Nick Appearance Minute: Hosting a VIP Luncheon and Shopping Day in Las Vegas for Crystals at CityCenter--The Recap!

Nick Appearance Minute: Hosting a VIP Luncheon and Shopping Day in Las Vegas for Crystals at CityCenter--The Recap!

Vegas Fab:

Vegas Fashion Boy: Nick Verreos--Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

A couple of weekends back, I had the pleasure of flying to Las Vegas to host a fun-and-fabulous luncheon, Trend Lecture, as well as a VIP Crystals at CityCenter Shopping Experience for Barrett-Jackson.

This very special day was organized by the very luxurious Crystals at CityCenter--home of all the TOP high-end boutiques in the World including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Tom Ford...you name it, they are there! Barrett-Jackson is the Worlds Greatest Car Collector Auction and while I was there, they were having one of their amazing Barrett-Jackson Collector Car events.

 Las Vegas View--from my suite at the Vdara  Resort Hotel & Spa

 Vdara Hotel & Spa Products

While the husbands/boyfriends/fathers are seeing the cars, the Barrett-Jackson ladies were treated to a VIP Luncheon and Shopping with moi! I arrived the day before the event and I checked into the very chic Vdara Resort Hotel & Spa. It is an all-suite hotel--the only non-smoking-no casino resort in "Sin City". I absolutely loved it. My room was AMAZING, I have to say, and such a shame my NIKOLAKI Partner David Paul--or our Benny--couldn't have joined me! After a nice afternoon swim in the resort pool, I grabbed some dinner and went to bed (no gambling for me, kids!) and got ready for the following day's events...

 Striped Fashion: Nick Verreos at Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

The next day, I was ready to host this fun VIP Luncheon and Crystals at CityCenter Shopping Day. This was my very first time there and Oh Lordy: Crystals is truly unbelievable. It's like being in a Dubai shopping center...and I've never even been there (to Dubai, that is, but I assume!).

 Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

Ready for Fall: Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas--The shopping center was ready for Fall with lots of decorations including HUGE hanging leaves and oversized jack-o-lanterns with flower-filled pumpkin heads.



First up: VIP Barrett-Jackson Luncheon and Trend Lecture at Social House:

Welcome Ladies! Nick Verreos Hosts the VIP Luncheon at Social House--Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas 

Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

The Barrett-Jackson ladies were at Crystals at CityCenter Restaurant, Social House, already enjoying their pre-lunch ice teas, as I walked in and began the Hosting-with-the-Most Luncheon.

 Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

 Assouline Book Presentation VIP Barrett-Jackson Luncheon at Social House--Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas

The ladies enjoyed a presentation from Becky Zander of Assouline unveiling "The Ultimate Car Book" to the ladies as well as a gorgeous book about fashion (which, I, naturally, was SO interested in!--bottom photo).

Barrett-Jackson VIP Luncheon Ladies--Social House Restaurant Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

After introducing myself to the guests and going from table to table
giving them Trend and Fashion advice (not that they needed it!) as well
as "How To Dress For Your Size" lecture, I also had a chance to take photos with the ladies and talk FASHION, Project Runway and yes, give them some "Hollywood Dish"...

Birkin and Couture: Nick Verreos with guests at the Barrett-Jackson VIP Social House Restaurant Luncheon--Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas

Photos Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

 Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

Soon, it was time to do some of my "Nick Magic": I held an impromptu "Barrett-Jackson Catwalk Contest" with three of the ladies in attendance.

 Photos Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

Barret-Jackson Divas: I chose--by accident--three of the TALLEST ladies there (see left photo above). I first did my "Nick Runway Walk" (yes, right then and there at Social House) and then, it was up to the Barrett-Jackson Ladies to strut their COUTURE walks:

Las Vegas Runway Walk Instructing: Nick Verreos at Social House Restaurant, VIP Barrett-Jackson Luncheon Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas

 Photo Courtesy of Al Powers Powers Imagery

Then...it was onto SHOPPING at Crystals:



After the VIP Luncheon at Social House, I had the pleasure of joining the ladies on a Shopping Tour of Crystals at CityCenter. We went to all the fabulous boutiques including:

Tom Ford Las Vegas: Live modeling at Tom Ford, Crystals at CityCenter; Shoes at Tom Ford, Crystals at CityCenter

 Tom Ford Boutique--Crystals at CityCenter; Actress Gwyneth Paltrow Academy Awards 2012 in Tom Ford

Gwyneth Gown: at Tom Ford, we got to see--and touch--the famous "Gwyneth Oscar Gown" --a white silk crepe cape and one shoulder gown style which the actress wore at this year's Academy Awards. They had several color ways hanging perfectly on the store's rack.

We also stopped at Prada and got a very VIP presentation in their exclusive VIP sitting room--the Prada boutique in Crystals at CityCenter is one of the largest, by the way!

Trevi Fountain Nick Verreos: And yes, I had to go into the Fendi boutique and pose by the Trevi Fountain reproduction--right INSIDE the store!!!

I had an ABSOLUTE BLAST with the Barrett-Jackson Ladies--hosting the luncheon, giving them my "Fashion Tips", and yes, VIP Shopping with them! I have a feeling they also had a really good time (I hope!)  

A Big "Thank You" to the wonderful Barrett-Jackson ladies, all the retailers at Crystals at CityCenter for being so accommodating (and FABULOUS--Thanks for all that Champagne!) and yes, Crystals at CityCenter for being the MOST LUXE shopping center!

Click HERE for a fun interview I did with Crystals at CityCenter

Nick Appearance Minute: FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"--The Recap!!

Nick Appearance Minute: FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"--The Recap!!

A Dad Runway Walk-Off, NIKOLAKI Couture and My First Ever Autograph on a...

 Coral Fab: Nick Verreos, FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Last week was the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion" Finale--at the Downtown Los Angeles Campus. I had the honor of making a "special visit" at all the other campuses, including FIDM Orange County, FIDM San Diego, as well as FIDM San Francisco. So this was my last stop for the Summer of 2012. Naturally, I had to end FIDM's "Summer Fashion Camp" with a Style Bang!!

Summer Style: Nick Verreos and "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendee, FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I arrived with two of my favorite models--Amanda Fields and Lauren Gish, some of my NIKOLAKI Collection gowns and dresses, and my NIKOLAKI design partner--and better half--David Paul (to take all these fun blog pics as well as tend to all our precious dresses and help the models get ready backstage!). We were ready for some "3 Days of Fashion" runway fun. After my introduction, I went right into the 300+ audience of high school students (and some parents)--and I asked where the moms and dads were...

Dad Runway: Nick Verreos schools the dads on Runway , FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012" (notice the dad on the right!)

I followed with "Will the dads stand up?". Then I got this idea: why not have a "FIDM 3 Days of Fashion Runway Walk-Off"...with the dads! Done and done.

Dad Runway: Nick Verreos, FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I called up all the fathers in the audience, and after a little coaxing, they all came up. I proceeded to then give them a mini "Nick Lesson" in runway walking and then it was all up to them. Their wives and daughters in attendance went WILD and so did the rest of the "3 Days of Fashion" audience. This was not on the "agenda" so I was nervous that A) the dads would be "game" and B) their daughters wouldn't turn bright red from the embarrassment.

Smiling-but nervous dads: Nick Verreos hosts the First EVER FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Dad Runway Walk-Off, FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Needless to say, it was all good; the dads did MARVELOUSLY.  Take a look at these two top Dad Runway Pros:

 Hands on the Hips, Boys: Dads work it at FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

 Next up were the REAL models...

Golden Amanda: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 gold silk chiffon and paillette gown,  FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I brought several of my NIKOLAKI COUTURE gowns and dresses for the FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" attendees to enjoy--modeled by two of my favorite Los Angeles-based runway superstars--Amanda Fields and Lauren Gish, who incidentally happen to be on my website and Look Book, as well.

 Fierce and Fabulous: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 gold sequin column gown, FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Printed Chiffon Goddess: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 silk chiffon printed halter-style gown with hand-beaded applique-and-beaded trim

Le Wedding: Model Lauren Gish models NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul ivory silk ziberline "mermaid" gown with crystal-waist trim--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Sequined Princess: Model Lauren Gish in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul Spring 2013 black-and-silver paillette cowl blouson gown with high slit and attached capelet--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012" (we're trying to do the "Angelina Jolie" pose on the top right photo!)

After the mini-NIKOLAKI fashion show and my Nick "No Should've, Would've, Could've" Talk--there was a raffle with some of the lucky attendees winning some fabulous FIDM tote bags--signed by the models, other special "3 Days of Fashion" lecturers--and me (of course!)...

 

Bag Fab: Nick Verreos and one of the winners of the FIDM totebag--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

 And Miss FIDM 3 Days of Fashion 2012 is.....

Then--as it has become tradition--it was time for my "Nick Meet-and-Greet" where I took many, many photos and signed autographs--I asked some of the attendees to Tweet me their pics so here are some of the best---plus several from my own camera:

You Better Tag Me: Nick Verreos poses with FIDM Los Angels "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendees

Oh and did I mention that I had my first "sign my upper chest" autograph request? Yep:

 

And she was one of the mommies! PS: LOVE the mommies. 

Thanks EVERYONE for a fantastic and very successful FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion 2012"--See you next year!! (I hope!)