Miss Universe 2011 Official Viewing Party: True Beauty Rocks The Universe In Hollywood

Fiesta de Miss UNIVERSOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Designer and Muse: Nick Verreos and former Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee (wearing NIKOLAKI), True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Last night was the Finale of Miss Universe 2011. Of course, the actual pageant was in São Paulo, Brazil. Needless to say, I wasn't invited to go and therefore, did not. However, there was a BETTER Party I was invited to: The "True Beauty Rocks The Universe in Hollywood Official Miss Universe 2011 Viewing Party at the W Hollywood Hotel. It was sponsored by the Miss Universe Organization, The Atwell Group, True Beauty Special Events, LCH/La Casa Hermosa, and Telemundo.

A Suited Threesome: Actor/Comedian (and friend!) Alec Mapa, Nick Verreos and David Paul, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood Miss Universe 2011 Viewing Party W Hollywood Hotel

My good friend Brook Lee--who happens to be a former Miss Universe (and the last Miss USA to win that title!)--invited both my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul and myself to this festive BASH! And naturally, I couldn't say "No"! A) I LOVE Beauty Pageants; B) I Love Miss Universes and C) I Love Parties!! Once we arrived, the party was in full swing on the street-level "courtyard" of the very happening W Hollywood Hotel. The place was PACKED with many, many gorgeous ladies wearing sashes (lots of Miss California USA contestants) and many well-dressed men following them!!

LOVE HER: Nick Verreos, Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006 and her cutie boyfriend, Brandon Belsky from their band Jamestown Avenue, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

A HUGE screen floated from one of the walls as Telemundo Network projected the Miss Universe "Pre-Show" that had begun at 8PM "Camino a la Corona", which highlights all the Latin American contestants in the Miss Universe Pageant. Hors d'oeuvres were passed around (I saw them but never got to try any--and I surely did not see any of those girls with sashes attempt to even reach for those plates!). There was a fully-stocked Open Bar as well. In addition to viewing the Telecast (it was like one of those "Oscar Viewing Parties", but with more gorgeous women around), this was also a Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Miss Universe. As a result there were some "Special Guests" in attendance.

Universal Announcer: Nick Verreos announcing the past Miss Universe Titleholders--flanked by (L to R) Chelsi Smith Miss Universe 1995, Brook Lee (in NIKOLAKI gown) Miss Universe 1997, Justine Pasek Miss Universe 2002, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

As the time got closer and closer to the start of the Live Telecast at 9PM, I was asked to announce who these Special Guests were: TEN Former Miss Universe Titleholders, who were invited to Hollywood for this unprecedented celebration!

Look at My Face: Nick Verreos, as he greets Miss Universe 1964 from Greece (my father's parents' homeland!) Corinna Fields, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

I introduced la bellisima Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002 from Panama, my "Hawaiian Sister" Brook Lee Miss Universe 1997 (USA), the vivacious Chelsi (Those incredible legs!!) Smith Miss Universe 1995 (USA), the elegant Michelle McLean Miss Universe 1992 (Namibia), Mona (Face of a Supermodel) Grudt Miss Universe 1990 (Norway), the statuesque Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 (South Africa), the beautiful Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago), the elegant Sylvia Hitchcock Miss Universe 1967 (USA), my "Greek sister" Corinna Fields, née Tsopei Miss Universe 1964 (Greece)...

And the MOST Special Guest, the FIRST EVER Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela, who was Miss Universe 1952, seen above being handed a special presentation by a Miss Universe Organization representative.

Las Misses: Nick Verreos with all the past Miss Universe Titleholders, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Colors of The Universe: (L to R) Justine Pasek Miss Universe 2002 (Panama), Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago), Nick Verreos, Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 (South Africa), and Mona Grudt Miss Universe 1990 (Norway), True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Pageant Squeeze: Shanna Moakler and Nick Verreos, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

My Girl: Actress ("Unstoppable") and former Miss California USA 2007 (she wore one of my NIKOLAKI gowns to the Miss USA 2007 Pageant!!), and Nick Verreos, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

I can't even begin to tell you what an honor it was to have introduced them at this amazing event! I felt like I was a little boy, back in Caracas Venezuela watching the Miss Universe Pageant and being all excited to see all the gorgeous girls in their gorgeous dresses! I had such a blast at the party that I almost forgot that there was a Pageant to watch on the big ol' screen!!!!

Nick Verreos Attends "Compassion In Fashion" APAIT/FIDM Fashion Show: LA Fashion Week

Compassion IS Fashionable...

Project Runway Model Sandwich: Nick Verreos poses with Brandise Danesewich (Season 7), Amanda Fields (Season 3) and Lauren (Season 4), Backstage "Compassion In Fashion" fashion show

Last Thursday night, I was invited by my very good friend--and NIKOLAKI client--the absolutely gorgeous Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee--to attend "Compassion In Fashion" Fashion Show for Los Angeles Fashion Week. She was emceeing the entire event and she--of course--was going to wear one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses.

Gorgeous Beauties: Model Amanda Fields and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 and Emcee of Compassion In Fashion (wearing NIKOLAKI)

"Compassion In Fashion" was a fabulous benefit event presented by the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team/APAIT and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM at the amazing Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles. APAIT does wonderful work providing HIV/AIDS prevention and care especially for the Asian and Pacific Islander Community. The event was also co-sponsored by one of MY favorite retail department stores--Macy's (Love them!). Upon arriving--and checking in with Brook--I made sure her NIKOLAKI Couture dress was "just right".

Brook Lee, Compassion In Fashion (Photo courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

She chose a salmon-pink silk/linen Lurex strapless very "Mad Men" number from our collection. She looked AMAZING! Hello, she was a Miss USA AND Miss Universe! The line up for the wonderful night included a dance performance by Ek Do Teen/NDM Bollywood Dance Troupe (which was SO good!)

Model Amanda Fields wearing a Red carpet Gown design by FIDM Grad Clay Sadler, Compassion In Fashion (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

A FIDM "Red Carpet Gown" fashion show featuring designs by FIDM Grads( Gorgeous!) as well as...

Model in Andrew Christian Fashion Show (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

An Andrew Christian Fashion Show (HOT!). Also there was a very special T-shirt Design Contest, where FIDM Student Activities partnered with APAIT to have students design t-shirts for the organization.

There was a panel of very special--and distinguished--judges, including my good friend Alec Mapa, star of "Ugly Betty" and LogoTV's "The Gossip Queens", Greg Matsunami, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Metropark Stores, Karla Ferreira, 2009 Quest Woman Of The Year, and Melissa Magsaysay, style writer and editor for the LA Times.

The winning t-shirt designer was FIDM Fashion Design student Larry Le (modeled above by Zdenka). It was an amazing night of great fashion, gorgeous models and more importantly for a very-worthwhile cause and organization of which I wholeheartedly support.

Below are some great Videos I shot of Compassion In Fashion...and for more photos, click HERE.

Compassion In Fashion Fashion Show--Model Amanda Fields in a Clay Sadler Design:

Intro Dance Performance by NDM Bollywood Dance Troupe:

Final Walk of Andrew Christian Fashion Show, Compassion In Fashion:

Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee Announces The Winner of APAIT/FIDM T-shirt Design Contest:

Nick Verreos To Be A Celebrity Judge on Miss UNIBARSE 2010 Fantasy Doll Pageant!

Doll-Icious!!!!!
Recently, I was asked to be one of the esteemed panel of "celebrity" judges for the most unique International Fantasy Doll Web-Pageant, Miss Unibarse. Now, this is not a misspelling on my part, but you read correct: MISS UNIBARSE NOT Miss Universe. Past judges for this pageant "phenomenon" have included former Miss Universes, fashion designers, photographers, and celebrity stylists from all over the globe. Nick Verreos and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997, in Nikolaki by Nick Verreos David Paul

Last year, my good friend, Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 was also one of the celebrity judges and now, I guess it was my time to be asked. And I'm very happy for it. As you may know, besides fashion, I also love pageants and have dressed several beauty queens myself. Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, in Nick Verreos for Orbit Gum Custom Gown

Here's a little background on Miss Unibarse (in case you may still be saying "Say What?"): Miss Unibarse is the Miss Universe Pageant but for DOLLS (therefore the "BAR" for "Barbie"). Its originators began this as a creative project that would marry their love of pageants, dolls and photography. Dolls are transformed into one-of-a-kind beauties representing nations from all over the world, and given the whole "Miss Universe" treatment, and then judges get to vote--just like in the Miss Universe Pageant. There are all the usual categories including Presentation, Swimsuit, Evening Gown as well as National Costume. Last Year's Miss Japan Unibarse, in Traditional Costume
Last Year's Miss Korea Unibarse (and the 2009 winner!), in Evening Gown
There are even "Fadil-esque" (very similar to the Fadil Berisha photos for Miss Universe and Miss USA) photos like the one above from last year's contest. Last year's winner: Miss Korea getting crowned (looks just like a real Miss Universe crowning moment!)

I have begun my judging and cast my first votes for the contestants and found myself--as I was clicking on all the photos--saying things like :"Oh I love HER hair!", or "Oh, she is working her pose and outfit!", and "Oooooh, she is SASSY!!!", as if they were REAL! I can't wait to see who the winner will be this year, there are LOTS of contenders. Here's a sample of this year's girls: Miss Colombia Unibarse 2010: Red hot Latina...and (almost) a wardrobe "malfunction"!
Miss Angola Unibarse 2010: Work it huney, now that's an expensive WEAVE!!!Miss USA Unibarse 2010: Love the "flip" of her hair and "sultry" stare...Miss Czech Republic Unibarse 2010: She is SOOO Ivana Trump-meets-Zsa Zsa Gabor, I just know she will end up on the arm of a Russian Billionaire in a hot minute!

To see the rest of the International Dollegates, click HERE.

AKA 10th Anniversary Party at Hollywood and Highland!!

Out and About: Nick Verreos at the AKA 10Th Anniversary PartyFormer Miss Universe, Brook Lee, in NIKOLAKI, with the designer Nick Verreos

Last week was the 10Th Anniversary of AKA Talent Agency Party at the Hollywood and Highland Complex' Highlands Nightclub in the heart of Hollywood. The party was CRAZY packed with agents, their clients--from actors, TV hosts, child stars, their parents (Oh Dear!) and anybody in between. I said "Hello" to Rex Lee, star of HBO's Entourage as well as others, including the beautiful Brook Lee, former Miss Universe and host for various TV shows. You can currently even see her all over LA, in those ubiquitous Verizon "Friends and Family" Spanish-language ads. I love how she is Hawaiian, yet she's doing a Spanish-language ad! She totally can pass for a Latina, at least in LA! Brook loves to wear my designs for red carpet events and naturally, she chose to wear one of my NIKOLAKI navy blue silk cocktail numbers for this one. She looked so cute that we had to pose together of course!

Nick Verreos on New "No H8 Campaign" Behind-the-Scenes Video!!!!!

Nick says Auf Wiedersehen....


The always fabulous Trieu "Trusive" Le, the only (as far as I know) openly gay TV personality of Vietnamese-American descent just sent me this wonderful video he shot, in which he captured the Behind The Scenes action at the No H8 Campaign photo shoot, in which I was a part of. The video shows photographer Adam Bouska and his partner-in-crime Jeff Parshley,--as well as their loving mothers, getting ready for their "No H8" close-up.
You can also see former Miss Universe and Miss USA, Brook Lee (in a NIKOLAKI gown of course!) and Shanna Moakler getting ready for their iconic photo shoot. Sexy Reichen Lehmkuhl(doing push-ups), make-up artist from America's Next Top Model, Sutan, as well as others make special appearances. Speaking of "guest appearances", make sure not to miss my dog Benny, the other love of my life. Yeah, he's all up in there. Don't miss the ending!

Miss California USA "I Believe" Public Service Announcement

I Believe in the Diversity of California Too!

Here is the just-released Public Service Announcement/PSA featuring several past Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss California USA and Miss Universe title holders expressing how much they "Believe". I think its fantastic and I give all of them a big Nick "Go On Girls!" high five--albeit a fashionable high five, thank you very much!Former Miss Universe, Brook Lee, in NIKOLAKI silk dress at "Speed Racer" Premiere

I was excited to see Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 (and recent model for the NO H8 Campaign) and Meagan Tandy, Miss California 2007, featured in this PSA. And I can proudly say, both have worn my designs and therefore consider them two of my favorite NIKOLAKI muses! Miss California USA 2007, Meagan Tandy, in NIKOLAKI silk Swarovski-crystal beaded gown for the Miss USA Pageant

Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee wears NIKOLAKI at Miss USA 2009 Telecast

Grecian Goddess meets Hawaiian Goddess
Miss Universe 1997 and TV presenter, Brook Lee, wears NIKOAKI at Miss USA 2009 Pageant, Las Vegas

Over the weekend--as we all know--the Miss USA 2009 Pageant was held in Las Vegas. I was happy to find out that former Miss USA and Miss Universe 1997, the gorgeous Brook Lee wore one of my NIKOLAKI dresses to attend the live telecast. It was an ivory silk jersey cocktail dress with a shirred bust and black duchesse satin neck detail. I think she looked exquisite (of course). Thank you to my fellow Venezuelan friend (and pageant DIVA!) Husam Abedaker, for capturing her in my dress at the pageant in Las Vegas (see photo above, Husam and Brook Lee).The Last Miss USA to win Miss Universe: Brook Lee

The new Miss USA 2009--whom we forget of course because of the "other girl"--was the stunning and well deserved Kristen Dalton of North Carolina. No Crotch Slit? The new Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton from North Carolina gets crowned in her beautiful turquoise blue gown

She wore a stunning vibrant blue strapless gown with a sequined asymmetrical strap. The interesting fact is that she didn't bring this gown as her evening gown for the pageant but instead, this was a gown in which she was photographed in for their official "Miss USA 2009 Glamour Photos" (see photo below). Somehow she got the "OK" to wear it for the final evening gown televised competition. Whoever gave the OK to do so: Thank You! It was the best gown in the competition: No crotch-high tacky slit, no transparency, and (I can't believe it!) no visible clear stripper platform high heels!!! Bravo Kristen! (or the gay men around her!).