Nick Verreos Goes to the FIDM Fashion Club Party--and Debut 2011 Part One!

Nick Verreos Goes to the FIDM Fashion Club Party--and Debut 2011 Part One!

Fashion Club Carnival: Samba DJ'ing, Colored Feathers, Dipped Chocolate-covered Marshmallows, and much more...

Let's Do It Girls! Nick Verreos leads his models, Amara and Brianna--in NIKOLAKI gowns--down the FIDM Debut 2011 Runway (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Last weekend's "FIDM Fashion Marathon" of Open House, Debut Shows and Fashion Club Parties was a big success! So, without further ado---it's time for the Fashion Club Party!!!

FashionClub.com--sponsored by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--is an online site for aspiring fashion designers, future fashion industry trendsetters in high schools all across the country--and across the world. It gives prom advice, shows you the hottest trends in teen fashion and jewelry and even has contests to win scholarships to go to FIDM.

In addition, It also helps students--and their instructors--start their own "FIDM Fashion Club" at their high school! Every year, during the FIDM Debut Show, Fashion Club holds their big fabulous bash--The Fashion Club Party--and for 2011, the theme was "Carnival in Rio" since this was actually the theme the Costume Design Grads had for their 2011 Debut Collection.

May I Serve You Some Crudités? Nick Verreos, inside the FIDM Fashion Club Party 2011

A HUGE tent is constructed right outside the Santa Monica Barker Hangar just for the party and hundreds of Fashion Club members from all over the US--and abroad--get special VIP tickets to attend. And of course, I get to go too!!!

Inside, plush couches and tables were draped in vibrant "Carnival" colors of aquamarine, tangerine, emeralds and cherry reds. Lots of feathers, beads and sequins were strategically strewn for further "party" effect. Plus, there was a DJ (wearing a Brazilian Carnival Headdress!) playing "Samba House" as well as pop, rock, and anything in between. Picture "Mardis Gras" but in Brazil...at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar!

Guests including high school students, accepted-to-FIDM students, their teachers, and a mom or two thrown in for good measure--got all dressed up in their best "after-five" and were greeted with "Fashion Club Goody Bags" and enjoyed Crudités (above), tropical punch...

As well as "got their sweet-tooth on": Lining up to the always popular Chocolate Fountain (above). There were bananas, strawberries as well as marshmallows ready for the dippin'!

Carmen Miranda Who? Nick Verreos poses with Fashion Club Party 2011 guests--with feathered boas

Also, as it has been the tradition every year at the Fashion Club Party, there was a "Take-a- Photo-With-Nick" section--or Fashion Club Celebrity Corner-- where I posed with any guest who wanted to take a photo. A professional photographer was on hand snapping away and then the photos would be printed out for them to take soon afterward.

Where's Nick? Nick Verreos (head sticking out) and a bunch of his new friends, FIDM Fashion Club Party 2011

I had a BLAST! (and I think all my new photo-posing friends did too!). But soon, it was time for everyone to move into the Barker Hangar and get ready for the 2011 FIDM Debut Show:

Silver-Suited MC: Nick Verreos onstage at the Debut 2011, Santa Monica Barker Hangar (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

There is so much interest in the FIDM Debut Show that they have several shows over a period of three days and this one show was for all the Fashion Club Party guests--as well as thousands of other high school students, educators and parents. I was happy to introduce the show and give my little "pep talk" of what I've been up to lately and how much FIDM influenced me when I was dreaming of becoming a successful fashion designer.

No Pushing Kids: The scene in the Barker Hangar Foyer of Debut 2011 guests taking photos of me (notice the "intense" security guard)

During my introduction, I told everyone that I would be waiting for them in the Barker Hangar Foyer--or Lobby--and happy to take photos and sign anything they had! And boy, they did!!! It was a MAD crazy rush to get photos taken with me that at one point, the security guys were freaking out! For a HOT ten minutes there, I kinda did feel like one of the Jonas Brothers--well the older, bearded, silver-suited, funky-haired one! In the end, it all worked out and most everyone got their photos and autographs: I LOVED every second I spent with each and every one of my photo "dates"!

Take a Bow: Nick Verreos, FIDM Debut 2011 (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

I'll put up photos--and my Recap--of the actual Debut 2011 Fashion Show in another post soon--but for now...

Here's an Exclusive Video of my "FIDM Debut 2011" MC'ing and Introduction:

How To Wear Denim Shorts With Heels

How To Wear Denim Shorts With Heels

Zulu & Zephyr Shallow Top, Ksubi Denim Shorts, Mimco Sporto Scarf, Zu Heels

How To Wear Denim Shorts With Heels (and not look skanky) 

One of my favourite Fashion houses by far, would be Balmain. Year after year the collections tear down the runway with stunning models completely blowing me away with utterly cool rock and roll style. I can never get enough, the images torn out of magazines featuring the looks have stayed with me long after the trend has been copied (usually poorly), are always influencing my style. French, glamorous and edgy, but usually adaptable off runway, with military references, embellishments and texture, there is a lot to covet. In the Spring Summer collections of 2010, Balmain sent tiny denim shorts down the runway, and we have seen them ever since. I am definitely guilty of having ridiculed denim shorts- and even vowed not to wear them. I big time 'knocked it before I tried it'. Then I started working long hours installing design work over the 30-40+ degree heat in summer, painting, lifting and carrying things, bending down etc. Skirts didn't get the job done, pants were too hot and cotton shorts were generally not sturdy enough to hold the vast number of items I would shove into my pockets. Realizing how useful and in fact comfortable they could be, my attitude toward the denim short shifted. Each time I pull them on I admit I still think of the 'never nude' shower scenes from tv show Arrested Development, and can not help but think of the gazillion teenagers out there wearing them (body shape flattering or not- cause they gotta be in with the crowd). It still feels a little too casual at certain times, and I have certainly ordered a pair online only to find the rear coverage is a fraction less than I would like (WARNING: examine them carefully before adding to cart!), but I honestly do like wearing them. I am going to spell that out one more time, I honestly DO like wearing them.

The Guidelines

Of course, there are some rules which I stick to and can recommend as guidelines if you should choose to try out this tricky wardrobe staple ( if it is regularly over 38+ degrees, they are a staple). 

- Make sure that they suit your shape, and buy a size or two up from your 'normal' fit. They look better with some room in the thigh area, and you can wear a nice leather belt to bring them in should you need to at the waist. If they don't suit your shape- something else does, find out what that is and stick to it! 

- Cover up your behind and keep your modesty, no matter your age, keep it out of sight. It only takes a few added centimeters to the hemline to avoid this faux pas

- Stick to a light or dark blue vintage wash, or a simple black, grey or white denim short. 

- On the Balmain runway, the short denim shorts were not seen without a tee and leather motorbike jacket. The thing to take away from this is, if you show off all of that leg, do not show off all of your arms/ chest/ midriff as well. You pick one, and stick to it. 

- Still too hot to wear a long sleeved jacket, knit or cardigan? Opt for a loose long sleeved tee or shirt. 

- Pair with a plain white, grey, black, khaki or beige top, t-shirt, cardigan, knit, jacket or blazer

- I don't see much point in buying into something overly embellished as for me, I grow sick of that really fast. 

- I am not so keen on the pocket linings sticking out past the hem line, it asks for ridicule (and seems like a classic case of design wank to me). 

- As this look can be easily cheapened, go with quality, simple accessories. Add a light scarf or wide brimmed hat for a point of difference. Avoid cheap costume jewelry. 

- Keep makeup simple, clean, natural and minimal (in these photos I'd forgotten mascara, and look extra sleepy, oops!)

- Keep your legs neat, moisturized and natural- no orange streaky fake tans (or, don't fake tan at all, it works for me)

Footwear

- You can wear them with a heel (I chose to emphasize this by even styling them for this shoot with a LEOPARD heel. Surely short shorts and leopard are equal to skank, right? Sometimes, yes. It is a very fine line. These leopard faux pony pumps are the right hue, have the right sized print and aren't platform, so it works. Right now there are a lot of this faux pony leopard on offer, in various shoe forms. Below I will add some suggestions that I have been eyeing off). 

- Stick to a simple heel shape, aka a pointed pump or strappy heel in a neutral colour (or a bright red or cobalt for some splash of colour) or a boot. 

- Stay away from anything too busy, platformed or 'cheap' looking. Leave the gimmicks alone. 

Get the look
Denim Shorts:
Under $100: (Vintage Wash) One Teaspoon, (White) One Teaspoon
Under $50: (Vintage Wash) Asos, Just Jeans, Wrangler (Black) Billabong, (White) Rip Curl

Faux Pony Hair Leopard Shoes:
Heels: Seed Heritage, Tony Bianco
Flats: (Skate shoes) Seed Heritage, Windsor Smith, (Flats) Steve Madden, Tony Bianco

xx Jenelle

Shots by Mario Recchia

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