Nick Verreos at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington DC!

A Night of Fashion with Nick!
Purple Rains Into DC: Nick Verreos at the Corcoran stage

This last week, I flew to the US Capital, Washington DC. No, not to dress Michelle Obama (I'm still hoping) and no, not to meet with the Salahi's over tea and curry (and how to find the right lengha choli with dupatta ensemble for the next Indian Prime Minister State Dinner).Theater Diva: Nick Verreos at the Corcoran stage

I was invited by the prestigious Corcoran Gallery and College of Art and Design to give a lecture on fashion and how I got into fashion--as well as show the best of up-and-coming West Coast fashion from my alma mater (and school in which I am an instructor), the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM.No You Didn't Moment: Nick Verreos at the Corcoran, Washington DC Lecture

The last time I was in DC was when I was invited to host the California State Society's Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show at the fabulous Ritz Carlton in January. I was excited--and honored to return--this time to be part of the Corcoran's "Fashion Program". Before the event, I joked with my hosts telling them that I hoped that more than two people show up (wink wink!). Boy, they did! I was very happy to see the Corcoran theater packed as I made my way out. For about 30 minutes, I talked about how my love of fashion began, my early days in Venezuela, being inspired by Pan Am flight attendants and my mom in her chiffon caftans and bouffant J.Lo hairdos. Designer and Muse: Nick Verreos on stage at the Corcoran with NIKOLAKI-clad model projected behind him

I then presented a video of the 2009 FIDM Debut Fashion Show, showing the graduates of the Advanced Fashion Design Program and their first collections (which I helped mentor). There was a brief Q & A in which I confessed how I really did not enjoy the make-a-dress-out-of-plants challenge in my season of Project Runway and my distaste for men who love "clipping" their cell phones/Blackberry's on their waistbands.
Nick Buffet: An Hors D'oeuvres table at the Nick Verreos Corcoran Lecture and Reception

Directly following the Lecture and fashion show video, guests were treated to a wine-and-cheese reception at the Corcoran Gallery plus a special viewing of the NIKOLAKI gowns I brought all the way from Los Angeles (PS: Virgin America really needs to get a hanging closet!).
Gown Trio: Nikolaki by Nick Verreos and David Paul gowns at the Corcoran

While everyone was enjoying the hors d'oeuvres, I was busy at my "Meet-and-Greet" table, signing autographs and taking photos with over 100 guests. Would You Like A Photo: Nick Verreos signing autographs, Corcoran Gallery DC

I was happy to say "hello" to all my DC fashionistas and was especially excited to meet the one attendee who actually brought her "Project Runway Barbie" (designed by moi) in that fateful Project Runway "All Dolled Up" Barbie Challenge. As you can see from the photo below, I was DYING!!! It was a fabulous event and yes, I was happy to see that more than two people showed up to hear little ol' me. That's Going On Ebay: Nick Verreos holds up his "My Scene Barbie" that a guest brought in for an autograph

I love Washington DC (hello, I'm the son of a former US State Department Foreign Officer!) and cannot wait to return. A "little birdie" told me that my Lecture and appearance was such a success, that there could be a chance for a return visit. I can't wait to come back to my dad's former "stomping grounds". Dupont Circle and Georgetown, I am so there!

Click HERE for my interview with BrightYoungThings.com and HERE and HERE for more coverage and photos.

*All photos courtesy of Jeff Malet Photography