3rd Annual Style Week Orange County begins THIS FRIDAY NIGHT: NIKOLAKI Fashion Show, Cadillac Couture plus Lots More!!!
Fashion Week in the OC!!!
NIKOLAKI Designers Nick Verreos and David Paul, taking their bow at Islands of The World Fashion Week, BahamasWell kiddies, we are less than a week away from debuting our Tenth Anniversary NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection at Style Week Orange County! We finished our Model fittings today (they went well!), went accessory shopping, got a FABULOUS Shoe Sponsor--Michael Antonio--and now, we just have LOTS of alterations, minor fixings, and still some looks our "Petite Mains" seamstresses are busy working on--- But trust me--David and I will be ready! Our show--in case you have been living under a (fashion) rock, is this Friday, October 1st, at 7PM. Style Week OC is Open To The Public (which is just FAB!!!) so if you can make it to the OC on Friday night and want to see some fashion--head to the Irvine Spectrum darlings--No RSVP necessary!
Here's a "Sneak Peak": An Aqua Blue Silk Zibeline Gown with hand-beaded neckline--just perfect for getting that Martini at the Sao Paulo Brazil Country Club or a fancy Gala at the Pelican Hill Resort!
In addition to my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Runway Show--I am so excited to be emcee'ing the Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gown Fashion Show, right afterward (as well as Saturday night, Oct 2nd). Alumni from the Fashion Instute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM (where I am an Instructor, of course!) will show glamorous designs inspired by the car company's iconic design philosophy. Here are the fashion illustrations from the FIDM designers themselves:
Nick Gaska
Alejandro Ortega
Clay Sadler
Adrienne YoungAlso, I will again host and judge the Ezekiel Needle & Thread Competition on Saturday night, October 2nd:
I hosted--and judged-- last year's Needle & Thread Competition at the 2nd Annual Style Week Orange County and I am back at it again! Last year, the Winner was FIDM Debut Graduate Adrian Manuel and since I was one of his Instructor's and Mentor in the Advanced Fashion Design Program, I was so proud of him!
And (Last Year's) Winner Is: Nick Verreos Announces Needle & Thread Competition Winner 2009, Adrian Manuel (left)This year, there will be seven collection with 35 looks total--all from FIDM designers---and the winner will have their winning design featured in Ezekiel's Spring 2011 Collection! Very Project Runway-esque!
*Click HERE for the entire schedule!
*Also, HERE is my latest column for the Orange County Register's Style Binge Blog, which talks more about all the events happening this weekend at the Irvine Spectrum to celebrate Style Week OC!See you at Style Week Orange County...and bring your Best Fashion Look because I may be giving "Nick Red Carpet" Mental Gold Stars!!!!
10 World's Craziest Festivals
Here we collect ten World's wackiest festivals details. Hope you like it and enjoy!
1. Tomatoes, potatoes, radishes and cheese - it may sound like the fixings for some exotic foreign dish, but each is actually the main ingredient for some of the weirdest and wackiest festivals (not to mention tourist attractions) in the world.
2. Potatoes, not tomatoes, rule in another food-related festival held in August. About 15,000 gather in a small Minnesota town each year for Barnesville Potato Days, a weekend fest which includes such spud-centric fun as potato-peeling and potato-picking contests, potato sculpturing, potato sack races and a massive human 'mash' pit (above).
3. Orange you glad he wore a helmet? A participant gets a face full of instant o.j. at the annual Battle of Oranges in Ivrea, Italy. Several teams in elaborate costumes compete by flinging oranges at each other, a custom said to have originated in 1266 when p.o.-ed peasants dissed a tyrannical feudal lord and his men by winging oranges at them.
4. It's all downhill from here at the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, a Gloucestershire, England, festival where participants risk life and limb to follow a wheel of cheese down a steep and bumpy hill. The rolling cheese can reach speeds up to 70 mph, and injuries are common in this event said to date from Roman times. But it's worth it considering the first prize - the winner gets to keep the cheese, if not his dignity.
5. Chasing cheese has spread to other shores - Canada now has its own version, albeit a little safer. Men in helmets (above) run after an elusive, 11-lb. wheel of c
6. Belly-floppin' into mud pits is just some of the down n' dirty fun at the annual Summer Redneck games, held in East Dublin, Ga., as a way of celebrating, well, being a redneck. Other contests and events include bobbing for pigs' feet, throwing 'horseshoes' (toilet seat covers) and spitting watermelon seeds.
7. The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge in Virginia Beach, Va., is tailor-made for crabby people - owners of hermit crabs who enter their beloved pets in such competitions as 'beauty' contests and the Crustacean 500 (above), where hundreds of crabs race each other - very, very slowly - along an eight-foot track.
8. This annual Thai fest is more fun than a barrel of you-know-whats. At least it is for the thousands of monkeys who live in the Lopburi province near Bangkok and are offered a lavish feast of food, fruit and vegetables - washed down with soda pop - by local residents during the Monkey Festival in November. Feeding the critters is said to bring good luck - not to mention a heavy influx of curiosity-seeking tourists.
9. No, Night of the Radishes is not a B-movie horror flick - it's an annual event held on Dec. 23 in Oaxaca, Mexico, that attracts thousands of revelers and dates from 1897. Known in Spanish as Noche de Rabanos, it's when the main plaza in town is turned over to clever sculptures made from huge radishes specially grown for the festival.
10. Spain has festivals centered on running with bulls and the tossing of tomatoes, so is it really a surprise that a festival in Castrillo de Murcia features... jumping over babies? During 'El Salto del Colacho' (Jump of the Devil) men in devil costumes take a flying leap over a mattress full of infants. The tradition dates from the 1620s and is meant to bless the babies. Providing the leapers don't misjudge their trajectories.
1. Tomatoes, potatoes, radishes and cheese - it may sound like the fixings for some exotic foreign dish, but each is actually the main ingredient for some of the weirdest and wackiest festivals (not to mention tourist attractions) in the world.
2. Potatoes, not tomatoes, rule in another food-related festival held in August. About 15,000 gather in a small Minnesota town each year for Barnesville Potato Days, a weekend fest which includes such spud-centric fun as potato-peeling and potato-picking contests, potato sculpturing, potato sack races and a massive human 'mash' pit (above).
3. Orange you glad he wore a helmet? A participant gets a face full of instant o.j. at the annual Battle of Oranges in Ivrea, Italy. Several teams in elaborate costumes compete by flinging oranges at each other, a custom said to have originated in 1266 when p.o.-ed peasants dissed a tyrannical feudal lord and his men by winging oranges at them.
4. It's all downhill from here at the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, a Gloucestershire, England, festival where participants risk life and limb to follow a wheel of cheese down a steep and bumpy hill. The rolling cheese can reach speeds up to 70 mph, and injuries are common in this event said to date from Roman times. But it's worth it considering the first prize - the winner gets to keep the cheese, if not his dignity.
5. Chasing cheese has spread to other shores - Canada now has its own version, albeit a little safer. Men in helmets (above) run after an elusive, 11-lb. wheel of c
6. Belly-floppin' into mud pits is just some of the down n' dirty fun at the annual Summer Redneck games, held in East Dublin, Ga., as a way of celebrating, well, being a redneck. Other contests and events include bobbing for pigs' feet, throwing 'horseshoes' (toilet seat covers) and spitting watermelon seeds.
7. The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge in Virginia Beach, Va., is tailor-made for crabby people - owners of hermit crabs who enter their beloved pets in such competitions as 'beauty' contests and the Crustacean 500 (above), where hundreds of crabs race each other - very, very slowly - along an eight-foot track.
8. This annual Thai fest is more fun than a barrel of you-know-whats. At least it is for the thousands of monkeys who live in the Lopburi province near Bangkok and are offered a lavish feast of food, fruit and vegetables - washed down with soda pop - by local residents during the Monkey Festival in November. Feeding the critters is said to bring good luck - not to mention a heavy influx of curiosity-seeking tourists.
9. No, Night of the Radishes is not a B-movie horror flick - it's an annual event held on Dec. 23 in Oaxaca, Mexico, that attracts thousands of revelers and dates from 1897. Known in Spanish as Noche de Rabanos, it's when the main plaza in town is turned over to clever sculptures made from huge radishes specially grown for the festival.
10. Spain has festivals centered on running with bulls and the tossing of tomatoes, so is it really a surprise that a festival in Castrillo de Murcia features... jumping over babies? During 'El Salto del Colacho' (Jump of the Devil) men in devil costumes take a flying leap over a mattress full of infants. The tradition dates from the 1620s and is meant to bless the babies. Providing the leapers don't misjudge their trajectories.
Actress Nicole Ari Parker wears NIKOLAKI to the 32nd Edition of the UNCF Evening Of Stars/Tribute to Chaka Khan
Gorgeous in NIKOLAKI
Strike a Pose: Nicole Ari Parker in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul gown, UNCF Evening Of Stars Tribute to Chaka KhanThis past Saturday, September 25Th, was the 32nd Annual Edition of United Negro College Fund's/UNCF Evening of Stars at the Pasadena Convention Center. Stevie Wonder led an all-star tribute to the one and only, Miss Chaka Khan, where she was presented with the prestigious UNCF's Award of Excellence in recognition of her distinguished career and support of the UNCF. The GORGEOUS actress Nicole Ari Parker, best known for Showtime's drama series "Soul Food", was a presenter and she wore one of our NIKOLAKI Gowns!!!
Actress Nicole Ari Parker--in NIKOLAKI--and husband, actor Boris Kodjoe, UNCF's Evening Of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan
Actress Nicole Ari Parker--in NIKOLAKI--and husband, actor Boris Kodjoe, UNCF's Evening Of Stars Tribute to Chaka KhanHer Stylist Chaz E. Foley brought several of our gowns from our Atelier to her, and I'm so excited she chose one of them for this fabulous Red Carpet Gala--which also will be televised on January 2011.
In case "inquiring minds" want to know: The gown is a black silk Duchesse strapless fitted gown featuring an "Obi"-like waist and back gold lurex-linen detail. I think she looked AMAZING! Love the stylish pixie haircut as well!Nick Verreos Becomes a Southern Belle in Nashville Tennessee: Macy's Fashion Challenge Event Recap!
Nick Does Nashville: Green Hills "It's A Nice Area", The Rockettes, a Run-In with a Miss Tennessee and Suzie Wong's House of Yum...
Nashville Fashionistas: Nick Verreos poses with one of the Winners of the Macy's Fashion Challenge Green Hills Event (left) and her friendLast week, A DAY after my Macy's Puerto Rico Event, I flew from San Juan to Nashville Tennessee!!! Yes, I was TIRED but huney, FASHION doesn't understand that word! Unless we are describing an outfit! I landed at almost midnight in Nashville, went to my Airport Marriot Hotel, and asked the lobby how far the "Green Hills" of Nashville was (to be ready for the next day and my event). They said "why?" Of course, I told them I was hosting an event at the Macy's in the Mall at Green Hills. They responded with: "Ohhhh, Green Hills,...THAT'S a NICE AREA!!!". Ummm, OK. I checked in and called it a night.
The next day, I got ready and caught a cab to my event. I told the cab driver: "I need to go to Macy's in Green Hills". He responded "Green Hills!!?? That's a NICE AREA!!" That's the second person who said that! I think that the Green Hills area of Nashville needs to make a new marketing campaign: "Green Hills: It's a Nice Area!". I finally arrived and guess who was at the Macy's at the Green Hills Mall as well?
Reunited: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes, Macy's Green Hills Nashville TNThe Rockettes!!!!!! Well, I just about DIED and went to Gay Xmas Heaven! I hosted a "Kick It With The Rockettes" event--back in Los Angeles--not too long ago at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, and had a BLAST! And here they are again!!! They just happened to be at the same Macy's I was at, doing an event of their own--promoting their Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular, of course.
Of course, we lit up the Macy's Green Hills "Green Room" doing more high kicks and even doing The Rockettes "salute" (photo above).
Waiting For Nick: The audience at Macy's Green Hills Mall, Nashville TNI finally got my leg to come down long enough to leave my Rockettes "girlfriends" and mosey on over to the fabulous Macy's Green Hills Impulse Department--and host my Macy's Fashion Challenge" event. The floor was PACKED; hundreds of shoppers, guests and yes, Project Runway fans, filled the seats and kiddies, it was STANDING ROOM ONLY!! Who do I think I am: Tim Gunn? Hardly. But yes, it was a BIG crowd!
The Best Sequin Dress Goes To: Nick Verreos Judges the Macy's Fashion Challenge, Nashville TennesseeSomething about being tired from flying and my crazy airplane itinerary, lack of sleep and those Southern Belles in Nashville...but I ROCKED IT! It was mainly the audience: They were FABULOUS with a Capital "F".
Nick Verreos poses with his Nashville Models (styled by audience members!), Macy's Green Hills Nashville, TNI consider myself a "Southern Belle" at heart, so I was right at home! One of my Macy's Fashion Challenge Models was a REAL Southern Belle...
Model Sandwich: Nick Verreos poses with two of the models, Miss Tennessee 20009 Kristen Motil (left) and Sulivan Mellencamp (right)
Macy's LOVE: Nick Verreos and the Macy's Green Hills Mall Nashville TeamAfter my event, the wonderful store manager, Patrick Bain, drove me back to my hotel (ain't that sweet!) and gave me a drive-by tour of Nashville. He showed me all the sights, including...
Tootsies bar and lounge, "Music Row" of course...
The Country Music Hall of Fame...well, just the front of it (the poster of Tammy Wynette was enough for me!). That night, two of the lovely Rockettes (sans costumes), Laura Danelski and Alina Williams (a local "Southern Belle" who lives in Nashville) invited me to dinner at...
Suzie Wong's House of Yum. The Executive Chef is Arnold Myint, who was on Bravo's "Top Chef D.C." show. He wasn't there, but there were a lot of cutie waiters! My dinner was DELICIOUS and a perfect ending to my short--but FABULOUS--time in Nashville: The Rockettes, Southern Belle Fashionistas, a great Macy's event at Green Hills ("It's A Nice Area!"), and a little bit of sightseeing? Who could ask for more.Nick Verreos Talks Fall 2010 Trends for OC Register Style Binge Blog
Fall 2010 Trends...on OC Register's Style Binge Blog!!
Hi kids! In continuing with my OC Register Style Binge blog "Fashion Dish", this week's theme is "Fall 2010 Trends" and what you need to have in your closet RIGHT NOW according to...
Moi...I know it's like 100 Degrees out here in Southern California but just stay with me--I promise, it will get colder! (I think)
Here's a Quick Cheat-Sheet:
And also One-Shoulder Draped Dresses:
Burgundy jersey one-shoulder draped dress, worn by model Amanda Fields and Heidi Klum wearing a one-shoulder jersey-and-leather Draped Dress, both from our NIKOLAKI Collection.
Here's a "sneak peak" to my OC Register's Style Binge Blog for this week:
In general, fall 2010 is showcasing a lot of metallics, military accents, sophisticated brocades, velvet burnout (and the burnout look is seen in casual looks like fitted tee’s as well) and fur accents on coats (love the CHUBBIES!) and accessories (of course FAUX only, darlings!)
Hi kids! In continuing with my OC Register Style Binge blog "Fashion Dish", this week's theme is "Fall 2010 Trends" and what you need to have in your closet RIGHT NOW according to...
Moi...I know it's like 100 Degrees out here in Southern California but just stay with me--I promise, it will get colder! (I think)Here's a Quick Cheat-Sheet:
And also One-Shoulder Draped Dresses:
Burgundy jersey one-shoulder draped dress, worn by model Amanda Fields and Heidi Klum wearing a one-shoulder jersey-and-leather Draped Dress, both from our NIKOLAKI Collection.Here's a "sneak peak" to my OC Register's Style Binge Blog for this week:
In general, fall 2010 is showcasing a lot of metallics, military accents, sophisticated brocades, velvet burnout (and the burnout look is seen in casual looks like fitted tee’s as well) and fur accents on coats (love the CHUBBIES!) and accessories (of course FAUX only, darlings!)
Designers also continue to feature lots of layering, as well as ladylike tailored suiting and coats; think “Mad Men” styles but updated for 2010. Beautiful coats can complete your ensemble, and can be form-fitting or over-sized.
To read my entire Fashion Dish with Nick Verreos Blog click HERE!
