0 Nick Appearance Minute: FIDM Debut 2012 --Fashion Show + Gala & Celeb Pics!

Debut Fashion-Extravaganza!!!!

Fashion Dictators: Nick Verreos and "The Dictator" actress Anna Faris, FIDM Debut 2012 L.A. Fashion Gala, Barker Hanger (photo courtesy of abimages.com)

In my last post, I began my "FIDM Debut 2012 Weekend" Blog posting with "Part One" and highlighted the fun Spring Open House as well as the Fashion Club Debut 2012 Pre-Party. So, here is Part Two: Debut 2012 Fashion Show and Gala...

Look Who's Hosting: Nick Verreos onstage at FIDM Dedut 2012, Santa Monica Barker Hanger

I was privileged enough to host two of the three Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut 2012 shows over the weekend--beginning on Thursday. As you may know, I am not only a Graduate of FIDM, but yes, also the college's Spokesperson and I always enjoy hosting and attending the Debut Show. "Debut" is where the "creme de la creme" of the Advanced Fashion Design and Costume Design graduates get to showcase their collections and designs. Back in ____ (don't EVEN think of asking!) I was one of those "creme de la creme" Debut designers so it really means a lot for me to be "back" and see the "new crop" of graduates' collections.

Nick's NIKOLAKI Girls: (Left to right) Model Lauren Gish in NIKOLAKI lemon green silk chiffon dress, Nick Verreos, and model Beth in black-and-silver sequined NIKOLAKI gown

For this Debut 2012 presentation, I brought along two of my newest NIKOLAKI designs for Spring 2013--which were modeled by the gorgeous Lauren Gish and Beth, models from LA Models.

Notice the Hand-Beaded Capelet, Kids: Nick Verreos on stage with models in his NIKOLAKI designs, at FIDM Debut 2012 Barker Hanger Santa Monica

Lauren wore a neon green/yellow "Gladiator Dress" in silk chiffon with hand-beaded waist trim, and Beth wore a silver-and-black hand-beaded silk chiffon cowl-neck blouson gown with side-slit. They "flanked" me onstage as I did my hosting duties...

Nick and Cleopatra: Nick Verreos and model Brandise Danesewich backstage at FIDM 20912, Barker Hanger

Speaking of models, backstage I was so happy to see one of the sweetest models I know, the beautiful Brandise Danesewich--who also happened to be "Project Runway Family"--she was on Season 7 of the show as well as "Models of the Runway". She was modeling a design by one of the graduates of the Advanced Study Program in Costume Theater Design inspired by "The Phantom of the Opera".

Harlequin Opera: A design from Sarah Timm, graduate of the FIDM Advanced Study Program in Theater Costume Design, Debut 2012-- "Phantom of the Opera" theme (photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Nick Verreos, FIDM Debut 2012 L.A. Fashion Gala (photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Saturday night was the L.A. Fashion Gala of Debut 2012--a very fancy black tie affair where the A-List Fashion Industry is invited as well as Hollywood celebs, costume designers and general Fashionista Glitterati. I wore my midnight blue shawl-collared Zara tuxedo with an Ermenegildo Zegna dress shirt and bow tie for the occasion.

Backstage Fab: Nick Verreos with models Lauren (right) and Beth (left) with Mary Stephens looking on, FIDM Debut 2012 L.A. Fashion Gala Barker Hanger (photo courtesy of Brandise Danesewich)

Presenting Duo: Mary Stephens Director of FIDM Fashion Design Program and Nick Verreos announcing the FIDM Scholarship winners (photo courtesy of abimages.com)

During the gala, I was honored enough to present the FIDM Scholarship Awards and trophies with my FIDM "Mom" and Mentor, the Director of the FIDM Fashion Design Program, the ever-so-stylish Mary Stephens. This year's graduates did a fabulous job in terms of their mini-collections--with designs that ranged from stiffened geometric coats a la Pierre Cardin to colorful gowns and even a collection of children's dresses.

A design by Alejandro Ortega, Debut 2012 Advanced Study in Fashion Design Graduate (photo of abimages.com)

A design by Randy Lee Donato, Debut 2012 Advanced Study in Fashion Design Graduate(photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Fashion Designers Kevan Hall and Nick Verreos, FIDM Debut 2012 L.A. Fashion Gala, Barker Hanger

Actress Anna Faris and "American Reunion" Costume Designer (and FIDM Grad) Mona May, and Nick Verreos, FIDM Debut 2012 L.A. Fashion Gala, Barker Hanger (photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Debut 2012 was FABULOUS, to say the least and it was an honor to be the MC as well as co-present the very important FIDM Scholarships. And of course, it was a BLAST putting on a tuxedo on Saturday night and hanging out with the likes of LA Fashion Designer Kevan Hall, actress Anna Faris and yes, Miss Mona May (LOVE HER!!!)...

Finally...After the FIDM 2012 Fashion Presentations (on Thursday and Friday) I had the chance--in my "Nick VIP Tent" at Barker Hanger--to meet-and-greet with many attendees...

Here is a collage photo:

0 Nick Verreos Attends FIDM Museum & Galleries' "20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition--Photos & Video!

Costume Gala:

Flapper Fab: Academy Award-nominated "The Artist" Costumes by Costume Designer Mark Bridges, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries

In 1993, FIDM Museum & Galleries launched an exhibition that would evolve into an institution. The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition has become the largest annual curated exhibition dedicated to the presentation of film costumes in the world!

This past Saturday was the Opening Night Party to celebrate the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and FIDM Museum & Galleries honoring this past year in Motion Picture Costumes. I was honored to have been invited to this "Gala" and join in for an exclusive peak at this wondrous exhibit, which features over 100 costumes from 20+ films, including "The Help", "Captain America", "Thor", "Immortals" and of course, the five Academy Award Nominees for Best Costume Design: "Anonymous", "The Artist", "Hugo", Jane Eyre" and "W.E.". The Exhibit opened officially on Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14th, it's FREE and will be going on until April 28th.

Here is a "Taste" of those 5 Academy Award-nominated Costumes on display:

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Anonymous" Costumes designed by Lisy Christl--The film is set in the 16th century Elizabethan era and revolves around the question "Was William Shakespeare a Fraud?" with the backdrop of the tempestuous reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Five costumes from the movie are on display including two dresses for the character of "Queen Elizabeth I" worn by actresses Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson. I did a fun "Costume Piece blog" for Lifetime.com for the "Anonymous" costumes which you can read HERE.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"The Artist" Costumes designed by Mark Bridges--We all know "The Artist" is a black and white film--so it is a great surprise to come to this Exhibition and see COLOR! Notice the dress on the far left of the photograph above and its bright orange-coral color. This is how the dress looked in the film:

Yep, medium-gray! Well, in addition to being surprised by the "pop" of color in these costumes, it's also great to see the delicate gold jacquard, brocade and jeweled sequined dresses in this "The Artist" tableaux. And did I mention those cloche hats are especially FAB when you're standing 5 feet away from them?! The costume designer told me that while most of the dresses were made just for the film, those hats were all vintage.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Hugo" Costumes designed by Sandy Powell--Costume Designer Sandy Powell said she had over 1,000 costumes to oversee for the Martin Scorsese film "Hugo". There are five at the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, including the "Station Inspector" worn by actor Sacha Baron Cohen; an olive Shakespearean-inspired costume worn by Ben Kinsley and a jacket-sweater and shorts ensemble worn by young actor Asa Butterfield who played "Hugo".

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Jane Eyre" Costumes designed by Michael O'Connor: The book was originally written and set in the 1830's but according to the Costume Designer and the Director of the film, they both really disliked that time period in terms of women's fashions (they were big and unflattering "puff cake" gowns), therefore they changed the time to a decade later, the 1840's. The costumes for "Jane Eyre" are both restrained yet very intricate. You HAVE to go to the FIDM Museum to really appreciate the minute details, intricate laces, the seaming and pleating that one might miss on the "big screen".

And Finally...

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"W.E." Costumes designed by Arianne Phillips--The Madonna-directed film, "W.E." tells the love story between American divorcee Wallis (W) Simpson and Edward (E), Prince of Wales , who eventually abdicated the throne of England in exchange for marrying the one love of his life. Wallis was fashion-obsessed and loved wearing designs from all the top Paris Couture Houses. Costume Designer Arianne Phillips collaborated with the Houses of Dior, Vionnet and others to have them recreate dresses and gowns that Wallis Simpson had ordered from them--and worn.

Arianne Phillips, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Phillips was in attendance, giving press and party guests alike bountiful "insider information" on the beautiful costumes she designed for the film-as well as how she got Cartier to make reproductions of Wallis Simpson's fabulous jewels. It was wonderful seeing her and congratulating her in person for the GORGEOUS Costumes and for getting the Academy Award Best Costume Design nomination. Oh, and yes, PS: Arianne looked FABULOUS! You can read a little more background on the costumes and comparing them to the actual photographs of Wallis Simpson and Edward which I wrote HERE last April.

Guest Chic: Also looking fabulous were (Left to Right) Rose Apodaca (loving the turban!), co-founder of A+R, fashion journalist, former West Coast Editor of WWD, author of "A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour" and most recently, the "Fred Hayman: The Extraordinary Difference" and N. Jayne Seward (loving the shoes!), fashion editor of the California Apparel News and Very Very Chic diva.

LA Designer Twosome: Nick Verreos with Kevan Hall, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Here is all the Information on the Exhibition:

*WHAT: 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition

*WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015

*WHEN: February 14-April 28

*HOURS/Phone No.: Tuesday through Saturday 10AM-4PM, 213-623-5821

Click Below for a great video from KABC 7 showcasing the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries:

0 Reelz Channel Oscar Fashion Preview with Nick Verreos!

And the Academy Award goes to...
Golden Girl: Naibe Reynoso wearing NIKOLAKI at the W Hotel Los Angeles

Last week I took part in an Oscar Preview and Makeover for Reelz Channel's Show Hollywood Dailies. The beautiful Naibe Reynoso was the subject of the makeover and also the lovely hostess of the segment.
Ready for the Red Carpet: Nick Verreos and Naibe Reynoso (in Kevan Hall)

On hand at the W Hotel Los Angeles to help in the Oscar Transformation were none other than Theodore Leaf and my Victory Project partner Chantal Moore. Theodore talked Hairstyle trends and gave Naibe an Oscar worthy style, while Chantal discussed make-up and gave her a new look. I, of course, discussed Fashion and previewed gowns from my line, NIKOLAKI as well as beautiful styles from Kevan Hall.

Watch the segment Below: