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

Fashion's Night Out NYC: Come Say "Hi" in NYC Thursday September 6, Lord & Taylor 6-11PM !

Fashion's Night Out NYC: Come Say "Hi" in NYC Thursday September 6, Lord & Taylor 6-11PM !

FNO Fab!

This week, as a lot of you fashionistas know, is time to get ready for Fashion's Night Out. For the fourth year in a
row, designers, models, fashion editors, celebrities and, of course,
shoppers will once again flock to their favorite stores for an
extravagant night of shopping, champagne and exclusive FNO events which are happening ALL over the World. In NYC, the celebration
marks the kickoff to New York Fashion Week and the festivities all happen on Thursday, September 6, from 6
to 11pm.

 Nick Verreos hosting Macy's Aventura Mall's Fashion's Night Out 2010 Event

American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York created Fashion's Night Out in 2009 as a
collaboration intended to celebrate fashion, restore consumer
confidence, boost the industry's economy and put the fun back in
shopping. Proceeds from sales of official FNO gear will benefit the New
York Community Trust's New York City AIDS Fund. For the last several years, I have had the pleasure of hosting FNO events in several cities/malls/department stores including Charleston West Virginia in 2011 and Miami in 2010.

 Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue, NYC

This year, I have the extreme pleasure of being part of the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Fashion's Night Out 2012 event occurring yes, at the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue Flagship in NYC!

The night's FNO "headliner" is the ever-so-fabulous Kim Kardashian, who will be exclusively at the store, signing her True Reflection fragrance bottles for fans. She'll be there from 7-9 PM. I had a fun pleasure of working with Kim several years back while doing an Academy Award Pre-Show for E! Entertainment:

Nick Verreos and Kim Kardashian (with then E! Entertainment's Debbie Matenopoulos--my "Greek Sister from Another Mister"!)

But, Miss Kim Kardashian isn't the only highlight of Lord & Taylor's Fashion's Night Out NYC party--we--the Project Runway alumn/designers who created the first ever Project Runway Collection--will also be there--and yes, that means, me too!

 Nick Verreos for Project Runway/Lord & Taylor Collection Dress

 So, when you are done with getting Miss Kim's autograph and photo for your Facebook....come see us---we will be on another floor getting our "Project Runway" fun on, unveiling our dresses--which are exclusively at Lord & Taylor's Fifth Avenue Flagship (as well as on their shopping website). I hear, there will be lots of fun activities that Lord & Taylor has in store---plus the fact that--at least for me--I'll be there to take all the FB and Twitter pics you want! I will be joined by the other first ever Project Runway Collection designers, including:

Season One Winner Jay McCarroll (right)...

All Stars Season One Winner Mondo Guerra (right)...

Season 7 Winner Seth Aaron Henderson and Season 9 designer Bert Keeter, among others

SEE YOU THURSDAY NIGHT!!!



Details:

WHAT: Lord & Taylor NYC Fashion's Night Out



WHERE: Lord & Taylor Flagship

                 424 Fifth Avenue (between 38th and 39th Street)

                 New York NY, 10018



WHEN: September 6, 2012, 6-11 p.m.

Nick Verreos Hosts Seattle's 1st Annual Wine Women And Shoes Event to Benefit Seattle Children's Home: The Recap!!!

Nick Verreos Hosts Seattle's 1st Annual Wine Women And Shoes Event to Benefit Seattle Children's Home: The Recap!!!

An "Emerald Evening" in the Emerald City: Seattle!!

Seattle Chic: Nick Verreos with Seattle Diva Fashionista (and friend) Rose Dennis, Seattle Wine Women and Shoes Benefit Four Seasons Seattle

Last Thursday, I flew to Seattle--one of my FAVORITE cities in the US--to host Seattle's "Wine Women And Shoes" Event to benefit the Seattle Children's Home. This was the city's first ever "Wine Women and Shoes" Gala, and well, you can imagine, the pressure was on me, to BRING IT!

I arrived, checked in to my gorgeous Four Seasons Seattle Hotel--site of the event--and after hanging my "ensemble" up in the closet, I went straight to the event Ballroom to check out how all the preparations were going. But there was one HITCH: I realized, as I was unpacking, that I forgot to bring a tie. For now, read on...

How To Make Nick Happy? Check out the Seattle Four Seasons Welcome in my room

Now, before I get any further, I must point out the wonderful "Welcome to the Four Seasons Seattle Spread" that awaited me in my room-- bottle of red wine, shoe-and-wine-shaped cookies and a lovely "Welcome Note" from Four Seasons Seattle Director of Catering Kirk Sugamele. Now, seriously: That's a Welcome!!! I also made a "mental note" of the gorgeous bathtub in my hotel room, thinking "I will end up there after it's all over!" After going through what my duties would be as the Wine Women and Shoes Host-with-the-Most...

Pike Place Nick: Nick Verreos trench-coat'ing it in Seattle's Pike Place Market

I then headed to the iconic Seattle Landmark: Pike Place Market, for some lunch (I just knew I probably wouldn't eat for the next, well...eight hours!!!). I have been in Seattle like half-a-dozen times hosting events--but NEVER, got a chance to come here (I know, shame on me and my previous hosts!!). I did witness the "Flying Fish" guys and it was FAB!!! (those Fish Guys are kinda cute--just a bit smelly thank you very much!).

Now, I was ready to try and remedy my I-Forgot-To-Bring-A-Tie Problem...

Greek Goddess: Maria Christofilis, Founder and Creative Director of Anthousa Collection, Barneys NY Seattle

I had packed a fab suit with a lavender dress shirt but forgot to bring the TIE that went along with my ensemble!!! So, now I was in search of ONE purple/lilac/lavender tie--that would go with my shirt. I walked through Downtown Seattle near my hotel looking for a boutique/store that carried ties (the entire time angry at myself for forgetting to pack one, since I OWN about 150 TIES!!!). I spotted Barneys NY, and thought "OK, THEY will have a chic purple/lilac/lavender tie for me!". I stomped in and before I could head upstairs to the Men's Department, I heard "Nick!!!" I turned around and it was my good old friend, the ever-so-stylish (and my Greek Supermodel Sistah!!) Maria Christofilis, founder and creative director of Anthousa Collection, a luxury line of candles and Home Ambiance Fragrances which I D.I.E. for, and use in EVERY room of my house, studio...you name it , Anthousa is THERE!!!

The Man Who Saved The Night: Barneys NY Seattle Store Manager Christopher Nardi (left) and Nick Verreos, Barneys NY Seattle

She was standing next to a very well dressed man. Anyhow...after our Greek double-kisses, she asked "What are you doing here at Barneys Seattle?". I told her my predicament and before I could sprint to the upper Men's Floor, the man next to her, said "You Can Borrow my Tie...It's Hermes, it's purple-ish, and it's yours tonight!" It turns out that this man next to Maria, was Christopher Nardi, the Store Manager of Barneys NY Seattle and he told me in confidence that there were probably no purple ties upstairs (he would know!!). He was so kind that he actually TOOK OFF his hand-made lilac-colored Hermes tie and handed it to me!!!! Well, how could I not resist? I didn't!!! Now, my outfit was complete.

Lilac Hermes Tie: Nick Verreos on the "Wine Women and Shoes Seattle" pink carpet Step-and-Repeat, Four Seasons Seattle

The Wine Women and Shoes Seattle Event was AMAZING!! I hosted a VIP pre-party--where VIP guests mingled and sampled hors d'oeuvres and champagne and got a fifteen minute (OK, maybe more!) "lecture" from moi, where I spoke of my "Welcome to Seattle Tie Incident" as well as how much I LOVE Seattle, and some DISH on Project Runway.

VIP Posing: Nick Verreos at the "Wine Women and Shoes Seattle Event", Four Season Seattle

Afterward, I headed to the main Ball Room, where over 300 guests tasted lots of delicious wine, and sampled lots of FABULOUS fashions that they could purchase--with some proceeds going to the wonderful Seattle Children's Home.

Seattle Fierce: Nick Verreos with guests at "Wine Women and Shoes Seattle" Four Season Seattle

I spent the next three hours (as guests arrived, sampled delicious canapes and wine, as well as tried on some of the participating vendors' jewelry and shoes)--on a microphone--making my "Red Carpet Commentating" on guests fab shoes, as well as their outfits--and telling them to SHOP, SHOP, SHOP--as well as partake in all the wine!!! I also judged a "Best Shoes" contest and awarded the most "Classy Classic" shoe, as well as best "Stunning Stiletto" and fiercest "Embellishment Extraordinaire" pump. I did a special "Runway Walk" with the winners (I think they loved that!).

Auction Table: A Custom One-of-a-Kind Nick Verreos Fashion Illustration

There was a special Silent Auction--and one of the items up for Auction was a One-of-a-Kind Fashion Illustration sketch by me, that I would sketch right then and there. The highest bidder/winner, a lovely and very fashionable woman by the name of Alana, was so ecstatic (and so SWEET!!) that I decided to do TWO sketches for her--as cameras and guests watched--it felt like one of those "Project Runway" Make-It-Work Moments: Do a Fabulous Fashion Illustration in Fifteen Minutes...Or Else!!

One was my "Vision for her in a Couture NIKOLAKI Gown" from my line (above). And then I decided to sketch her in the outfit she was wearing.

Winning Fashionista: The Winning Bidder, Alana Jan Koetje Morris of Mercer Island Washington...

And the second sketch I did of her

I absolutely had a blast hosting this First Ever "Wine Women and Shoes" Seattle event and I heard--from a little birdie--that the guests--as well as the clients--were also very happy. After a "good job done", I ventured up to my room, ordered in-room dining and passed out! Incidentally, I was so tired I didn't make it into my gorgeous Four Seasons Bathtub in my hotel room! Maybe next time!

*Click HERE for Team Photogenic and their exclusive video and photos of my event.

*Click HERE for more photos from Seattleite Magazine--including the Winners of the "Best Shoes" and more...

FASHION MONDAYS: Beyonce in Paris: A Fashion Show EVERY DAY!!!

FASHION MONDAYS: Beyonce in Paris: A Fashion Show EVERY DAY!!!

Beyonce in Paris: It's a Catwalk EVERY DAY!!!

Beyonce poses for a Harper's Bazaar shoot at The Ritz Paris balcony

Miss Beyonce is in Paris for a Harper's Bazaar shoot--and enjoying the City of Lights with her hubby Jay-Z and family. They arrived last Monday and are--according to some sources--staying at the LUXE Hotel Le Meurice and purportedly, spending about $20,000 a night on the Penthouse Suite. To them, $20,000 a day is like withdrawing the $40 Fast Cash at the ATM, I am sure!

Sun Goddess: Beyonce in the Harper's Bazaar shoot, wearing Gucci Fall 2011, in The Ritz Paris balcony

Over the weekend, she was spotted doing that aforementioned Harper's Bazaar shoot on the balcony of another tony hotel, The Ritz. She was wearing a sexy black silk chiffon halter gown with red "rose petal" torso detail from Gucci Fall 2011.

Pumps in Disneyland Paris? Yep, when you're Beyonce

Throughout the week, Miss Beyonce has been giving FASHION in the World's Fashion Capital. Only Miss THANG would go to Disneyland Paris and wear black 6" Stiletto BOOTS, black drop-crotch pants and a jersey muscle tee---ALL DAY!!! Everyone else goes to Disney Amusement Parks in shorts and sneakers....But not Miss Beyonce! (well, and I wouldn't either, to tell you the truth!). I love how she added her own "pedestrian touch" by sportin' that fun "Goofy" baseball cap. Cute!

Just Woke Up Look: Beyonce looks for her Morning Croissants

Next, she was also spotted in Paris in a side-baring black jumpsuit and (once again), her favorite accessory: SKY-high heels!!! Notice the skin-colored under bustier.

Let me guess: She was just getting her Morning Coffee and Croissants??? This is what I would wear, wouldn't you?

Le Sexy: Beyonce in Paris

Then, on another Paris outing, Miss Beyonce continues her "I'm in Paris and I am GIVING SEXY!", when she was seen in a very mini side draped printed dress, a big handbag, sunglasses, her iphone and THAT ring!

Let's see: Where could she be going in this little cocktail number? I say, she's going for a Brie Cheese run at the local grocery store. Not.

Prim and Proper: Beyonce in Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 polka-dotted dress

And finally, we'll end our "Beyonce in Paris" fashion tour on a prim and proper note: Here she is in a green-and-red mini-polka dotted dress with a high neck and below-the-knee hovering skirt which she wore yesterday for her Parisian Easter Brunch. Very 1940's and very NOW I must say.

Au Revoir Beyonce!