NIKOLAKI.....Make-A-Wish San Diego "Fashion With A Passion" FIDM San Diego: RECAP!

NIKOLAKI.....Make-A-Wish San Diego "Fashion With A Passion" FIDM San Diego: RECAP!

Gown Beautiful: Model Amanda Fields Bennett and Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI silk sequined gown with silk chiffon cape--7th Annual "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego , FIDM San Diego

Last week, I had the pleasure of traveling to San Diego to headline the 7th Annual "Fashion With A Passion" Event and Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego. The event was held at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM San Diego, and my Alma Mater--FIDM--was kind enough to underwrite my appearance and fashion show.

Silent Auction Room: 2017 "Fashion With A Passion" Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

The annual event is very popular for many reasons, including the fact that it benefits Make-A-Wish San Diego, as well as for its Wine-and-Food, Accessories Swap, latest Fashion Finds tables, amazing raffles, wonderful Silent Auction and THE Fashion Show. Prior to the actual event, I filmed some fun TV segments with local San Diego TV stations including FOX5 San Diego as well as San Diego Living Morning Show on CW6...

 Nick Verreos--At FIDM San Diego with his NIKOLAKI and NV Nick Verreos designs--FIDM San Diego

Nick Verreos "A Passion For Fashion" Book--FIDM San Diego bookstore

 (L to R): Nick Verreos, FOX5 San Diego reporter Heather Lake and Make-A-Wish San Diego Ambassador Jazmyn--FIDM San Diego

 San Diego TV: Nick Verreos and model Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI gold sequined gown--"San Diego Living" Morning TV Show CW6 San Diego, promoting the 7th Annual "Fashion With A Passion" Event Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego

Picture This: Nick Verreos and model Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI gold sequined silk gown--"San Diego Living" Morning Show" CW6 San Diego

Nick Verreos with models Amanda Fields Bennett and Amber Lindauer of L.A. Models Runway in NIKOLAKI gowns: Blush colored silk sequined gown with silk chiffon cape (L) and golden sequined silk gown with cowl top and capelet detail--7th Annual "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego , FIDM San Diego

I was honored to show some of my fabulous high-end NIKOLAKI Red Carpet gowns as well as NV Nick Verreos styles I sell exclusively to TV shopping networks here in the US and abroad. My NIKOLAKI design partner, David Paul and I, were also humbled enough to dress the BEAUTIFUL Jazmyn, the Make-A-Wish San Diego Ambassador. Here are photos from the event and my NIKOLAKI Fashion Show--as well as post-fashion show:

Couture on Hangers: NIKOLAKI gowns on hangers ready for the 2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Ballgown 101: Nick Verreos discusses the inner-workings of a NIKOLAKi ballgown--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Cascade One Shoulder Diva: Model Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI yellow silk crape satin one shoulder gown with cascade drape--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Oscars Goddess: Model Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI Custom Gown worn by Debbie Matenopoulos at the 2017 Academy Awards---2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Sequined Couture: Model Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI nCustom silk sequined blush-colored gown with silk chiffon cape--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

NV Fab: Model Amanda Fields Bennett in NV Nick Verreos Printed Top and Studded Leggings at 2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Shimmering: Models Amanda Fields Bennett (L) and Amber Lindauer (R) in NIKOLAKI gowns--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Then & Now...Model and David's Niece: Model Amanda Fields Bennett and David Paul's niece Emilie Coon--Left photo is from 2011 and the right one is now, in 2017. Emilie is wonderful enough to assist backstage in these San Diego-based shows so it was great to get this Then-&-Now Pic

Book Fans: Nick Verreos with guests holding their copies of Nick's "A Passion For Fashion" book--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Meet and Greet: Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI, along with models in NIKOLAKI gowns--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

NV Divas: Rachel Padilla and David's mom, Conchita Encinas Hansen--wearing the same fabulous black-and-white "NV Nick Verreos" Moto Jacket--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

NIKOLAKI Muses: (L to R) Model Amanda Fields Bennett, Make-A-Wish San Diego Ambassador Jazmyn, and model Amber Lindauer--all in NIKOLAKI--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" Event Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego FIDM San Diego

Designers Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI with Jazmyn, Make-A-Wish San Diego Ambassador--and models in NIKOLAKI gowns--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Designers and Muse: Nick Verreos, Jazmyn, the Make-A-Wish San Diego Ambassador, and David Paul--2017 "Fashion With A Passion" NIKOLAKI Fashion Show Benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

Fashion Catwalking as an Olympic Sport:

London 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony Fashion Tableaux

This past Sunday signaled the end of the London 2012 Olympics with the Closing Ceremony. There was A LOT of criticism out there in the social media/Facebook/Twitter-sphere regarding the NBC telecast of the Closing Ceremony--from the Tom Brokaw WW II "History Lesson" to the cutting off of The Who performance in lieu of watching a prepubescent boy band and a full episode of NBC's Animal Practice...but I thought London put on an amazing show--notwithstanding the criticized NBC edits. I thought it was TEN times better than the Danny Boyle Opening Ceremony and certainly much more exciting. But that's just me...

Torino Olympics Flashback: Nick Verreos--in major Torino gear--at the Closing Ceremony, Torino 2006 Winter Olympics

Six years ago, my NIKOLAKI-partner-for-life David Paul and I attended the Torino Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony. It was good but NOT London 2012 Closing Ceremony good!! I think the highlight of the Torino one was Ricky Martin--he was VERY big then and performed his "Ole Ole Ole...Cup of Life" song! But the London Closing Ceremony was a major celebration of British Music, dance, the 80's (George Michael AND Pet Shop Boys! I felt like I was 19 all over again!!!). And then, what really made me get up and start doing my "Nick Runway Walk" in my TV room was when they brought out the Supermodels and the Super Fashion! Now here's a surefire way to get a fashion designer's attention! Thank you Closing Ceremony Producers.

Catwalk Fierce: (left to right) Models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy (model Lily Donaldson is hidden behind Gandy)

The Closing Ceremony Fashion Spectacle began as eight big "billboard trucks" made their way into the
Olympic Stadium. To the musical backdrop of David Bowie’s "Fashion", the black and white billboards were pulled back and BAM!, the billboards fell away to reveal the gold-clad models--all Top British Models wearing Top British Fashion Designer's couture.

Liza Minnelli Envy: Stella Tennant in a gold sequined suit from fashion designer Christopher Kane

Golden Gorgeous: (left to right) The only male model in the Closing Ceremony Olympics Catwalk, David Gandy in gold lurex suit by Paul Smith with Jourdan Dunn  in a Stephen Jones feathered headdress and Jonathan Saunders ivory jersey with gold lame column gown; Karen Elson  in a slit-up-to-there gold strappy gown from the House of Burberry.

Fitted, Short and Sweet: (left to right) Model Lily Donaldson in a corseted bust-pushing gown from Vivienne Westwood; Lily Cole in a gold brocade and lace knee-length dress from Erdem

Sequined Super: one of the MAJAH SUPER Models in the group--the one and only Kate Moss wore a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen bias cut golden sequin gown with cap sleeves and scooped neckline. She SLITHERED on the runway like it was 1994 kids!!

Flared Blue Blood: Georgia May Jagger (yes, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger's beautiful daughter) in gold silk gazar a-line dress from Victoria Beckham--there was criticism on the web-o-sphere about Beckham being included here as one of the "Top" iconic British Fashion designers, and some people suspected that this might have been a "requirement" of sorts--contractually, if she was to perform with the rest of her Spice Girls...who knows...I think it was a very pretty dress.

La Diva: And finally, Miss Naomi. Yes, kids, it wouldn't be a British Fashion Show to End all British Fashion Shows WITHOUT Miss Naomi Campbell. And she delivered darlings. Campbell STOMPED onto the London 2012 Closing Ceremony catwalk showing EVERYONE why she is who she is and why she can throw cell phones at anyone she wants---in an iridescent golden tulle dress from Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

The gown was very Olympics Warrior Goddess and naturally, included a dramatic and very long train.

Cheers to British Fashion, British Models and yes, the London 2012 Olympics!

MET GALA 2016: What Did The Models Wear?

MET GALA 2016: What Did The Models Wear?

The 2nd of May 2016 was one of the most important days of the year for the fashion industry and for all the fashion lovers. It was the date of the annual Met Ball.

We have already picked our best and worst dressed celebrities here, and now it's time to focus on models... All of them! I think that models shouldn't be afraid to play with the themes of Gala, but unfortunately too many of them played safe or didn't consider the theme at all! This year's theme was "Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology": let's see what models wore.

LOOKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE THEME

BEST LOOKS

Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa

Karolina had the most beautiful and most appropriate dress of the night. Her "cognitive dress" was designed together by Marchesa (the manus) and an IBM cognitive computer system (the machina). The result of this partnership was a couture high-tech dress, covered with romantic flowers, embedded with colour changing LEDs. You can read more about the process that brought to life this breathtaking dress on the IBM's blog.

Anna Ewers in Hugo Boss

Anna looked extremely elegant in a bespoke embellished Hugo Boss gown.

Naomi Campbell in Roberto Cavalli

Naomi wore a Roberto Cavalli black silk lace dress, embroidered with beads and crystals. I am in love with the shape of the this gown, especially with the train skirt. I feel like this dress didn't get enough recognition.

Jourdan Dunn in Balmain

On the contrary, Balmain always gets more recognition than it deserves. However, this time I won't complain (too much), because Jourdan Dunn's dress was beautiful and appropriate.

MORE BALMAIN

Joan Smalls, Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Cindy Crawford in Balmain

I really liked Doutzen's white dress. It was elegant and not over embellished: a rarity for Balmain! I'm not sure if it suits the theme, though.

Joan, Alessandra and Cindy's metallic gowns reminded more of the theme, however Joan and Alessandra's dresses were just a silver version of Balmain's designs that we have already seen a million times. Dear Olivier, if you don't have enough inspiration to design five interesting dresses, then only bring one or two models at the Met Gala with you: I'm tired of seeing your same designs all the times! Thank you.

BOREDOM KINGDOM

Liu Wen in Iris Van Herpen

Liu chose the perfect designer for this year's theme: Iris Van Herpen. Unfortunately she didn't pick such an interesting dress. She could have done way better than this!

Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger

Gigi designed her dress together with Tommy Hilfiger. I think there is a reason why models aren't designers and it's because they would design dull clothes like this one. Anyways, I'm yet to find out why Gigi is a model.

Lara Stone in Tom Ford

I can't find much to say about this dress. It fits the theme and it's elegant, but it's nothing special.

Lily Aldridge in Michael Kors

Lily's make-up was on point, but what about the dress? I've seen this Micheal Kors gown too many times, and frankly it's not even that good.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Ralph Lauren

It goes without saying that I was expecting more from Rosie. The dress and the make-up were too simple and safe. That's two years in a row that Rosie lets me down at the Met Gala!

MODELS WHO IGNORED THE THEME

BEST LOOKS

Karlie Kloss in Brandon Maxwell

One dress, three outfits: with the cape, without the cape and after a cut. Karlie always looked very elegant.

Miranda Kerr in Louis Vuitton

Unlike Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Alicia Wikander and  Grimezsz, Miranda wore a nice Louis Vuitton dress and styled it perfectly.

Adriana Lima in Giambattista Valli

Adriana looked stunning in a couture Giambattista Valli embellished gown, even thought it would have been nicer to see a custom made dress for this occasion.

Kate Upton in Topshop - Bella Hadid in Givenchy

Kate Upton impressed me with this extremely elegant Topshop outfit: well done! Bella's Givenchy gown was absolutely amazing, but those boots partially ruined the look.

Stella Maxwell and Maryna Linchuk in Topshop

When you are invited to a Gala to show off your outfit, but the photographers take no good photos of you...! I really wish I was able to see these two dresses better because they both seem very nice.

Andreea Diaconu and Vanessa Axente in Roberto Cavalli - Taylor Hill in Topshop

Andreea and Vanessa wore two beautiful gowns from the latest Roberto Cavalli collection, but they could have improved the styling. On the contrary, Taylor's dress was a bit too simple, but it gained points thanks to the accurate styling.

NOT GALA MATERIAL

Fei Fei Sun in Chanel - Ming Xi in Micheal Kors

Fei Fei Sun and Ming Xi would look sophisticated with anything, but this dresses are not enough for the Met Gala in addition to not fitting the theme.

Irina Shayk in Givenchy - Kendall Jenner in Atelier Versace

At least the two models above looked elegant... I can't say the same about Irina and Kendall!

Jessica Hart in Azzedine Alaia - Jamie Bochert in Marc Jacobs

It might even be Azzedine Alaia, but I still feel like the lace two pieces are a bit dated, as I've seen them so many times over the past years. There are other wrong things with Jessica's look: the styling doesn't work and that nude layer under the skirt looks terrible. Let's move to Jamie: I just don't see the beauty in her dress. And what are those fabric pieces that hang down?

Emily Ratajkowski in Prabal Gurung

The front of Emily's dress wasn't terrible, but the back looked unbelivably cheap! The mesh, the drape, the jewel on the dress are a big NO!

Written by: MsD