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!!!

Obama and Romney: A Fashion Election Style Minute

Obama and Romney: A Fashion Election Style Minute

Khakis, Mom Jeans, Too Big Dress Shirts & Bland, Bland, Bland...

Presidential Chic: US President Barrack Obama and Governor Romney giving "Presidential Suit Style" at the first 2012 Presidential Debate

Running For President = BLAND Fashion. Why do Presidents or persons running for President of the U.S.A. look so BLAND? Is that what America wants? And should it be that way? Let me raise this question: why do they have to dress like that? Is it good to look bland and so "middle-of-the-road" in terms of style and fashion? Does dressing too well send bad messages to the voters, such as "Too style-concerned means they are frivolous and not worried about the economy, taxes and foreign policy". Of course, as a voter myself, I would not think that but perhaps I am in the minority. As the election draws to an end (Thank God!), and after watching so much news coverage of President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, I began to think--as a Fashion Designer --WHY do these men wear those pleated khakis; why are their dress shirts SO BIG; and why, oh why...do they have to wear Mom Jeans and those navy nylon blouson jackets. Why are the men running for President of the U.S.A. so unfashionable? They dress like my 85 year old dad--who, I love but--he's EIGHTY-FIVE! But maybe that's how America wants to see their Presidents and/or Presidential hopefuls...



Khaki Love:

President Obama and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: I get it, President Obama is touring the destruction and damage Super-storm Sandy brought upon New Jersey (here with NJ Governor Chris Christie) and therefore, his outfit has to say "Casual, Concerned but yet still, Business-minded". To me, it's fine, but why does it ALWAYS have to be this; it's like the Straight Man's Version of "Casual Friday's at the Office". But he still looks like an insurance salesmen surveying the damage. I guess I should just be happy that at least President Obama was wearing FLAT FRONT khakis--as opposed to these pleated ones he featured in the past:

 Pleated Nonsense: President Obama in pleated khakis (and too-big shirts)

I know that he's got "bigger fish to fry" than what to wear but...I wonder if he asks someone in his staff "What should be appropriate for this sort of thing?" and some person with no knowledge of style says "khakis, an open-collar dress shirt, and a nylon jacket". If a Fashion Gay (like me) got to him, I would at least, give him a FAB Trench Coat! Oh--and a scarf. Hermes, preferably. But, yes I am happy that at least someone got to him and told him to DITCH the pleated khakis and go for the FLAT FRONT. Thank you Michelle Obama (I presume--or that gay staffer with style!).

Romney Not Exempt: Governor Mitt Romney drank the "Blouse-y Jacket Kool-Aid" too...this whole ensemble looks like the "Dad Meeting his Daughter's New Boyfriend...on a Saturday" outfit. But to the US, it says "I can be casual too!".  I don't even know what to say. This jacket needs to be put away...far, far away. Maybe the US Government can spend some of my tax money on hiring a design company to make "uniforms"--stylish ones--for the Presidents and Hopeful Presidents--something similar to say, what Banana Republic just designed for the Virgin America staff, flight attendants and pilots  to wear:

I would be all for that. They would create an "Outfit to Tour Disaster Areas", an "Outfit To Tour Ohio", an "Ensemble to visit the Troops", an "Outfit for a Europe Visit", and so on. The First Lady spends so much time on her clothing (and in return, we the public, spend the same amount of time--if not more--scrutinizing it), why can it be the same for the men?



Mom Jean Boys:

PS: It's 2012, Boys: I just about cringe when I see both Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama in those too-high waisted mom jeans. I give points to Governor Romney for his pant legs being a little slimming--but, I take them away when  I see those tacky "whiskers" on the jeans. And need I remind everyone of President Obama and those mom jeans he wore when he threw out the first pitch at the All-Star game back in 2009. I think I gave away a similar style to Out of The Closet back in 1993! Have we seen  Obama wear these again? Nope, not so much. Hopefully, he gave those away too. And not to the Smithsonian!



Too Big Dress Shirts:

Dress Shirt Madness: Both President Obama and Governor Romney love the no-tie, unbutton one button look when they are out there on the "stump" reaching out to the "blue-collar" voters. This is a big theme during those visits. This fashion style makes them look a little more "like us"--or so their handlers think. To me, they look like they are selling vacuum cleaners but I guess to the rest of America, they look "Presidential Casual". And what is up with the roll-up the cuffs thing? So TIRED. Seriously, do people still think this mean s"Oh, look, they're getting to work!! Yipee!".

Tie-Less Boys: Governor Romney and President Obama

Too Large: Why is the shirt SO big? I seriously want to grab three inches off the side and take up about the same amount through the armhole. In all my years as a designer and working with wardrobe stylists on many shows, we always came across men who wanted their clothing WAY too big; we would ask them "What size are you?" And they would say "42 Regular" and we would put them in  a 38R. What is it about men (or at least STRAIGHT Men) wanting to wear boxier, bigger garments? Slimmer dress shirts boys.

So Who Will Win the Presidential Fashion "Nick" Test?

President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney--I'm not sure either will win in the Fashion Election, but hopefully all politicians will slowly move away from the pleated khakis, mom jeans, too-big dress shirts and blouse-y nylon jackets. What do you guys think? Should our Presidents and President Hopefuls look a little more stylish or at least, stop dressing like 85 year old men? Should they ditch those khakis, rolled up too-big shirts and look a little more polished and up-to-date? Should the same "First Lady Fashion Rule" apply to the men? I'd love to hear your feedback!! Do our Presidents and Presidential Hopefuls Need a Style Makeover? Yea or Nay?

Add More Style to Your Personality with Trendy Fashion Accessories

Add More Style to Your Personality with Trendy Fashion Accessories

Fashion & Jewelry Diskon hingga 70%! Bags, Watches, Rings, all for you 

http://www.mobileshoppingsummit.com/

If you love to stand out from the crowd, fashion accessories can really help you out. Being the latest craze among women, trendy fashion accessories just add up to their overall personality. Ideal to suit every outfit, a wide range of fashion accessories are available in the market today.

For fashion lovers, accessories are an integral part of their style statement. The way you pair fashion accessories just reflects your fashion sense. These are just the perfect way to showcase your style and fashion preferences.

Women just love to dress in an adorable way and fashion accessories can add glamorous touch to their look. Whether you are going for a party, office or anywhere else, you can always go for complementing fashion accessories that would just accentuate your overall appeal.

The vibrancy of fashion accessories gives a finishing touch to your attire. With a wide array of fashion items available in the market, you have the chance to complement different accessories with their outfits. Moreover, it gives you an excellent opportunity to create your own style statement that would surely make you look unique from others.

As women of all age group love to be in fashion, multiple options are available to cater to their varied tastes and preferences. Some of the popular fashion accessories include earrings, bracelets, brooches, pins, pendants, rings, cufflinks, bangles, necklaces, etc. Fashion accessories just rejuvenate the simple look and turn it into a gorgeous one.

Fashion jewelry is one of the most popular fashion accessories that every woman loves to wear. Since olden times, women have fascination for different kinds of fashion jewelry to beautify their look. The perfect way to enhance your beauty, fashion jewelry items are the most preferred choices of women to flaunt their unique style.

Available in plethora of designs and flamboyant colors, these fashion accessories are the perfect way to add grace yet modern look to your appearance. Manufactured using less expensive materials like glass, wood, leather, sterling silver, plastic and various imitation stones, fashion jewelry is ideal to match your innovative style statement.

Brooches and pins are other very popular fashion accessories among women and men as well. These are something that one would surely find in the wardrobe of a woman. Beautifully designed using gold, silver and sparkling gemstones, these fashion accessories just enhance the beauty of the attire you wear.

For youngsters with funky and cool fashion sense dog tag is an amazing fashion accessory that they love to wear. Although it was used as an identification tag earlier, but today it is looked upon as a stylish fashion accessory to get a trendy and smart look. Available in variety of designs and materials, you have endless options to match your style.

Being a true blend of style and class, fashion accessories are the perfect way to enhance your beauty and style statement. With such captivating patterns, designs and colors, fashion lovers have a lot to experiment and set a new style.

There are manufacturers and suppliers who offer an extensive range of the most sought after fashion accessories. You can even do an online search to find out reputable sellers of fashion accessories and just go through their websites. Further, you can pick up items that perfectly match up to your preferences. However, when you shop online for fashion accessories you have the option to compare items on the basis of designs, quality, colors and prices.                

Classy Casual Outfit For Guys - Tips For Men

Classy Casual Outfit For Guys - Tips For Men

Men like to keep their dress code very casual, because it is one of the most comfortable dress code, providing an instant relaxed style but also practicality and a “being cool” sense if styled properly. By a little styling you can enhance your dressing style. We are going to show you some amazing casual dress ideas for men for this season.

Mostly men have a couple of jeans and shirts in their wardrobe. Very few like to add formal clothes to their closet. If you don’t own some cool T-shirts you are definitely lacking behind in the fashion sense. To be well dresses, you need to own few pair of jeans and shirts that are very casual and stylish.

You can easily afford these and wear them on regular basis. Casual dresses are very cheaper than formal ones. Therefore purchasing them wouldn’t be any problem for you all. Only a little advice on how to dress well in casual clothes can change your personality and style. A good dressing style can grab everyone’s attention wherever you go. The trick to dress up well is not that difficult. By adding new styles, colors and looks can be a bonus point for you.There are a lot more options for you to wear.  Such as cardigans, t-shirts, collared shirts, sport clothes, Polo’s etc. Carrying accessories is also must. Now lets begin with some  simple casual dress tips for men

Jeans with White Tee Shirt: Boys/men mostly prefer clothes in monochromatic tones and this styling idea is another go at the same tone. White has always been a favorite among men but to make it a little stylish wear it in fashion with regular patched denim and grey ankle high boots. Dark and light colors are must to have in your wardrobe. Denim jeans is must. You can pair any kind of outfit with it.Roll over your trouser

Beanies and T-shirts : Purchase some T-shirts of different styles and colors. You can find some interesting designs at the shops and online too. Replace them with your old typical branded shirts. Graphic shirts are a regular purchase item for men as they come into daily wear but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a stylish look about you. invest in some beanies for the winter season usually a dark toned one and pair it up beautifully with your regular jeans. Facial hair can add extra dapper look.

Collared shirts : A university student or just going out on  a lunch date? both occasions call for a little formal attire but now formal has strayed into some fashion sense and who doesn’t like to wear collared shirts? They are the most stylish shirts you can wear casually. Whether you wear it with jeans or pants. Try to come out of the old designs and colors, rather go for new patterns and styles. Jazz up a simple collared shirt with suede oxfords and rolled up skinnies.

Polo shirts with Bermudas : When you hear the word summers and you like to dress up in a decent way then  I am sure you all own Polo shorts. we already shared some great ideas how to wear polo shirts for sharp look. They are very casual and useful for all the men in every kind of weather. Go for dark and bright colors, as they enhance the beauty. Pair your polo shirts with Beige Bermudas for a day out with friends at the beach. You can wear plimsols or just open sandals.

FIDM MUSEUM....."Fashion Philanthropy" Exhibition, from The Linda & Steven Plochocki Collection

FIDM MUSEUM....."Fashion Philanthropy" Exhibition, from The Linda & Steven Plochocki Collection

Golden Dress: A Boue Soeurs Paris France Silk Tulle and Silk Satin "Presentation Dress"--The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Even though the 11th Annual Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition closed earlier this month, if you are a FASHION COUTURE ENTHUSIAST, you still have plenty of time to swing by the FIDM Museum in Downtown Los Angeles to enjoy the beautiful "Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection".

           The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los                                                                                     Angeles



The Exhibition showcases collected, purchased and donated items--both garments and accessories--from the Plochocki's collection, and explores Linda's fascination with all things floral and embroidered. In addition to 19th and 20th century pieces, the show also highlights contemporary designs by Prada, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Raf Simons for Christian Dior. FIDM Museum Creative Director Peter Lam's hand-crafted paper flowers adorn the walls and accentuate the blush and grey color scheme. 

Linda and Steven Plochocki (Center), with Barbara Bundy (Far left) FIDM Museum Director and Vice President of Education and Tonian Hohberg, President of FIDM--Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection at FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Here are some photos of the GLORIOUS COUTURE on display:

Couture Garden: Historical Ladies Garments from the Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection--on display at "Fashion Philanthropy Exhibition: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

(Left to right): Evening Dress c. 1837-40 evening dress of silk brocade and a 1908 "Afternoon Gown" of gray silk satin and silk chiffon trimmed with embroidered silk flowers from "Liberty and Company" LTD London...

The front bodice of the 1908 "Afternoon Gown" simulates a jacket as seen in the close-up above--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Chic Debutante: A 1928 presentation dress worn by Miss Sallie Bell Gaston at the Dallas Country Club. Made by Boué Souers in Paris. The dress is of silk tulle, silk satin, lamé, metallic floss and silk ribbon embroidery--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Glam Winter Coat: Charles Worth c. 1885 silk velvet brocade coat, trimmed in sable--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Pouffed & Cinched: A jacket-bodice c. 1898 by Jaques Doucet. Iridescent silk taffeta, silk chiffon, silk satin ribbon, silk lace, and silk chenille (notice how TEENY-TINY the wearer must have been back in that era)---"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Asiana Fab: Andrienne Landau velvet & fur coat, c. 2000--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Raining Flowers: Raf Simons for Dior Spring/Summer 2016 coat/parka--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Alta Moda: 1965 Valentino Garavani silk crepe coat with glass beads, rhinestones, metallic and silk thread and synthetic raffia--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Nuptials Couture: Wedding Gown c. 1878 by Emile Pingat made of silk faille, netting, chiffon, floss, satin, cotton and lace. Orange blossoms made of colored wax detail the gown. The dress is 139 YEARS OLD and in PERFECT CONDITION; better than some of my NIKOLAKI gowns that are worn on the red carpet after one night's event!--"Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection" Exhibition FIDM Museum, Downtown Los Angeles

Here are the DETAILS of the fabulous exhibition:

WHAT: Fashion Philanthropy: The Linda and Steven Plochocki Collection 



WHEN: Runs through December 22, 2017



WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries 

                919 South Grand Avenue, Ground Floor 

                Los Angeles California 90015

                Entrance on Grand Hope Park side



COST: FREE!