Europe 2012: Florence Italy --Polimoda Visit and Lecture for Miami University of Ohio "Summer In Italy" Program

Europe 2012: Florence Italy --Polimoda Visit and Lecture for Miami University of Ohio "Summer In Italy" Program

Moda School:

Nice Sneakers: Nick Verreos, POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing, Florence Italy

In my last post, I wrote about the wonderful "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, which I was invited to be a part of by my hosts, the Miami University of Ohio Summer in Italy Program, who were the chief sponsors.

Besides the fact that it was a fabulous fashion event, it was also part of the Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" students curriculum. In other words, they were invited to attend as part of the Journalism Class, to check out a fashion presentation in Florence Italy and write a "review" and/or blog recap about the event as part of a class assignment.

Students Take Note: Nick Verreos discussing  his NIKOLAKI Collection silk chiffon printed gown, "Florence Meets Hollywood", Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

The Ponte Vecchio Florence Italy

In addition, I was also giving a very special lecture the following day discussing the event and much more. This is my fourth year being invited as a "guest lecturer" to the wonderful Miami University of Ohio "Summer In Italy" program and as always, I am so excited and very happy to be part of it. It's Director, Dr. Mark Bernheim, understands that in addition to the English and Journalism classes, the "Summer In Italy" program students should also be injected with some fashion knowledge, since A) Florence is such a NUCLEUS of Fashion and B) who knows if one of them might get thrust into a journalism job to cover a Fashion Week or two. I LOVE Firenze and well, it is pretty obvious, that I cannot get enough!

The day after the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, the Miami University of Ohio's "Summer In Italy" journalism students began Part Two of  their "Fashion In Florence" experience. We first visited the POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing, located at the expansive and very beautiful Villa Favard.

 POLIMODA Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing, Villa Favard Florence Italy

The College is one of the top institutions on the subject of fashion in all of Italy. The Miami University of Ohio students listened to several lecturers from POLIMODA, who spoke on everything from branding and marketing to licensing.

POLIMODA's Dean, the lovely Linda Loppa (above photo), was on hand to welcome us as well as give her very insightful "two cents" to the entire day.

Nick Verreos, with muslin creations of POLIMODA students (notice Dean of Polimoda, Linda Loppa smiling on the far left of the photo)

These are some of those muslin designs from students that were displayed in the foyer/entrance of the POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing in Florence Italy. The Institute had their famous "Graduate Fashion Show" just a few weeks prior to us being there and I heard these jackets were worn by the "pages" who introduced each different section and designer at the Polimoda Fashion Show:

Muslin Incredible: Yes kids, these are made of muslin (unbleached cotton)--POLIMODA's Dean, Linda Loppa, told me that these were jackets from the first class on jackets their students take (PS: WOW!)

Fashion Recess: After the POLIMODA tour and lectures, it was time for my Lecture, back at the Miami University of Ohio "Summer In Italy" Program Journalism students. Here is a photo that was taken afterwards with some of the students (above).

Following my Lecture, I got to do a "Meet-and-Greet" with some of the "Summer In Italy" program students and chatted with them about their time in Europe, their goals for the future and gave them some advice on how to be the best and most successful. Afterward, my NIKOLAKI design--and traveling partner--David Paul and I, had the pleasure of meeting up with the Miami University of Ohio's "Summer In Italy" Program Director Dr. Mark Bernheim as well as "Florence Meets Hollywood" Creative Director Jerry Lee Ingram, to say "Ciao" and See You Next Time!

We met up at the rooftop bar of the beautiful Grand Hotel Minerva (above, on the left)--one of my favorite spots in the city, located near the Santa Maria Novella train station.

Left to right: Summer In Italy Program Director, Dr Mark Bernheim and Nick Verreos; Nick Verreos and "Florence Meets Italy" Creative Director Jerry Lee Ingram, Grand Hotel Miverva Florence Italy

Ciao Firenze: Nick Verreos and David Paul, Grand Hotel Miverva Florence Italy (with the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore --The Duomo--in the background)

It was another successful year of "Fashion in Firenze" and I was happy once again to bring some of my fashion knowledge to the wonderful students of Miami University of Ohio's "Summer In Italy" Program.

Europe 2012: "Florence Meets Hollywood" NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation

Europe 2012: "Florence Meets Hollywood" NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation

Alta Moda Italia!

Red Carpet in Firenze: Nick Verreos flanked by two Italian models in his NIKOLAKI Collection gowns, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation as part of my Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" Program visit, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy --and in case you are wondering the model on my left is 6' 2" WITHOUT heels!

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Last month, I had the honor--and pleasure--of flying to Italy with my better half--my NIKOLAKI design partner-for-life David Paul--to be part of a very special event. For the last four years, I have been invited to take part in Miami University of Ohio's "Summer in Italy" program.

It is a highly popular Study Abroad program from Miami University's College o Arts and Sciences in the Department of English, where students travel to Italy, taking English and Journalism courses in Florence Italy and of course, get to experience life there as well as the importance of fashion to that city. Part of my visit includes a special "Fashion Lecture" (in a later post!) but...

This year, with the fabulous help of photographer, creative director and fashion producer EXTRAORDINAIRE Jerry Lee Ingram, the school also organized an amazing fashion presentation titled "Florence Meets Hollywood" where I got to show some of my very exclusive red carpet NIKOLAKI gowns to a specially-invited audience in Firenze Italia! The event was being held at the Consorzio Palazzi/Palazzo Bombicci Pontelli Guicciardini Strozzi in the Sala Rosa or Pink Room of the Florence University of the Arts/FUA.

Traveling Ensemble: Nick Verreos, arriving in Florence Italy via TrenItalia

After a twelve hour flight from Los Angeles to Rome and a 1 1/2 hour "fast-train" to Florence, David and I finally arrived. The following day, we helped set up for that evening's presentation.

 Gowns In Waiting: NIKOLAKI Collection gowns
post-steaming, waiting their final destination--will it be a Mannequin form or
a LIVE model?

 Galleria NIKOLAKI: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul
Gowns, "Florence Meets Hollywood"
Fashion Presentation at the Sala Rosa, FUA Florence
Italy

We steamed and pressed the NIKOLAKI gowns--some worth over $10,000--that  we brought all the way from the US and then set them up on well-appointed mannequins in the GORGEOUS room the event being held in.

Gallery Preparations: "Florence Meets Hollywood" set-up, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Fashion Nerves: David Paul and Nick Verreos of NIKOLAKI getting the mannequins ready for the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

NIKOLAKI Twosome: David Paul and Nick Verreos, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy  

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Then we got back to our hotel, did an outfit change and we were ready to go! A great red carpet was set up to welcome guests at the Florence University of the Arts and up to the Sala Rosa--or Pink Room, site of the event.

  

 Guests at "Hollywood Meets Florence" Fashion presnetation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy Photos courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Including Firenze glitterati as well as FUA students (some of which were BIG "Project Runway" fans!) as well as of course, the Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" students I was scheduled to lecture to the following day.

Hot in Florence: Nick Verreos
(with fan) and "Florence Meets Hollywood" Co-Cost Grace Joh--in
NIKOLAKI Collection strapless red silk dress--Editor-in-Chief of Blending Magazine
and Chair of FUA School of Journalism, Communications and Publishing

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

MC Nick: Nick Verreos hosting "Florence Meets Hollywood", Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

 Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Not only did I show some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet gowns on gorgeous models from Absolute Models Florence (with great hair/makeup by Ronnie Cosma Bigalli), but on display at this AMAZING Sala Rosa "ballroom" at the Florence University of the Arts palazzo where incredible creations by Mazzanti Piume, creators of some of the most amazing feathered designs in the world--from hats, runway gowns, historical costumes to much much more. Here were some of the feathered headdresses at the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation:

Hat Couture: Designs from Mazzanti Piume, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Also, as part of this very special one-of-a-kind fashion presentation, the architectural fashion creations and fab purses and necklaces from Emilia Siano and her brand, Libra Project were on display (photo above) as well as modeled.

Silver Goddess: Model in NIKOLAKI silver and black sequined cowl neck gown with attached capelet, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Final Walk: Models from Absolute Models Florence at the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Italy Fashion Group: (Left to Right) Model in NIKOLAKI black and silver sequined gown; Nick Verreos; designer Emilia Siano of Libra Project; Model in NIKOLAKI black organza strapless gown with jeweled bust line; Model in Emilia Siano/Libra Project designs; Grace Joh in NIKOLAKI Collection red silk ziberline cocktail dress and Mazzanti Piume hat; and NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy  

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

The show and presentation was a fabulous success! I am so thankful to everyone who took part in helping make the event happen--and especially the guests who endured the over 100 degree temperatures that fell upon us inside the super-filled Sala Rosa during this very hot-and-humid Florence July evening! I was so happy to not just host it but be part of it, bringing my NIKOLAKI gowns--along with David Paul--to gorgeous Firenze ITALIA and to "fashion enlighten" the great Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" Program students and of course, everyone else who attended. Stay tuned for Part Two of "Europe 2012" and my "Summer in Italy Miami University of Ohio" visit--next, up a visit to Polimoda, and photos and recap from my Fashion Lecture.



Click Below for the Florence Meets Hollywood Video: