Fashion Institute of Design FIDM Los Angeles

SMILE: FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

This past Saturday, I had the honor of MC'ing the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's Fall 2013 Open House at the Los Angeles campus. The FIDM Open House is a way for high school--as well as post grad's--who are interested in careers in fashion, graphic design, styling, visual merchandising, apparel industry, product development...to check out the FIDM campus, meet its faculty, Almuni and staff. And yes, join me as I host a fun panel discussion!

MC Nick: Nick Verreos MC'ing the 2013 FIDM Opern House Expert Alumni Panel Discussion--Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Los Angeles

Speaking of Panel Discussion--on my agenda that day was to MC a very special FIDM Alumni Panel Discussion with five FIDM graduates sharing their success stories working in the industry, including Eunice Chung, a Senior International Coordinator at Guess Inc.; Caitlin Connell, who is a Creative Coordinator with Universal Pictures; Kara Gaydosz, a Merchandise Coordinator with Vans; Lynn Restelli, who works as a Costumer and Project Manager at Disney's California Adventure; and Chace Vance, who is a Trade Manager at Manufacturer.com.

 Showing the Dads How It Is Done: FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

But before I got to that, I had a very special "Runway Walk-Off", involving the dads who attended the FIDM Los Angeles Fall 2013 Open House. Many of the attendees come to the Open House with their parents so I thought this is a fun way to get them involved...and embarrass their daughters and/or sons.



Check put some of the fun--and CRAY-CRAY pics I got of the Father FIDM Open House Runway Walk-Off:

 Dad Fierce: FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

 Paid and Striped Dad Chic: FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

 T-Shirt Runway: FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

After the Dad Runway, I hosted the FIDM LA Open House Alumni Panel Discussion:

 Expert Alumni Panel: (left to right) Caitlin Connell, Kara Gaydosz, Eunice Chung, Lynn Restelli, and Chace Vance--FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House, FIDM LA Campus

FIDM Almuni Kara Gaydosz (left) and Eunice Chung (right)--FIDM Los Angeles Fall 2013 Open House

Post-FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House Meet-and-Greet Pics:

Nick Verreos and FIDM Fall 2013 Open House Attendees

Go Social Winner: Grand Winner of FIDM LA's Fall 2013 Open House "Go Social" Contest, Jayce Chandler with Nick Verreos--and the autographed and sketched bag he won

I had a BLAST hosting the FIDM LA Fall 2013 Open House and so happy that everyone had a great time as well --or at least they told me LOL! Can't wait for the next one!!

NICK APPEARANCES.....FIDM Orange County Open House 2014: BLOG RECAP!

 Nick In The OC: Nick Verreos makes an appearance at FIDM OC Open House 2014

This past weekend, I had the honor of making a special visit/appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Orange County Open House 2014 Open House. I am so privileged that as the Official FIDM Spokesperson, every season I get to visit all the different FIDM campuses and make appearances for their Open House and 3 Days of Fashion events.

Meet Nick: Ready for my "Lecture and Meet-and-Greet"--FIDM OC 2014 Open House

The FIDM Open House is a way for anyone who is interested in pursuing an education in Fashion Design, Apparel Manufacturing, Graphic Design, Visual Communications (styling, visual/window display), Interior Design--or any of the other many majors FIDM offers--can check out the campus, meet instructors, alumni, etc. And yes, parents are welcomed to attend...and they do! As a special bonus of the Open House, the attendees get to hear my "Nick Story" as an FIDM Grad and my path to success.



Now, time for my Recap of last weekend's fun FIDM OC Open House:

FIDM OC, Irvine CA--a view of a lounge area at the FIDM OC campus

Say Cheese: Here's a compilation photo of the FIDM OC Open House audience that was waiting for me--Right before I got onstage and began my "Nick Lecture", I made sure to get photos of the audience for my blog. They were so cute and very ready for the photo! (notice the "photo-bombing" happening at the top left hand corner photo, through the door).

Stylish Lecturing: Nick Verreos onstage at his FIDM OC Open House Special Appearance--FIDM OC Irvine CA

Post Appearance/Lecture Meet-and-Greet:

OC Smiles: Nick Verreos during the post-appearance FIDM OC 2014 Open House Meet-and-Greet

So Cute: Nick Verreos and a couple of FIDM OC 214 Open House attendees--FIDM OC, Irvine CA

Photo Time: Nick Verreos with FIDM OC 2014 Open House attendee Zaak--FIDM OC, Irvine CA

Where's My Sharpie: Nick Verreos and FIDM OC 2014 Open House attendees--FIDM OC, Irvine CA

Portfolio Sneakin': Nick Verreos checks out the portfolio, FIDM OC 2014 Open House--FIDM OC, Irvine CA

Selfies: Nick Verreos during the Meet-and-Greet FIDM OC 2014 Open House-- FIDM OC, Irvine CA

Meet-and-Greet Fab: Nick Verreos poses with FIDM OC 2014 Open House attendees--FIDM OC, Irvine CA

Thank You to EVERYONE who came out to this past weekend's FIDM OC Open House! I had so much fun meeting each and everyone one of you! xoxo Nick

FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala : Barker Hangar in Santa Monica CA

Nick Verreos--FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala, Santa Monica Barker Hangar

This past Saturday night was the FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica CA. This was the culmination of a week of DEBUT shows and the VIP black tie dinner-and-fashion show event to honor FIDM Debut, it's grads and of course, the fashion! Students from the FIDM Advanced Program of Fashion Design, Theater Costume Design create designs that are then showcased at DEBUT.

The Invite: FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala

Over twenty years ago, I was one of the FIDM DEBUT designers who showed their first collection to an Industry audience. As part of the Advanced Fashion Design Program, we spent about ten months designing and creating the mini-collections (10-12 looks) that were then shown on this DEBUT "stage" on top-notch professional models.

Tuxedo Couple: I brought along my partner David Paul to Saturday night's fabulous FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala at Santa Monica's Barker Hangar

The Fashion Show:

Costumes from the FIDM Advanced Theater Costume Design designers...the theme was "Jazz!"--FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala Santa Monica Barker Hangar

All That Jazz: FIDM DEBUT 20-14 Los Angeles Fashion Gala, Santa Monica Barker Hangar

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

Cadillac Goddess: As part of the FIDM DEBUT 2014 show, designs from the "Cadillac Couture" competition where FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Students were asked to design looks inspired by Cadillac automobiles and using actual Cadillac car parts (very "Project Runway"!)

                             Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

FIDM DEBUT 2014 design highlights:

Cocoon Couture: An ivory design from FIDM DEBUT 2014 designer Blake Patterson

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

FIDM DEBUUT 2014 designer Tyler Purcell takes his bow/walk

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

Menswear design from FIDM DEBUT 2014 designer Matt Kim

 Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

Cascade Coat Dressing: Design from FIDM DEBUT 2014 designer Mohamed Salahadin

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

        Code Blue: FIDM DEBUT 2014 designer Mohamed Salahadin and Nick Verreos--FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner ABImages

Security Please: Nick Verreos, Barker Hangar Security "God" Jake and David Paul--FIDM DEBUT 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Gala Santa Monica Barker Hangar

NICK APPEARANCES.....FIDM DEBUT 2014 Fashion Show, BLOG RECAP with LOTS of Photos, Onstage, NIKOLAKI gowns, Nick VIP Tent + More!

 Nick Verreos On The Big Screen--FIDM Debut 2014 Fashion Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica CA

Last week was the fabulous FIDM DEBUT 2014. As the Official Spokesperson for FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, I had the honor of hosting and opening the FIDM DEBUT Fashion Show this past Thursday and Friday at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar--in front of THOUSANDS of attendees!

Step and Repeat Outfit Change: I hosted both Thursday and Friday and naturally, I had different ensembles...On Thursday I wore my red H & M jacket and striped bow tie and on Friday, I wore my apple green/golden jacket from Topman and striped bow tie. Both of these pics were from my "Nick VIP Tent" that was adjacent to the Barker Hangar tent site of the FIDM DEBUT 2014 show.



I had such a BLAST MC'ing both FIDM DEBUT 2014 shows--here are some pics...

WURK that Stage: Nick Verreos onstage hosting FIDM DEBUT 2014--Barker Hangar Santa Monica CA

I brought some of my NIKOLAKI gowns onstage as part of my entrance (naturally!):

Nikolaki Couture: Models Asha and Marketa in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul gowns--red silk/wool ziberline strapless gown (left) and yellow striped silk organza high-neck ball gown (right)--FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

Nick and NIKOLAKI: Nick Verreos with models Asha and Marketa in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul gowns--backstage FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

Yellow Queen: Model Marketa wearing NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul yellow silk organza ball gown--FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

Nick Verreos with models in NIKOLAKI gowns--Marketa in yellow silk organza ball gown (left) and Asha in silk chiffon copper-and-gold paillette column gown (right)--FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

Runway Nick: Nick Verreos onstage at FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar Santa Monica CA

MC Nick: Nick Verreos onstage at FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar 2014 Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

Following the FIDM DEBUT 2014 shows, I had a very special "Nick VIP" tent set up for attendees/guests to come by and get photos/autographs...SO MUCH FUN! Here are some pics from that:

 Lining Up: The line outside my "Nick VIP Tent"--FIDM DEBUT 2014, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

DEBUT VIP: Nick Verreos and  FIDM DEBUT 2014 attendees at the "Nick VIP Tent"--Barker Hangar Santa Monica CA

 Selfie Fab: Nick Verreos and FIDM DEBUT 2014 attendee doing a selfie at the "Nick VIP Tent"--FIDM DEBUT 2014 Barker Hangar, Santa Monica CA

Thank You to EVERYONE who attended this year's FIDM DEBUT show and especially, to everyone who came by to my "Nick VIP Tent" afterward! I LOVED meeting everyone, taking pics and sighing autographs--as well as DISHING on "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" with you! 

Hope to see you next year! xoxo