Andrew Christian Opening Night Store Opening Party: Nick Verreos Gets A Swimsuit!!!

Clothing Optional...
Am I Over-Dressed With My Hermes Belt: Nick Verreos, Andrew Christian Models and guests Mike Lucas and Spiro Skentzos, Andrew Christian Store Opening Party

This Memorial Day Weekend, instead of going away to Palm Springs or Abu Dhabi for the three-day weekend like most of the fashionista A-List (well, I saw Sex And The City 2, does that count?) I stayed in Los Angeles. Photo Courtesy of LookBookLA.com

And I'm glad I did, because my good friend of over 10 years (we were TWELVE when we met!!!), designer Andrew Christian, was having his "Opening Night Party" for his flagship store in West Hollywood. Window Un-Dressed: Andrew Christian West Hollywood Store Window (photo courtesy of LookBookLA.com)

Of course I didn't come alone and brought my two cutie friends of A LONG time, Mike Lucas and Spiro Skentzos (my Greek "sister"!). The new store--located in the "heart" of West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd, was packed with guests sipping on white wine, enjoying the DJ's tunes and shopping...doing LOTS of shopping! Red, Black and Blue...and Six Pack Ab: Andrew Christian poses with Models (photo courtesy of LookBookLA.com)

All the sexy underwear that you would expect from Andrew Christian were on display.
As well as lots of his latest swimsuit styles --my favorite being the cropped shorts style and a pair of Seersucker ones I wished I would have bought! (I got the cropped ones instead). Trois: Andrew Christian, Nick Verreos and JP Calderon, Andrew Christian Store Opening

I had a great time shopping for my upcoming trip to Italy (Positano here I come!). Also there shopping was one of my all-time favorite boys, the very sexy and always Oh SOOO NICE J.P. Calderon, of Survivor Cook Islands and Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and... The Fashion Show Mini: Designer James-Paul and friend, Andrew Christian Store Opening Party (photo courtesy of LookBookLA.com)

Andrew Christian's fellow Bravo's Season One The Fashion Show alumn and finalist, James-Paul. This was my first time meeting him and OMG, he's sooooo tiny!! All in all, Mike, Spiro and I had a blast at this FAB Andrew Christian West Hollywood Store Opening. We mingled, enjoyed some wine, shopped and spent some money. Yeah, I guess that was Andrew Christian's plan!

Nick Verreos celebrates Yozmit's Birthday at Saint Felix West Hollywood

Miss Yozmit Birthday DIVA!
Giving Eye: Yozmit, Saint Felix West Hollywood

Last Tuesday, on Cinco de Mayo (May 5Th) was my very good friend Yozmit's Birthday. Yozmit is an artist, singer and performer and all around DIVA!-- she even performed in front of MADONNA, for her Birthday last year! Yozmit Couture: Performance Gown

We celebrated at Saint Felix, a bar/lounge right in the "heart" of West Hollywood! Being that it was Cinco de Mayo, I just knew West Hollywood would be a mess! But I didn't realize HOW MESSY:It was like a Saturday night! Yozmit lives and performs mainly in NYC but was in the West Coast visiting a friend in San Francisco and decided to make a "Birthday pit stop" in LA. Miss Yo: Yozmit in Nikolaki "Vintage" silk polka dotted cowl neck jumpsuit, Dec 2000, notice her SKY heels (like Madonna's from "Nothing Really Matters")

I've known Yozmit since Fashion Design School--yes, we both attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising back in the day...She was Lady Gaga BEFORE Lady Gaga was FOUR; always giving COUTURE, fashion with a capital "F" and Vogue Italia Editorial...even if it was 3 in the afternoon! So I made the drive out for two reasons: To say "Happy Birthday" to my old friend, and B) To see her outfit! She didn't disappoint, featuring TWO outfit changes in the period of an hour! Her first: A black plunging-neck mini dress/tunic knee-high blue suede stacked heel boots, a purple belt and a fabulous "crown" worthy of a Peruvian Princess...or... a very Gay Mad hatter from 'Alice In Wonderland" , here in her second outfit...

Many of her friends came out to celebrate, including "Underwear and Swimsuit King" fashion designer Andrew Christian, who is actually opening his store right next to Saint Felix on Santa Monica Blvd; fashion designer Peter Cruz (who has been designing for Kimora Lee Simmons and her line) and Artist, Illustrator and Photographer Miguel Angel Reyes.V Necked: Fashion Designers Nick Verreos, Andrew Christian and Peter Cruz, Saint Felix West HollywoodBrothers From Other Mothers: Avi Ivan (love the Maria Callas T-shirt) and Nick Verreos, Saint Felix, Yozmit Birthday
Cuddling Couture: Yozmit and Miguel Angel Reyes, Saint Felix West Hollywood
I only stayed for about an hour since I had to go back to my "Nick Bat Cave" (I had a lot of work to do). But, I hear that Yozmit and Miguel Angel Reyes kept the party--and impromptu photo-session--going, at various West Hollywood bars. Happy Birthday Miss Yozmit!

Nick Verreos Hits Up Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party in LA!!

Project SHUT IT DOWN!!!!
I DIIIIEEE: Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

Last Thursday-- as many of you know--was the Finale of Project Runway Season 7. The Angel Mafia and Project Angel Food--along with Finalist Mila Hermanovski, "Big Brother's" Marcellas Reynolds, and Designer Andrew Christian (famous for those sexy underwear) were hosting a Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party at the West Hollywood nightclub, Eleven. I had been in town just one day from my trip to Atlanta and the OC, and of course I decided I had to attend. Underwear Party: Designer Andrew Christian poses with his models, Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

I put on a mask, got a "Disco Nap" in and called my friends, John Wade (of Marc Jacobs and Project Runway Season 2) and Joey Maalouf (Rachel Zoe's Hair and Make-Up Stylist and co-owner of the Maalouf Salon) to be my dates. John had just returned from a ONE DAY/ONE NIGHT trip to Milan Italy (I know, FIERCE!) for the opening of the Marc Jacobs store (how he got through that Icelandic Volcano is beyond me!) and Joey is about to leave for NY for the Met and get Miss Rachel Zoe red carpet ready kiddies!). Blow Out: Hair and Make Up DIVA Joey Maalouf getting ready for the Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party

So I was happy to have them both for this one night!The party was in full swing as we got there. Soon enough, the Finale Episode was playing on the bar's flat screens and we actually stopped whatever we were doing to watch it (sometimes--OK, MOST TIMES--at these "Finale Viewing Parties" NO ONE gets to see anything!). We actually got to see the Final Episode and you could hear the crowd cheering and jeering for the winners and the finalists. Group Shot: Joey Maalouf, Nick Verreos, Andrew Christian, and John Wade, Eleven West Hollywood

In between, I got to "socialize" and ran into co-co-co-host, my good friend, Designer Andrew Christian, who even showed me sneak-preview photos of his new exclusive Andrew Christian Store (via his IPhone).I also got to chat with Palm Springs-based Designer Michael Costello, who was there with his model, the very blond Tracy Chapman, wearing one of his little cocktail dresses (above).I also ran into one of my fabulous "Muses", the one and only Runway Diva, Amanda Fields (from Project Runway Season 3) (above), who is filming a "secret show" and therefore got there a bit late. Better late than never as they say. Models Of The Runway: Alison Gingerich, Amanda Fields, Nick Verreos and Holly Ridings, Eleven West Hollywood

Speaking of models, there were LOTS of them that night, including Holly Ridings (wearing a long maxi black-and-white print dress, black leather jacket and sneakers--still the TALLEST GIRL in the room!) and Alison Gingerich from Season 7.Semi-Finalist Mila Hermanovski's Model, Brandise Daneswich was also in attendance, enjoying the Viewing Party, along with her designer.There weren't that many other Project Runway Alumn there (and no other Project Runway Season 7 Designers) however, we (John, Joey and I) get to hang out with Season 6 Designer Johnny Sakalis (above).Young Hollywood: Actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, Eleven West Hollywood

One of the nicest moments of the night (besides seeing Seth Aaron Henderson win and his family give him a congratulatory hug) was meeting young actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, who confessed their love of Project Runway and how they were "big fans"! Love them! Maybe one of these days, they will wear NIKOLAKI for a big red carpet event--who knows! They were SOOOO SWEET!

Nick Verreos Takes The PLUNGE at the Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration at the Hollywood Roosevelt

Well...Welcome To LA FASHIIIIOOOONNNN!!!!!!!!!!Purple Daze: Nick Verreos walks the carpet, Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana

Last week, on March 16Th, my good friend--and Los Angeles Fashion DIVA--Jennifer Egan, Vice President of Gen Art National Development, Marketing and the company's "IT" girl---invited me to attend the Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration, held at the Tropicana Pool of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Pool Party: Jen Egan of Gen Art holds court at the Tropicana Pool, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

The event/party was designed to give props to the LA fashion alumni who "have helped shape and influence the design community".
T-Zone: Jen Egan grabs Nick Verreos for a Clean & Clear "Prom" Interview, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

Jen was also holding court and doing some fun on-camera interviews for the party and the skincare company CLEAN & CLEAR, who were there promoting their CLEAN & CLEAR Skincare Makes Your Prom Beautiful from Start to Finish-Designer Dress Competition.
Prom Couple: Nick Verreos and Jen Egan of Gen Art, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

She just happened to grab me at one point--after I finally wheedled my little purple Top Shop-pants-wearing-butt into the party--to do one of those "prom interviews". Of course, I talked about how both guys and girls need to be matte-blotted both before and during their "prom fabulous" moments with some of their Oil Absorbing Sheets!
I was really excited to see my good friend--underwear and bathing suit KING--designer Andrew Christian (above) who was working his fitted gray shirt and skinny tie.
Wanted: Nick Verreos and Kit Scarbo, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

As I made it through the Hotel Roosevelt's Tropicana, it soon became evident that it was beginning to look like a Project Runway "Love fest" Reunion of sorts: Besides seeing Jeffrey Sebelia (Winner of Season 3) and Rami Kashou (Finalist from Season 4) briefly, I ran into Project Runway Season 4 Contestant, and Stylist to the Stars, the one and only Kit Scarbo. There aren't words enough I can write here on my blog to tell you how much I love me some Kit!
Color Blocked: Nick Verreos with Project Runway Season 7 Model Brandise Danesewich (left) and Designer Mila Hermanovski (center)

I also saw Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski. The last time I saw Mila was many months ago when she stopped by my NIKOLAKI design studio (I had no idea that she was on this season's Project Runway) looking for gowns to fit on our good friend and client Carrie Ann Inaba--whom she was freelance styling at the time-- for last season's Dancing With The Stars show. She was there with her model, Brandise Danesewich, whom I happened to just see at the FIDM Debut 2010 Fashion Gala.
And speaking of models, I had a "Nick Model Orgasm" when I ran into Lifetime Network's "Models of The Runway Season 2", Alison Gingerich (left) and--one of my personal favorites-- AMAZONIAN Runway DIVA, 6 foot + tall Holly Ridings (right). Don't know what they were doing at the Gen Art Fashion Alumni Celebration party...but I didn't care! Look at the big ol' smile on my face. Nick HEARTS Models, Project Runway...and Gen Art!

Nick Verreos attends Andrew Christian Show at Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall 2009

Hot boys, Hotter underwear: It's the Andrew Christian Show!Welcome to HOLLYWOOOOOD: The Scene at the Andrew Christian Fashion Show presentation, Boulevard 3 Nightclub

It now has become a staple of Los Angeles Fashion Week to end the festivities and fashion shows with the Andrew Christian Fashion Show. Once again, it was held at Boulevard 3 Nightclub on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, and I was invited to attend the madness. I rarely make it out to Hollywood--and especially on a Friday night--because it is always ONE BIG MESS! It always feels like I am at one of those big and tacky Las Vegas nightclubs--lots of drunk straight guys and scantily clad drunk girls. Picture VH1's Tool Academy and Oxygen's Bad Girl's Club somehow (and unfortunately) coming together. So, with that mix, I ended up right in the "thick of it", at Andrew Christian's Fall 2009 Fashion Show.
My "fish out of water" feeling was calmed when, as I walked in, I immediately saw my Project Runway Season 2 friend, Raymundo Baltazar and California Apparel News' Alison Nieder. Bad Girls Club: Guests including Raymundo Baltazar and California Apparel News' Alison Nieder before the Andrew Christian Fashion Show

LA-based Andrew Christian has become the go-to guy for sexy hot men's underwear, swimsuits and work-out wear and has built his multi-million dollar brand behind it. I'm sure you may also recognize his name from the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency Show. Recently, he has broadened his style spectrum and began doing womenswear as well as actual "outer" menswear, such as vests, shirts, and pants. All tight-fitting , fabulous and perfect for the guy who has the .00002 % body fat to wear his aforementioned underwear. Scarf Happy: Nick Verreos poses with one of the beautiful models from the Andrew Christian Fall '09 Fashion Show

For Fall 2009, he showed fitted colorful plaid and striped men's dress shirts, grey pants and shorts, as well as those sexy underwear he's known for (one jockstrap style almost drove the entire club into a FRENZY--all the 200+ women and the 10 gay boys in the audience went into a TIZZY!). Look Hard, He's Wearing a JOCKSTRAP! The crowd goes wild at the Andrew Christian Fashion Show, Boulevard 3

For women, there were fitted black shift dresses, jumpers and "paper-bag" skirts. Since Andrew is an "equal-opportunity employer", he also sent out various lingerie looks on his girls to balance out the exposed male skin. The mood seemed very "Pussycat Dolls-meets-The Derby". For the finale, everyone expected to see Andrew come out and do his traditional bow and walk, instead his design team did. So, the main question everyone was asking was not "Where do I get that jockstrap?" but more of "Where's Andrew Christian?". If I was him, I would have been back there with the models taking care of the double-stick tape (wink wink!).
Click Below for a video of the Finale Walk of the Andrew Christian models:

Click HERE for a great slide show of the Andrew Christian Fall 2009 Collection from CaliforniaApparelNews.net.