Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA News Discussing Academy Awards Fashions--Recap!

Oscars Fashions "Nick's Picks" NBC-LA:

FIDM Spokesperson on TV: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA Channel 4, 5 PM News, discussing Oscars Fashions

As you know this was a busy weekend for me--being that it was the Academy Awards--doing lots of pre-Oscars interviews at the amazing FIDM Museum and all those Oscar-nominated costumes--as well as doing my "Fashion Expert" commentating for the TV Guide Network Countdown and Live Red Carpet Shows yesterday from the Hollywood & Highland Center (Kodak Theater). I also shot a quick "Red Carpet Review" with NBC-LA right after the Oscars Red Carpet which aired on the 11 o'clock News last night (video at the end of this post). That was yesterday and today...well, it's all about MORE Post-Oscars Fashion Talk...

I wrapped filming my TV Guide Academy Awards Fashion Wrap this afternoon and then went to the NBC-LA Studios in Burbank to shoot my LIVE segment for the 5 o'clock News with my two favorite anchors: Colleen Williams and Chuck Henry.

Fashion Talk: NBC-LA Anchors Chuck Henry and Colleen Williams, and Nick Verreos

All Awards Season long, as the Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater--I have been appearing on KNBC and giving my "Hits" and "Not-So-Hits" of the Red Carpet with Colleen and Chuck. As usual, I had a great time talking fashion with them! They get very involved (I think it's a nice break from all the other not-so-fashionable news occurring in Southern California). Of course, we discussed Jennifer Lopez in that sequined gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad:

I thought she looked AMAZING--from her "Star Bun" down to that fishtail train of hers! And yes, we even discussed the possible "Wardrobe Malfunction" everyone is talking about around the "Web-o-sphere". Now, let me say my "Nick Two Cents" on this: There was NO You-Know-What shot! Do these people (who think that something might have slipped out) not know a woman's body? Whatever they think that slipped out is about 1 1/2 inches AWAY from the edge of that plunging v-neck neckline of hers. Moving on...

We also discussed Angelina Jolie. I was not a fan of the Atelier Versace velvet gown--I thought the fabrication looked heavy on her. I would have loved to have seen her in something sequined, fitted and yes, maybe with no slit. Now speaking of that slit and her now infamous Angelina Jolie Stick-The-Leg-Out Pose:

Angelina Jolie-ing: Colleen Williams, Nick Verreos and Cary Berglund, NBC-LA Studios Burbank

Colleen Williams, myself and NBC-LA reporter (and my FIDM Museum Partner-in-Oscars -Fashions-and-Costumes Fabulousness) Cary Berglund...well, we decided to do the "Angelina Jolie" (or try) following my segment! Above is the incriminating photo! Thank you FIDM and Thank you NBC-LA for a fun 2011-2012 Awards Season.

Click Below to Watch my Oscars Fashions Segment on NBC-LA 11 o'clock News last night with reporter Angie Crouch:

View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.

Oscars Fashions Minute: Nick Verreos Sketches Designs for the 84th Annual Academy Awards Best Actress Nominees

Red Carpet Sketching...

Since the 84th Annual Academy Awards are coming up--THIS SUNDAY NIGHT!!!---I was asked about my predictions of what the stars might be wearing. So, I thought, well, why not take it a step further and actually draw MY visions of what the Academy Award-nominated Best Actresses would be wearing if I was asked (a little boy can DREAM n'est pas?) to design and create their Oscars Red Carpet Gowns.

So, without further ado, here are my designs for actresses Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Glenn Close, and Viola Davis. All of these "Dream Illustrations" are based on some of my NIKOLAKI dresses and gowns from my collection. Let's begin with:

Rooney Mara: Rooney is the 2012 Fashion "It" Girl--the Cate Blanchett of this year. I see Rooney in something that is NOT black! She LOVES the color black and so therefore I want to take her out of her "comfort zone" and have her wear RED! I also envision her in a directional statement-making dress.

This gown is based on one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses from my Spring 2011 Collection (above photo) and it features an asymmetrical neckline/top section and a very architectural cascade drape in the front of the structured silk ziberline gown.

Meryl Streep: For Meryl, I wanted to see her in something softer--more "Grecian Goddess". So I sketched this gown above. She's been wearing lots of black for recent award shows and so therefore I wanted to go in the opposite direction. The color would be a vanilla creme and it would be in silk jersey.

The gown would feature a high cowl neckline and asymmetrical open back detail with side-draped cowl, just like the original gown from my collection which I based it on (above photo). There would be figure-hugging and complimentary side pleating that would fall into a dramatic side back. It would be DRAMATIC, SEXY and oh-so fab for that three-quarter I-am-holding-my-Oscar-statuesque shot! It would also be such a departure from those too-stiff 80's suits a la Margaret Thatcher.

Michelle Williams: Gorgeous Michelle. She wore a beautiful silver-blue Chanel Haute Couture sequined gown for last year's Academy Awards and I'd love to see her in head-to-toe sequins once again. But my NIKOLAKI design would be in a lilac/lavender color --very similar to this gown of mine:

However, the sequin and color detail would Ombre from light to dark/light to heavy at the hem. My design features a plunging neckline but it is delicately hidden by an attached silk chiffon capelet. The shape would be fit-to-flare and feature a sexy side slit (she was TOO covered up at the 2012 Golden Globes).

Glenn Close: For Glenn, I wanted to also take her out of her black color fashion comfort zone and create a gown in a midnight blue. I also know she loves that Mermaid Shape so I did a variation on this, based on one of my NIKOLAKI Mermaid-shaped gowns.

The gown would be in a stiffer silk ziberline or taffeta and have hand-applied Swarovski crystal embellishment at the waist and neckline--again, for that ever-so-important three quarter shot! Finally, I would semi-cover her shoulders and biceps with horizontal pleated drape accents.

Viola Davis: Finally, for Viola, I sketched this Fashion Goddess illustration. First off, I would LOVE to see Viola in a gown of this color: apple green. This is THE color for Spring/Summer 2012 and we saw it on a lot of the Paris, Milan, NY runways. If anyone can WORK this color, it's Miss Viola. The silk chiffon gown would be gathered at the bust as well as the center front, like this gown below from my NIKOLAKI Collection:

There would be a high side slit for dramatic red carpet posing and yes, her torso--and "Sistahs" (she's been displaying them a lot lately)--would be elegantly positioned, with this gown. Finally, I added a very DIVA-like 20+ yards of silk chiffon cape attached to the gown at the back. This would flow as she walked like a Spartan Empress waiting to greet her 10,000 warriors--or her Oscar statue!

I can't wait to see on Sunday night what these actresses decide to wear to the 84th Annual Academy Awards--and if my original sketches/designs were actually better...or not-so-much!

Click Below for my "Oscar Fashion" What I Would Design For The Nominees Segment with NBC-LA's Cary Berglund from the fabulous FIDM Museum "Oscars Costumes" Exhibition:

The Rockettes and Nick Verreos: High Kicking It at FIDM!!!

Swarovski Crystals, Erte, Vincente Minnelli, Gorgeous Gams... and High Kicks!

Salutin' Soldier: Nick Verreos and "Wooden Soldier Rockette", Laura Danelski (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Last week I had the FABULOUS opportunity to be the Master of Ceremonies welcoming the World Famous Rockettes to Downtown Los Angeles, and specifically, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM.

Fashion Spectacular: Nick Verreos flanked by The Rockettes, FIDM Los Angeles

(photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

The Rockettes are on their Kick Across America tour promoting their Christmas Spectacular Show and they decided to make a very special stop at FIDM, and I was invited to be the Host with The Most, naturally, being that I am a FIDM Instructor as well as the FIDM Spokesperson Extraordinaire (and a lover of all things Musical Theater and Sequins!). I made sure to put on my best RED jacket, multi-colored pocket scarf (to match the ladies Christmas Spectacular Color Scheme) and get ready to meet the lovely high-kicking ladies.

Let Me See Your Muslin: Nick Verreos looks at the inspiration for Chairing Styles designer Ralph Prado, FIDM (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

The event, appropriately titled "Kick With Nick" , was to occur at the adjacent Grand Hope Park. But first, there was an exclusive Workshop at FIDM, where the Debut (Advanced Fashion Design), Chairing Styles as well as Advanced Theater Costume students--and invited media--got a private and close up demonstration on the Art of designing for the Musical Theater and specialty costumes. The Rockettes brought several costumes and described in depth all their corresponding details.

X-Mas Happy: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes, FIDM (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

I was SO EXCITED to host The Rockettes that I could barely contain myself upon meeting them. They were UNBELIEVABLY gorgeous. First they discussed their Christmas Spectacular ensembles which they arrived in: Red and ivory "Candy Cane" costumes with gold "flutter skirts"--all boned and corseted within an inch of their toned lives...

Costume Changes: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes, in various costumes (Photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Afterward, one of them went into the dressing room and came out in the Wooden Soldier Costume, designed by the one and only Vincente Minelli (Liza Minelli's father and Judy Garland's husband for you kiddies who are too young!).

What Side Seam: Nick Verreos points out the details on the "Let It Shine" Costume on Traci Reszetylo (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Then, another one changed into the Let It Shine Costume featuring over 3,000 Swarovski crystals! Here I am pointing at how the "print" of the crystal-encrusted design miters(matches) and you can barely see a side seam: Theater Couture Darlings!

Is That Cher? Nick Verreos and Rockette Alyssa Epstein, FIDM (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Finally, we got to see the Gershwin Royal Blue Tiered Skirt Costume designed by the great Erte ! Layers of iridescent organza, lots of crystals and blue & white feathers made for a FAB conclusion to this exclusive FIDM Rockettes Workshop. I LOVED how Rockette Alyssa Epstein reminded me of Cher (and I told her so!). Now it was time for the "High Kick With Nick" at Grand Hope Park at FIDM:

(Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

FIDM welcomed The Rockettes in STYLE (see above photo) Yes, I brought along 24 fabulous ladies, decked out in black Top Hat ensembles, with signs!

High Kicking: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes high kick it (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

I then got a quick lesson in "How To High Kick It, Rockettes Style" right there and then, in front of about 300 people, who came out for this very special event. Thank Goodness my black Zara pants had stretch in them (a little bit!) and that I wore my YSL Johnny Boots.

Follow Me Downtown Los Angeles: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes lead attendees into a High Kick Lesson, Grand Hope Park/FIDM (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

But of course, I wasn't the only one to look like a High-Kicking Fool: I got the help of five audience members who came up to the stage and got their "High Kick" lesson from The Rockettes. And truth be told, they did REALLY WELL.

Nick Verreos, KNBC Reporter Cary Berglund and The Rockettes, FIDM
(Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

It was a FABULOUS event and I was so ecstatic to have finally met The Rockettes, got to see their costumes up close and personal, and even got a lesson on how to High Kick It! I look forward to more High Kicks with The Rockettes. Those ladies...and their costumes were AMAZING!

*We even made it on the 5 o'clock news on KNBC Los Angeles: Click HERE for the video!!!
*Click HERE for a fun photo an article from Los Angeles Downtown News.
*Click HERE for more fun photos from LookBookLA.com

The fabulousness of Johnny Weir: Nick Verreos' Interview on KNBC Channel 4 Los Angeles

Quadruple Axle???No Fur Johnny: Pink and black rubber and spandex with corset strap detail and tassel: Short Program Costume at the Vancouver Olympics

This week, while teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I got a call--interrupting my class--saying "it's important!"--Cary Berglund, of KNBC Los Angeles Channel 4, contacted FIDM, saying he had read my Tweet (I can't believe I just wrote that!) in which I said I was at the FIDM Museum doing TV interviews for the Art of Motion Picture Costume Exhibit. KNBC was doing a story on the Figure Skating Costumes--and particularly , Johnny Weir and his Figure Skating "fashion sense" and his fur/no fur controversy--and they wanted an interview with...yours truly! Fur and Sequin Diva: Johnny Weir off and on the ice

Done and done! The interview was taped at the FIDM Downtown LA campus and I spoke about how Johnny Weir could wear just about anything...and at the same time, do an unbelievable jump sequence. So unbelievable, I said that he could even do a "Quadruple Axle" (a non-existent jump in Figure Skating kiddies, I know!). I'm sure some Figure Skating aficionados will make fun of me to no end for saying that, but who cares. I was trying to make an "extreme" point.
Figure Skating Fanatics:Cary Berglund, Nick Verreos and Camera Person at FIDM Hope Park

It was to my surprise that the interview was THE LEAD STORY on the 5 PM Los Angeles Channel 4 NBC local news! Oh Cary Berglund, I LOVE YOU!!! And take this as a lesson in "social media" and marketing. Who knew my Tweets were actually being read...I didn't!

Click BELOW for the KNBC Lead News Story and my interview (it was very sunny at the FIDM Hope Park, I know!):