NICK APPEARANCES.....NIKOLAKI Collection at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013: Photos + Runway Video!

Nick Verreos takes his bow--A Salute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Graduates Fashion Show, Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 Palm Desert

Nick Verreos--arriving at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 Palm Desert California, to set up his NIKOLAKI Collection for the "A Salute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Graduates" Fashion Show

Last Monday--a week ago, precisely, I went to the gorgeous city of Palm Desert to show my latest NIKOLAKI Collection at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013...

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul--The Backdrop at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 Palm Desert California

I was invited by Palm Springs Life Magazine produced Fashion Week El Paseo and sponsored by my Alma Mater (and College I am a Spokesperson for) the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM to be one of the FIDM Debut Designer Graduates to take part in the "A Salute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Graduates Fashion Show" and emcee the show as well as make a special appearance.

 Entrance to Plummers lounge, Fashion Week El Paseo 2013

 Pre-Show: Inside the Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 tent, Palm Desert California

 NIKOLAKI Collection--in bags--pre-steaming at the Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 tent backstage

 David Paul and Nick Verreos, of NIKOLAKI--Fashion Week El Paseo 2013, backstage tent area

Even though I was making the "Nikolaki Bow" at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013, my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, naturally, came with me (I cannot do ANYTHING without him). Of course, he wanted to make sure our gowns/collection were going to fit just right, be steamed perfectly, and all the accessories he chose, would be properly styled with the right model. Not only is he the co-designer of NIKOLAKI, he's also the stylist, and well, brains behind the madness (of me!).

 Rehearsal Time: "A Salute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Graduates Fashion Show" Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 designers (left to right) Paul Hernandez, Angela Avanesyan, Nick Verreos, Heathyr Lawrence, Joe Vilaiwan, Clay Sadler

 Nick Verreos with "A Salute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Graduates Fashion Show" designers Heathyr Lawrence (left) and Clay Sadler (right), Fashion Week El Paseo 2013

"A Salute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Graduates" Designer Paul Hernandez and Nick Verreos--Fashion Week El Paseo 2013

Nick Verreos and the backstage "Fashion Week El Paseo 2013" dressers

Pre-Fashion Show Scene--Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 "A Salute to FIDM Debut Graduates Fashion Show", Palm Desert California

After a rehearsal/run-through of my emcee duties, it was time for the show--I was the last of all the FIDM Debut Graduates designers and here are some photos of my show/collection on the gorgeous L. A. Models models:

 Model Devanie in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul black silk jersey halter gown with silver jeweled embellishment

 Model Katrina Hunter in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul black and silver sequined cowl-necked cocktail dress with draped shoulder details

 Model Rina in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul black silk duchesse fitted cocktail dress with silk gazar back bow detail and gold and multicolored jeweled waist and strap detail embellishment

 Model Brianna Barnes in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul animal printed silk chiffon halter gown with gold jeweled neckline detail

 Model Kalyn Hemphill in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul balck and silver sequined cowl necked gown wwth side slit and attached matching caplet

 Model Martinique Mitchell in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul "Guinevere" gown in desert sand-colored silk chiffon gathered Empire-style gown with tulle-and-sequined trim detail

 Model Lacey James in NIKOLAKI by  Nick Verreos/David Paul vanilla-colored silk crepe back satin gown with draped front and silver jeweled shoulder accents

 Model Bianca in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul multicolored silk chiffon "watercolor animal" printed gown with gathered front, fitted waist and side slit

Model Devanie in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul vanilla-colored silk chiffon gathered gown with side slit, cape-back and gold jeweled embellishment

 Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul gold sequined paillette column gown with draped front and back and high side-slit

 Nick Verreos with the "A Salute to FIDM Debut Graduates" Fashion Show" designers--(left to right) Heathyr Lawrence, Joe Vilaiwan, Nick Verreos, Paul Hernandez, Angela Avanesyan , and Clay Sadler

The show was a HUGE success and everyone LOVED it---both David and I were over-the-moon and happy with the fashion show, the models and yes, our gowns...

 Welcome to Sunnylands Chic--Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 Palm Desert

The following day, before leaving Palm Desert, I went back to the Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 tent to check out the runway stage installation of the "Sunnylands Chic" gowns....

Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and model Amanda Fields in his "Sunnylands/Leonore Annenberg"-inspired creation--Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg Event

I created a NIKOLAKI gown inspired by Leonore Annenberg and the Sunnylands Estate (Click HERE for all the fabulousness of the unveiling). The creations--mine as well as other fashion designers--were being shown in an installation on the Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 runway stage in the tent the following day, and naturally, I had to go:

  "Welcome to Sunnylands Chic" fashion installation--Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 Palm Desert

 Inspiration vs. New Creation (Front View)--(left to right) Oscar de la Renta apple green silk Leonore Annenberg gown and NIKOLAKI gown (right)--"Sunnylands Chic" fashion installation at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 runway stage

  Inspiration vs. New Creation (Back View)--NIKOLAKI gown (left) and Oscar de la Renta Leonore Annenberg gown inspiration,"Sunnylands Chic" fashion installation at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 runway stage

 NIKOLAKI gown--here's my gown--an apple green silk duchesse gown with  a batteau neckline, hand-pleated peplum, cap sleeves and fit-to-flare "Mermaid Lite" silhouette

I had a FABULOUS time in Palm Desert and showing my designs at Fashion Week El Paseo 2013! Can't wait to return! Click HERE for more photos of the other collections as well as the entire fashion show video of the "A Salute to FIDM Debut Graduates" Fashion Show and...

Click Below to watch video of  our NIKOLAKI Fashion Show:

 

NICK APPEARANCES.....Nick Verreos Headlines Three Decades of FIDM Debut Designers Fashion Week El Paseo 2013

Nick Verreos and his NIKOLAKI gowns--Nick Verreos will show NIKOLAKI Collection, "Three Decades of FIDM Debut Designers" Fashion Show at Fashion Week El Paseo

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul

Fashion in the Desert: I am so excited to be headlining and emceeing a fabulous fashion show from my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM NEXT MONDAY, March 18, 2013 as part of Fashion Week El Paseo 2013 in Palm Desert California. The show, called "A Tribute to Three Decades of FIDM Debut Designers" will be comprised of 7 collections by 7 FIDM alumn designers.

The other designers include
Angela Avanesyan, Clay Sadler (both of whom I was one of their Debut
Instructors/Mentors), Paul Hernandez, Heathyr Lawrence (who I had the
pleasure recently of working with when I hosted the "Oscar.com Fashion Face/Off"), Joe Vilaiwan and noted FIDM alumna Karen Kane.

FIDM Debut 2012 Fashion Show at Fashion Week El Paseo 2012

What is the FIDM Debut Program: The college--of which I have been an instructor since 2003 and Spokesperson as well--annually selects 10 outstanding students from the Fashion Design Program to be part of the FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Program, where they spend 10 months designing and creating a collection, which is then unveiled to a live audience of over 10,000 people at the Santa Monica Barker Hanger in the "Debut Show". I was one of those honored students--back in the day (don't you DARE look up what year!)--to be picked for the Advanced Fashion Design Program and show my "Debut Collection".

NIKOLAKI Spring 2013

On Monday night, as part of the "Tribute to Thirty Years of FIDM Debut" show, I will be showing a capsule collection from my high-end red carpet NIKOLAKI collection. This will be the first time showing this collection in a runway show so I am beyond EXCITED! Hope you can make it and hope to see you there!



DETAILS:

WHAT:

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising presents A Salute to "Three Decades of Debut Graduates"

Graciously brought to you by Victoria & John Hill. Benefitting Junior League Palm Springs Desert Communities. Celebrate the work of more than three decades of designers who have appeared in Debut,
the college’s annual homage to its graduating fashion talent. Their
work includes day and evening fashions, as well as a special collection
of fashion jewelry.

A one-hour cocktail reception precedes the 8 p.m. show.
Hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Wine served
compliments of Calloway.

After-party for attendees will take place at Sullivan’s Steakhouse.



WHEN: 

Monday, March 18, 2013

7 p.m. Cocktail reception

8 p.m. Show



WHERE: 

Fashion Week El Paseo

45380 Larkspur Lane

Palm Desert, CA 92260



TICKETS:

Click HERE for tickets

NICK APPEARANCES.....NIKOLAKI Gown Inspired by Leonore Annenberg--Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg Event THIS Wednesday Night!

Leonore Annenberg: Style Muse

(left to right) Walter Annenberg, First Lady Betty Ford, Leonore Annenberg, and
President Gerald Ford at Walter Annenberg’s 90th birthday celebration,
March 1998.

Photo by Marc Glassman Courtesy of www.sunnylands.org

Early this year, I had the honor of being asked--along with five other fashion designers including Michael Costello, Anthony Franco, Paul Hernandez, Lloyd Klein and Fe Zandi--to create an original NIKOLAKI design based on the fabulous fashions of the illustrious Leonore Annenberg--for a very special event.

Fashion Designers Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI

Leonore Annenberg with Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif. --2007 White House State Dinner for Queen Elizabeth II

Mrs. Annenberg was an American business woman, philanthropist and during
1981-1982, served as Chief of Protocol to the United States. She was
also, of course, the wife of Walter Annenberg, newspaper publishing
magnate (in 1953, he launched TV Guide as a national magazine), and
Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Richard Nixon. Mrs.
Annenberg was also known for her fabulous parties, social gathering and
naturally, her fashion. So, it is natural that she would be a Style Muse

Style Icon: Leonore Annenberg

This
upcoming Wednesday evening, a special event is being held at the
Sunnylands estate to "unveil" our creations as well as the Leonore
Annenberg ensembles/gowns that inspired us. The event--titled
"Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg" --is part of the Nightlife program at Sunnylands in partnership with Palm Springs Life magazine.

I am especially excited because the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising--my Alma Mater and College I am the Spokesperson for--is sponsoring the creation of my design as well as my appearance at Wednesday night's event...so yes, I will be there to show my Leonore Annenberg-inspired original NIKOLAKI creation!

Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage

Sunnylands is, of course, the famous midcentury Annenberg "winter
retreat"--located in Rancho Mirage, CA--that has hosted illustrious
guests such as U.S. Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles
and the former Shah of Iran. I have never been to Sunnylands but, as a huge fan of
midcentury homes (I own one) and Hollywood Regency-style interiors, I
cannot wait to attend and show my NIKOLAKI Leonore Annenberg-inspired creation.

WHAT: "Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg"--Six Fashion Designer Interpret Leonore Annenberg-worn ensembles with their own contemporary perspective.



WHERE: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage CA



WHEN: Wednesday March 13, 2013 6:00-8:00 PM



COST: Event is SOLD OUT!



For More Information: Click HERE