Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos Goes to FIDM San Diego for 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"--The Recap!

Fashion in Sunny San Diego, Doggie Day Care, Visit from the Family...Oh and a Baseball Game!!!

Find The One Guy: Nick Verreos and the FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion" attendees

Last week, as part of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's 2011 "3 Days of Fashion", I drove down to San Diego--along with my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul--to make my "Guest Appearance". First, we had to put our little doggy, Benny, in "Doggy Day Care" so he would have lots of play time, while his "daddies" went down to San Diego for the day. After an almost three-hour drive down (oh that LA to San Diego traffic!), we finally made it! Just in time...

The View: Padres Baseball game happening at the same time as FIDM San Diego's 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

The FIDM San Diego Campus is located right next to the spectacular Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. And wouldn't you know it: There was a Padres Baseball Game going on right at the same time!!! At first I didn't realize it and thought "Boy, are ALL these people with shorts and flip flops going to the FIDM 3 Days of Fashion???" I somehow forgot to see all their Padres caps, banners, flags and baseball jerseys!! Ooops...

But yes, once inside the campus, I got ready for my appearance. This was the last day of this event for them---and they had been in different workshops throughout the day, learning the intricacies of draping, sketching, trend spotting.

Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 black silk jersey tunic-gown, FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

But now, they were going to see some FASHION with a Capital "F"...as I brought one of my FAVE Runway models, Amanda Fields (who also drove down from Los Angeles), to show the "3 Days of Fashion" students--over 100 of them--some of my NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses.

Raise Your Camera-Phones: A scene from the NIKOLAKI "Mini" Fashion Show, FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion"

You should have seen all the camera phones go up as Amanda sauntered into the room each time with a different gown/dress. It was like "mini paparazzi"!!! Afterward, I gave away prizes (the most fun were the "Best Dressed of FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion" prizes!) and of course, I signed bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts...you name it, I signed it!

Baby Blue Meets Pink: FIDM San Diego 2011 "3 Days of Fashion" guest (she made her own dress!) and Nick Verreos

We also took great photos with the FAB Petco Park Padres Baseball Game going on in the back! An additional "special bonus" of coming down to San Diego was that David's mom and nieces--the super pretty Emilie and Samantha...

La San Diego Familia: David Paul, Nick Verreos with David's mom, Conchita and nieces Samantha and Emilie, FIDM San Diego Campus balcony

Got to attend the event as well--and spend some time with "Uncle David". The girls enjoyed my lecture I think--David's mom even said I should go into the business of being an "Inspirational Speaker"...Who knows, there's still time!!! After the event, David's mom, treated us to a delicious--yet quick--dinner nearby and then we were on our way (it was 7:30pm and we had only 2 1/2 hrs to make it back before the Doggy Day Care closed. In case you were wondering, we got there at 9:56!!! Just in time...

Nick Verreos Special Appearance at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM San Diego's Open House 2011

Hello Sunshine!

Gather Around Kids! Nick Verreos--and Open House visitors at FIDM San Diego Open House (Photo-slide of my Gowns at the bottom left)

Last weekend, I drove from my pied-de-terre in Los Angeles down south--to the gorgeous city of San Diego (about a three hour drive--with, yes, traffic). As part of my duties as the Spokesperson for Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--and as an Instructor of the College and Alumn, I make "Special Appearances" at various Campuses during the year.

It's always great to go to the San Diego Campus. I've visited before, of course, (David Paul, my NIKOLAKI partner-in-design FABULOUSNESS is from there!) and always have a nice time seeing all the wonderful FIDM San Diego staff. The campus is located in Downtown San Diego, a stone's throw away from the glorious Petco Park. In fact, on one of the campuses "sundecks" , they have a "First Class" view of the park!

Petco Park Diva: Nick Verreos, FIDM San Diego Campus, with Petco Park behind him

This particular Saturday was "Open House" day at FIDM San Diego, when people (from high school to post-grad) interested in studies within the Fashion, Interior Design, Visual Arts and Entertainment Industries fields, can come and visit the campuses and find out more about the school and all it has to offer, as well as meet current students, faculty, alumni, and get information on all the various majors and departments.

During the Open House, there are several classrooms set up to highlight some of the majors and departments including the Visual Communications "room", set up with a lot of projects from past and current students. I loved this Anna Sui Presentation above.

My "Special Appearance" involved mini-Lectures and a Meet-and-Greet--three during the three-hour time span I was there (one every hour naturally). Even though I knew it would be a gorgeous 80 degrees in San Diego, I decided to still "dress up" and wear my white Zara jacket, Hermes silk tie and boots. I did notice every other person I spotted as I made my way into Downtown San Diego was in shorts and flip flops!. No problem: I was GIVING them FASHION!!!

Boot Posing: Nick Verreos and an FIDM San Diego Open House visitor

This was the first time I had done an Open House in San Diego "muti-lecture" style, and it worked out so well!!! It was like a Universal Studios Tour, only it was me and the FIDM San Diego Campus. I spoke on how I "got to where I am", Project Runway and my time at FIDM as a student and how to maximize all the AMAZING knowledge a student can acquire from attending FIDM.

Dressed Up San Diego: Nick Verreos, FIDM San Diego Open House 2011

I think everyone who attended all three of my Lectures really enjoyed it--the kids and the parents too (I "heart" the parents!). All in all, I had a fun time at the campus and at the end, was sad to leave San Diego--especially since it was 80 Degrees and ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! There's something different about 80 degrees in San Diego and 80 Degrees in Los Angeles (where I reside).

FIDM Say Cheese: Nick Verreos and FIDM San Diego Open House 2011 visitors

Bye FIDM San Diego--for now--and please keep having the GORGEOUS shorts-and-flip-flop weather--even if I will probably still be the only man in a white jacket, Hermes tie and boots in the lovely city :)

Nick Verreos Pays a Special Visit to FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising San Diego's Fall 2010 Open House!

San Diego Fashionistas...

San Diego Posing: Nick Verreos at FIDM San Diego Open House

A couple of weekends back, I drove down to San Diego to make a "Spacial Appearance" at the San Diego Campus of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM. I am an Instructor at FIDM, as you may know, as well as the Official Spokesperson for the last several years. It is always a joy to visit all the different campuses of the College and get to know prospective students , their parents, as well as high school students thinking about attending FIDM and beginning their studies--and eventual careers--in fashion.

I have been to the gorgeous San Diego Campus before--for its Grand Re-Opening two years ago, as well as other functions. This time, I was there for the Fall 2010 Open House. The Open House is a chance for students thinking about going to FIDM, to tour the school, meet alumni and advisers, and get information about all that FIDM has to offer.

Petco View: Nick Verreos (from a previous FIDM San Diego Appearance) and the View of Petco Park, FIDM San Diego Campus

I just love the new San Diego Campus: It's located in Downtown, just off the very hip Gaslamp Quarter and next to the immense Petco Park. The view from the College's balcony is INCREDIBLE!!! The space is designed by Architect Clive Wilkenson and showcases a Loft-like modern feel that mirrors what a Design School should look like!

A highlight for me is the FIDM San Diego Library/Resource Center (see photo above). I especially love it's Magazine Section (I wish my coffee table looked like that!).

Barbie On Top: Nick Verreos Barbie, FIDM San Diego Library

And they even have one of my Barbie's (see above photo). Yes, the one I designed for the "My Scene Barbie Project Runway Challenge" back in my Season (2) and was sold exclusively at Toys "R" Us for a very limited amount of time.

For FIDM San Diego's Fall Open House, I was invited to give a "pep talk" lecture to the students--and their parents--and I stuck around afterward to pose for photos, sign bags (provided by FIDM!) and even drawing some original fashion illustrations on their bags!

Fashion Illustration 101: Nick Verreos draws a fashion croquis on a student's bag, FIDM San Diego Fall 2010 Open House

The room was PACKED and they even had to bring in extra chairs I heard! I brought along a slide-show of my latest Spring 2011 NIKOLAKI Collection, as well as images of celebs wearing my gowns on the Red Carpet, for everyone to enjoy during my lecture. I had a really good time--as always , and cannot wait to return to San Diego! Good Luck and Happy Holidays to all the prospective FIDM San Diego students!!!

Nick Verreos Gives FASHION at FIDM's 3 Days of Fashion for FIDM San Diego and FIDM San Francisco!!!

FIDM 3 Days Of Fashion Wrap Up!Nick Tattoo: Nick Verreos draws an original fashion sketch on San Diego 3 Days of Fashion attendee's arm!!

These last two weeks of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM (the college I teach at) school calendar "Summer Break" were busy for me: No rest for the wicked as they say. I traveled to several FIDM Campuses making special appearances for the FIDM 3 Days Of Fashion, a great summer program for high school students who are interested in fashion and possibly attending FIDM post-high school. I already visited the OC and Los Angeles campuses so next up was San Diego and San Francisco.

FIDM San Diego 3 Days of Fashion (in LA):Jumbo-tron Nick: Nick Verreos at FIDM LA Campus for the San Diego 3 Days of Fashion

For the 2010 3 Days of Fashion San Diego, they came up to LA, instead of me coming down to them (it cut down on my travel!). About 200 students--and some parents-- showed up for my "Nick It's A Wrap!" seminar on their last day. Nikolaki Trophy Girl: Model Lauren Gish in Nikolaki sea-foam sequin bias-cut one-shoulder gown

I also brought one of my favorite models, the lovely Lauren Gish, who just happened to be THE Trophy Model for last year's Academy Awards after winning the Oscar.com Behind The Dress competition, which I hosted. She modeled some of my Nikolaki dresses and gowns for the San Diego 3 Days of Fashion attendees. Form a Line: Students await photos and autographs with Nick Verreos

I had a great time being both the "special guest" and host (yes, I was on "double-duty"!). After my "How I Got Started In Fashion" story, I introduced my gowns to the kids. All I could see was a sea of camera phones going off! Point Loma Love: Nick Verreos and Model Lauren Gish (in Byzantium-colored zibeline NIKOLAKI cocktail dress) with students from Point Loma High School

And of course, all this was followed by autograph and photo ops (those Facebook photos better make me look cute!). I signed A LOT of bags, sweatshirts and even someone's arm. When I asked two beautiful young girls what High School they attended, they said Point Loma High School. This just happens to be my Nikolaki design partner, David Paul's alma mater! Needless to say, David yelled a little "Yeaaayyyy!!!".

Next Up, San Francisco 3 Days of Fashion: Last week, I was extra excited to return to San Francisco (I had just been up there the previous week to host my Macy's event and to ride in the SF Pride Parade!). The Hotel Monaco SF must think I LIVE there since I stay there so often! Can I Put this in the Overhead Bins: Nick Verreos enters FIDM SF Campus, Nikolaki gowns in tow

After checking in, I made my way to the FIDM San Francisco location, right in the heart of Union Square. I brought my garment bag of Nikolaki Couture all the way from LA (it's just a 55 minute flight!) to have a mini Nick Verreos Fashion Show to cap that city's 3 Days of Fashion.
But first: The FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion Design-A-T-shirt Contest:FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion T-shirt Design Entries lining up for the fashion show

Last year, there were 8 entries but this year, the number of entries shot up to 41(!). On hand to help me judge the contest was the lovely Julia A. Hill, an FIDM SF Grad AND the Executive Assistant to "What Not To Wear's" Clinton Kelly (I know, shut the front door!).Sitting Prom Photo: Nick Verreos and Clinton Kelly's Executive Assistant, Julia A. Hill, a FIDM SF Grad

She lives and works in NY but flew out just to be at the FIDM SF 3 Days of Fashion and be a Guest Speaker and really, my new best friend.
There were some very creative entries this year, ranging from a hand-painted and beaded neckline-trimmed, belted dress (one of our Top 3)...
To this "deconstructed" design which was one of our favorites as well for it's directional aesthetic. Very Martin Margiela-esque. After naming the winners, it was time for me to show my Nikolaki gowns and dresses on the gorgeous San Francisco-based model, Rachael Sitz , seen above modeling a magenta duchesse silk satin cocktail dress.She did a fabulous job and fit into my dresses perfectly (no fittings kiddies, she's a perfect runway size!). Above, she is showing the front of my Nikolaki gold lurex and silk bias-cut one-shoulder cascade ruffle gown...
And here she is showing the back. I think all the high school kids present--approximately 200 of them--enjoyed seeing my gowns (I hope so!). We ended my appearance at FIDM SF with giving away some great FIDM bags, one of which included a special "surprise" (besides my fashion illustration and autograph!): A stylin' new Flip Camera. Here I am picking the winner and my trusty "helper", the ever-so-chic Trudy Noren, SF FIDM Director of Special Events and College Rep. I just LOVE her Piazza Sempione multi-colored shift dress (you KNOW I asked her to "drop" the label!). I can't wait to return to San Francisco and do it all over again and see what great t-shirts the kids will design, as well as what new fabulous shift dress Trudy will have on!

Nick Verreos Hosts FIDM San Diego Debut Fashion Show!

Uncle Nicky Goes Traveling, Part One: The San Diego Edition
Runway Struttin': Nick Verreos at the San Diego Debut Fashion Show

This last weekend was a busy one: I was invited to host a great fashion show in San Diego sponsored by that city's Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Campus on Saturday afternoon and the next day, I was scheduled to be in Seattle for a big photo shoot for a new campaign I am doing with MSN and their new Victory Project. Time to "Make it Work", as Tim Gunn would say. The Debut Fashion Show--a yearly runway show highlighting the final collections of the top graduates of FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design Program--goes "on the road" each year to several of the FIDM campuses. And this time, it was sunny San Diego!
Model Love: Nick Verreos gets hugs from Mercedes, Lisa and Tanisha

Years ago, I was actually one of those fashion design graduates in FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design Program and now, I am actually one of the instructors in this exclusive program. You may remember (if you've been keeping up on my blog) that these were also the graduates who got to design for Barbie (yeah!)
Gown Happy: Model in Clay Sadler's gown, FIDM San Diego Debut fashion show

The site of the fashion show was the Westin Horton Plaza right in the Gaslamp Quarter of Downtown San Diego. The show featured the designs of FIDM graduates Charles Ryan Sands, Clay Sadler, San Diego native Sara Lighthall, Mike Cheng, Adrian Manuel, Liz Sandhoefner, Brenda Ahamad, Lacey Osberg, Valentina Vardanyan, Johnathan Webster and Natalie Hara. Untied: Models wearing Sara Lighthall's designs on the runway, FIDM San Diego Debut fashion show

Several of them have already done very well: Adrian is working with Single, Charles Ryan interned at Chado Ralph Rucci for his most recent NY Fashion Week Collection, Natalie launched her own company, Natalia Romano and several of them are in Italy as we speak, studying at an exclusive Haute Couture fashion design school.
Muse Mercedes: Modeling at the FIDM San Diego Debut Show (left), and modeling for Nikolaki (right)

A special treat for this San Diego show was seeing lots of my favorite models--including one of my first "Model Muses", the gorgeous Mercedes. She was one of the very first models we ever used when we launched NIKOLAKI back in 2001 and we have remained friends ever since. Lisa Blades models FIDM Debut graduate Valentina Vardanyan's creation

Also on hand was Lisa Blades, whom you might recognize from Lifetime Networks Models Of the Runway show, as well as Tanisha Harper. Both of them are finalists in the show and got a chance to model at Bryant Park (so excited for them!). Jonathan models Charles Ryan Sands' screen printed jeans, coat and scarf, FIDM San Diego Debut fashion show

To the delight of the young audience, there were also lots of male models strutting down the San Diego runway, including Jonathan , the runner-up from Bravo's "Make Me A Supermodel". He is THE SWEETEST guy! Love him!
HIIIIIIIII Everyone! Nick Verreos and the line at the Westin Horton Plaza Ballroom

After the show was over, I told the audience that I would be happy to take photos and sign anything! Well, little did I know that hundreds of high school students (their mommies and daddies too!) would be waiting for me in the lobby. I think even some of them got some photos with the models as well which I am sure will end up on Facebook. Get ready to be tagged!
Cheeky Kisses: Nick Verreos and his "fans", San Diego FIDM Debut Show

It was a wonderful afternoon of fashion and models. Maybe there were some future FIDM Debut 2014 Graduates in the audience. Who knows? Thanks for a great time San Diego! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go catch a plane to Seattle! Where's my trench coat when I really need it?

Nick Verreos at FIDM Three Days of Fashion: San Diego

Go Padres!!!!Lovin' The Stage: Nick Verreos speaks to San Diego FIDM Three Days of Fashion audience

This last week I went to beautiful San Diego to make a special appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM San Diego campus, right next to PETCO Park for the FIDM Three Days Of Fashion. San Diego's Pacific Beach from the Catamaran Resort and Spa

David and I drove down to San Diego for the event and FIDM generously put me up at the Polynesian-inspired Catamaran Resort and Spa in the lovely Pacific Beach area of San Diego. Afterall, with traffic, the drive there can take up to 3+ hours (don't believe anyone who tells you it's just an hour and a half, not on this planet!). So, it was nice to relax before the appearance the following day.Photos With A View: Nick Verreos poses for photos at the FIDM San Diego Campus balcony

I love doing these events and appearances because I get to hang out with fun and very fashionable high school students who come from all over the country. The Three Days of Fashion is a three day seminar/workshop where high school students get to know FIDM. They go shopping, have trend seminars, even drape and sketch. Seriously, I wish I had known about this when I was in high school (OK, they probably did not have this "back in the day").San Diego Group Shot: Nick Verreos and model Heather Chantal Jones pose with FIDM San Diego Three Days of Fashion organizing staff

I love coming to San Diego, because this is where David Paul's (my design partner and Vice President of NIKOLAKI) grew up and his wonderful family still lives here. His mom even came to my appearance! Also, as you may know, I have a special place in my heart for San Diego, since it's where I showed my Spring/Summer 2008 Collection at the W Hotel San Diego. Here's a quick video of my NIKOLAKI Spring 2008 Show at the W San Diego, to refresh your memory:

Nick Verreos and Model Heather Chantal Jones, wearing the silk jersey gown Carrie Ann Inaba wore on ABC's Dancing With The Stars

Guess who also came down from LA? Model Heather Chantal Jones, from America's Next Top Model Season 9--and MY 50th Anniversary Barbie Model!!! She made a special trip to model some of my NIKOLAKI Collection for the kids. She was gorgeous and so sweet! We had a great time with everyone (I LOVE the FIDM San Diego staff--they're the sweetest and most accommodating!) and stayed for over an hour to sign autographs and take lots of photos!