Nick Verreos to host Macy's Fashion Director Event in PUERTO RICO this Thursday!!

OMG!!! I'm going to Puerto Rico!!!!!!
Yes, Chicos and Chicas, I am coming to San Juan Puerto Rico! Last week, I hosted the Macy's Fashion's Night Out event in Aventura near Miami (it was fabulous BTW, and I will have a recap of the entire event soon!). I returned to LA, worked on my upcoming NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection for four days and now I am off to Puerto Rico! I will be hosting a Macy's Fashion Director Event and Fashion Show at the Macy's Plaza La Americas on Thursday September 16Th (This Thursday!!), starting at 6 PM. I'll also be doing various Morning Talk Shows in local Puerto Rican TV so watch out for me!

A View of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

I am SOOOO excited to be coming back to La Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment for the Gringos). The last time I was in Puerto Rico was back when I was at UCLA during Spring Break (long story!). I loved it then and I'm sure I'll love it now. Besides it's glorious beaches, fun people, and delicious cuisine, it's also known for...

Miss Universe 2006 Zuleika Rivera, from Puerto Rico

having some of the Most Beautiful Women in the World! Maybe one of those Miss Universes from Puerto Rico might show up (if they do I might have an Ataque Cardiaco, or Cardiac Arrest). See you in Puerto Rico!

Here are the Details:
What: Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Fashion Director Event
Where: Macy's Plaza Las Americas, San Juan Puerto Rico
When: 6PM
RSVP: Just show up!

Nick Verreos Heats Up Tampa Florida at the Macy's Fashion Director/Fashion Challenge Event!

Hot and Fashionable...in Tampa!
Tampa's Next Top Macy's Model: Nick Verreos flanked by his Tampa Models, Macy's Fashion Director Event

I arrived last Friday night into Tampa Florida, settled into my Sheraton Suites Hotel (SOOOOOO big for just one person!) and got a good night's rest for my Saturday Macy's Fashion Director Event the next day. Yes, kiddies, Monsieur Nick is back on the "Macy's Tour" spreading the "word" of FASHION!!! One US city at a time! Palm Trees and Sun: The Tampa Sheraton Suites

The weather in Tampa was absolutely GORGEOUS!!! In my fitted jacket, pressed shirt and YSL boots, I felt a little over-dressed as I waited for my cab ride to my event, amongst the flip-flop, short-and-t-shirt wearing Spring Breakers mingling in the hotel's lobby!Pre-Show Pose-Off: Nick Verreos Backstage with his Tampa Macy's Models

Soon after I arrived at the Macy's in the Westshore Shopping Center, I immediately went ahead and got on the store's intercom system and told EVERY Macy's shopper to "Come see me!"--and they did: EVERY seat was filled! I peeked through the black drapes behind the stage and the entire place was packed--with over 200 shoppers (and a a couple "Nick fans" thank you very much!). I said "Hello" to my beautiful Tampa Models and we did a brief "Madonna Concert Tour Prayer" (Not!) and it was ON!!!You're A Star: Model shows her newly-styled outfit, Macy's Fashion Director/Fashion Challenge Event, Tampa

The Macy's Fashion Director Events have been all about getting the shoppers and audience involved in fun Fashion Challenges: I chose members from the audience, either randomly or by "who can show me their Macy's Credit Card first!". I then gave them a "Theme" , and they then had 2 minutes to pick clothing pre-selected on a rack to style their respective models. The audience then pick the winner of each challenge. Our First Boy Contestant: Nick Verreos picks the first male contestant to take the Macy's Fashion Challenge

In Tampa, the fun themes were: How To Dress For A Beyonce Concert (a popular one this season!); How To Dress To Meet Your Ex. The two winners of these then competed for one final Challenge: How To Dress To Meet The In Laws. The Grand Winner then won a Macy's Gift Card for $100!!! The remaining runner-ups won $25 Macy's Gift Cards as well. Tampa Grand Prize Winner: Nick Verreos poses with winning audience member and her model

I had THE BEST TIME with my Tampa audience; they were SO EXCITED and so "pumped" with wanting to participate and get into the Macy's Fashion Director vibe. I couldn't believe how many people showed up--especially since it was 85 degrees and really way too gorgeous to be inside a mall! Florida Fashion Mentor: Nick Verreos poses with students from IADT Tampa

But there they were. One audience member even came with a resume and DVD portfolio for me to take a look at! I was really excited to see a whole group of fashion students (about 10!) from the Tampa International Academy of Design and Technology/IADT. They invited me to lunch afterward (so sweet!) but I couldn't because I had to catch my flight back to LA. Hope they can take a rain-check! Thanks for the great afternoon Tampa! Nick "HEARTS" You!

Nick Verreos brings Macy's Fashion Director to Tampa Florida this Saturday, April 3rd!!

Macy's Westshore Plaza presents a LIVE Fashion Challenge hosted by ME!!!!!
I will be coming to Tampa Florida and bringing the Macy's Fashion Director Online Competition to LIFE...on a stage and a mini-runway! I will select shoppers to style models with Macy's clothing and accessories showing the top trends for Spring 2010 and possibly have a chance to win a $100 Macy's Gift Card!Now, Tampa is the HEADQUARTERS for the Home Shopping Network/HSN so y'all need to BRING IT ON!!!! If anyone knows style and shopping, it should be Tampa Florida!
I'll be expecting FABUUUUUUULOUSNESS!!! I'm bringing my camera to document it ALL and put it in a future posting right HERE. In other words, you better be looking cute!

Where: Macy's Westshore Plaza Tampa, Florida
When: Saturday April 3rd, 2 PM

Nick Verreos and Macy's: Sacramento California!!!

Double Breasted in "Old Town" Sacramento!!!The Capitol Building in Sacramento California

This last weekend--after Houston and Orlando--I flew to Sacramento, California. No, not to re-style "The Governator", Arnold Schwarzenegger, but to continue my Macy's "Tour" where I host fabulous fashion events at local Macy's promoting their Fashion Director site, and get the shoppers involved by allowing them to take the Macy's Fashion Challenge and put together Spring 2010 looks for "special challenges" and have everyone vote on the Best Look. Nick and His Girls: Nick Verreos with the SF Ford Models, Macy's Sacramento

As I exited the Sacramento International Airport , the weather was GORGEOUS so I was ready to have a stunning event! After getting picked up by the one-and-only Johnny of Johnny's Towncar of Sacramento, we drove straight to my Macy's Sacramento location in the Westfield Downtown Plaza Shopping Center. I made sure to dress very Political Business with a dash of Thurston Howell III (from Gilligan's Island) since after all, I was in the State Capital!Sacramento Peaches: Nick Verreos poses with the Georgia Dance and Cheerleading Team

Once there, I got right to business and proceeded to get on the intercom system and began announcing my event: "Hi Macy's Shoppers...It's Nick Verreos, Designer, Project Runway alumn and red carpet fashion expert...come to my Macy's Fashion Director event...and win a Macy's Gift Card!". I also walked outside and into the Mall and passed out invites, telling shoppers to stop by and take the Macy's Fashion Challenge. Bring It On: The Georgia Dance and Cheerleading Team bust a move

At one point, I met the entire Georgia Dance and Cheerleading Team! They wanted to take photos so in return, I asked them to show me their best move. And they did it, right there IN THE MALL! Audience Snapshot: Nick Verreos Macy's Sacramento Event

I guess all my shenanigans did the trick, because there were over 200 people waiting for me as I made my way onto the stage--including the entire Georgia Dance and Cheerleading Team!You Got The Job: Model showing off the "Interview" look styled by one of the Sacramento audience members, Macy's Sacramento

For Sacramento, there were Three Challenges: 1) Put Together Your Best Interview Ensemble; 2) Style An Outfit to Meet Martha Stewart; and 3) Style an Outfit for a Beyonce Concert. I chose the contestants by pulling names from a hat, and they each had 2 minutes to style their models, provided by the San Francisco division of the esteemed Ford Modeling Agency. Yes, I only travel with THE BEST kiddies! Posin': Stylist Liz Baca and Nick Verreos, Macy's Sacramento

The clothes and accessories were hand-picked by the fabulous Liz Baca, my Macy's Sacramento Stylist and fab Vintage Clothing "Treasure Hunter". She was great in making things easy for me and for the contestants and did a great job to convey the Spring 2010 Macy's Trends. She also happens to be an FIDM San Francisco Graduate of the Merch/Marketing Dept ('98).All The Single Ladies: The Winning "Beyonce Concert" outfit

After the three challenges concluded, it was up to the audience to chose the Overall Winning Look and its winning "Fashion Director". The winner was from the "What Would You Wear To a Beyonce Concert" Challenge. As a result, the winning contestant won a $250 Macy's Gift Card!!! I was told later that she was also the first person to arrive before my event began! Well, you know she was the FIRST PERSON I wanted to take a photo with (see above). Love her! Congratulations to her and her great "fashion eye".
After the event was finished, lots of fans and shoppers alike were waiting for autographs and to take more photos. I was so excited to see one particular one, who had purchased my Project Runway My Scene Barbie on Ebay, bought it, and brought it for me to sign!
Once done with my event, I had several hours before I would catch my flight back to Southern California and my trusty driver Johnny decided to take me into Old Town Sacramento where I enjoyed a nice late lunch, people watched and walked the streets in search for the perfect "Governator" t-shirt. Needless to say, I didn't find one that would go with my Double-Breasted jacket! Maybe next time.

Nick Verreos Visits Orlando Florida and takes over the Macy's at the Millenia Mall!!!

Magic Macy's Kingdom!!!Next on my "Macy's Tour" was Orlando Florida!! I was excited to return to Orlando, since the last time I visited was during my "Prom Dress Tour" a couple of years back when I did a one-time-only line of "Nick Verreos Prom Dresses" for Windsor Fashions and I was making in-store appearances. This time, though , it was all for Macy's! As you know, I am traveling around the country hosting the Macy's Fashion Director events where we have in-store runway shows and get the shoppers and audience involved by letting them take the "Fashion Challenge", put together looks and have a chance to win Macy's Gift Cards to go shopping!
I arrived into my Downtown Orlando Marriott the day before, checked in and got myself acquainted with the hotel's "Sports Bar". Yes, I felt like George Clooney in "Up In The Air"--it was me, in my skinny jeans and vintage LeTigre royal blue polo shirt and TWENTY business men in PLEATED DOCKERS (ouch!) and pressed shirts, drinking beer, talking about the basketball game on the TV screens, while I was trying to look over my next day's hosting notes over my Turkey Club Sandwich. Good times.Orlando Vice: Nick Verreos poses with his Orlando models, Macy's Mall at Millenia, pre-"Make-Overs"

The following day, I headed to the Macy's at the Millenia Mall. I decided that since we were in Florida, I would give a Don Johnson/Miami Vice look with my crisp white jacket, bright blue pants and pink striped shirt. I know, I could just hear Tim Gunn saying now: "That's a LOT of look Uncle Nicky!". I met up with my trusty Macy's Special Events Florida team of Janelle and Rich who were ready and waiting for the show to begin.
Pick Me: The scene at the Macy's Orlando Fashion Director event

The place was packed as I got to meet "my" Models backstage, from the Lisa Maile Image, Modeling and Acting School ,hand-picked by its President, Debbie Tapia. They were ready in their white tees and jeans to get "made over".Model Make-Over: Nick Verreos and his Orlando models after getting a "Fashion Director" Make-Over

There were 3 fun Challenges: What You Wear to a Beyonce Concert?; What Would You Wear to Have Coffee with Your Ex?; and Show Me Your Best Outfit To Meet The In-laws. I pulled two audience members per challenge and the winner of each was voted on by everyone else based upon how loud they were hootin' and hollerin', Orlando style!Dress For a Beyonce Concert: Nick Verreos announces the winner

At one point, when I was deciding on who next to pull (for the "Meet Your Ex Outfit") a woman kept pointing to her daughter and proceeded to explain (teary eyed) how she (the daughter) had just been dumped by her boyfriend (in a crummy way) and so she would be perfect to take this "Fashion Challenge". Well, of course, I picked her! Lo and behold, her daughter WON THE CHALLENGE and a $100 Macy's Gift Card to get new clothes! (photo above) After the event was over, I was happy to pose for photos and sign autographs with everyone. Fashion Instructor: Nick Verreos is flanked with a group of fashion students from IADT Orlando

I was happy to see a very hip-looking group of kids who all wanted photos and were VERY EXCITED to meet me. They all came from IADT/International Academy of Design and Technology Orlando and had been told about me being there and they all showed up to get "A little bit of Nick". Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN!!!!
The evening ended as my clients--the Macy's Special Events DIVAS, Janelle and Rich--took me out to dinner and drinks. It had been a long day and we were A.)Parched and B.) Starving! We ventured into Downtown Orlando--away from the Spring Break tourist madness--and had a fabulous steak dinner at Kres, a restaurant referred to us by our hotel. It was a perfect ending to another great Macy's Fashion Director/Take The Fashion Challenge event.
Next up: Sacramento California!!!