Europe 2012: "Florence Meets Hollywood" NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation

Europe 2012: "Florence Meets Hollywood" NIKOLAKI Fashion Presentation

Alta Moda Italia!

Red Carpet in Firenze: Nick Verreos flanked by two Italian models in his NIKOLAKI Collection gowns, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation as part of my Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" Program visit, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy --and in case you are wondering the model on my left is 6' 2" WITHOUT heels!

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Last month, I had the honor--and pleasure--of flying to Italy with my better half--my NIKOLAKI design partner-for-life David Paul--to be part of a very special event. For the last four years, I have been invited to take part in Miami University of Ohio's "Summer in Italy" program.

It is a highly popular Study Abroad program from Miami University's College o Arts and Sciences in the Department of English, where students travel to Italy, taking English and Journalism courses in Florence Italy and of course, get to experience life there as well as the importance of fashion to that city. Part of my visit includes a special "Fashion Lecture" (in a later post!) but...

This year, with the fabulous help of photographer, creative director and fashion producer EXTRAORDINAIRE Jerry Lee Ingram, the school also organized an amazing fashion presentation titled "Florence Meets Hollywood" where I got to show some of my very exclusive red carpet NIKOLAKI gowns to a specially-invited audience in Firenze Italia! The event was being held at the Consorzio Palazzi/Palazzo Bombicci Pontelli Guicciardini Strozzi in the Sala Rosa or Pink Room of the Florence University of the Arts/FUA.

Traveling Ensemble: Nick Verreos, arriving in Florence Italy via TrenItalia

After a twelve hour flight from Los Angeles to Rome and a 1 1/2 hour "fast-train" to Florence, David and I finally arrived. The following day, we helped set up for that evening's presentation.

 Gowns In Waiting: NIKOLAKI Collection gowns
post-steaming, waiting their final destination--will it be a Mannequin form or
a LIVE model?

 Galleria NIKOLAKI: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul
Gowns, "Florence Meets Hollywood"
Fashion Presentation at the Sala Rosa, FUA Florence
Italy

We steamed and pressed the NIKOLAKI gowns--some worth over $10,000--that  we brought all the way from the US and then set them up on well-appointed mannequins in the GORGEOUS room the event being held in.

Gallery Preparations: "Florence Meets Hollywood" set-up, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Fashion Nerves: David Paul and Nick Verreos of NIKOLAKI getting the mannequins ready for the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

NIKOLAKI Twosome: David Paul and Nick Verreos, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy  

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Then we got back to our hotel, did an outfit change and we were ready to go! A great red carpet was set up to welcome guests at the Florence University of the Arts and up to the Sala Rosa--or Pink Room, site of the event.

  

 Guests at "Hollywood Meets Florence" Fashion presnetation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy Photos courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Including Firenze glitterati as well as FUA students (some of which were BIG "Project Runway" fans!) as well as of course, the Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" students I was scheduled to lecture to the following day.

Hot in Florence: Nick Verreos
(with fan) and "Florence Meets Hollywood" Co-Cost Grace Joh--in
NIKOLAKI Collection strapless red silk dress--Editor-in-Chief of Blending Magazine
and Chair of FUA School of Journalism, Communications and Publishing

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

MC Nick: Nick Verreos hosting "Florence Meets Hollywood", Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy 

 Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

Not only did I show some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet gowns on gorgeous models from Absolute Models Florence (with great hair/makeup by Ronnie Cosma Bigalli), but on display at this AMAZING Sala Rosa "ballroom" at the Florence University of the Arts palazzo where incredible creations by Mazzanti Piume, creators of some of the most amazing feathered designs in the world--from hats, runway gowns, historical costumes to much much more. Here were some of the feathered headdresses at the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation:

Hat Couture: Designs from Mazzanti Piume, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Also, as part of this very special one-of-a-kind fashion presentation, the architectural fashion creations and fab purses and necklaces from Emilia Siano and her brand, Libra Project were on display (photo above) as well as modeled.

Silver Goddess: Model in NIKOLAKI silver and black sequined cowl neck gown with attached capelet, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Final Walk: Models from Absolute Models Florence at the "Florence Meets Hollywood" Fashion Presentation, Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy

Italy Fashion Group: (Left to Right) Model in NIKOLAKI black and silver sequined gown; Nick Verreos; designer Emilia Siano of Libra Project; Model in NIKOLAKI black organza strapless gown with jeweled bust line; Model in Emilia Siano/Libra Project designs; Grace Joh in NIKOLAKI Collection red silk ziberline cocktail dress and Mazzanti Piume hat; and NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul, "Florence Meets Hollywood" Sala Rosa FUA Florence Italy  

Photo courtesy of Melissa Grace Kreider

The show and presentation was a fabulous success! I am so thankful to everyone who took part in helping make the event happen--and especially the guests who endured the over 100 degree temperatures that fell upon us inside the super-filled Sala Rosa during this very hot-and-humid Florence July evening! I was so happy to not just host it but be part of it, bringing my NIKOLAKI gowns--along with David Paul--to gorgeous Firenze ITALIA and to "fashion enlighten" the great Miami University of Ohio "Summer in Italy" Program students and of course, everyone else who attended. Stay tuned for Part Two of "Europe 2012" and my "Summer in Italy Miami University of Ohio" visit--next, up a visit to Polimoda, and photos and recap from my Fashion Lecture.



Click Below for the Florence Meets Hollywood Video:

Nick Verreos Chica Orbit and "Geek To Chic" Winner Attend People En Espanol "50 Mas Bellos" (50 Most Beautiful) in NYC: The Recap!

Nick Verreos Chica Orbit and "Geek To Chic" Winner Attend People En Espanol "50 Mas Bellos" (50 Most Beautiful) in NYC: The Recap!

CHICO Orbit!!!

Dirty Mouth? Not Here: Chica Orbit and Nick Verreos at the Orbit Gum VIP section, People En Español "50 Más Bellos" Party NYC

Last week, I flew to NYC to have some "ChicaOrbit" fun: As you may know, I am the new "Chica Orbit Style Guy" and in the past have designed several Orbit Gum-inspired red carpet dresses for Chica Orbit as well as other celebs.

Perfect Couple: Nick Verreos and Chica Orbit, arriving at the People En Español "50 Más Bellos" Party NYC

This past week, I was invited to attend the fabulous People En Español "50 Más Bellos" (50 Most Beautiful) Party in NYC as well as film some fun Style Tip vignettes--to be featured on the ChicaOrbit.com site (en Español, por supuesto!), as well as help style the Geek To Chic Winner for the fuchsia carpet of the "50 Más Bellos" Party. Yes, that's a MOUTHFUL! But , you see, that's why you need some Orbit chicle, so you keep your mouth fresh and clean--and be fashionable at the same time!!!

Orbit Posers: Chica Orbit and Nick Verreos, at the People En Español "50 Más Bellos" Party NYC

For the party, I donned my best Orbit-blue teal jacket, accessorized it with my custom Swarovski-crystal Orbit pin, and a pocket scarf, especially made from the new "Strawberry Remix"-flavor Orbit Gum print. My date for the night was none other than: Chica Orbit! She's the Latina version of the Orbit Gum Girl; just as fun, just as gorgeous and just as sassy! Chica Orbit came in her best "Orbit" uniform--a white cotton pique dresses with oversized buttons, an Orbit Gum foulard (neck scarf) and white almost-to-the-knee boots.

Chic to Chic: Nick Verreos , "Geek To Chic" Winner Noemi Salazar and Chica Orbit, walking the fuchsia carpet, People En Español "50 Más Bellos" Party NYC

At the party's fuchsia carpet, we were met by the winner of the Chica Orbit Geek To Chic Contest. The beautiful Noemi Salazar won this contest and as a result, got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to get a makeover--make-up and hair by professionals, as well as walk the carpet at a fabulous event and the icing on the cake...I outfitted her in a custom "Nick Verreos For Orbit" one-shoulder cocktail dress in an Orbit Gum print (very subtle).

Strawberry Fields: Chica Orbit at the Orbit Gum VIP Lounge, People En Español "50 Más Bellos"

Once inside the party--held at Gustavino's NYC-- we headed straight to the Orbit Gum Strawberry Remix VIP Lounge area. It was done like a patio/courtyard--with a booth and benches and HUGE strawberries created using Orbit Gum packages (love that!). We hobnobbed with all the top Spanish-language Celebs, from novela actors and actresses, to beauty queens, TV hosts and some of the People En Español 50 Most Beautiful, of course.

Las Mas Bellas: Nick Verreos with past "Nuestra Belleza Latina" Winners Melissa Marty (Left) and Ana Patricia Gonzalez (Right): I had met Melissa (in the fuchsia pink dress) before in Miami during an appearance I made in Univision Network's "Despierta America" Morning News Show, and we hit it off right away! I absolutely ADORE her! Tan Bella!!

Nick Verreos and Spanish-language TV ICON and DIVA, Charytin: My mom is going to be soooo happy when she sees this photo!!!

Nick Verreos with the GORGEOUS Mexican-born actress Litzy: She was SOOOOO sweet, telling me what a big fan she was of "Project Runway" and me! Well, you know, I was ready to take her back to LA with me after that! Done and Done. Love her!

The Party was so much fun and I had a blast walking the Fuchsia Carpet and attending the En Español "50 Más Bellos" Party with the ever-so-FABULOSA Chica Orbit!!!

Here's a quick video from the night with myself, Chica Orbit and the Geek To Chic Winner, Noemi Salazar:

The Following Morning...

Buenos Dias Fashionistas: Nick Verreos with Univision "Al Despertar" Anchor Marijoel Duran (far right), and models wearing NIKOLAKI Collection

I woke up bright and early (3:30AM to be exact! My hats off to all the morning anchors out there!) to drive to New Jersey (I was staying in Manhattan) to film a LIVE Morning TV Segment on Univision (Spanish-language Network) NYC affiliate, Channel 41 WXTV "Al Despertar" News Show. My segment was on around 6:45AM and I was invited to recap the fashion from the previous night at the "50 Más Bellos" Party as well the fun I had with Chica Orbit.

Red Carpet Muchachas: "J Lo", "Sofia" and "Giselle" models in NIKOLAKI dresses and gown, Univision "Al Despertar" TV Segment

And as a special treat, I brought along gowns from my NIKOLAKI Collection to show trends from some of the top ladies on the Red Carpet. Three lovely ladies (one of them happened to be the daughter of "Al Despertar" anchor Marijoel Duran) wore dresses and gowns that I brought to show examples of styles that would be worn by FABULOUS A-List Latinas like Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Giselle Blondet, TV Personality and hostess of Univision's "Nuestra Belleza Latina". The TV segment went perfectly and all the women in the studio--anchors and my lovely "models" were smitten with my designs (por supuesto!). With that, I returned to Manhattan to do a bunch of interviews, and then check out of my hotel and waive"Ciao" (for now) to NYC and Chica Orbit...Until Next Time!!!

Click HERE for an interview I did with MyLatinoVoice.com

Click HERE for a fun interview I did for Examiner.com

Nick Verreos and Orbit Gum: Geek To Chic Contest, People En Español and Chica Orbit!!!

Nick Verreos and Orbit Gum: Geek To Chic Contest, People En Español and Chica Orbit!!!

Fashion + Gum= ORBIT!!!

Quieres Chicle? Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez in Nick Verreos /Orbit Gum Gown, People En Español 50 Más Bellos Event

I am SO EXCITED to announce that I am the "Style Guy" for "Chicle Orbit"--the most stylish gum in the WORLD!!!!! And as part of this, Orbit announced a fun contest for the Spanish-speaking fans called "Geek To Chic".

Those who entered this contest (by submitting photos) now have the chance to have their look "transformed" from Geek--to CHIC--by none other than, ME!!! Si, YO!!! (yes, I'm so Bi-lingual!) and then showcase your new look FABULOSO on the People En Español 50 Más Bellos/50 Most Beautiful Red Carpet coming up next week!!!

Orbit Universal Queen: Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009 in Orbit Gum-print inspired gown by Nick Verreos, People Magazine En Español "50 Más Bellos" Event, NYC

If you have been following my blog, you may already know that I have partnered in the last few years with ORBIT GUM--to design "Red Carpet-worthy" dresses for the Latina Orbit Gum Girl, "Chica Orbit", as well as other celebs. Last year, I made a custom one-shoulder gown for Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2008 and Miss Universe 2009, using an Orbit Gum print for last year's People Magazine En Español 50 Más Bellos/50 Most Beautiful Gala.


Above is my original sketch for the one shoulder gown I created and designed (and had the fabric made too!!!).

Now That's A Purse: Nick Verreos, Chica Orbit and Univision's "Fashion Guy" Rodner Figueroa, Premios Juventud 2010 After Party, Miami

I also designed a cocktail red carpet dress for the current Chica Orbit--using the same Orbit Gum Print--for her to wear during the 2010 Premios Juventud an awards show for Spanish-speaking celebrities in the areas of film, music, sports, fashion, and pop culture--kind of like a cross between the MTV Music Awards and the "Kid's Choice Awards".

In 2007 for that year's "Premios Juventud"--along with the AMAZING assistance of my NIKOLAKI design partner, David Paul--we created an ivory silk duchess satin "Watteau-back" strapless dress--with custom "Orbit Gum" pillbox hat (very Jackie Kennedy!)-both featuring the Orbit Logo. We even made the scarf to watch one of the gum flavors!

Well, CHICOS, I am back at it again---and soon I will be in New York City to attend the People En Español 50 Más Bellos/Most Beautiful Event and transform one lucky winner from Geek to Chic!!!
(and now for my Spanish-speaking Readers): Buena Suerte y acuerdate: Orbit Sensación Limpia...no matter what!


*Follow Chica Orbit HERE on Twitter
*And HERE !!!