Nick Verreos Attends LA Gay & Lesbian Center's LifeWorks 6th Annual Life Out Loud Event at Paramount Studios

Happy Pride...at the Paramount Lot:

Nick Verreos, LifeWorks Life Out Loud Event Paramount Backlot

Last night, as part of Los Angeles Pride 2011 Festivities, my dear friends Colin and John invited me to a great fundraiser event/party. It was the 6th Annual LA Gay & Lesbian Center's Life Out Loud benefiting LifeWorks, the center's youth development and mentoring program.

Where Are My Keys: Nick Verreos poses next to a new and shiny Lexus, LifeWorks Life Out Loud Event, Paramount Backlot

Platinum/Presenting Sponsors included Barbie Collector (more on that later--read on) as well as Lexus. This year's honorees were Mike C. Manning, Human Rights Activist, also known from being on "MTV's Real World D.C.", as well as Zach Wahls, famous for his address to the Iowan State Legislature in support of his two moms and Gay Marriage.

The festive cocktail party, held at the Paramount Studios Backlot "New York Street", featured music--very Hed Kandi-esque "Beach House", delicious hors d'oeuvres (sliders, desserts, crudites)...

Absolut cocktails (naturally!) as well as a FABULOUS Silent Auction. For the Silent Auction, there were long tables set up on the Backlot, displaying an extensive array of items such as a BookMarc by Marc Jacobs Package, a HUGE book on the famed Italian fashion house of Pucci (a Must-Have for any Fashionista-coffee-table!), a doggie bed with doggie toys, Diesel leather bag (my friend bid on this and won!), as well as many many others.

Cher Heaven: Cher poster/canopy, Barbie Collector Tent, LifeWorks Life Out Loud Event

Now, adjacent to the Silent Auction, cocktail bars and hors d'oeuvres table--there was something that made me almost trip on my YSL Johnny Boots: There was a Barbie Collector tent set up with Super-Sized canopies and posters featuring some of the most ICONIC Barbie Collector dolls--especially for the Gays. There was Cher in all her "If I Can Turn Back Time" ensemble--no wrinkles in sight--

As well as Barbra Streisand (above) in her Sailor outfit which she wore at her Coconut Grove and Hollywood Bowl concerts in the early 60's--Miss Streisand actually designed this famous ensemble--with the help of Hollywood Costume Designer Donfeld.

Another poster/canopy in the Barbie Collector tent that caught my eye, was the "Krystle and Alexis" Dynasty Barbies (above). Two of my absolute favorites. Gosh, I just love those 80's Barbies! Look at the hair (notice Krystle's darker "under" hair color), the diamonds, the gowns!! To that note, as part of the Silent Auction, Barbie Collector put together some AMAZING baskets for guests to bid on. I was going to bid on one but alas, time ran out and I missed it! (insert SAD FACE)

Project Runway Smiles: Nick Verreos and Jack Mackenroth

After spending WAAAY too much time at the "Barbie Collector" tent, my friends finally pried me away so I could actually enjoy some nibblings and cocktails and spend time with friends--new and old. I ran into fellow Project Runway alumn, hottie muscle boy Jack Mackenroth who was in town visiting from the East Coast...

Cutie Brit: British-born singer actor, composer (and new party/event buddy!) Tom Lowe

English actor and singer (you may recognize him from his stint on the sixth season of "American Idol") and composer Tom Lowe was also at the Life Out Loud Fundraiser. He's an acquaintance of the boys I came with and was such a HOOT to hang out with. We were bonding to no end on the Hed Kandi-like house music tunes being played (we were singing them really loud much to our bystanders dismay) as well as he was giving me some traveling tips on my upcoming trip to Europe--and London especially...

Blazers Required: My good friend--and one half of my "Dates"--Colin Murphy

Finally, I had to bid Adieu to such a great event--and get back home and be depressed at the fact that I didn't get to bid--or win--any Barbie's from that amazing Silent Auction so I leave you with this Bob Mackie Circus Barbie Doll that was encased in glass (of course it was!) in the Barbie Collector Tent:

Just FAB-u-LOUS!!!!

Nick Verreos attends Life Out Loud 4

Dustin Lance Black, Donna Mills...and Bruno?Knots Landing Heaven: Actress Donna Mills, her GORGEOUS 14 year old daughter Chloe, and Nick Verreos; Life Out Loud Event

Over the weekend, as part of the Los Angeles Gay Pride celebrations, I was invited to attend a great and very important event: The Fourth Annual Life Out Loud. The night before, at a GLAAD event (naturally), I had met Michael Ferrera, Co-founder and Executive Director of Lifeworks-- an amazing organization that helps gay youth learn to be open and comfortable with themselves through mentoring and various activities-- and he extended an invitation to his Life Out Loud Gala.
The Man of The Hour: Academy Award Winning Writer for "Milk", Dustin Lance Black, Life Out Loud 4 Event

This year's event was to honor Oscar-winning writer of "Milk", Dustin Lance Black.
Of course, I obliged. Along with my friends, Colin Murphy and his partner John Fortier, I headed to the Sunset Gower Studios in the heart of Hollywood, the location of this year's event.
As I made my way through the entrance and red carpet, I was interviewed by various media. One reporter asked me about my thoughts on the Sacha Baron Cohen "Bruno" controversy and if this will hurt the LGBT community and if people will get the humor or will the movie be adding flame to hidden anti-gay feelings in our society. Of course, I "get it" and I feel that Cohen is actually trying to expose the ignorance and homophobia people have. But I'm not so sure how many movie-going audiences will.Nick Verreos with Lifeworks Co-Founder and Executive Director, Michael Ferrera

After finally making it inside, the Sunset Gower Studio parking lot was unrecognizable. It was transformed into a tented and very festive cocktail party, with sofas, tables, bars, and lots of waiters walking around with delicious hors d'oeuvres like sundried tomato wrap cheese quesadillas (yum!). Of course, the highlight was when the very cute (and talented) Dustin Lance Black, gave his speech for accepting his Award. You could hear a Prada Wallet drop!Cute Couple: My "dates", Colin Murphy and APA agent, John Fortier

The party was very "Gay A-List" (as I like to call it)--from the President of Entertainment of MTV Networks' Music and Logo group, Brian Graden (an Honorary Chair of the event), to various "Hollywood Power Players" such as actors, producers, directors, sports icons to even little old fashion designers, like me! Nick Verreos poses with actress Amy Hill and her darling daughter, Penelope

I spotted Olympic Gold Medalist Greg (and fellow Greek) Louganis, actor Peter Paige and actress and comedian Amy Hill--who was there with her daughter Penelope (you may recall the last time I saw them was at the No H8 Campaign March). At one point, my friends even spotted actress Donna Mills, famous for her role in Knots Landing (if you don't remember the show, you are WAY TOO YOUNG!). I went over to introduce myself, and I was surprised that she knew who I was. Her almost 6 foot tall daughter Chloe was just beautiful! So, of course, the designer in me, told her immediately that she should be a model. Nick and The Gang: Dancer Kevin Stea, Nick Verreos, Transgender DIVA Calpernia Addams and Jamison Hebert

I was also happy to see Transgender DIVA Miss Calpernia Addams (sporting a cropped 'do), and dancer( and cutie) EXTRAORDINAIRE, Kevin Stea. I was glad to have been at such a fun party, and especially to bring attention to such a worthwhile organization like Lifeworks.

Watch Video Below for my thoughts on the "Bruno" controversy: