Nick Appearance Minute: My Recap of Fashion's Night Out at Lord & Taylor in NYC!!

Nick Appearance Minute: My Recap of Fashion's Night Out at Lord & Taylor in NYC!!

FNO Fab!

XOXO, Nick Verreos: Nick Verreos signing autographs at Lord & taylor's Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

Last week, as you may know, I was in NYC for various Project Runway/NY Fashion Week/Fashion's Night Out (FNO) events, activities and parties. In one of my recent posts here on my nickverreos.com blog, I gave a fun (or at least I thought it was fun!) RECAP of the Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor to celebrate ten seasons (Oh Lord, I feel like a Project Runway Grandpa!) of the show. It was a very VIP event and a great Reunion of past contestants/designers---but without the DRAMA and stress of those sometimes not-so-nice televised Project Runway Reunions (Yeay!).

Make It Work FNO: Lord & Taylor Fashion's Night Out Celebrates Project Runway 10th Anniversary

The following evening on Fashion's Night Out Thursday, I was invited by the Weinstein Company--Co-Producers of Project Runway--to be part of the Lord & Taylor Fashion's Night Out Project Runway event.

Nick Verreos with Lord & Taylor President Bonnie Brooks--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

The store was having many, many different events and celebrities that night--including the one-and-only Miss Kim Kardashian who was there autographing her new fragrance, as well as my new best friend, Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, who was doing a Meet-and-Greet autograph session for her new activewear line.

The Dress Address: Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection at Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship

So, in addition to all that, Lord & Taylor thought it would be fun to have it's FNO shoppers get to meet various Project Runway Designers and SHOP the exclusive ten-piece Project Runway Dress Collection--one of which included MY fabulous design (Hello!!).

Nick Verreos Dress design for the Project Runway Dress Collection at Lord & Taylor

Since my dress was a cobalt blue color, I also decided to give COLOR, in terms of my outfit for the night bringing out my favorite (and only) teal blue blazer, striped bow tie and purple pocket handkerchief.



The Event:

I'm a Big Fan: Nick Verreos--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

From the very moment I stepped into the 2nd floor--where the Project Runway FNO event was happening--it was a sea of people--all fans of Project Runway--lots of young girls, their mommies (love the mommies!), fashionista boys, and anything in between! It was just THE CUTEST!! So many people---kept coming up to me "OMG! You were my FAVORITE...I really LOVED your Barbie dress!" and so on...it was very endearing to say the least.

Oooh I see a Crown: Nick Verreos spots a beauty pageant fan in the audience--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

For the next four + hours, I NEVER stopped posing for photos, signing t-shirts, bags...it was madness...and I LOVED IT! I was schvitzing (as you can imagine) and at one point, I had my own personal forehead wiper--this lovely Project Runway fan (a mommie, of course) who made sure I was "semi-matte" throughout it all. Thank you darling!

Queen For a Day: Nick Verreos with "Jr. Teen Miss New York American Coed" --she was SOOOO CUTE!!! She even pretended to crown me! I'm sure there are photos or video of that somewhere...Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

Season 10 Designers Get all Arts and Crafty at Lord & Taylor:

Markers + T-shirts = Make It Work: Nathan Paul and Alicia Hardesty (foreground) --designers/contestants of Season 10 Project Runway creating original t-shirts for Fashion's Night Out 2012 customers at Lord & Taylor

While I was on the 2nd floor spending many hours taking photos, signing autographs and DISHING on Project Runway with fans...this season's designers were on another floor of the expansive Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship, creating original t-shirts for the FNO customers. My NIKOLAKI design partner--David Paul--was kind enough to take a break from taking pics of me--to go see what else was happening and got some fun shots:

What Would You Like Me To Draw: (Left to right) Lantie Foster, Alicia Hardesty and Nathan Paul, designers/contestants of Season 10 Project Runway making original t-shirts for the Lord & Taylor Fashion's Night Out 2012 crowd

Fuzzy T: Season 10 designer/contestant Kooan Kosuke--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

Now, back to the 2nd Floor and some fun Project Runway Alumn Photos:

Alumn Party: (Left to right) Nick Verreos, Uli Hezner (Season 3 Finalist), Mondo
Guerra (Season 8 Finalist, Season 1 All Stars Winner), Gordana
Gehlhausen (Season 6), and Valerie Mayen (Season 8)--Lord & Taylor
Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012event

Black vs. Prints: Nick Verreos with (Left to right) Bert Keeter (Season 9) and Gordana Gehlhausen (Season 6 and Season 1 All Stars)--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

Season 2 Divas: Nick Verreos with Season 2 Winner--the WONDERFUL Chloe Dao: It was so much fun to see Miss Chloe. I just LOVE her--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

 

Fifth Avenue Sidewalk Posing: Project Runway Season 2 Winner Chloe Dao and Nick Verreos

Because I just couldn't get enough of her, after the Lord & Taylor FNO event, we actually went to Pastis Restaurant in the Meatpacking District and had cocktails and a very very delicious dinner!

Bedazzled: Nick Verreos with JS Collections/JS Group Designer Henry Picado (in charge of our "Project Runway Dress Collection", to my right) with his design team, stylist and beautiful fit model (far left)--Lord & Taylor Project Runway Fashion's Night Out 2012 event

Oh and Look!! An FNO customer (yes, another Project Runway fan/mommie!) actually put on my 10th Anniversary Project Runway Collection Dress and modeled it:

Mykonos Blue Diva: Nick Verreos with customer wearing his"Nick Verreos Dress Design" from the Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection--available exclusively at Lord & Taylor

Family Chic: My NIKOLAKI design--and life partner--David Paul and I invited his half-sister--Andrea Paul (who happens to live in NYC and attend NYU) to come and enjoy the Lord & Tayor Fashion's Night Out festivities and support my appearance--Needless to say she had a BLAST! We were very happy to see her (and she looked so cute in her chic and very Marc Jacobs Spring 2013 pixie hair cut and styling!).



It was a fun Project Runway Fashion's Night Out event and I was happy to be part of it and more importantly--very happy to have met each and every on of the mommies, gorgeous girls and fab fashionista boys--who took the time to come to the 2nd Floor and get a little piece of "Project Runway". Just the fact that you even wanted to take a pic with me...well, "done and done" as they say. Thank You!!!

FIDM Debut 2011 Fashion Show Gala--The Nick Verreos Recap!!! Photos Galore!!!

FIDM Debut 2011 Fashion Show Gala--The Nick Verreos Recap!!! Photos Galore!!!

Fashionable Gala!

Last Saturday night was the much-awaited Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut 2011 Gala. In case you didn't know, "Debut" is the only show like it on the West Coast-- it annually attracts more than 8,000 people over 3 days and features design by graduating students in FIDM’s Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Advanced Study Programs as well as work from the Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Textile Design Students.

FIDM Debut 2011 Trophy Girls: Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and his NIKOLAKI gown-clad models, Amara (Left) and Brianna Barnes (Right)

The Saturday Night Gala is a black-tie event for VIP sponsors, donors and Fashion Industry Leaders such as editors, designers, clothing company owners and the like. It is held at the Santa Monica Barker Hanger with well-appointed tables and chairs, full three-course dinner, cocktails and of course, the fashion! I was invited to assist in handing out the Scholarship Winners for next year's Debut 2012--along with Barbara Bundy, Vice President of Education at FIDM. As a bonus, I was asked to bring two of my NIKOLAKI gowns so we would have our very own "FIDM Tropy Girls" wearing NIKOLAKI Couture on stage as we handed out the Scholarships. One of them--Brianna Barnes had a Project Runway Connection:

She had modeled in BOTH Kara Janx's Season 2 Bryant Park Project Runway Finale Runway Show as well as...

Season 3 Winner Jeffrey Sebelia's Collection

The Gala was FABULOUS with a Capital "F" for sure. I, of course, donned my White Dinner Jacket, black bow tie and braces (that's "suspenders" darlings), naturally (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Dishing Fashion: Nick Verreos and Kelley Nelson, FIDM Debut 2011 (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berlin/ABImages)

Bow Tie Heaven: Nick Verreos with Jim Holmes and Peter Helenek from Mattel (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Advanced Fashion Design Graduates' Debut 2011 Collections ranged from chic Parisian Audrey Hepburn-inspired separates, "Upscale American Apparel" Sporty-Spice, colorful and very innovative knitwear, menswear, FABULOUSLY tailored Little Boy's wear, to exaggerated ruffled red carpet gowns.

Here are some photo highlights:

Pretty in Stripes: A navy-blue silk skirt and striped top by Hannah Childs (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Let's Get Physical: Knit off-the-shoulder top, sheer and PVC leggings, Kristine Flanigan (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Debut 2011 Graduate Pamhidzai Mbanga and her Africa-inspired "boys" (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Best Dressed 1st Grade Plaid: Plaid double-breasted jacket, denim pants ensemble by Kamelia Stojanikova (Photo by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Ready to Rumble: Denim overalls and sweater combo from Kamela Stojanikova (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

I'm On The List: Strapless jumpsuit with inter-woven detail from Ethan Bartlett (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

She-Bop: Strapless printed dress from Ethan Bartlett (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

St. Petersburg Queens: Three knitwear looks from Adelle Louise Burda's Russian-inspired collection (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Edwardian Foxtail Boy: Asymmetrical coat, mustard pants, and rust-colored cardigan from Alexandra Paulus (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

London Calling: Blue leather side-zip front jacket, brown skinny pants with inseam patches and mustard-colored hoodie, from Alexandra Paulus (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Brunch at MOCA: Red pocketed tunic with wood (yes, WOOD!) "collar", from Airi Isoda (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Dinner at Nobu: Felt and chiffon ensemble with knitted "Ankle Warmers", from Airi Isoda (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Leopard Who Lunches: Black-and-white Cheetah print top with "coned" sleeves and black ankle-length high-waisted trousers, from Paul Hernandez (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Ruffled Diva: Black organza one-shouldered cocktail dress, from Paul Hernandez (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Fashion Security: Nick Verreos poses with the FIDM Debut 2011 Security Team

All in all, it was a fabulous Debut 2011 Show. It's always great to see what the "Designers-of-Tomorrow" are doing and of course, as a former FIDM Debut Graduate myself (don't even THINK of looking up what year!!!) it's always nostalgic seeing these shows for sure, as well as the young talent up there on the runway. Naturally, I had to get a final photo with the very hard-working security team at the Debut 2011/Santa Monica Barker Hanger. They were AMAZING and so sweet and respectful to me--especially "my guy" Rick Young, who at the very least, made me look as if I was actually someone important...

Until Debut 2012...

Style Week OC 2012: My Photo Recap Hosting the Cadillac Contemporary and Irvine Spectrum Collections!

Style Week OC 2012: My Photo Recap Hosting the Cadillac Contemporary and Irvine Spectrum Collections!

OC Style Fab!

Cadillac 2012: Nick Verreos hosting Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012 at Style Week OC Irvine Spectrum Center

Several weekends ago, I had the pleasure of hosting--for the FOURTH consecutive year!--Style Week OC. This year, Style Week OC 2012 kicked off on Fashion's Night Out (September 6th) with fashion shows/events/parties at both Irvine Spectrum Center and Fashion Island.

I was in NYC doing an appearance/event unveiling the "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection"at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue during Fashion's Night Out so I couldn't be there, but...I flew back to the West Coast the following day (right after attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Lincoln Center) to make sure I could host the Final FABULOUS night of Style Week OC 2012 that Saturday night at Irvine Spectrum.

A View From Above: The Runway Scene (and my runway walk entrance!) from Style Week OC 2012, Irvine Spectrum Center

The night involved TWO great fashion shows: the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition and the Irvine Spectrum Center Collection. The two runway shows were seamlessly put together and then afterward, was the important and final judging of who would win the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition.

Let's Start with Cadillac Design Competition:

Hanger Appeal: The Cadillac Contemporary Design 2012 Competition looks from FIDM designers

Prior to the Runway Show, I had the honor of pre-judging the five looks created by designers from my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM: Eduardo Reategui, Ahmad Murtaza, Steve McDonald and Chelsea O'Neill. I was joined by Christie Baca of Cadillac and Lejla Hasanagic, Irvine Spectrum Center Nordstom General Manager. They were tasked to create contemporary designs using denim--as well as actual Cadillac Car Components.

Orange Suit for Orange County: Nick Verreos Hosts Style Week OC 2012 "Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition" fashion show

Each of the looks were inspired by the new Cadillac ATS and one of four international locales--Chile, China, Monaco and Morocco. These are World-re-known locations for testing riding dynamics and also featured in Cadillac Commercials/Ad Campaigns.

Cadillac Morocco and China: FIDM designer Steve McDonald's "Morocco" design (left) and FIDM designer Ahmad Murtaza's "China" design (right)--Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012 Irvine Spectrum Center Style Week OC

Cadillac Chile and Monaco: FIDM designer Chelsea O'Neill's "Chile" design (left) and Eduardo Reategui's "Monaco" design--Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012 Irvine Spectrum Center Style Week OC

Irvine Spectrum Center Collection:



Right after the Cadillac Contemporary Design fashion show (and before the final judging announcement), the show continued with the "Spectrum Collection"--a fashion show highlighting Fall/Winter 2012 trends and looks from retailers at the Irvine Spectrum including...

 Macy's, and...

Nordstrom--Irvine Spectrum Collection Style Week OC 2012

Max Studio--Irvine Spectrum Collection Style Week OC 2012

Tommy Bahama (left) and Demetrios Bride (right), as well as many others--Irvine Spectrum Collection Style Week OC 2012

And now the Cadillac Contemporary Design Winners:

  

The Cadillac Fan Favorite:

Steve McDonald and his "Morocco"-inspired design--he won a $500 check from Tustin Cadillac--Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition Irvine Spectrum Center Style Week OC 2012

And the WINNER of the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012:

MONACO!!! Model Kerstin Lechner--you may remember her from Project Runway Season 9 and as designer Bert Keeter's model---Nick Verreos, and FIDM designer Eduardo Reategui...

Le BIG Check: Eduardo Reategui and his "Monaco"-inspired design on model Kerstin Lechner--he won $2,000 from Tustin Cadillac for his Monaco Racetrack-inspired denim jumper featuring seat belt straps, an iPod nano collar brooch, and Cadillac ATS accessory pockets...

Le Sketch: FIDM designer Eduardo Reategui's fashion illustration of his "Monaco"-inspired "Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition creation

Post Show Pics:

Following the fabulous show, I spent some time posing at the official "Style Week OC 2012" Step-and-Repeat with lots and lots of guests--including many fashionistas and yes, a little doggie (I LOVE the doggies, of course!!):

Puppy Posing: Nick Verreos, OC Fashionistas and cute doggie---Style Week OC 2012 Irvine Spectrum Center

Barbie Love: Nick Verreos with Nava and Ava Baghai and their sister's "My Scene Nick Verreos Project Runway Season 2 Barbie"--You KNOW this made my entire night!!!! Love me some Nava and Ava!!!

Thanks to ALL of the OC, Cadillac, and Irvine Spectrum, for a FABULOUS and very successful Final Night of Style Week OC 2012 at the Irvine Spectrum Center!!!

Click Below for a Video Recap of Style Week OC 2012 Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition from the FAB allGLAMMEDupStyle: