NIKOLAKI at Rock Fashion Week LA and the Pink Dress Collection!

Lady In PinkNIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos and David Paul at The Pink Collection Fashion Show, Rock Fashion Week

Last week was Rock Fashion Week in Los Angeles, as part of the LA Fashion Week festivities--yes kids, LA Fashion Week was still going on! And Earlier in the month I received an invitation to provide one of my NIKOLAKI dresses for a fashion show being showcased as part of Rock Fashion Week--as well as for a worthwhile cause, the Susan G. Komen Foundation. My fellow NIKOLAKI partner and I headed to the Peterson Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd. , the site of Rock Fashion Week and where the show, The Pink Dress Collection was taking place.
Team NIKOLAKI: Designers David Paul and Nick Verreos at Rock Fashion Week

The venue was set up in a huge tent atop the Peterson where several fashion shows had been going on during the evening. I ran into the California Apparel News "gals", editors Alison Nieder and Jayne Seward. As we took our seats, we were excited for the show and soon a gorgeous model strutted the runway in black gloves and black pumps wearing our NIKOLAKI Spring 2009 Collection cocktail dress; a strapless number in salmon pink silk-linen-Lurex. She looked great! Model of The Runway: Nick Verreos and Tanisha Harper, backstage at Biatta Runway Show, Rock Fashion Week

Among the other designers who showed at the Pink Dress Collection/Rock Fashion Week included Tadashi, Betsy Johnson, Nanette Lapore, Nicole Miller, Karen Zambose, Jenny Han, and Petro Zillia. Biatta (a sexy lingerie line) showed right afterward and since we were there, both David and I decided to stay and watch the fashion show. I'm glad I did because I spotted one of my favorite Lifetime Networks Models Of The Runway, Tanisha Harper, who was modeling in the show of course.

Click Below for the Final Model Exits of Rock Fashion Week LA's "The Pink Collection":

Nick Verreos: The Kevan Hall Spring 2010 Fashion Show: Universal Studios Backlot

Nick's Getaway..to Universal Studios!Tardy For The Party: Nick Verreos on the red carpet at Kevan Hall's Spring 2010 Runway Show

Last Saturday night was a busy one: I was invited to the very A-List black tie Opening Gala for the Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture Exhibit (as you may have read in my previous post) at FIDM Downtown and then I had to attend the Kevan Hall Spring 2010 Runway Show at Universal Studios. After spending two amazing hours enjoying the party and the wonderful Couture gowns at the museum, I realized that David and I only had fifteen minutes to somehow get to Universal Studios! We quickly got in our car and sat in: STOPPED TRAFFIC! I don't know what part of "It's a Saturday Night in Los Angeles" we did not understand? It eventually took us FORTY-FIVE minutes to get to our fashion show destination!Spanish Steps a la Kevan Hall: Designer Kevan Hall strikes a pose

The Kevan Hall show, which was co-sponsored by Ruznak Auto Group as well as Universal Studios, was being held at the Universal Studio's backlot and the invitation warned that there would be over 1000 guests and security would be very "tight". Gay Fashionsita Terrorists can be so harmful to runway shows. One never knows if Sacha Baron Cohen might be showing up as his over-the-top Austrian Bruno. PR Extraordinaire: Nick Verreos and Kevan Hall's pr DIVA, Margaret Schell

Running up the cobblestone streets of the studio's backlot (note to self: YSL Johnny Boots are not conducive to running!), we passed stunning automobiles: Audis, Bentleys, BMWs, Jaguars, Maybachs, Rolls Royces ...Yep, no recession happening here darlings! When we finally arrived at the location of the runway show, we were happy to see that the show had not begun yet, but it was about to and all the guests were already in their seats! Work It: A one-shouldered cocktail dress, Kevan Hall Spring 2010

In our standing-room-only section of "Tardy for the Party" late-comers, we ran into California Apparel News Publisher, Molly Rhodes, Executive Editor Alison Nieder and Fashion Editor Jayne Seward, so yes, David and I were not alone! I also said "hello" to Kevan's wife, Debbie, and dished on our memories of last year's Islands of The World Fashion Week in the Bahamas, where both Kevan and myself had shown our collections.My Fave: A strapless organza gown from Kevan Hall Spring 2010

The runway was set up below an enormous stage reminiscent of Rome's Spanish Steps. The show, entitled "The Getaway", featured lovely satin cocktail dresses and flowing gowns, which Kevan Hall is famous for. One of my favorites gowns being a peach strapless number with a Diamante waist brooch. These were dresses to perfectly compliment those stunning--and very expensive--cars that lined the walkway. Runway Close-Up: Lifetime's Models of the Runway model Tanisha Harper

On the runway, I spotted not one but TWO Project Runway Season 6: Models of The Runway: Lisa Blades and Tanisha Harper. They did a great job maneuvering what seemed like over 100 steps coming down! These girls are pros; no "Model Down" accidents here kiddies! It was a great show in a fabulous location--if only I could have put one of those Jaguars in my tuxedo jacket pocket, I would really be set to go on MY Getaway!

Click BELOW for the Final Runway Walk and Tableau of Kevan Hall Spring 2010 (We were next to the photographer's pit, so excuse the chattering, it's them!):

LA Fashion Week Spring 2010: A Night of "Passion...Revealed!"

LA Fashion Week gets International...
Vibiana's Cocktail: Good Day LA's Maria Quiban, Nick Verreos and Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee, Passion Revealed Fashion Show, LA Fashion Week

Onto another fabulous event: Last Friday, I was invited to attend "Passion...Revealed! A Fusion of Fashion, Music and Arts", benefiting The Trevor Project, HOPE4Children, FASGI (Filipino American Service Group Inc.) and Gawad Kalinga at the fabulous St. Vibiana's in Downtown LA. There would be three designers of Filipino descent showing their latest collections. My friend, former Miss Universe, Brook Lee, was hosting the evening's festivities, so of course I had to be there to support her--and of course, see some great international fashion! I immediately saw Brook once David and I arrived. She was there with Maria Quiban, the beautiful Fox 11 Good Day LA Weather Anchor. We posed for photos and made our way to our front row seats. Imelda 2010: A gown from Philip Rodriguez

First up was Philip Rodriguez' collection. He is known as "The Fashion Czar of Cebu" and has dressed Manila high society, First Ladies of the Philippines, as well royalty. For Spring 2010, his collection, which included men's and womenswear, took inspiration from his native land and the elegant Mantones de Manila (silk shawls). Highlights were the elegant traditional Filipino Men's shirts in pineapple-organza (yep, you read right!) and his intricately embroidered black and off-white gowns.

Alexis Monsanto Muses: Good Day LA's Maria Quiban and Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee, in Alexis Monsanto designs

Next was designer Alexis "Bong" Monsanto. Brook, in fact was wearing one of his designs, a very pretty navy charmeuse and chiffon gown with crystal detailing. For Spring 2010, Monsanto showed everything from strapless jersey jumpsuits, pretty blouson tops paired with skinny or wide-legged pants, and gowns made to lounge around in a very high-end resort. Monsanto even threw in a couple of hot, fat-free male models in skimpy swimsuits to bring his "resort" theme home (much to the delight of the audience).
Dubai Goes to the Venice Ball: Furne One/Amato Haute Couture Spring 2010

The third and final designer was Furne One and his line, Amato Haute Couture which he designs out of his home base in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where he is well known. He has also designed for Heidi Klum's Germany's Next Top Model Finalists. For tonight's finale, over a dozen models made their way onto the stage in glittering, over-the-top, incredibly-beaded gowns. One more stunning and intricate than the next. The colors ranged from strawberry pink, ice-blue, vanilla yellow to mango orange.
Peach Confection: Furne One/Amato Haute Couture Spring 2010

The models' make-up was theatrical and Opera-like. On their heads were white powdered Marie Antoinette-like wigs which held small toys such as bicycles, bowling pins and even a mini helicopter. I kid you not. All of us--at least in the front--had our jaws to the floor! It was as if I had just crashed a fabulous Venice Opera House Costume Ball.

Dangling Couture: Close-Up of Furne One's Amato Haute Couture Spring 2010 gowns

When the show was over, you know I had to make my way to the back to see these Haute Couture creations up close. And trust me, they were incredible! Each with it's own built-in corset, yards and yards of ruched tulle, embroidered organza, and Swarovski crystals to make Bob Mackie blush! This was Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab--but on steroids! I can only imagine how those Dubai ladies must LOVE his gowns--and pay a pretty penny for them! If I was a Sheikha or needing a gown for the Crillon Debutante Ball in Paris, I would too!

CLICK BELOW for the Amato Haute Couture by Furne One Grand Finale:

Nick Verreos Has Breakfast with the Mayor of Los Angeles?

Not so much...but...Fashion Podium: Mayor Villaraigosa, Max Azria of BCBG and Herve Leger, and Cynthia Ruiz of the LA Mayor's Department of Cultural Affairs

This week, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa held a press conference at the California Market Center in support of LA Fashion Week and the Los Angeles Fashion Industry. Barbara Graff, organizer of Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week and Cynthia Ruiz from the Department of Cultural Affairs, invited me to be part of this event--and I was happy to oblige.Family Portrait: Fashion Angel Awards Judges Nick Verreos, Louis Verdad, Vanessa Gonzalez and Randolph Duke, along with other LA designers pose for the press

This event also marked the official announcement of the Fashion Angel Awards, a contest generously sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs. About a month ago, I was invited to judge this contest along with other LA fashion notables such as Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia, Jeffrey Sebelia (winner of Season 3 Project Runway and designer of Cosa Nostra, designer Louis Verdad, former MOCA Director of Events, Vanessa Gonzalez and Randolph Duke. The Winners Are: Phong Hong, Jacquetta O'Dell and Leslie Henry, Fernanda Carneiro and their winning designs (and models)

Today marked "The Big Day" as head judge, Randolph Duke--flanked by Max Axria, the Honorable Mayor Villaraigosa, Cynthia Ruiz and Ilse Metchek, the chic director of the California Fashion Association/CFA--announced the three winning designers (four, actually, since one is a design team).Project Runway Meets LA City Diva: City of LA's "fashion ambassador" Cynthia Ruiz, with designers Raymundo Baltazar and Nick Verreos

The Winners were Phong Hong, Fernanda Carneiro (a Graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM), and design team Jacquetta O'Dell and Leslie Henry. Each will get to participate in their own fully-funded runway show on October 13th at the Geffen Contemporary MOCA as part of Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week. I remember that they were my favorites during the judging. Hong's designs were flirty and oh-so-feminine and Brazilain-born Carneiro's designs were wearable but still had pretty and unique details. Petro Zillia already carries her line and Nony Tochterman, its owner, says her clients "just love" her dresses. Lock and Key: Designers Jacquetta O'Dell and Leslie Henry with their key-and-belt top and wooden door skirt

Finally, I loved O'Dell and Henry's conceptual wooden designs, they were very Hussein Chalayan and I felt it would be great to show the rest of the World that LA wasn't just about jeans and t-shirts but we also had "artiste" designers. At the press conference, I was happy to run into one of my best friends, designer Raymundo Baltazar and Alison Nieder of California Apparel News, who was there to cover the event. I also said "Hola" to former Miss International 2007, Priscila Perales, from Mexico. Las Misses: Nick Verreos, Miss International and Miss Mexico '07 Priscila Perales, and Raymundo Baltazar

Of course I will be there next Tuesday to check out the four outstanding up-and-coming LA designers who will show at the Fashion Angel Awards Fashion Show. I think Mayor Villaraigosa summed it up best during his press conference, "Our city is no longer just the fashion capital of the West Coast; LA is one of the major fashion capitals of the world". See you at LA Fashion Week!

Click HERE for more info. on all the LA Fashion Week Events at ApparelNews.net
Click HERE for the schedule of Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week.