Nick Verreos and Orbit Gum: Geek To Chic Contest, People En Español and Chica Orbit!!!

Fashion + Gum= ORBIT!!!

Quieres Chicle? Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez in Nick Verreos /Orbit Gum Gown, People En Español 50 Más Bellos Event

I am SO EXCITED to announce that I am the "Style Guy" for "Chicle Orbit"--the most stylish gum in the WORLD!!!!! And as part of this, Orbit announced a fun contest for the Spanish-speaking fans called "Geek To Chic".

Those who entered this contest (by submitting photos) now have the chance to have their look "transformed" from Geek--to CHIC--by none other than, ME!!! Si, YO!!! (yes, I'm so Bi-lingual!) and then showcase your new look FABULOSO on the People En Español 50 Más Bellos/50 Most Beautiful Red Carpet coming up next week!!!

Orbit Universal Queen: Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009 in Orbit Gum-print inspired gown by Nick Verreos, People Magazine En Español "50 Más Bellos" Event, NYC

If you have been following my blog, you may already know that I have partnered in the last few years with ORBIT GUM--to design "Red Carpet-worthy" dresses for the Latina Orbit Gum Girl, "Chica Orbit", as well as other celebs. Last year, I made a custom one-shoulder gown for Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2008 and Miss Universe 2009, using an Orbit Gum print for last year's People Magazine En Español 50 Más Bellos/50 Most Beautiful Gala.


Above is my original sketch for the one shoulder gown I created and designed (and had the fabric made too!!!).

Now That's A Purse: Nick Verreos, Chica Orbit and Univision's "Fashion Guy" Rodner Figueroa, Premios Juventud 2010 After Party, Miami

I also designed a cocktail red carpet dress for the current Chica Orbit--using the same Orbit Gum Print--for her to wear during the 2010 Premios Juventud an awards show for Spanish-speaking celebrities in the areas of film, music, sports, fashion, and pop culture--kind of like a cross between the MTV Music Awards and the "Kid's Choice Awards".

In 2007 for that year's "Premios Juventud"--along with the AMAZING assistance of my NIKOLAKI design partner, David Paul--we created an ivory silk duchess satin "Watteau-back" strapless dress--with custom "Orbit Gum" pillbox hat (very Jackie Kennedy!)-both featuring the Orbit Logo. We even made the scarf to watch one of the gum flavors!

Well, CHICOS, I am back at it again---and soon I will be in New York City to attend the People En Español 50 Más Bellos/Most Beautiful Event and transform one lucky winner from Geek to Chic!!!
(and now for my Spanish-speaking Readers): Buena Suerte y acuerdate: Orbit Sensación Limpia...no matter what!


*Follow Chica Orbit HERE on Twitter
*And HERE !!!

Nick Verreos To Be A Celebrity Judge on Miss UNIBARSE 2010 Fantasy Doll Pageant!

Doll-Icious!!!!!
Recently, I was asked to be one of the esteemed panel of "celebrity" judges for the most unique International Fantasy Doll Web-Pageant, Miss Unibarse. Now, this is not a misspelling on my part, but you read correct: MISS UNIBARSE NOT Miss Universe. Past judges for this pageant "phenomenon" have included former Miss Universes, fashion designers, photographers, and celebrity stylists from all over the globe. Nick Verreos and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997, in Nikolaki by Nick Verreos David Paul

Last year, my good friend, Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 was also one of the celebrity judges and now, I guess it was my time to be asked. And I'm very happy for it. As you may know, besides fashion, I also love pageants and have dressed several beauty queens myself. Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, in Nick Verreos for Orbit Gum Custom Gown

Here's a little background on Miss Unibarse (in case you may still be saying "Say What?"): Miss Unibarse is the Miss Universe Pageant but for DOLLS (therefore the "BAR" for "Barbie"). Its originators began this as a creative project that would marry their love of pageants, dolls and photography. Dolls are transformed into one-of-a-kind beauties representing nations from all over the world, and given the whole "Miss Universe" treatment, and then judges get to vote--just like in the Miss Universe Pageant. There are all the usual categories including Presentation, Swimsuit, Evening Gown as well as National Costume. Last Year's Miss Japan Unibarse, in Traditional Costume
Last Year's Miss Korea Unibarse (and the 2009 winner!), in Evening Gown
There are even "Fadil-esque" (very similar to the Fadil Berisha photos for Miss Universe and Miss USA) photos like the one above from last year's contest. Last year's winner: Miss Korea getting crowned (looks just like a real Miss Universe crowning moment!)

I have begun my judging and cast my first votes for the contestants and found myself--as I was clicking on all the photos--saying things like :"Oh I love HER hair!", or "Oh, she is working her pose and outfit!", and "Oooooh, she is SASSY!!!", as if they were REAL! I can't wait to see who the winner will be this year, there are LOTS of contenders. Here's a sample of this year's girls: Miss Colombia Unibarse 2010: Red hot Latina...and (almost) a wardrobe "malfunction"!
Miss Angola Unibarse 2010: Work it huney, now that's an expensive WEAVE!!!Miss USA Unibarse 2010: Love the "flip" of her hair and "sultry" stare...Miss Czech Republic Unibarse 2010: She is SOOO Ivana Trump-meets-Zsa Zsa Gabor, I just know she will end up on the arm of a Russian Billionaire in a hot minute!

To see the rest of the International Dollegates, click HERE.

Nick Verreos for Orbit Gown: Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez-Behind The Scenes!!

Behind the Miss Universe Orbit Gum Gown...Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009 wearing Nick Verreos for Orbit Gown

Recently, I had the pleasure of designing and creating a custom gown for the most beautiful Miss Universe 2009, Venezuela's Stefania Fernandez. It was a collaboration with Orbit Gum. I have done several "Special One-of-a-Kind" Creations just for Orbit Gum to emphasize that ORBIT is the most Fashionable gum in the country! Orbit On A Mannequin: The Nick Verreos for Orbit Gown for Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, Nikolaki Studio Los Angeles

They gave me one of the new prints for their gum wrappers and my design partner, David Paul and I had it custom printed onto chiffon--and then from there we created a one-shoulder "Goddess Gown". The gown was hand-delivered(!) to Stefania to wear at the People En Español 50 Mas Bellos event in New York. It was definitely a Project Runway-like "Make It Work" scene at my studio, since the Orbit clients gave me only two weeks from start to finish and Stefania was in Brazil and it took several days before we even got an "approval" on what style she liked (from my sketches). Blue Muslin: Model Lisa Blades (in the "Stefania Fernandez Orbit Gown" mock-up) and Nick Verreos

Along with the printer First2Print (love them!), David Paul, my Nikolaki Design partner (as well as the official gown-cutter!), my wonderful seamstress, and my fit model, Lisa Blades (who substituted for Miss Universe when I couldn't be in Brazil to meet with Stefania) we got it done!

Click BELOW for some Behind-The-Scenes Footage from Our NIKOLAKI Studio while creating the "Stefania Fernandez Orbit Gown":