Nick Verreos at FIDM San Francisco Debut Show-and my YSL-meets-Amazing Race Experience!

FIDM Debut Fashion Show "By The Bay"Say CHEESE: Nick Verreos and FIDM SF prospective student, Annie Kuang make a "funny face"

Last year, I was invited to San Francisco to introduce the FIDM Debut Fashion Show and meet-and-greet hopeful incoming students. I had such great fun, that this year, I was delighted to do it again and make a reprise "special appearance" for the San Francisco FIDM campus.
The show culminates a whole days activities involving the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising San Francisco Campus "Open House" events. During the first part of the day, high school students who are thinking of coming to FIDM, get a tour of the Union Square-adjacent campus (fabulous location, by the way--right near H & M, Barneys NY and Macy's!), as well as learn about all the different majors, departments and opportunities the school has to offer. Afterward, the students and their families were "shuttled" to the wonderful Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium to be the VIP guests at the FIDM Debut 2008 Fashion Show.Happy Nick Seat: Virgin America First Class seats make Uncle Nick smile!

It's funny because on the way there, on my cozy Virgin America First Class flight from LA (yes, I had to upgrade huney, it makes all the difference, even for an hour flight!), I noticed an inordinate amount of six foot tall, size 2 women--as well as their male counterparts---so I figured that they were on their way to do the SF Debut Show (I guessed right!). So, I dubbed that flight "The Model Flight". I was SO TEMPTED to do the "Emergency Demonstrations" runway-style on the plane's aisles!! Nob Hill Fashion: Models at the Finale of the Debut 2008 Fashion Show at Masonic Auditorium, SF

Once in SF, I checked into my favorite Hotel Monaco and got ready to go to the event. Once again, I introduced the show and spoke a little bit about how I was a student at FIDM, and now teach there of course, as well some going-down-memory-lane stories about how I "broke the news" to my parents about wanting to be a designer. Then it was time for the show. The show highlighted collections from last year's Advanced Fashion Design students, showing both menswear and womenswear, sportswear and couture and a lot in between. The near-capacity auditorium audience LOVED it! I especially heard screams when the bare-chested sexy male models strutted their stuff. You'd think it was a Chippendale's show or something. But no, it's FIDM's Debut Show!San Francisco Fashionistas: Nick Verreos poses with fashionable guests of the FIDM SF Debut '08 Show

Immediately following the show, I told the audience that I would be waiting for them in the entry area of the auditorium ,to sign autographs and take all the photos they wanted....Well, I barely made it into the foyer because everyone coming out of the show wanted a photo right there and then--it was kind of crazy. After some shoving and maneuvering, I finally made it to my "position" and began my Facebook and MySpace photo duties! It was estimated that about 200-300 kids stayed and I posed with every one of them--and about 2 hours later (and an extra shiny/sweaty forehead T-Zone later), my "duties" were over! I had the best time meeting all the kids and seeing their creativity in their choice of outfits (one of my favorites was this stylish young man in an YSL t-shirt and striped cardigan). Club Fierce: Santa Cruz students pose with Nick Verreos after the Debut '08 Show

I even met this whole "crew" of Santa Cruz fashion design lovers, who named themselves "Club Fierce". They are made up of a bunch of gorgeous girls and ONE guy, Casey, who, naturally, is the "founder" and "Head Momma" (sorry Casey!).
Learn How To Sketch Kids: Yves Saint Laurent's gorgeous fashion illustration from De Young YSL Retrospective

The day after the event, my weekend in San Francisco ended with an "Amazing Race" twist: I REALLY wanted to see the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective at the De Young Museum, since I didn't know when I would be back to SF and have the time to see it before it closed (March '09). But my plane left at 2 PM and it was 11 AM. So...I left my hotel, hailed a cab, drove to the De Young, told the cab to meet me back in one hour. Mondrian Couture: Yves Saint Laurent's iconic "Mondrian Dress" is on display at San Francisco's De Young Museum

I ran into the museum, spent 45 minutes and quickly viewed some of the most AMAZING Haute Couture YSL pieces, then went to the Museum Store, bought the accompanying exhibit book, and ran back out, to my awaiting cab. We then rushed back to the hotel, I checked out, got back into the cab and drove straight to the airport. I barely made it on my plane but I DID IT--all within an hour! I felt like I was in an "Amazing Race: The San Francisco Edition " episode. I thought Phil Keoghan would be waiting for me at the airport telling me that I had made it! I hope I will be back to San Francisco to really take the time to see the YSL Retrospective since viewing it all in 45 minutes is almost insulting. There were so many incredible pieces and I am such a fan of the genius that was "the Master Couturier", that I must come back and spend a whole day next time. I hope my warm First Class Virgin America white leather seat will be waiting for me!

The Oscar's in West Hollywood

Even though I am a fashion designer, living in Los Angeles, the land of film and entertainment, you can't help but get "caught up" in crazy La-La Land. I do feel detached because I am not really an actor or a producer or a director, so sometimes I am less interested in who wins what, and am more enticed by what the stars are wearing on the Red Carpet and what the supposed "fashion experts" will incorrectly say about their outfits during those pre and post shows.

For years, along with my partner, David, we would either go over to a friend's apartment and attend their intimate annual Oscar's Party or stay at home and eat a lot of chips and guacamole dip, drink lots of margaritas, and be our own "armchair" fashion critics. This year was different. I was invited to several of those exclusive "Oscar's Gifting Suites" that were occurring the days leading up to Sunday night's show. I attended most of them and got manicured, massaged and facial'ed. On Sunday, I was invited to several Oscar's viewing parties in West Hollywood and decided to throw our yearly pattern of staying home off kilter and get dressed up and go out!

First, we attended the Tom Whitman Presents Trevor Project/Instinct Magazine Oscar's Viewing Party at the Here Lounge . Season 3 model, and newly-transplanted Angeleno, Amanda Fields, also came along. Earlier in the week, we had fittings at my studio where she chose to wear a silver cowl-halter backless gown featuring a feathered silk attached skirt. She looked like a statuesque goddess in the gown. Once she stepped into the party, everyone wanted to come up to her to tell her how gorgeous she looked and how they loved her gown. She would quickly respond by telling them that it was one of my designs. I felt like a proud papa!

The party was filled with Gay A-listers such as Reichen Lehmkuhl, "Amazing Race" winner and former arm-candy/boyfriend to Lance Bass. Lance showed up, but quickly left after someone told him that Reichen was also at the party (Oooops!). I also said "hello" to J.P. Calderon, from "Survivor" and the "Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency Show" , who asked me when I would design a suit for him! He obviously never saw that last episode where I tried to make a suit for Daniel Vosovic!!!We hung out with "Amazing Race Season 7" boyfriends, Lynn and Alex and tried to watch the show ."Tried" is the operative word here, since there was so much going on at the party and it was so loud that the awards telecast was almost secondary to just socializing. The only time the party fell silent was when the Best Supporting Actress Award came up and Jennifer Hudson won. I think ALL of West Hollywood fell silent right then and there, quickly followed by loud yelling and screaming.

After the show was over, we quickly sauntered over to another party, DIVA and Metro Source Magazine's Oscar's Party held at the East West Lounge on Santa Monica Blvd. The whole time I was holding Amanda's gown as if I was a flower girl at a wedding. We immediately took photos on the lounge's "Red Carpet" and said hello to "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" Jai Rodriguez, designer Andrew Christian and other Southern California gay "glitterati". Actress Sara Ramirez of "Grey's Anatomy" was also at this party. We finally decided it was time to call it a night, drove home, put our pajamas on, and FINALLY watched the Oscar's as well as all those unending pre and post shows, in the comfort and privacy of our own "lounge". Thank God for TiVo.