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...

GRAMMY AWARDS 2016: is this the worst red carpet of the year?

GRAMMY AWARDS 2016: is this the worst red carpet of the year?

Yes. 

I am not trying to sound mean, but that is a fact: the 58th Grammy awards wins #TEB's trophy as the most underwhelming red carpet of the year. 

Music on point, fashion...next.

Beyoncè skipped the red carpet, no Rihanna, no Nicki Minaj, no JLo, and I hate myself for saying this but no sign of the Kardashian/Jenners (however I would hide too after wearing those terrible creations at Yeezy season 3). All that is left is a bunch of generic (sometimes boring) outfits, except for Lady Gaga of course, I mean nothing is generinc when it comes to her.

Ready? Let's have a closer look to the Grammys red carpet:

ANGELIC VISIONS

Chrissy Teigen in Yousef Aljasmi; Beyoncè in Inbal Dror

We are borderline with the bridal territory, but we can not deny how effortless and classy these dresses look. Pregnancy is looking good on Chrissy Teigen, and fashion-wise I do love her glamorous maternity-style. As for my queen Beyoncè, I was expecting more from her: she has been wearing sheer dresses for too long, and it starting to feel boring, however I do like the tastefull design of this one.

SPLASH OF COLOR

Taylor Swift in Atelier Versace; Kacey Musgraves in Armani Privé Couture

Color-blocking looks good on ex-country star Taylor Swift, even if I have problems to call this Versace number a dress, I mean doesn't it look like a two-pieces swimsuit witha fancy sarong? Anyway this new shorter (Anna Wintour-inspired) hair-do sealed the deal, so gets my nulla-osta.
The actual country princess Kacey Musgraves choose something more elegant and nailed it: this Armani Privé Couture dress from the Fall 2015 collection looked flawless on her.

BOWIE TRIBUTES

Zendaya in Dsquared2; Lady Gaga in custom Marc Jacobs

Tributes are the highest form of respect to someone that has passed away: this year we have lost many big artists, among which the legendary David Bowie.
Lady Gaga had the honor to perform a tribute to the singer at the awards show, and given her personality and character it make sense to see her bringing her tribute also on the red carpet. If you don't stare at the shoes to much, it works, believe me.
As for Zendaya, I can not really decide whether I like the execution of the tribute or not: she took the androginus path, sporting Bowie's famous Ziggy Stardust mullet and wearing a black suit by DSquared2. This is another unexpected yet bold choice made by the young star and her stylist, that unfortunately failed to convince me. A++ for the effort.

IN CHARACTER

Janelle Monae; Florence Welch in Gucci

It's costumy, but I love it...on Janelle Monae: it's Grammys night at the end of the day, what did you expect?
Moving to Florence Welch..., well Gucci is on a roll this year: this is another A-list celebrity wearing an Alessandro Michele's design without looking like a cartoon. Good job.

DIVAS

Jazmine Sullivan in Micheal Costello; Adele in Givenchy

I could listen to their voices for days, but who wins the fashion game? Personally I love Jazmine Sullivan choice better: the RnB diva wore a feminine yet elegant piece by Michael Costello, which fits her like a glove. Adele went classy in Givenchy all night, however the ruby red piece she wore on stage totally outshined this black number on the red carpet.

(OLD) LADY LIKE

Demi Lovato in Norisol Ferrari; Megan Trainor in Micheal Costello

Take to beautiful young rising stars in their 20s...and dress them like they were 40. Pardon 35.

SEXY SEXY SEXY

Bella Hadid in Alexandre Vauthier Couture; Ciara in Alexandre Vauthier; Alessandra Ambrosio in Versace

Plunging neklines, slits, cut-outs, dark smokey eyes and lots of skin: girls you are beautiful, but I am officially bored. It is not even funny anymore. "Less is more"they say, but I do not belive they were referring to the amount of fabric...

1 SINGLE FLAW

Selena Gomez in Calvin Klein; Ariana Grande in Romona Keveza; Lianne La Havas in Vivienne Westwood

Everything was on point except for...

-Selena Gomez hair and make up. She is beautiful but she reminds me of JLo..and not in her 20s.

-Ariana Grande make up and hair: imagine a low ponytail and a softer make up. Is it better?

-Lianne La Havas shoes: too heavy for me.

WORST

Medison Bier; Wiz Kalifa in Thom Browne; Tove Lo

The ultimate cheap-looking party dress, an embellished shrunken three-piece with tails and a beautiful lace nightmare. Impressive.

Sorry, I need to heal my eyes: maybe it's better to look back at the BAFTA red carpet.

Written by: Stella

***

58th annual GRAMMY AWARDS

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Really Love” – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes

To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

Traveller – Chris Stapleton

1989 – Taylor Swift

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

BEST NEW ARTIST

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

“Heartbeat Song” – Kelly Clarkson

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Ship To Wreck” – Florence + The Machine

“Sugar” – Maroon 5

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Piece By Piece – Kelly Clarkson

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence + The Machine

Uptown Special – Mark Ronson

1989 – Taylor Swift

Before This World – James Taylor

BEST DANCE RECORDING

“We’re All We Need” – Above & Beyond Featuring Zoë Johnston

“Go” – The Chemical Brothers

“Never Catch Me” – Flying Lotus Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“Runaway (U & I)” – Galantis

“Where Are Ü Now” – Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

Our Love – Caribou

Born In The Echoes – The Chemical Brothers

Caracal – Disclosure

In Colour – Jamie XX

Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack Ü – Skrillex And Diplo

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE

“If I Don’t Have You” – Tamar Braxton

“Rise Up” – Andra Day

“Breathing Underwater” – Hiatus Kaiyote

“Planes” – Jeremih Featuring J. Cole

“Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)” – The Weeknd

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

“He Is” – Faith Evans

“Little Ghetto Boy” – Lalah Hathaway

“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan

“Shame” – Tyrese

“My Favorite Part Of You” – Charlie Wilson

BEST R&B SONG

“Coffee” – Miguel

“Earned It” – The Weeknd

“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan

“Really Love” – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

“Shame” – Tyrese

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

Ego Death – The Internet

You Should Be Here – Kehlani

Blood – Lianne La Havas

Wildheart – Miguel

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

BEST R&B ALBUM

Coming Home – Leon Bridges

Black Messiah – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

Cheers To The Fall – Andra Day

Reality Show – Jazmine Sullivan

Forever Charlie – Charlie Wilson

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

“Apparently” – J. Cole

“Back To Back” – Drake

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Truffle Butter” – Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake & Lil Wayne

“All Day” – Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

“One Man Can Change The World” – Big Sean Featuring Kanye West & John Legend

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Classic Man” – Jidenna Featuring Roman GianArthur

“These Walls” – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat

“Only” – Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown

BEST RAP SONG

“All Day” – Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Energy” – Drake

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

BEST RAP ALBUM

2014 Forest Hills Drive – J. Cole

Compton – Dr. Dre

If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late – Drake

To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Empire: Season 1 – Various Artists

Fifty Shades Of Grey – Various Artists

Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me – Various Artists

Pitch Perfect 2 – Various Artists

Selma – Various Artists

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“Earned It” – The Weeknd

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

“Til It Happens To You” – Lady Gaga

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Jeff Bhasker

Dave Cobb

Diplo

Larry Klein

Blake Mills

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

“LSD” – ASAP Rocky

“I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” – The Dead Weather

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“Freedom” – Pharrell Williams

BEST MUSIC FILM

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown

Sonic Highways

What Happened, Miss Simone?

The Wall

Amy

Nick TV Minute: NBC-LA TV Emmy Awards 2012, FIDM Scholarship Store Red Carpet Finds, and Much More!

Nick TV Minute: NBC-LA TV Emmy Awards 2012, FIDM Scholarship Store Red Carpet Finds, and Much More!

Emmy TV Minute:

Today in Fashion Fab: (Left to right) Carl Bell (Weathercaster for the weekend editions for "Today In LA NBC"), "Today In LA Weekend" Anchors Ted Chen, Michelle Valles, and Nick Verreos

Last weekend was Emmy Awards time and as it has become a tradition, I was asked to go to visit my NBC-LA friends as the Fashion and Museum Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--to give my "Nick Two Cents" on what I thought the "Red Carpet Trends for the Emmys 2012" would be before the actual Emmy Awards and then I returned the day after to give my Emmys Fashion Round Up.

Speaking of the Emmy Awards and Costumes and FIDM--just so you know--the winning designs for this year's Emmy Awards "Outstanding Costumes for a Series" was HBO's "Game of Thrones" (above photo) and yes...

They are featured at this year's "6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design" Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries. And don't forget, they are open (Tuesday through Saturday) until October 20th and best of all, it's FREE. Go check it out (if you haven't!).

Now, let's discuss my predictions: last Saturday prior to the Emmy Awards 2012 Live Telecast, I went on NBC-LA Channel 4 "Today in LA" weekend news program with anchors Ted Chen and Michelle Valles to discuss what I thought would be the Red Carpet Trends using gowns from my very own NIKOLAKI Collection. I mentioned "The High Low Hem":

 NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul "high-low hem" gowns

And that came true in various forms, including the black Zac Posen gown "Mad Men" actress January Jones wore:

I also talked about COLOR--particularly corals, reds, etc. being a possible big trend--and lo and behold, they were:

Left to right: (my example) NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul coral colored gown and Ginnifer Goodwin in a Monique Lhullier coral and nude gown (also High-Low Hem BTW!)

Finally, I told Ted and Michelle on NBC-LA "Today in LA" weekend show that full-on sequins would be a presence on Emmy Awards 2012 red carpet...and it was:

Left to right: (my example) NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, and Sofia Vergara in Zuhair Murad all-over sequin gown

NBC-LA News Anchors Chuck Henry, Colleen Williams and Fashion Designer FIDM Spokesperson Nick Verreos

On Monday after the Emmy Awards, I had the pleasure of being invited back to the NBC-LA Burbank Studios to discuss my "Top Picks" and those styles that well, were great but "Needed Improvement!". For the NBC-LA Channel 4 5 o'clock News, I joined my FAVORITE Anchors Colleen Williams and Chuck Henry. In case you were wondering, my Best Dressed was...

Heidi Klum in seafoam green Alexandre Vauthier silk chiffon double-slit gown. Perfect Miss Heidi.

To finish off my NBC-LA appearances over the weekend, I also shot a fun TV segment with Ted Chen showing "How to Dress for Red Carpet Events" on less than $100, featuring looks from the wonderful FIDM Scholarship Store, located in Downtown LA, street level at FIDM LA Campus.

Gown Sale: FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A.

Fashionista Jewelry Options: FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A.

I was so excited to film a special TV segment with NBC-LA's Ted Chen showing how women can dress for their own "Red Carpet" events but not spend thousands and thousands of dollars. The FIDM Scholarship Store is great for that. It has LOTS and LOTS of gowns, cocktail dresses, for under $100 from BRAND name designers--that would work perfectly at events such as the Emmys.

Strapless Girls: Nick Verreos, with models (left to right) Zdenka Sutton, Amanda Fields and Etirsa--FIDM Scholarship Store

Joining me on the NBC-LA "Red Carpet Under $100" segment were three of my favorite models in Southern California including Amanda Fields, Etirsa, and Zdenka Sutton.

Gown Prom Dates: FIDM Spokesperson and Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and NBC-LA's Ted Chen join models Zdenka Sutton, Amanda Fields and Etirsa--FIDM Scholarship Store

We all had so much fun shooting the segment and hopefully (if you watched it), we were helpful in getting the message out there that you don't have to spend $50,000 to look Red Carpet Fab!