Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA News Discussing Academy Awards Fashions--Recap!

Oscars Fashions "Nick's Picks" NBC-LA:

FIDM Spokesperson on TV: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA Channel 4, 5 PM News, discussing Oscars Fashions

As you know this was a busy weekend for me--being that it was the Academy Awards--doing lots of pre-Oscars interviews at the amazing FIDM Museum and all those Oscar-nominated costumes--as well as doing my "Fashion Expert" commentating for the TV Guide Network Countdown and Live Red Carpet Shows yesterday from the Hollywood & Highland Center (Kodak Theater). I also shot a quick "Red Carpet Review" with NBC-LA right after the Oscars Red Carpet which aired on the 11 o'clock News last night (video at the end of this post). That was yesterday and today...well, it's all about MORE Post-Oscars Fashion Talk...

I wrapped filming my TV Guide Academy Awards Fashion Wrap this afternoon and then went to the NBC-LA Studios in Burbank to shoot my LIVE segment for the 5 o'clock News with my two favorite anchors: Colleen Williams and Chuck Henry.

Fashion Talk: NBC-LA Anchors Chuck Henry and Colleen Williams, and Nick Verreos

All Awards Season long, as the Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater--I have been appearing on KNBC and giving my "Hits" and "Not-So-Hits" of the Red Carpet with Colleen and Chuck. As usual, I had a great time talking fashion with them! They get very involved (I think it's a nice break from all the other not-so-fashionable news occurring in Southern California). Of course, we discussed Jennifer Lopez in that sequined gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad:

I thought she looked AMAZING--from her "Star Bun" down to that fishtail train of hers! And yes, we even discussed the possible "Wardrobe Malfunction" everyone is talking about around the "Web-o-sphere". Now, let me say my "Nick Two Cents" on this: There was NO You-Know-What shot! Do these people (who think that something might have slipped out) not know a woman's body? Whatever they think that slipped out is about 1 1/2 inches AWAY from the edge of that plunging v-neck neckline of hers. Moving on...

We also discussed Angelina Jolie. I was not a fan of the Atelier Versace velvet gown--I thought the fabrication looked heavy on her. I would have loved to have seen her in something sequined, fitted and yes, maybe with no slit. Now speaking of that slit and her now infamous Angelina Jolie Stick-The-Leg-Out Pose:

Angelina Jolie-ing: Colleen Williams, Nick Verreos and Cary Berglund, NBC-LA Studios Burbank

Colleen Williams, myself and NBC-LA reporter (and my FIDM Museum Partner-in-Oscars -Fashions-and-Costumes Fabulousness) Cary Berglund...well, we decided to do the "Angelina Jolie" (or try) following my segment! Above is the incriminating photo! Thank you FIDM and Thank you NBC-LA for a fun 2011-2012 Awards Season.

Click Below to Watch my Oscars Fashions Segment on NBC-LA 11 o'clock News last night with reporter Angie Crouch:

View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.

Oscars Fashions Minute: Nick Verreos Sketches Designs for the 84th Annual Academy Awards Best Actress Nominees

Red Carpet Sketching...

Since the 84th Annual Academy Awards are coming up--THIS SUNDAY NIGHT!!!---I was asked about my predictions of what the stars might be wearing. So, I thought, well, why not take it a step further and actually draw MY visions of what the Academy Award-nominated Best Actresses would be wearing if I was asked (a little boy can DREAM n'est pas?) to design and create their Oscars Red Carpet Gowns.

So, without further ado, here are my designs for actresses Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Glenn Close, and Viola Davis. All of these "Dream Illustrations" are based on some of my NIKOLAKI dresses and gowns from my collection. Let's begin with:

Rooney Mara: Rooney is the 2012 Fashion "It" Girl--the Cate Blanchett of this year. I see Rooney in something that is NOT black! She LOVES the color black and so therefore I want to take her out of her "comfort zone" and have her wear RED! I also envision her in a directional statement-making dress.

This gown is based on one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses from my Spring 2011 Collection (above photo) and it features an asymmetrical neckline/top section and a very architectural cascade drape in the front of the structured silk ziberline gown.

Meryl Streep: For Meryl, I wanted to see her in something softer--more "Grecian Goddess". So I sketched this gown above. She's been wearing lots of black for recent award shows and so therefore I wanted to go in the opposite direction. The color would be a vanilla creme and it would be in silk jersey.

The gown would feature a high cowl neckline and asymmetrical open back detail with side-draped cowl, just like the original gown from my collection which I based it on (above photo). There would be figure-hugging and complimentary side pleating that would fall into a dramatic side back. It would be DRAMATIC, SEXY and oh-so fab for that three-quarter I-am-holding-my-Oscar-statuesque shot! It would also be such a departure from those too-stiff 80's suits a la Margaret Thatcher.

Michelle Williams: Gorgeous Michelle. She wore a beautiful silver-blue Chanel Haute Couture sequined gown for last year's Academy Awards and I'd love to see her in head-to-toe sequins once again. But my NIKOLAKI design would be in a lilac/lavender color --very similar to this gown of mine:

However, the sequin and color detail would Ombre from light to dark/light to heavy at the hem. My design features a plunging neckline but it is delicately hidden by an attached silk chiffon capelet. The shape would be fit-to-flare and feature a sexy side slit (she was TOO covered up at the 2012 Golden Globes).

Glenn Close: For Glenn, I wanted to also take her out of her black color fashion comfort zone and create a gown in a midnight blue. I also know she loves that Mermaid Shape so I did a variation on this, based on one of my NIKOLAKI Mermaid-shaped gowns.

The gown would be in a stiffer silk ziberline or taffeta and have hand-applied Swarovski crystal embellishment at the waist and neckline--again, for that ever-so-important three quarter shot! Finally, I would semi-cover her shoulders and biceps with horizontal pleated drape accents.

Viola Davis: Finally, for Viola, I sketched this Fashion Goddess illustration. First off, I would LOVE to see Viola in a gown of this color: apple green. This is THE color for Spring/Summer 2012 and we saw it on a lot of the Paris, Milan, NY runways. If anyone can WORK this color, it's Miss Viola. The silk chiffon gown would be gathered at the bust as well as the center front, like this gown below from my NIKOLAKI Collection:

There would be a high side slit for dramatic red carpet posing and yes, her torso--and "Sistahs" (she's been displaying them a lot lately)--would be elegantly positioned, with this gown. Finally, I added a very DIVA-like 20+ yards of silk chiffon cape attached to the gown at the back. This would flow as she walked like a Spartan Empress waiting to greet her 10,000 warriors--or her Oscar statue!

I can't wait to see on Sunday night what these actresses decide to wear to the 84th Annual Academy Awards--and if my original sketches/designs were actually better...or not-so-much!

Click Below for my "Oscar Fashion" What I Would Design For The Nominees Segment with NBC-LA's Cary Berglund from the fabulous FIDM Museum "Oscars Costumes" Exhibition:

Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA News Discussing Grammys Fashions!

NBC-LA Fashion Moment...

Nick Verreos, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Fashion Spokesperson, NBC-LA Channel 4, 5 o'clock News

As you know, Sunday were the 54th Annual Grammy Awards so Monday, I was a busy boy. First I filmed my TV Guide 2012 Grammy Awards Fashion Wrap with host Ali Landry, Tabatha Coffey and Camille Grammer. After wrapping around 2PM--with enough time to grab a lunch--I then headed off to the NBC Studios in Burbank.

NBC-LA Anchor Colleen Williams and Nick Verreos, KNBC 5 o'clock News

As the Fashion Spokesperson for my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I have the pleasure of being invited to do my post-Award "Fashion Visit" with the NBC-LA crew, specifically, anchors Chuck Henry and Colleen Williams. A couple of weeks back, I was on to comment on the 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet, so this time they invited me back to give my "Nick V. Red Carpet Two Cents" on the Grammys Fashion.

Along with anchor Colleen Williams, I talked about my Favorites and "Best Dressed" (Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Adele...), some of my "Could Have Been Better" (Robyn??) and we ended with Miss Nicki Minaj's Custom Atelier Versace Littel Red Riding Hood-Meets-Cardinal red satin cape ensemble. As always, I had a fun time commenting, describing the looks and why I liked them (or not) as well as giving some "Fashion Instructor" educating on Haute Couture and what that means, different menswear collars and designer info.

Chuck Henry, Colleen Williams, Nick Verreos, NBC-LA

In the end, even Chuck Henry (above left) got into the conversation--commenting on my tie--saying "Nick, that's an interesting tie...". I think we may have a new Fashion Red Carpet expert on our hands!!!

Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA 2012 Golden Globes Fashion Critique Photo Recap

NBC-LA Fashion Talk...

Nick Verreos, on NBC-LA/KNBC Channel 4, 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet "Hits" & "Misses" TV Segment

Over the weekend , I had the pleasure of being invited back, as the Fashion Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, to NBC-LA Channel 4 (Los Angeles NBC), to speak on the 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet Fashion and the "Hits" and the "Misses" of the night. I had done a pre-Golden Globes fashion segment with NBC LA's Ted Chen the day before--from the Beverly Hills Hilton--but this time, it was LIVE and in studio!

Chuck Henry and Colleen Williams, NBC4 LA 2012 Golden Globes Coverage, 11 o'clock News

Since the Golden Globes were on NBC, this was a BIG NIGHT for the Network and particularly its Los Angeles affiliate, of course. I actually went to the Burbank studios and watched the entire red carpet LIVE feed--all TWO+ hours of it--with the fabulous Colleen Williams, co-anchor of the 5 and 11 p.m. news. We had a BLAST! Next time, someone may need to get a cameraman in there to shoot our entire "Did you see what she was wearing???" tête-à-tête. It would have made for a fun "Web Exclusive" video.

Nick Verreos and Colleen Williams NBC-LA 2012 Golden Globes Coverage, Sunday night

After I was done, I had a "break" and grabbed some dinner at Burbank's "SmokeHouse" Restaurant nearby. I had never been there and OMG!! It was soooo "Old School Hollywood", I LOVED it: the red booths, the steaks, the REAL waiters-who-aren't-actors-who-need-headshots-to-be-waiters (Hello!), THE GARLIC-CHEESE BREAD: Delicious. But soon, it was time to get back and go LIVE on the air with Colleen during NBC4 LA's extended 11 o' clock news following the award show.

The Day After: Nick Verreos Gives his Final 2012 Golden Globes Fashion "Two Cents" on the NBCLA 5 o'clock News

And then, the following day--on Monday--I was invited back again to give my Final "Nick V. Two Cents" on the Best, the Not-So-Good and "Are Headbands A Trend?" from the previous night's 2012 Golden Globes. This time I was on with both Colleen and Chuck (Chuck secretly LOVES fashion commentating...don't tell anyone I said that!).

And yes, we discussed Charlize Theron's Cartier headband: I LOVED it and the ENTIRE look, Colleen and Chuck were "on the fence" (about the headband). But we all pretty much agreed that this:

Sarah Michelle Gellar: was not our favorite of the night. I loved the shape and style of the ball gown...and I did predict that prints might be IN for the 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet, but not THIS kind of a print! All in all: Thanks Colleen and Chuck for inviting me back for two nights of Fabulous Golden Globes Fashion Commentating!

Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos on NBCLA Channel 4 Golden Globes Red Carpet Preview and More!

A Golden Globes Weekend:

Nick Verreos and NBC4 LA's Ted Chen, Beverly Hills Hilton, Golden Globes (covered) red carpet

As you may know, the Golden Globes are TODAY and of course, as a Fashion Designer who designs gowns for the red carpet--as well as the Fashion Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my "Nick Fashion Expert Two Cents" have been requested during this time.

Nick Verreos, Fashion Spokesperson, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM

On that note: yesterday, I went to the Beverly Hills Hilton on the Wilshire/Santa Monica Blvd. intersection and filmed a little segment with NBCLA/4's Today in L.A. Weekend Morning Anchor Ted Chen discussing what else? Yes, the fashions we might be seeing on all the A-List Hollywood stars at the Golden Globes.

Naturally, I showed "examples" of styles, colors, one might see using photos from my NIKOLAKI Collection of gowns, as seen from the screencap above.

Under Construction: Beverly Hills Hilton, Golden Globes red carpet--The Day Before

I have never been to the Beverly Hills Hilton THE DAY BEFORE the Golden Globes and boy, that was a treat: It was (sorry for not using another word) NEAT! The red carpet we will see today--full of stars like Angelina Jolie and Meryl Streep--was still "under construction" yesterday and so were all the different "Star Stopping" sections for all the Entertainment News Networks and shows like E!, Insider, and the like.

I was happy to see that there was a plastic tarp/ceiling over the red carpet--just in case it might rain (like it did a couple of years ago and NO ONE had thought of yes, maybe protecting the red carpet, the stars and their $50,000 Haute Couture Gowns!). I remember almost crying at the site of a drenched hem on Kate Hudson's white Marchesa gown, as she held it throughout her entire red carpet walk!

Ted Chen and Nick Verreos, at the Beverly Hills Hilton, site of the Golden Globe Awards

The segment aired last night on the 6 o'clock and 11 p.m. News on NBC4 (KNBC, Channel 4, Los Angeles).

Click Below To Watch the Segment:


And TODAY, I am excited to announce that I will be BACK--but this time at the NBC studios reporting with the fabulous Colleen Williams, giving my take on my Red Carpet Favorites and well, the "Good Try, But...", during the 11 p.m. News LIVE. As well as on Monday night's NBC4 News.

Colleen Williams and Nick Verreos, discussing the Oscars red carpet fashions last year

Last year, after the Academy Awards, I had a blast discussing my Top and Not-So Top Picks with Colleen (see photo above) so, I'm excited to be invited back. So, if you're watching the Golden Globe Awards tonight here in Los Angeles, stay on the same channel and maybe you'll get a glimpse of me discussing the red carpet fashions!

WHAT: Nick Verreos Discussing the Best and "Oh Maybe Not" Picks from the 2012 Golden Globe Awards
WHEN: Sunday January 15, 11 p.m. PST and Monday January 16, 11 p.m. PST
WHERE: NBC4 KNBC Channel 4, 11 O'clock News--Check your local listings

Prom Season 2011: Nick Verreos In-Store Appearance at FIDM Scholarship Store!

Prom Dress Central!

Good Morning Prom Girls: Nick Verreos poses in front of the FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown LA 9th & Grand

Tuesdays are usually my Teaching Days and last Tuesday was no exception at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. However, I also had an extra job to do that morning prior to my classes: I was scheduled to make a "Special Appearance" at the school's FIDM Scholarship Store.

The FIDM Scholarship Store is THE shopping destination for Bargain Shopping Fashionistas--As the sign above says: "75% of our store is BELOW $10". MAJAH deals kids! Designers and Manufacturers donate clothing, jewelry, fabric. In fact, I recently donated many many yards of fabric from my NIKOLAKI design company--and all purchases go straight to FIDM Scholarships for the students.

FIDM Scholarship Store: Gowns, gowns and more gowns

And for Prom Season, it's the perfect place for all the lovely "Prom Princesses"--and their Mommies--to shop at. They have an entire section of "Prom" dresses as well as Wedding gowns, cocktail dresses...you name it, it's there (see above photo).

NBC-LA Boys: "Today In LA: Weekend" anchor Ted Chen and Nick Verreos

I did a LIVE TV "Prom Fashion" segment" the Sunday before on KNBC-LA "Today In LA: Weekend" news show with anchor Ted Chen showing under $40 designer prom styles from the FIDM Scholarship Store--all styled and hand-picked by moi--and announced that I would make a special appearance at the store.

Prom Poppa: Nick Verreos with models Martha (left) and Kaela(right), FIDM Scholarship Store

For my special Prom Appearance, I brought along two lovely models, Kaela and Martha from L.A. Models Agency--who also appeared on the TV segment--to show various Prom Dress Styles. They modeled FAB and SASSY styles from short party dresses...

Kaela and Martha, Prom Princesses, wearing styles from the FIDM Scholarship Store

As well as long "Hollywood Red Carpet" gowns and "Glamour" separates--for the Prom Girl who well, wants options other than the typical "Prom Dress".

Where's Nick: Nick Verreos pops his head with a group of visitors from Tennessee, FIDM Scholarship Store

During my visit, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting a group of students--and their teacher--who came all the way from Tennessee to take a tour of the FIDM Campus--and just happened to come to the FIDM Scholarship Store at the right time...when I was there!!!! they were all soooo CUTE and a bonus: They were all "Project Runway" fans and fans of yours truly (I love that of course!).

Happy Shoppers: Mommie and daughter, FIDM Scholarship Store

Also, while I was there, a lovely Mommie and her statuesque and beautiful daughter came by (her mom had watched my NBC-TV Segment on Sunday and stopped by as a result!) Long story short: The daughter loved one of the gowns we showed on TV, tried it on and it fit PERFECTLY, and well, she BOUGHT IT!

It was a baby blue and white strapless satin Designer "Princess Gown" that retailed for about $250 and was at the FIDM Scholarship Store for under $30! Prom Princess Fashionista Happy Customer!
As I always say "Done and Done". The Prom Fashion Version.

**BONUS: Also...Don't forget to Check out my "Nick Verreos Prom Advice" on FIDM's FashionClub.com Daily Blog. I've written about many different subjects like:

*What to wear for the prom?
*What's In Style?
*Guys: What Should You Wear?
*Prom Couture on a Budget

And much more...

The latest: Tips On How To Take a Good Prom Photo! Click HERE!!!!