FIDM.....FIDM SAN FRANCISCO 3 Days of Fashion: BLOG RECAP of my Special Appearance!

FIDM.....FIDM SAN FRANCISCO 3 Days of Fashion: BLOG RECAP of my Special Appearance!

Ready for SAN FRANCISCO!--Nick Verreos arrives at FIDM San Francisco campus for "3 Days of Fashion" 2017

Continuing with my FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" 2017 Appearances, now it's time for one of  MY FAVORITE CITIES IN THE WORLD: San Francisco! In case you missed my FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" blogs so far, click HERE for FIDM San Diego and HERE for FIDM OC. Soooo....yes, now I was off to San Francisco and the FIDM SF campus for their Final Day of the 3 Days Summer Program.

Yep, We're in SF!--Iconic San Francisco Cable Car, Union Square

My flight from LA was delayed by almost 2 hours (reason: Same ol'/Same ol' SFO fog excuses). After checking in to the iconic Sir Francis Drake Hotel, I had only 15 minutes to grab a lunch...

I HAD to Take a Pic!--Nick Verreos with Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel Bellhop

DELICIOUS & QUICK: Thank you to the FAB staff at Scala's Bistro (located right next to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel), they were able to cook up a Chicken Caesar Salad in no time. And upon leaving, the waitress-Meghan--left this lovely note on my tab: LOVE HER! I think she was a fan of Season 2 "Project Runway" ;)

After finishing my very quick lunch, I put my NIKOLAKI gowns in my big GUCCI duffel bag (packed very nicely by my better half, David Paul!) and head off to the FIDM San Francisco campus in Union Square. I was super excited to be at FIDM SF for their "3 Days of Fashion" to give my special lecture, show my NIKOLAKI designs and meet all the fabulous students! Before I got started, I wanted to know how many boys were in the audience (there were a lot!) so...naturally, I hosted a "Boy Catwalk Contest"! Obviously, because of the nature of the contest, you get a variety of "enthusiastic" and more often than not, timid and often shy participants, but...the guys at the FIDM SF "3 Days of Fashion" were AMAZING!!!!

My Catwalk Boys: Nick Verreos with the contestants of the FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion" Boy Catwalk Contest

In my many, many, MANY years of doing these events, this was THE BEST "Boy Catwalk Contest" EVER!!! The guys embraced it, brought their runway "A" game and some of them, even did death drops! The crowd LOVED it, the contestants were having a blast...and I just about started to cry when I saw how FABULOUS they all were! After their runway walks, I continued on with my special lecture as well as showed three of my NIKOLAKI designs and afterward, did a fun Meet & Greet Photo-taking session that lasted for over TWO HOURS!...

Here are Photos and I hope you enjoy!



NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation:

Giving Back: Model enters to students' "Ooohs & Ahhhs" in my NIKOLAKI silk chiffon sequined open-back cocktail dress--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion" 

Nick Verreos with model Floriane in NIKOLAKI silk chiffon sequined cowl-neck cocktail dress--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Up Close & Personal: Class is in session...Nick Verreos allowing the students to touch the sequins (!)--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Print Beautiful: Floriane modeling NIKOLAKI printed silk chiffon "Amalfi Coast" Gown--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Gown Lecture: Nick Verreos with model Floriane in NIKOLAKI printed silk chiffon "Amalfi Coast" gown--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Model Floriane of Look Model Agency SF in NIKOLAKI deep magenta-colored silk zibeline gown, as she makes her entrance at FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Mermaid Gorgeous: Model Floriane in NIKOLAKI deep magenta-colored silk zibeline gown--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Post-Appearance Meet & Greet Photos:

Meet & Greet Photo Collages--Nick Verreos and students at FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Signing Time: Nick Verreos signing various items at FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Getting a Fab Lei: Nick Verreos gets a Hawaiian Kukui Nut Necklace Lei from a Oahu, Hawaii student--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"

Bye San Francisco!!! One last selfie in Union Square before departing San Francisco

**UP NEXT: FIDM Los Angeles Main Campus "3 Days of Fashion" Special Appearance" RECAP!!! Stay tuned...

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...

Project Runway for Lord & Taylor: My Dress! Original Sketch, Detail Pics + Much More!

Project Runway for Lord & Taylor: My Dress! Original Sketch, Detail Pics + Much More!

Tenth Anniversary Fab:

Grecian Blue: "Nick Verreos for Project Runway/Lord and Taylor" gathered front and back halter-neck cocktail dress in cobalt blue chiffon

Months ago, I was asked to design a dress for the Tenth Anniversary Project Runway Capsule Collection to be sold exclusively at Lord & Taylor. One designer from each of the last nine seasons was asked and I was humbled to be the "Season 2" pick. Now, who's the 10th Season designer for this Lord & Taylor collection, you may ask? Well kids, that will be known tomorrow night when this week's Project Runway episode airs.

The Challenge will be to design a dress for Lord & Taylor (the show's Store Sponsor) and the winner will then join the rest of the nine alumni to complete the ten design tableaux. Immediately following tomorrow night's episode, all the dresses will be available to purchase on LordandTaylor.com--all for under $350...

And next NEXT THURSDAY, September 6th, I (along with the other nine Project Runway alumn/designers) will be in NYC at the iconic Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship to "unveil" all the dresses to the public at a fun Fashion's Night Out event/party from 6-11 PM.

More on My Dress:

Nick Verreos Fashion Illustration of his Lord & Taylor/Project Runway Dress

Original Sketch: Here's the original sketch/design I did for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway when they asked me to be part of this exclusive capsule collection. I originally had envisioned it in a golden color with leather (or faux leather) neck and racer-back "harness" accent. It was inspired by my love of draping, Grecian Goddess and a gown style I did in my high-end NIKOLAKI line. But after some edits and adaptions from the Lord & Taylor design team, it evolved into this:

Nick Verreos for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway cobalt blue gathered front chiffon dress...

...with gathered back and iridescent organza over sequin fabric back yoke

Here's a close-up of the front halter neckline

And here were some of the other designs/sketches I also submitted to them as dress style suggestions. The two themes I was chosen to focus on were "Embellished Body Con" and "Draped"--they eventually chose the halter style as you know by now:

Nick Verreos Fashion Illustrations for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway

Here are the other Project Runway dresses for Lord & Taylor from the Project Runway Capsule Collection:

Left to right: Dresses from Bert Keeter and Chris March

Left to right: Dresses from Gordana Gehlhausen, Jay McCarroll

Left to right: Dresses from Korto Momolu, Mondo Guerra

Left to right: Seth Aaron Anderson, Uli Herzner

So, if you're in NYC next week...See you Next THURSDAY September 6th 6-11 PM, for the UNVEILING of the Tenth Anniversary Project Runway for Lord & Taylor Collection at Fashion's Night Out Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue NYC!!!!