The Focus Studio, Venice California: Summer Special!!

The Best Photo Studio in LA!!!

The Focus Studio, a photographic studio right on the beach in Venice, California, just announced that they are having a"Summer Special" with discounts for photographers, filmmakers, production companies, who would love to shoot by the beach! Janet Jackson:Shot on "The Focus Studio" Table

The 3000 square foot The Focus Studio is the only daylight photographic studio on a California beach and has been the location for many a celeb shoot, including the cover of Janet Jackson's 2006 album, "20 Y.O." as well as many others, including Brook Shields and Harrison Ford.Model Attention: Model Lisa Blades, in NIKOLAKI gown, gets prepped by designers Nick Verreos and David Paul, The Focus Studio, Venice California

It also, just happened to be the location for my last Spring 2009 Look Book and NIKOLAKI Website Photo Shoot, shot by fabulous LA-based photographer Evans Vestal Ward.Model Touch-Up: Model Lisa Blades, in NIKOLAKI gown, with Make-up and Hair Artist Melvone Farrell, The Focus Studio.

Take it from a fashion designer like myself, it was the ONLY PLACE I wanted to do a shoot and I was beyond-pleased-- and Lord knows I love me a "sale", so this "Focus Studio" Summer Special is FABULOUS!!!! If you need to have a photo shoot--fashion or celebrity-- or anything in between; or even need a location for a TV or film shoot that requires the ideal "Photo Studio", The Focus Studio is it.
Call 310-399-9400 for more information.

10 Strange and Weirdest Toilet Papers

1 Horror Story Toilet Paper

Do you read in the bathroom? Well, you might appreciate this new literary experience—a horror story in the form of toilet paper! Each roll is printed with several copies of "Drop", a nine-chapter novella written by Koji Suzuki, author of the "Ring" cycle of novels, which has been made into films in both Japan and Hollywood।

2 Origami Toilet Paper

Next time you forget that magazine or book, it will not be a problem। With this Origami Potty Paper you can spend hours learning new and interesting Origami techniques all from your roll of toilet paper. Want to know the best part? You can practice while you're enjoying your private time on the potty!

3 Sudoku Toilet Paper

4 Windows Vista Toilet Paper

Ah, the Japanese... They are so fond of the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 that they printed toilet paper rolls about it, highlighting it's features।

5 Camouflage Toilet Paper

In case you're tired of your plain white toilet paper, you can now wipe in military style with this camouflage toilet paper। For $5.95 you get a roll that consists of 200 sheets of 3-ply toilet paper, imported from Germany.

6 Osama Toilet Paper

Its inscription is worth the money: "Get rid of your shiite"

7 Musical Toilet Paper

Shitty music, literally।

8 Valentines Toilet Paper

Make your valentine fall in love again -while in the bathroom- with this sweet toilet paper.

9 Colored Toilet Paper

These look interesting. Some people like to rotate colors for the holidays: Red for Valentine's Day; green for St. Patrick's Day; black and orange for Halloween; and green and red for Christmas.

10 Obama Toilet Paper

Oh sh*t! Unfortunately, this Obama Toilet paper is for display only, not actual use, and costs only $10. According to its website “this roll would look great on the desk of any Democrat”

Nick Verreos Judges Cutest Dog at Artist Knox Luxury Grooming Pet Salon Party!!

Nick says Woof Woof!!!!Woof: Nick Verreos and his dog, Benny (wearing House Of Dog accessories) at the Artist Knox Luxury Pet Grooming Salon Launch Party

This past Saturday, I was invited to the Grand Opening Charity Party of Artist Knox Luxury Grooming Pet Salon, benefiting SPCA-LA. The weather in LA was a gorgeous (and very hot) 85 degrees, so I donned my dress shirt, vest and tie--and my silver sneakers--and threw Benny, my beautiful King Charles-Dachshund dog, in my car, and I was ready to go! OK, just to clarify, before I get any nasty emails--I didn't really throw Benny in the car--he sat on "Daddy" David's lap.Nick Verreos, Karen "Doc" Halligan and "Groomer Has It" Season 1 Winner, Artist Knox

Artist Knox, is the winner of Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It", and this is his salon, naturally! I was excited to go to a red carpet event where I could bring Benny, as opposed to leaving him alone tearing up my silk jersey gowns. Also, I wasn't just attending, I found out that I was also the Guest Celebrity Judge and Host (OK, so they were using the word "celebrity" very loosely!) for the party's Cutest Dog Contest. Drag Dogs: Wig-wearing (don't ask) dogs at the Artist Knox Luxury Pet Salon Party

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by Artist Knox and one of the judges from the show, Dr. Karen "Doc" Halligan. Dr. Halligan is currently the Director of Veterinary Services at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles (SPCA LA), where she oversees the health and well being of all the shelter animals and routinely performs surgical procedures.
Gremlins Cute: A party guest and her dog (love the tie!)

The pet grooming salon, located on Cahuenga Boulevard, right in the heart of Hollywood, was a buzz with lots of dogs of all shapes and colors, as well as their Haute Hollywood Mommy and Daddies. I immediately put Benny down and he went to town, smelling and getting to know all the other dogs. He loved hanging out with all the other dogs and had a fun time. Tu-tu's and Summer Dresses: Young guests and their colorful tu-tu wearing pets

There were lots of teen and pre-teen actors at the party, who brought their dogs too. I thought I was at the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards but the bring-your-pet version! I ran into actress Kaycee Stroh, from Disney's High School Musical, as she approached me and told me how much she "loves" Project Runway. I told her I loved her too! High School Musical Meets Project Runway: Nick Verreos and actress Kaycee Stroh, of "High School Musical"

The party was catered by one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles, La Velvet Margarita, which just happens to be next door. They also had set up a bar in the back in case guests felt compelled to have some afternoon cocktails. The Velvet Margarita back patio, also served as the "stage" for the Cutest Dog Contest I would be judging.
DJ Nick: Nick Verreos hosts and judges Artist Knox Luxury Grooming Pet Salon Cutest Dog Contest

There were lots of cute dogs for me to chose from. In true Project Runway form, I, of course, made the dogs--and their owners--do a runway strut, in front of all the guests. After much deliberation (Ok, it took less than 60 seconds) , I decided that actor Jorge Pallo's (who starred in "24") puppy was the winner! ...And The Winner Is: Nick Verreos gets licked by winning puppy

He was the cutest dog, besides mine of course (Benny was not eligible since I was the sole judge, thank you very much!). Congratulations to Jorge and his "Cutest" puppy! When I announced the winner , he (the dog) licked me all over! (see photo above). I think Benny was jealous because he was mean to me all day after that!

Nick Verreos and Heather Chantal Jones of "America's Next Top Model" on Video!!

FIDM Three Days of Fashion: Los AngelesGreen Microphone, Green Pants: Nick Verreos chats with host Blaine Vedros, and over 200 students at FIDM LA "3 Days Of Fashion"

Well, I just can't get enough of model Heather Chantal Jones! As you may have read in a previous posting, last week I was invited to San Diego to make a special appearance at the FIDM San Diego Campus and Cycle 9 "America's Next Top Model", Heather--I call her Chantal--Jones, drove down from Los Angeles, and joined me in the fun. This last Friday, neither her nor I had much to travel (since we are both Angelenos) when we reprised our 'Three Days of Fashion" appearance in the sunny Los Angeles Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM Campus.Next Up For Bid, A Turquoise Silk Jersey (20 yrds of it!) gown with Grecian draping, copper sequins and built-in bustier: Nick Verreos and model Heather Chantal Jones at FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

Being that this event was in LA, everything is done on a "grander scale", and when I showed up to the stage, there were over 200 kids, plus parents and school administrators, crowding the expansive 5Th Floor "Conference Room". When I made my entrance , it seemed like EVERY student had their cell phones perched atop their heads taking photos. I was nearly blinded by the flashbulbs and trust me, this doesn't happen very often. Not for a little ol' designer like myself, and certainly not for a "Project Runway" reality show alumn.

I did a fun interview with cutie host Blaine Vedros (love him!) and then, of course, I brought out Chantal for some runway modeling of my NIKOLAKI collection. She wore the "Carrie Ann Inaba" silk jersey gown (which Carrie Ann wore on last season's "Dancing With The Stars") as well as other gowns. We even captured video of the event.
Below are the videos. Enjoy!

Model Heather Chantal Jones, of Cycle 9 America's Next Top Model, modeling NIKOLAKI dress worn by Carrie Ann Inaba:

Model Heather Chantal Jones, modeling NIKOLAKI Spring 2009 and Nick Verreos discusses his inspiration:

Awesome and Beautiful Paper Origami Art

Origami is the art of paper folding. This post showcases beautiful and creative origami creations.

Grulla Origami
JUCUMARI Origami
Scorpion Origami
Onion Origami
Klingon Bird of Prey Origami
Inflatable Piggy Origami
Koi Pond Origami
Iron Man Origami
Crayfish Origami
Spaceships Origami
Unicorn Origami
Praying Mantis Origami
V for Vendetta Mask Origami

10 Most Awesome and Beautiful Anti-Smoking Campaigns

Tailpipe smoke is gross… and the same goes for the carcinogen-loaded clouds that erupt from the mouth of a cigarette smoker. An anti-smoking group equated the two by placing posters of people's faces with the cut-out mouths strategically placed at the end of tailpipes.
Trashcans on the streets warn smokers of dangers to their eye sight. Very creative and shocking, isn't it
This is a very creative and inventive advertising to urge people to stop smoking. Placed in gyms.
Stop trafic signs in Brazil with cigarette shape.
This ad is from an anti-smoking promotion for ‘World No Tobacco Day' (May 31), and it can be found at coffee shops in Dubai, where people come to smoke!
The Peruvian League Against Cancer wants smokers to know that secondhand smoking is like unleashing a swarm of killer bees on an innocent little girl. For their anti-smoking ad campaign, they glued together 15,000 cigarette butts ONE BY ONE. Volunteers donated the butts.
"Smoke kills" says this coffin created to really make a point. You certainly can't accuse them of being wimpy or subtle about the way they are promoting their message in Anti Smoking Campaign with a coffin.

It is interesting the way they are engaging their target audience whilst maintaining a sense of humor about it.
In this ad part of the X-ray image is transparent allowing for the accumilated butts inside to be part of the visual. Designed by Agency Saatchi & Saatchi London.
12 meter long chemical tanker that looks like a giant cigarette was used by Cancer Research UK to highlight the toxic smoke in cigarettes.
This is a unique anti-smoking print advertisement campaign launched in Riyadh to urge people to quit smoking. The campaign has used a very innovative approach that shows far reaching negative implications of smoking. The advertisements show burning cigarettes having its ashes intact while they show what else are burning with tobacco. The campaign display that many structures and buildings are being burnt while the second ad shows people are being burnt with the cigarette. The campaign apparently aims at conveying the fact that tobacco does not only kill the smoker but people around them as well.