Nick Verreos attends "Vision: The Party" in Downtown Los Angeles

Tortilla Paintings, Lucha Libre, a Fashion Show and a Miss International...All in One Night!Nick's Body Guard: Nick Verreos stands in front of a massive "Lucha Libre" sculpture

Last weekend, I attended a fun event titled Vision: The Party, Fashion, Art and Music. It was also the "official celebration" for the Birthday of Alejandro Laguette, an acquaintance from the LA fashion and film "circles". There was going to be a Gallery Exhibit of very eclectic Mexican-inspired art, a DJ for dancing, plus a fashion show as well. Only five minutes away from my studio: Sign me up!"Vision :The Party" guests and FIDM Debut 2009 designers Johnathan Webster and Adrian Manuel also pose in front of the Mexican Wrestler sculpture/statue

The party took place in the KGB Studio, located adjacent to the Chinatown area of Downtown Los Angeles. LA Chinatown is not exactly the Chinatown of, say a city like San Francisco. Let's just say it's not as iconic or postcard-perfect. This party, in fact, took place in an area not surrounded by Dragons and Chinese-food restaurants, but next to a slew of warehouses and other industrial buildings. It was definitely a place where tony types from Beverly Hills and the Palisades would be scared to leave their Mercedes Benz! Lucky for them, there was Valet parking. Vivacious Couple: Web show hostess Melissa Chataigne and Nick Verreos at "Vision: The Party"

As soon as I got there, I greeted the Birthday Boy and met his lovely--and very chic--parents, who hail from Mexico. The party was in full form, with over a hundred guests outside in the courtyard mingling, enjoying the Coca Cola and Rum--as well as the Tequila--bar.
Guests were already dancing the night away, under the Downtown LA skyline.Crowning Moment: Nuestra Belleza Mexico '07 (Miss Mexico) and Miss International '07, Priscila Perales

I was happy to run into the sexy Melissa Chataigne of Vivaciously Chataigne and I even spotted Miss International 2007, from Mexico, the gorgeous Priscila Perales (she was very incognito, but I still recognized all 5'10" of her!).Cantinflas Tortilla: Tortilla Art by Joe Bravo

Inside the studio, my friends and I ventured into the Gallery Space and surveyed the unique "Tortilla Art" by artist Joe Bravo. He and his wife introduced themselves, confiding to me that they were both great fans of Project Runway (naturally!). I especially loved his "painting" of Mario Moreno Reyes "Cantiflas", Mexico's answer to Charlie Chaplin. And my favorite was the one of Mexican cinema Diva, Maria Felix (and inspiration for my Spring 2009 Collection). I was about to inquire about maybe purchasing it until Alejandro told me that he had just bought it. Oh well!La Diva: Maria Felix on a Tortilla, art by Joe Bravo

The "crowning jewel" of the party was a fashion show by LA-based XR Collection and designers Xavier Othon and Richard Bowman. They also are the owners of the Los Angeles boutique by the same name, located on Beverly Blvd. I have been friends with them for AGES--and they were one of the first "mentors" who guided me through my fashion career. As a young and cute (stop laughing!) FIDM student of fashion design, I was even a Dresser at some of their fashion shows, back "in the day". Finale Tableaux: XR Collection models strike a pose

The designs on the runway were consistent with what XR Collection is known for: Lots of Glitter, Glamour and Fierceness; the perfect outfits to get your groove on--at a fun dance club, or at a house party in the Hollywood Hills! No Carb Zone: XR Collection menswear

There was sexy menswear as well; everything tight and definitely not for the guy who eats. There was even a Drag Queen (or two) thrown in for the "fierce" factor. Those girls on RuPaul's Drag Race Show need to call up Xavier and Richard because some of those outfits were out-of-control! XR Collection: One of my favorite looks from the show, a lemon yellow off the shoulder jersey dress

My favorite womenswear looks included a yellow off-the-shoulder jersey dress as well as the long white finale gown which featured a fishtail train (and you know how much I love a fishtail hem!). I could see a young Maria Felix in that gown for sure going to an event on Sunset Blvd--or to a fun party in the Chinatown Distric of Downtown Los Angeles!

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.

Nick Verreos attends Single Fashion Show at LA Fashion Week

To Russia With Love...Single Runway: John Wade and Nick Verreos do the step-and-repeat at the Single Fall 2009 Fashion Show

This past Monday, I was invited to another show as part of Los Angeles Fashion Week. As you may (or may not) know, there really isn't an "official" LA Fashion Week or one like there is in NY or other cities. Last season, Fern Mallis' IMG pulled out of doing the Mercedes Benz LA Fashion Week at Smashbox after about four years of producing it. Lack of interest, funding and various other reasons were the cause.
Hello St. Petersburg: Nick Verreos poses with Russian model from Single 2009 Fall presentation

So, for this season, BOXeight decided to stage their own "Downtown LA Fashion Week" and other designers and Southern California-based labels staged their own private shows. Single was one of those. Designer Galina Sobolev and her husband Michael, created the company back in 1994 and have been going strong ever since. Single is known for its brightly printed silk tunics, blouses, tops and silky dresses. Single also has the unique title of being the one LA-based company which employed not one BUT TWO, Project Runway designers. Both Santino Rice and Andrae Gonzalo have passed through the Single doors. Model Casting? Guests await the Single Fall '09 Fashion Show, Maxim Restaurant West Hollywood

For this special Fall 2009/10 "preview" show, Galina decided to go back to her Russian roots and create a collection loosely based on her native country. And to highlight this, she staged it at a Russian restaurant called Maxim. I called upon my partner-in-fashion-crime, the deliciously sexy John Wade--of Project Runway Season 2 and Marc Jacobs--to be my "date". John had gone to Moscow late last year with Marc Jacobs and (Marc Jacobs) President Robert Duffy to celebrate the opening of their Moscow Boutique, and I thought he would enjoy it. When we first walked in, he turned to me and said "Oh My God, I seriously think I'm in Moscow!" It was that authentic--down to the fact that most of the staff barely spoke English (I just kept saying spasibo to them--thank you in Russia). Models Eat! A Single-clad model enjoying the Russian buffet, Maxim Restaurant, West Hollywood

The banquet room/restaurant was split right in the middle to create a runway with round dining tables on each side. Guests mingled and enjoyed the very ample spread of delicious Russian hors d'oeuvres such as beef-stuffed Piroshkis, salmon and lox wrap sandwiches, and red cabbage salad. There was also a fully stocked Open Bar with enough Vodka to make former Russian President Putin smile! Galina knows how to throw an event: Keep the guests well fed and have an open bar.John, Try and Smile Next Time: CA Apparel News Editor Alison Nieder, Nick Verreos and a come-hither pout from John Wade
Speaking of guests, I spotted fashion editors of both the Los Angeles Times and WWD (very impressive) as well as stylist George Blodwell (who famously styled actress Helen Mirren at last year's Academy Awards). I was also excited to see my good friend Alison Nieder, the Executive Editor of The California Apparel News. There was also a gaggle of beautiful Russian women and some skinny LA hipster fashionistas for good measure (they were NOT eating!).Parting Shot: A Guest's FIERCE Louis Vuitton shoes (no , it wasn't John who was wearing these!)

For Fall 2009, Galina decided to design a darker moodier side of Single. She showed black and purple Russian folkloric printed blouses paired with black leather pants, violet and gold mini dresses as well as long printed bohemian-style dresses. It was Russian Boho Chic. And of course, there were a few sequined cocktail dresses in case you might be invited to the Kremlin for a swanky party. Click HERE for a slideshow of the Single Fall 2009 Fashion Show.

Nick Verreos attends Los Angeles Fashion Week at BoxEight

Gen Art Show: Fierce Hair: Michael M. Haase's hair artistry displayed at the Gen Art Show at Box Eight LA Fashion Week Fall 2009/10

Last week, I was invited by hair GURU, Michael M Haase to attend the Gen Art Fashion Show at the BoxEight LA Fashion Week event. I had hosted the GenArt Fresh Faces of Fashion event a couple of years ago with actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon. Michael called me and emailed me last minute to ask me if I wanted to go, and of course I said "yes"! I met Michael at an Oscars Gifting Suite (he gave me a fabulous haircut at Debbie Durkin's Main Event Red Carpet Lounge and Green Suite) and I was happy to attend and see his fabulous hair designs--and some LA "undiscovered" fashion...Morticia Couture: Grai designs at Gen Art Box Eight LA Fashion Week Fall 2009/10

As soon as I arrived at the Los Angeles Theater, home of the Box Eight shows this season, I ran into the handsome Slade Smiley of Bravo's Real Housewives of Orange County and his "date", the beautiful Gretchen Rossi, also from the show. As I got my seat for the Gen Art Show, I looked up, surveying the capacity-filled theater and saw LA denim "King", designer Henry Duarte, sipping drinks in the balcony (we weren't allowed to bring our drinks into the theater but he's special), as well as designer Jared Gold and stylist, author, model cohort, Clint Catalyst. In LA Fashion Week, you might not get the Anne Hathaway's or Jennifer Lopez' sitting in the front row--but it's still entertaining to see who is out in the audience; from fashion design students to reality show stars to drag queens to Urban Outfitters skinny hipster kids trying to work their best Fashion Week outfits. Welcome to Box Eight Fashion Week.

Gen Art: Grai-----------------------------------------------------------------------

LA Fashion Week Gets Dark: A look from Grai, Gen Art Show at Box Eight

First up was Grai. I loved the Rick Owens-like darkness and bias cut silk charmeuse fishtail gowns, coupled with draped jersey knit pieces and some FIERCE shoes! Grai Fall 2009/10 at Gen Art Box Eight LA Fashion Week. After a little bit of research (yes, kiddies, I actually do my homework!), I found out that Grai designer, Maya Groyev, actually worked with Rick Owens (no surprise) which reflected on her aesthetic, silhouettes, fabric choices and the dark "Gothic Girl" who-shops-at-Maxfield overall look.

Click Below for the Final Walk of the Grai Show:

Gen Art: Society For Rational Dressing---------------------------------------------
Society For Rational Dressing designs were moody but with some drapey Grecian Goddess intervals as well as creme hooded knits which made it for a good respite from all the black seen on the stage just before. As someone in the LA "fashion industry" scene for the last 13 years, I had heard of them and considered them pretty established as opposed to "up and coming" but heck, Lord knows, designers need a push any way they can get it and if Gen Art can facilitate this, well, you can fill in the rest of the sentence...I liked their collection and of course I gravitated towards the one shoulder gathered Empire-style cocktail dress.

Click Below for the Final Walk of the Society For Rational Dressing Show:

Gen Art: Raquel Allegra------------------------------------------------------------
Designer Raquel Allegra was the third and last designer to be showcased by Gen Art during this Fall 2009/10 LA Fashion Week. Here again, it was dark, drapey, we-are-in-Berlin designs, but with almost an Argentinian Gaucho edge. Raquel Allegra is known for gathering t-shirts from LA County Jail (yep, you read right), making them even more gritty, draping them into a more fashionsita-friendly shapes---and then selling them for $450 or more to high-end stores across the nation. I liked her collection and was drawn by the whole anti-LA dark look to it all (a general theme of this season's GenArt show I guess).
It all looked very Jeffrey Sebelia/Cosa Nostra to me and in a way, it was refreshing to see what LA designers were showing (since it really doesn't look like what people consider as typical Southern California style fashion). Possibly it's a reflection of the state of the dire world economy or maybe these designers aren't really trying to reach the I-go-to-Kitson-and hang-out-at-the--Ivy market, whatever it is, it was very un-LA. In a good way.

Click Below for the Final Walk of the Raquel Allegra Fashion Show

Skin.Graft-------------------------------------------------------------------------Romantic Goth: Skin.Graft Fall 2009/10 at Box Eight LA Fashion Week

A couple days later, my friends, wardrobe stylist Art Conn (of American Idol) and Johnny Lopez, invited me to the Skin.Graft Fashion Show, again at Box Eight. Art's friend and client, American Idol singer Carly Smithson, also joined us. She's worn Skin.Graft's designs on the show and therefore was in attendance for support. We also spotted comedienne Margaret Cho (also wearing Skin.Graft) looking very cute in a tight black mini. I really loved this show and these designs. Again, it was very dark but also had a romantic twist--Gothic-Romantic. Razor-sharp leathers cut into UBER fitted jackets--men's and women's--as well as ruffled almost Edwardian-like gowns and gown skirts perfectly suited for a 2009 remake of an apocalyptic 28 Days Later Robin Hood movie (I know , it's a mouthful, but just trust me on this). Deer Caught In The (Fashion) Headlights: Skin.Graft Fall 2009/10 at Box Eight
LA Fashion Week

There were a couple of distressed leather jackets that I would TOTALLY wear (if I had to go to Berlin and attend some very obscure Gallery Opening at 1 AM). The styling was fabulous, especially the feathered and horned hat designs. It was really one of the highlights of this season's LA Fashion Week--and the Box Eight Shows. I am glad to have been part of it.
Click Below for the Final Walk of the Skin.Graft Show:

Click HERE for a great review of the Gen Art show from Racked LA.
And click HERE for an great LA Weekly Style Council recap.