Chirk Castle - Ceilings

Fun Times At Meet The Blogger

Yay I'm back after an incredible and fun weekend in Amsterdam! Sorry if I disappeared for a few days but last week I was so busy with Heart Home Magazine and then Friday I flew out to Amsterdam for a nice weekend break. I got up to so many exciting things but obviously one of my main highlights was attending the Meet The Blogger Event on Saturday. Wow is what I can say, I am still buzzing from all the inspiring people I met. It was great to see old and new faces and mingle with people that share the same passion as you do - yes we are all mad bloggers but we love it ;)

I was so happy to see Holly again who gave such a heart felt speech which gave us a lot to smile about. Chatting with Decorate's co-author, Joanna copestick was also a real pleasure. There were many laughs with fellow bloggers and I genuinely had so much fun. I am so excited to have made more online friends, it's what makes blogging all about! I can't wait for the next bloggers meet up, apparently Berlin may be the destination! Now that I cannot wait!

Amsterdam was a pretty inspiring place and I have so many more goodies to share with you the next few days, I just cannot wait!

A big thank you to Lise from Urban Style Vibes for organising such a wonderful event! More details of Meet The Blogger can be found at Heart Home Magazine. There is also a great post from Holly that sums up the event magically! 

Images by Holly Becker, Jurriaan Hoefsmit and VTWonen

[CARTOON] No I in team

Runway Report: Milan Men's Fashion Week D&G Spring 2012

Foulard Power!

St. Tropez Brunch: D&G Menswear Spring 2012

The design duo of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showed their latest offering for the MENSSSES during Milan Menswear Spring 2012 Fashion Week for both their lines, including the lower D&G line which I am spotlighting here. For Spring 2012, it was all about the foulard--or printed scarf--it seemed to be the focal point and inspiration for this collection. Lots of silk fabrics, a relaxed proportion and silhouette.

Hugh Hefner Meets 80's Versace Poster Boy: D&G Menswear Spring 2012

Low-slung and LONG crotch/rise were the operative words here in terms of pants and trousers and jeans; the "carrot" style (long dropped crotch, loose at the hips, more fitted toward the leg and ankle) is still the go to look for D&G. Loving the colored driving moccasins and Top-Sider-esque shoe styles (just like in the Dsquared2 Spring 2012 Collection).

Vintage (early 1990's) Versace Ad, featuring Supermodels Nadege, Helena Christensen and a VERY young Niki Taylor

The printed shirts are VERY Versace circa 1992. I had a BLOUSON silk printed jacket back in the day (just like the one below at the far right) and I think it was sold in a "Lawn" sale many many many years ago. Now, I'm bummed I didn't keep it!

PJ's For The Summer: D & G Menswear Spring 2012

And if Domenico and Stefano have their way, it's NO to Speedo and Si, to silk printed "Board Shorts" with denim waistbands come next Spring/Summer 2012. These silk boxer/board shorts were very cute but they reminded me of pajamas one would have chopped off and turned into shorts (maybe that's the point NICK!!!). Well, at least that's what they would look like on me if I ever attempted that look. I'll leave that to you; the young Euro Boys...

Click Below for Full Runway Video of D & G Spring 2012:

Fashion School Fix: FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion" Nick Verreos Hosts Walk-Off and Mini NIKOLAKI Fashion Show!

It's a "3 Days of Fashion" Boy Runway Walk Off!!!!

Sunny Fashion Day: Nick Verreos poses with FIDM LA's "3 Days of Fashion" attendees

First was San Francisco and now...Continuing with my Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 3 Days of Fashion 2011 "tour", the next stop was Los Angeles!!! It was a very hot and sunny day in LA this past week when I was asked to be the "Very Special Guest" at the FIDM LA Campus' 3 Days of Fashion Finale. I was scheduled to show some of my NIKOLAKI gowns and Red Carpet Dresses and talk about all that I learned as a former Fashion Design student at FIDM--as well as owning a Fashion business for ten years.

Brown Paper Carpet--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion"

This time, the organizers decided to have my event outdoors, at the FIDM-adjacent Hope Park. There was a FAB open-air stage and mini-runway set up as well as a "paper carpet" set up for my models so when they made their walk toward the stage, my gowns would not be soiled.

Open Air: Nick Verreos at the FIDM LA 2011 "3 Days of Fashion", FIDM LA Campus/Hope Park, Downtown LA

My "MC" was the wonderful Blaine Vebros, who introduced me as I began to say "Hi" to everyone as well as tell my "How I Got to Where I Got" story. I then introduced my models who sauntered out in my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Gowns that I brought especially for this event. FIDM was generous enough to provide me with the same models who happen to be on my NIKOLAKI website, Amanda Fields and Lauren Gish.

Pose Under The Sun: Nick Verreos introduces model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI turquoise silk gown, FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

I think the 300+ audience comprised of mostly high-school students and some of their parents, loved my "mini" fashion show and seeing the Couture-worthy gowns that I brought.

Coral Couture: Nick Verreos introducing Model Lauren Gish modeling NIKOLAKI, FIDM LA 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

As a "special bonus" to the day--in addition to having my favorite models and showing my gowns--was that Lauren (one of the models) brought her Mommy, a United Airlines Flight Attendant (and you know how much I love flight attendants!). She had just flown for about ten hours straight in on a Seoul Korea to SF flight, caught a connector flight from SF and came to LA to visit her daughter--and to see me!!! (love her!)

Walk Off: Nick Verreos talks to the FIDM LA "Runway Walk Off" contestants, FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

Soon after my NIKOLAKI Fashion Show ended, I decided to get the audience "going" so I looked out in the audience and saw that they were only about 8-10 boys. I brought them all up onstage and began an impromptu "Runway Walk Off", and subsequently, let the audience decide--by applause--who the best Runway DIVO was.

WORK It Huney: FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion" Runway Walk-Off Contestant doing his runway pose

I would NOT be exaggerating when I say that: It was a BIG HIT!!!! The audience went MAD! Loved it! My "Male Runway Model Contestants" were so FIERCE it was BEYOND words. This was not a planned thing but the FIDM organizers quickly got the finalists and winners some great prizes.

Wave to Nick: The FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion" autograph-and-photo line, Hope Park, FIDM LA Campus, Downtown Los Angeles

Afterward, as always, I spent the next couple of hours, signing autographs and taking those "Oh God, I hope I look good" Facebook photos. Everyone was so sweet and generous and most of all, patient (it was a LONG line!!!) The Mom's and Dad's were especially excited (love them!).

Cutie Attendees: Nick Verreos poses with some of FIDM LA's "3 Days of Fashion" attendees

A Special "Thank You" to this young "3 Days of Fashion" attendee, Kathryn Delgadillo who brought me a gift, a ring from her line Kathryn Marie

Thanks to everyone for making this FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion" so much fun! Especially my "Runway Walk-Off" boys....Much Love!

Below is a short video of Lauren Gish modeling one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses at FIDM Los Angeles 2011 3Days of Fashion:

Red Carpet Report: Beaded and/or Backless Gowns

BACKLESS + Beaded = GORG!

Recently, lots of actresses, models, your "Usual Red Carpet Subjects" have been GIVING Backless and/or Full-on Beaded on the Red Carpet--here are some examples--including one from my own NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection...

Sequined Hilary: Hilary Swank in Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture at the 2011 International Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto Canada over the weekend. Why Toronto for the International Indian Film Academy Awards, you might ask? Well, kiddies, according to this, the Greater Toronto area has the second largest population of people of Indian descent in NORTH AMERICA!!!! Yep! Moving on...Miss Swank is wearing an absolutely stunning gown from the Lebanese designer's Haute Couture Collection--which means that EVERY single one of those beads was applied BY HAND and so were the seams that were sewn. NO machines darlings. That's why this gown would probably cost around $100,000 if you were to order it. It's a good guess Miss Hilary got it for free--lent that is...

Silver Goddess: Victoria's Secret Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Naeem Khan at the Germany Premiere of Transformers 3. Naeem has been in the news as of late because the US First Lady, Michelle Obama just LOVES wearing his designs. He is an American Fashion Designer of Indian origin who has a very good business creating evening gowns. Love the cap sleeves, love the back train, well done! It's both chic, and UBER glamorous. I also adore that side-knot-twisted hairstyle.

Spanish actress Paz Vega at the Shanghai Film Festival in an all-over sequined backless gown featuring long fitted sleeves and (gasp!) shoulder pads! (yes, ladies, they are back...and have been for a while!). Interesting that when I looked at the photo on the right--doesn't it look as if the back of her gown just came undone? Or it's about to. Or maybe, it was hooked way beyond the edge of the back closure....who knows. (sorry too much "Fashion Terminology"). I still LIKE it. Fits her well, the oversized paillettes are great, good job Paz.

She Loves a Mini: Cameron Diaz in Emilio Pucci Fall 2011 at the Moscow Premiere of Bad Teacher. All over sequins in gold and black work well with Cameron Diaz. And she loves a mini--16-18" below her natural waist seems to be her favorite hem length. I do like that the rest of her is covered--the three-quarter sleeves the bateau neckline.

Finally...there's model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011: My NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul and I just love this gown and because it fits this blog's "Category", of course, we had to add it!!! No one has worn it yet and many, many actresses and stylists have "pulled this dress" but no one has used it yet--maybe there's still time for a FAB Red Carpet Moment for this gown...

Fail: Hella Heaven's fail series

Fourth Hella Heaven's Fail series.

(Click to enlarge: Rainbow with 6 colors)