Style Week Orange County 2010-The Wrap Up: Nick Verreos Hosts 2nd Annual Ezekiel Needle and Thread Competition

Style Week OC 2010 Ends on a Sporty Note!

And the Winner Is: Nick Verreos with Julia Nish, the Winner of the 2nd Annual Neelde & thread Competition, Style Week OC 2010

Well kids, I am writing my last posting/recap of the AMAZING Style Week Orange County 2010! I started with the recap of the debut of our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection (of course), then I wrote about the very creative Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gowns Competition and now, it's all about the last evening of Style Week OC and the 2nd Annual Ezekiel and Active Ride Needle & Thread Competition, all of which occurred at the Irvine Spectrum.

Style Week Orange County 2010: Ezekiel Fashion Show

Seven designers, Nick Gaska, Grace Sori Hwang, Julia Nish, Alejandro Ortega, Natalia Romano, Clay Sadler and Adrienne Young--all graduates from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM-- competed in the Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gown Competition, and also for the prize money in the Needle & Thread Contest. Their task was to create a group of looks that would go well with the Ezekiel brand (active/surf sportswear for a hip teen-twenty-something customer) and the Active Ride (surf, skate, snowboard and everything in-between!) store.

Designs from Natalia Romano for the 2nd Annual Needle & Thread Competition, Style Week OC 2010

The Surf and Activewear business in Southern California is one of the hottest fashion markets in the country and this was a GREAT opportunity for these young designers to dive right in. (Pun intended!) They were given a certain amount of time, a budget and also had time to research the brand and even meet with its design team.

Winning Design: A look from Julia Nish's designs for the 2nd Needle & Thread Competition

The Winner would get the chance to have their winning designs included in the Ezekiel Spring 2011 Collection and then produced and sold! The winner was Julia Nish--who indecently ALSO won the Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gown Contest! (a double whammy for Ms. Nish!). The judges, who included myself, design director of Ezekiel womenswear and last year's winner, Adrian Manuel.

2009 Needle & Thread Design Contest Winner Adrian Manuel and Nick Verreos, Style Week OC 2010

We judged on whether or not it was in accordance to the Ezekiel brand, if it went well with the customer, did the clothes look like something the Ezekiel and Active Ride-shopping girl would like, wear and buy? All of that, plus, of course, was it cute? Julia obviously hit all the right notes.

Nick "Hearts" Active: Nick Verreos, Style Week OC Active Ride VIP After Party

Afterward, there was an Invitation-only Style Week OC After Party, at the Active Store in the Irvine Spectrum Center. There was VIP shopping (of course), a wine and Champagne Open Bar, and even an Active Ride Photo Booth.

OC Studs: Nick Verreos with the Active Ride Irvine Spectrum Center "crew" manning the "After Party VIP Guest List"

I got to film a fun "runway" segment with FIDM Productions, who were on hand to capture all the After Party fun. It was especially great to re-connect all my Active Ride "buddies" whom I had met last year when I hosted and judged the first "Needle & Thread Competition".

OC Step 'n Repeat: Nick Verreos, Rita Verreos and David Paul, Style Week OC 2010

My sister, mom, and even my precious niece (yes, the one I designed my Project Runway-winning Barbie for) were still in town and able to attend the second night of Style Week OC so of course, they came along for the "Style Week OC After Party" ride!

Uncle Nick: Nick Verreos with his niece, Casia Kennedy and sister Rita Verreos

They had a lot of fun and enjoyed all the fashion, as well as the gorgeous weather Orange County bestowed us! Here's to another fabulous and very fashionably successful Style Week Orange County!

Nick Verreos Hosts--and Judges--Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gowns at Style Week Orange County 2010

Driven To Couture!

Cadillac Runway: Nick Verreos interviews the "Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gowns" FIDM Designers, Style Week Orange County 2010 (photo courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

As you may know--if you are a faithful NickVerreos.com reader--I had the pleasure of showing my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection, along with my design partner David Paul, a couple of weekends ago at the Third Annual Style Week Orange County in Irvine Spectrum Center.

Well, of course, there were other fashion shows happening and one of them was the First Annual "Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gowns", a contest sponsored by Cadillac, where 7 designers--all graduates from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--were asked to create a "Red Carpet-worthy" gown, inspired by--and even using materials from--Cadillac cars. And then, they would be judged for the best one.

Purple Pant Bachelorette: Nick Verreos with ABC's "The Bachelor" couple, Kiptyn Locke and Tenley Molzahn

The judges included Reality Show Contestants Tenley Molzahn and Kiptyn Locke from ABC's "Bachelor Pad", Garry R. White from Tustin Cadillac (of course, there had to be an actual Cadillac automobile expert) and myself. The winner would win a $4000 prize!

Style Week OC Hosting: Nick Verreos on the Style Week Orange County runway stage (Photo Courtesy of by Evans Vestal Ward)

I was honored to have been asked to host this competition, especially since I am a graduate of FIDM as well as an Instructor there. In addition, several of the designers for this "Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gowns" contest were former students of mine. So yes, I was a "Proud Poppa". The Contestants/Designers were...

Silver Bird: Clay Sadler Cadillac Design (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

Clay Sadler, who created a gray and silver ensemble inspired by the Cadillac CTS Coupe, featuring a jeweled bodice, dramatically structured sleeve and very dramatic over-skirt. My favorite part of this ensemble were the Tail Light hat and wrap around orange cuff bracelet created from an actual Cadillac headlight. Very Lady Gaga at the VMA's.

Lipstick Red: Natalia Romano Cadillac Design (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

Natalia Romano, who graduated last year and debuted her first collection at FIDM Debut 2009, created a red taffeta satin princess-seamed fitted gown with diagonal "Cadillac-leaf"-motif gold chiffon and leather strap detail. She even created a custom clutch adorned with a golden Cadillac emblem. Imagine that in the Cadillac Catalog!

Seatbelt Pretty: Grace Sori Hwang Cadillac Design (left) (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

FIDM Designer Grace Sori Hwang decided to also go the red taffeta route for her Cadillac Red Carpet Gown. It was a Mermaid/Trumpet-style princess seamed ankle-length gown featuring actual Cadillac seat belts as "bow/ribbon" over-bust details. The back also had a big ol' bow as well.

Let Them Eat (Cadillac) Cake: Adrienne Young Cadillac Design (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

FIDM Advanced Costume Design-graduate Adrienne Young, was inspired by the big-and-bold Cadillac Escalade. And as you can see, also did a big-and-bold "Red Carpet" design. It was a high-low Marie Antoinette 18Th Century-esque gown featuring actual Cadillac seat belts as shoulder straps in the corset and a pointed mini hat featuring the Cadillac emblem. Her accessories were Auto-Couture: The earrings were actual keys and the necklace was made of car steel and washers. This was very Helena Bonham Carter meets Vivienne Westwood.

Silver Chic: Alejandro Ortega Cadillac Design (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

Alejandro Ortega's CTS-V Coupe-inspired design was silver-gray taffeta and had a very dramatic stiffened sleeve, princess-seamed fitted silhouette and sequined "Cadillac" emblem accents. Alejandro said that the gown was "made to walk" just like the Cadillac was "made to drive"!

Royal Blue Mermaid: Nick Gaska Cadillac Design (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

Orange County-native Nick Gaska, chose royal blue taffeta for his fitted Mermaid-style gown. As you can see from the photo, the Cadillac emblem was very prominently displayed as a waistband belt-buckle. Up close, the intricate seaming on this gown was fabulous!

But the Winner was (Drum Roll...):

Dark Goddess: Julia Nish Cadillac Design (Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward)

Julia Nish's black fitted Mermaid/Trumpet-style gown (a very popular silhouette!) which prominently showed the Cadillac steel "Wreath" emblem on the front as well as the back. The top was made of actual Cadillac interior charcoal mesh fabric and she also created petals and rosettes for the bustier--as well as a clutch purse--of the same fabric.

It was our favorite and definitely the best representation of a "Red Carpet" gown. It was elegant, not too over-the-top, but yet still creative--and featured the Cadillac logo very well. I think her creative use of that aforementioned car interior material was also well-received by the rest of the judges. Congratulations Julia!

Click BELOW for a video of the Cadillac Couture Red Carpet Gown Contest and Runway Show, Style Week Orange County 2010:

And Stay Tuned for my Next Posting on Style Week Orange County and the 2nd Ezekiel "Needle and Thread Competition" as well as Style Week OC 2010 Wrap-Up!!!

Miss Universes Brook Lee and Justine Pasek at NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Runway Show at Style Week Orange County...and more!!!

Crowning Couture...

Muses and Designers: Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2001, Nick Verreos, Rita Verreos, David Paul and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997, Style Week OC, NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Fashion Show

As promised...I have more photos from our fabulous debut NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Runway Show at Style Week Orange County. In the previous post, I highlighted photos from the collection. Now, it's all about my special guests and some "Backstage Photos" including close-ups of the Make-Up and Hair plus trying to capture the madness of it all....

Our Hawaiian Beauty: NIKOLAKI Designers David Paul and Nick Verroes share the runway stage with Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Silk Zibeline strapless cocktail dress

David Paul (my NIKOLAKI Co-Designer and partner-in-crime) and I were ECSTATIC when we found out that two of the most GORGEOUS women in the Universe were attending our show: Brook Lee Miss Universe 1997 (and the last Miss USA to get that crown kiddies!) and just-as-beautiful from Panama, Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002. Brook wore one of our NIKOLAKI silk Zibeline pleated cascade cocktail dresses just for the occasion.

Sister Love: David Paul and Nick Verreos pose with Rita Verreos--in NIKOLAKI black & white printed plunging neckline dress, Style Week Orange County NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Runway Show

My mother is originally from Panama so she was SO excited to meet the gorgeous Justine Pasek. I was more than happy to see them--as well as my mom, and my sister, Rita Verreos and my niece Casia, who all flew from San Antonio Texas just for our show! Also, it was great to see David's entire family who drive up from San Diego just for the show. Speaking of beauty queens, my sister was a former Miss Venezuela 1988 Contestant and a contestant on Survivor: Fiji. Yep, she can eat bugs AND can do that "pageant pose"...

Backstage DISH:

Our exciting NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Fashion Show, as you may know, took place at the Irvine Spectrum Center, with the gorgeous Ferris Wheel as a backdrop (above). And like with every fashion show, the real exciting stuff is all backstage!

Model Holly Ridings showing the make-up for NIKOLAKI Spring 2011

We asked the Make-Up Artists to give DRAMA: Strong eyes, light pink lips; very Robert Palmer Girls thank you very much. After seen some of our models, I even went back to the make-up artists and asked for MORE!!!

We wanted the hair to be slicked-back, side-parted chignons: The best hairstyle to show off our gowns and sexy cocktail dresses. Again, one of my favorite models, Holly Ridings (above) shows off that perfect chignon. Even with all the craziness backstage, I somehow got some of our fabulous models to stop, pose and take a photo! I made sure their dresses were ON, before I captured these photos:

Backstage Divas: Models Lauren Gish and Carla Salomao in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011, Style Week Orange County

Hands On The Hips: Model Mercedes Cornet strikes a pose in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011, Style Week Orange County

Triple NIKOLAKI Threat: Models Eugena Washington, Saleisha Stowers and Lauren Gish, backstage, in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011, Style Week Orange County

I made sure the zippers were zipped, the hang-tape was hidden and that the dresses were on correctly. Thank Goodness David was back there with me. Without him and his fastidious Eagle-Eye, some of our gowns would have been on backwards (dressers can only do so much, bless their hearts!)

Zip It Up: David Paul zips up model Zdenka, backstage NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Fashion Show, Style Week Orange County

It all turned out great and we were very happy with the results. And the models loved our gowns and dresses and felt like FABULOUS Goddesses in them. Right Before they went out onto the runway, I gave them one advice: Be Beautiful!!! OK , I told them more...

Le Mariage: NIKOLAKI Designers David Paul and Nick Verreos pose with their final look, Sarah Deanna in the final NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Wedding Gown

I also said: "You Are Gorgeous!", "Work It!", and "Go out there and make EVERY woman jealous and EVERY man want you!". Yep, that's about it. They smiled and went on their runway merry way....

Click Below for a quick video of the beginning of our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Runway Show:

Nick Verreos Does Good Day LA Fox 11 Morning Show--from the Irvine Spectrum: Style Week Orange County Begins!!!

Good Morning LA...from Irvine!!!!

Models strut fashions at Style Week Orange County Runway stage--including a gown from our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection (in the middle)-for Good Day LA Fox 11 Morning Show Live Segment

As you know, the Third Annual Style Week Orange County began last night at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The first year, Lauren Conrad--of MTV's "The Hills" showed her Collection (very apropos since she is from Laguna Beach after all!), and last year, I was invited to host--as well as judge the Ezekiel Needle & Thread Competition. This year, Ezekiel and the Needle & Thread Competition are back as well as a fabulous Project Runway-esque "Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gowns" Contest, where Fashion Design Graduates from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM designed seven gowns inspired by the sleek Cadillac automobiles. In addition, I had the privilege--along with my co-Designer David Paul, to debut our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection at 7PM last night kicking off Style Week OC!

Welcome To Style Week Orange County: Nick Verreos stands at the foot of the Runway

The show was AMAZING!!! I will definitely have a FULL RECAP with photos soon! But first:
Early this past week, I drove down to the Irvine Spectrum to shoot a LIVE Segment for Good Day LA Morning TV Show--one of the most popular shows in Southern California (I just LOVE me some Steve, Jillian and Dorothy!). The night before the morning TV appearance, the clients set both David and I up overnight at...

The Coliseum Pool at the Pelican Hill Resort

The INCREDIBLE Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast/Newport Beach so we wouldn't be late to the taping. It's LIVE kiddies so they couldn't take any chances! Last year, we stayed at this gorgeous Resort and were blown away by the surroundings (very Mediterranean-style Villa in Italy!) and all the VIP treatment. Speaking of VIP, take a look at what was waiting in our room once we arrived:

A delicious plate of bread, cheeses, salami, fresh berry jams, red wine...now, THAT'S a Welcome! I never get that when I stay at the Marriott or Hilton Garden Inn's!

Check out the little cart that took us to our appointed Bungalow! Thank Goodness, it's hiding the FIVE Garment Bags we brought with us JUST for a one-night stay (well, you can actually see one Louis Vuitton garment bag hanging on for dear life!)

Hello Good Day LA: Nick Verreos, Phil Shuman and Stacie Elis, Irvine Spectrum Center

The live Good Day LA Segment went without a hitch! Dapper reporter Phil Shuman was on hand moderating it all and the very stylish Stacie Ellis (love that faux-fur vest Stacie!) of Irvine Company joined me to describe all the goings-on for this weekend's Style Week Orange County

Behind The Scenes: Good Day LA filming at the Irvine Spectrum Center

We showed fashions from the Ezekiel Collection, Macy's (a cute Corey Lynn Calter printed dress), a burgundy Leon Max dress and of course, a strapless silk chiffon gown from our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection, modeled by the beautiful Anna Maria, originally from Sweden.

Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI at the Irvine Spectrum Center, site of Style Week Orange County

With a quick five-minute segment and mini-fashion show "Sneak Peak", we were done and as they say in the Industry: It's a Wrap! David and I packed our FIVE bags, checked out and headed back to our Los Angeles NIKOLAKI Studio to finish our collection. Oh, and yes, we forgot to Tivo it so no video--maybe GoodDayLA.com might put one up--who knows!

3rd Annual Style Week Orange County begins THIS FRIDAY NIGHT: NIKOLAKI Fashion Show, Cadillac Couture plus Lots More!!!

Fashion Week in the OC!!!

NIKOLAKI Designers Nick Verreos and David Paul, taking their bow at Islands of The World Fashion Week, Bahamas

Well kiddies, we are less than a week away from debuting our Tenth Anniversary NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection at Style Week Orange County! We finished our Model fittings today (they went well!), went accessory shopping, got a FABULOUS Shoe Sponsor--Michael Antonio--and now, we just have LOTS of alterations, minor fixings, and still some looks our "Petite Mains" seamstresses are busy working on--- But trust me--David and I will be ready! Our show--in case you have been living under a (fashion) rock, is this Friday, October 1st, at 7PM. Style Week OC is Open To The Public (which is just FAB!!!) so if you can make it to the OC on Friday night and want to see some fashion--head to the Irvine Spectrum darlings--No RSVP necessary!

Here's a "Sneak Peak": An Aqua Blue Silk Zibeline Gown with hand-beaded neckline--just perfect for getting that Martini at the Sao Paulo Brazil Country Club or a fancy Gala at the Pelican Hill Resort!

In addition to my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Runway Show--I am so excited to be emcee'ing the Cadillac Couture: Red Carpet Gown Fashion Show, right afterward (as well as Saturday night, Oct 2nd). Alumni from the Fashion Instute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM (where I am an Instructor, of course!) will show glamorous designs inspired by the car company's iconic design philosophy. Here are the fashion illustrations from the FIDM designers themselves:

Nick Gaska

Alejandro Ortega

Clay Sadler

Adrienne Young

Also, I will again host and judge the Ezekiel Needle & Thread Competition on Saturday night, October 2nd:

I hosted--and judged-- last year's Needle & Thread Competition at the 2nd Annual Style Week Orange County and I am back at it again! Last year, the Winner was FIDM Debut Graduate Adrian Manuel and since I was one of his Instructor's and Mentor in the Advanced Fashion Design Program, I was so proud of him!

And (Last Year's) Winner Is: Nick Verreos Announces Needle & Thread Competition Winner 2009, Adrian Manuel (left)

This year, there will be seven collection with 35 looks total--all from FIDM designers---and the winner will have their winning design featured in Ezekiel's Spring 2011 Collection! Very Project Runway-esque!
*Click HERE for the entire schedule!

*Also, HERE is my latest column for the Orange County Register's Style Binge Blog, which talks more about all the events happening this weekend at the Irvine Spectrum to celebrate Style Week OC!

See you at Style Week Orange County...and bring your Best Fashion Look because I may be giving "Nick Red Carpet" Mental Gold Stars!!!!