34". That's the inseam of well, a 6' 2" man ! (she's got fabulously LONG legs) (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Nick Verreos and KTLA-TV's Gayle Anderson, 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Costume Design Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum

On Monday, I had the pleasure of filming some Morning TV segments for KTLA-TV Channel 5 LIVE direct from the FIDM Museum and the brand new exhibition with the always fantastic (and my TV Production Segment MUSE!) Gayle Anderson. We had such a blast filming these segments. Miss Gayle is my "sister from another mister" darlings! LOVE her. As a special VIP treat, two of the Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design costume designers from this past year--Ruth Myers ("Hemingway and Gellhorn") and Chrisi Karvonides ("American Horror Story")--were there for some of the KTLA-TV Morning Show interviews at FIDM Museum so I had the honor of meeting them and of course, getting some behind-the-scenes costume design DISH.

Costume Designer Ruth Myers and Nick Verreos, FIDM Museum

Nick Verreos and Costume Designer Chrisi Karvonides: I had such a ball chatting with Chrisi---she also designed the costumes for ABC's "Pan Am" series pilot so she gave me such great behind-the-scenes dish on the Pan Am stewardess uniforms (you know I LOVE me some Stewardess Uniforms!!).

Coffee, Tea...or Fab Uniforms: ABC's "Pan Am" TV show stewardess uniforms

Stewardess Dish: Costume Designer Chrisi Karvonides and Nick Verreos, 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum

As you can see from the photo above, Costume Designer Chrisi Karvonides and I were in some SERIOUS "Wait, how many pattern pieces to that Pan Am pill box hat? And the Pan Am logo was actually GOLD!!??" conversation. LOVED every minute of it!






You can click HERE to see the segments I did with Gayle and KTLA-TV!! (scroll on the videos to find all the FIDM Costume Design Exhibition segments).

The Dish:



WHAT: 

The 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition, over 75 Costumes, including 2011-2012 Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costume
Design costumes 





WHERE: 

FIDM Museum and Galleries, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90015



WHEN:

July 31 through October 20, 2012

open 10am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday



Admission:

FREE!!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Goes to FIDM San Diego for 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"--The Recap!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Goes to FIDM San Diego for 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"--The Recap!

Fashion in Sunny San Diego, Doggie Day Care, Visit from the Family...Oh and a Baseball Game!!!

Find The One Guy: Nick Verreos and the FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion" attendees

Last week, as part of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's 2011 "3 Days of Fashion", I drove down to San Diego--along with my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul--to make my "Guest Appearance". First, we had to put our little doggy, Benny, in "Doggy Day Care" so he would have lots of play time, while his "daddies" went down to San Diego for the day. After an almost three-hour drive down (oh that LA to San Diego traffic!), we finally made it! Just in time...

The View: Padres Baseball game happening at the same time as FIDM San Diego's 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

The FIDM San Diego Campus is located right next to the spectacular Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. And wouldn't you know it: There was a Padres Baseball Game going on right at the same time!!! At first I didn't realize it and thought "Boy, are ALL these people with shorts and flip flops going to the FIDM 3 Days of Fashion???" I somehow forgot to see all their Padres caps, banners, flags and baseball jerseys!! Ooops...

But yes, once inside the campus, I got ready for my appearance. This was the last day of this event for them---and they had been in different workshops throughout the day, learning the intricacies of draping, sketching, trend spotting.

Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 black silk jersey tunic-gown, FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

But now, they were going to see some FASHION with a Capital "F"...as I brought one of my FAVE Runway models, Amanda Fields (who also drove down from Los Angeles), to show the "3 Days of Fashion" students--over 100 of them--some of my NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses.

Raise Your Camera-Phones: A scene from the NIKOLAKI "Mini" Fashion Show, FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

You should have seen all the camera phones go up as Amanda sauntered into the room each time with a different gown/dress. It was like "mini paparazzi"!!! Afterward, I gave away prizes (the most fun were the "Best Dressed of FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion" prizes!) and of course, I signed bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts...you name it, I signed it!

Baby Blue Meets Pink: FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion" guest (she made her own dress!) and Nick Verreos

We also took great photos with the FAB Petco Park Padres Baseball Game going on in the back! An additional "special bonus" of coming down to San Diego was that David's mom and nieces--the super pretty Emilie and Samantha...

La San Diego Familia: David Paul, Nick Verreos with David's mom, Conchita and nieces Samantha and Emilie, FIDM San Diego Campus balcony

Got to attend the event as well--and spend some time with "Uncle David". The girls enjoyed my lecture I think--David's mom even said I should go into the business of being an "Inspirational Speaker"...Who knows, there's still time!!! After the event, David's mom, treated us to a delicious--yet quick--dinner nearby and then we were on our way (it was 7:30pm and we had only 2 1/2 hrs to make it back before the Doggy Day Care closed. In case you were wondering, we got there at 9:56!!! Just in time...

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Begins his FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Tour in FIDM San Francisco!

Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Begins his FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Tour in FIDM San Francisco!

City by the Bay Couture and Fashion School FAB-U-Lousnesss!!!!!

Nick In Heaven: Nick Verreos at the de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition San Francisco

Last week, I began my 2011 FIDM 3 Days of Fashion "Tour". As the Official Spokesperson--and Alumn of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, I travel to all the Campuses for their annual "3 Days of Fashion" EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! Three Days of Fashion is the event where high-school and post graduates:

• Discover new and exciting career options
• Take workshops such as Draping, Creative Thinking, and Product Development
• Learn how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure
• Find out what a Designer really does
• Meet FIDM Grads who have found success and are doing what they love
• Find out how the industry gets the latest information about trends
• Tour some of the best shopping spots in the world
• Get the answers to all your questions from the people who really know: the working professionals

My first stop was San Francisco:

I flew up to San Francisco from my home base in Los Angeles on Virgin America (my plane above)--one of my favorite airlines! The flight attendants are always so friendly and I love the ordering food and drinks from the TV screen thing--even on a one-hour flight!

Chic Airport: SFO Terminal 2

I landed in SFO's spankin' brand (almost) new Terminal 2. The terminal was outfitted with cool red "egg" chairs and an overall post-modern design aesthetic: Loved it! Reminded me of the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK. After getting my suitcase (I brought gowns kids!!!), I got to the City and checked into my room at one of my FAVE SF Hotels--the Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco.

Kimpton Hotels' Hotel Monaco San Francisco "Welcome"

As always, there was a "Welcome Nick!" bottle of wine (Hello!) and glasses for me to enjoy. Sometimes there is a cheese-and-snack plate but not this time unfortunately. Maybe this was a "Welcome with a small 'w' ". But nevertheless, I was very THANKFUL for the wine but I saved it for later because besides making my FIDM SF "3 Days of Fashion" appearance, I had one other thing on my mind and that was:

De Young Museum: Balenciaga and Spain

Yes....going to the De Young Museum and visiting the "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition Hello??? My Northern California friend Didi Simon and I drove to the Museum (I ordered the tickets online beforehand) and we went and enjoyed EVERY single COUTURE Gown of it!

It was AMAZING!!! The Exhibition closes on July 4th and I will be traveling to Europe July 5th so this was the ONLY time I could see it!!! It was GLORIOUS!!! I absolutely LOVE , adore, admire Cristobal Balenciaga and his creations so to me, it was like being in Fashion Heaven! The Exhibition is organized into six "Inspiration" sections: Spanish Art, Regional Dress, the Spanish Court, Religious Life and Ceremony, the Bullfight, and Dance.

Gown Central: "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition, De Young Museum San Francisco

At one point, I gave an impromptu "Haute Couture Lesson/Tour" as I was describing all the intricacies of the Art of Haute Couture and construction/seaming to my friend Didi, and then I turned around and there were about TEN or so other exhibit visitors listening! And funny enough, many visitors recognized me and were very happy that A) I was there, and B) I was giving them a FREE knowledgeable mini-tour!

But soon, it was time to make my "special appearance" at FIDM SF's "3 Days of Fashion":

I always LOVE coming to San Francisco and the FIDM SF!!! They always treat me like a Star! Today was supposed to be the final day of their annual "3 Days of Fashion" and I was their "special guest star"!!!

FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Welcome

As part of the "3 Days of Fashion" events, FIDM SF organizers have a fun-and-fabulous "Project FIDM" fashion show, where participants get to "re-create" and "re-cycle" garments and then have a fashion show that is judged a la Project Runway.

Jackets Required: FIDM SF Alumna Julia A. Hill and Nick Verreos, FIDM San Francisco "2011 3 Days of Fashion"

For the 2nd consecutive year, I was joined by Clinton Kelly's (from TLC's "What Not To Wear") Executive Assistant and new Director of Design for his QVC line--FIDM SF Alumn Julia A. Hill as one of my co-judges of that aforementioned contest. She was looking VERY "NY Vogue Magazine Jr. Editor" in her pleated high-waist khaki trousers, lilac tank and black "Boyfriend" jacket.

Judges Judging: Julia A. Hill Nick Verreos and three Guest Student Judges discuss who the winners of "Project FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion" will be

Model Rachael Sitz in NIKOLAKI red silk satin-back crepe backless gown with...

Swarovski crystal straps, gathered back and Godet-train

In addition to the Contest, I also brought several of my NIKOLAKI Red Carpet Dresses to show the "3 Days of Fashion" attendees. The dresses were modeled by Look Model Agency model Rachael Sitz, one of the BEST--and favorite--models in San Francisco!!

Model Rachael Sitz in the NIKOLAKI lilac hand-beaded lilac cocktail dress, FIDM SF 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

I even brought THE "Katy Perry" dress--a lilac-colored hand-beaded one-shoulder sequin dress that Katy Perry wore to launch her Purr Perfume. Yes, kids, Miss Katy Perry wore one of my designs!!!

Say "Hi" San Francisco: FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Attendees, waiting for an autograph and a photo

Posin' Fashionistas: FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" attendees and Nick Verreos (center)--and a signed t-shirt

FIDM Goodie Bags:Nick Verreos, Julia A. Hill and Winners pose with their autographed FIDM bags, FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion

All in all, I had a BLAST at FIDM San Francisco's "3 Days of Fashion"; the Contest, the fashion show, showing my gowns/dresses, I even stayed a coupe of hours afterward and signed autographs and took pics with each and every one of the attendees! (which I LUV doing!)

I was even asked to sign someone's iPhone!!! Someone's iPhone may end up on Ebay...

Thanks San Francisco and Northern California for a FAB FIDM "3 Days of Fashion"!! Can't wait to come back!!!!!

Nick Verreos Appearance at FIDM Scholarship Store TODAY--Tues May 17th: I'll be Showing Prom Looks for Under $40!

Nick Verreos Appearance at FIDM Scholarship Store TODAY--Tues May 17th: I'll be Showing Prom Looks for Under $40!

Prom King in Downtown LA!

Prom Court: Nick Verreos will be at FIDM Scholarship Store TODAY, Tuesday May 17th to Present Prom Looks

On Sunday, I filmed a FUN & FAB Prom Dress Segment for NBC-LA "Today In LA: Weekend Show" with Anchor Ted Chen--and four gorgeous models, where I showed four different Prom Looks for this 2011 Prom Season--ALL the clothes came from the AMAZING FIDM Scholarship Store, located on 9th and Grand, in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los Angeles Campus. Now, of course, I'll be doing a little Blog about my "TV Prom Appearance" in an upcoming post!

FIDM Scholarship Store on 9th & Grand Avenue Downtown LA

But for now, I just wanted to announce that I'll be making a LIVE--and in Person--Appearance at the FIDM Scholarship Store THIS MORNING from 10-11:30AM presenting prom looks--with models--as well as helping girls--and their Mommies--pick out prom Dresses that will NOT "break the bank"! Most of the dresses and Prom Ensembles will be for under $40!!!! I know: Shut The Front Door! That's why we LOVE the FIDM Scholarship Store!!! I'll also be signing autographs and taking pics (naturally!).

So....Come out to the FIDM Scholarship Store TODAY and get your Prom Dressing ON!!!!!

Details:

What: Nick Verreos Presents CHIC Prom Looks On a Budget, all from the FIDM Scholarship Store

When: TODAY, Tuesday May 17th, 10-11:30 am

Where: FIDM Scholarship Store
919 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90015
(Corner of 9th and Grand)