San Francisco FIDM Open House 2010: Nick Verreos makes an Appearance!

San Francisco FIDM Lovin'

Turquoise in SF: Nick Verreos poses with FIDM SF Open House attendees

This last weekend, I had the pleasure of flying to San Francisco to make another one of my "Special Appearances" at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's San Francisco Campus. It was "Open House" time there, when anyone (high school students or post grads) interested in pursuing a career in fashion design , graphic design apparel manufacturing or any of FIDM's other 20 majors, can come, visit the school, meet advisers as well as former Alumn, such as myself to give them advice and inspiration.

SF Buddies: Nick Verreos, Didi Simon, Carlo Parenti

I just can't get enough of SF! It seems like I am there every other weekend--whether it's hosting a Macy's Special Event, or for FIDM. After arriving and checking in to my Hotel Monaco San Francisco room, I met up with my San Francisco buddies, Didi Simon, Carlo Parenti and Jason Fioresi for dinner at Lime Restaurant. We had an amazing dinner full of delicious food, dishing the dirt and fashionista talking!

Ready. Set. WORK! Nick Verreos poses with Storm Miguel Florez, Annalise Ophelian, Nat Josef and Sarah Deragon, Lime Restaurant San Francisco

At Lime, I met an entire table of Project Runway fans (above photo)--OK, they were fans of Nick (did I just type in Third Person?). Of course we took lots of photos!

Nick Verreos and Trudy Noren--in Verrieres & Sako white jacket (FIDM SF Alumni!)

The following day was the FIDM San Francisco Open House and I was ready! The ever-so-fabulous Trudy Noren, the FIDM San Francisco Events DIVA, met me as I reached the 5Th Floor to give my "This is how I got started in Fashion" hour-long lecture.

The place was PACKED (standing room for those late-comers kiddies!) and I think EVERYONE really enjoyed my lecture, visit and well, just being there!

SF Open House Meet-and-Greet: Nick Verreos and FIDM Open House attendees

Afterward, I spent over an hour signing and posing with all the attendees--high school students, post-graduates, as well as Mom's and Dad's (yeah, they LIKE me too!).

For some reason, there were SEVERAL Levi's employees in the FIDM SF Open House and they all were LOVING my Levi's Super Skinny 510's! And wanted photos of them! (see above) I had a blast at the San Francisco FIDM Open House and cannot wait to return. There were SO MANY attendees who told me how much my story was so similar to theirs and how inspired they were. I was truly moved. Seriously! Clutching my Pearls moment!

Beard Boys: Sui Generis Owners Gabriel and Miguel, with Nick Verreos, Sui Generis Consignment Store, San Francisco

I had to catch my early evening flight back to Los Angeles but of course, I wanted to get some shopping in before leaving: So I had my friend Didi take me to my favorite San Francisco boutique, Sui Generis, a Menswear "Haute Vintage" Consignment store. And yes, darlings, I found some deals--in fifteen minutes!!! A couple of Etro and Pucci scarves and a Martin Margiela jacket later, I was dropped off at SFO ready to make my flight back to LA-LA Land.

Bye San Francisco and see you soon FIDM SF!!

Nick Verreos Attends FIDM SF Open House...and Does Retail Damage!!

Bay Area FashionistaFashion Banner: FIDM San Francisco Campus

Last weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a "surprise" visit to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM SF Campus, as part of their annual Open House. The Open House is when High School juniors and seniors (and their parents) get to know FIDM, tour the campus, meet the staff, see student work, and learn more about all of its 18 majors. Window Couture: FIDM SF Graduate Colleen Quen's Design on display

It's also a way to "introduce" newly accepted students to the campus. As an FIDM Instructor and Spokesperson, I love reaching out to the students, telling them about my experience, and how to get the most out of FIDM and what it has to offer.Birthday by the Bay: Celebrating my friend, Didi Simon's (left) Birthday at Lime Restaurant

My quick in-and-out, overnight visit began with meeting up with my SF friends who I grew up with while I spent my "younger years" living in the Bay Area. It was my friend, Didi's Birthday. I decided to take her out and celebrate at one of my favorite SF restaurants, Lime. I also got to do some last minute "retail damage" at what is now MY FAVORITE Men's Store in California, Sui Generis, a Consignment Men's Designer Vintage Store. We passed by it on the way to the restaurant and my SF friends said "Oh, you would LOVE this store..." Well, I don't waste time kiddies, so I went right in! Its buyers have an amazing editorial eye because everything was FAB! After meeting my "Bearded Brother", co-owner Miguel Lopez, in less than ten minutes I had found a pair of Hermes shoes, several Hermes ties, Gucci loafers and a DSquared shirt that I wanted to buy! And all at about 60-70% off their original retail prices. BTW: I didn't get everything, I had to "edit" my purchases.

But now, it was time for the FIDM SF Open House:Nick and The Ladies: Nick Verreos poses with the FIDM SF "Divas in Black"

The San Francisco campus is conveniently located in SF's Union Square, near all of it's fabulous shops, such as Barneys NY, Macy's, and H & M as well as the great Westfield Shopping Plaza. They just got a new banner so now it is very recognizable to all the shoppers, business people (and potential students!) in the very busy Union Square Area. Mother-Daughter Chic: Trudy Noren, FIDM SF Director of Special Events and College Rep, with her beautiful daughter Lindsay

I also LOVE seeing two of my favorite FIDM Divas, the always stylish Barbara Cupper, Director of the FIDM SF Campus, and equally chic Trudy Noren, College Rep and Director of Special events, SF FIDM. They are my Fairy Godmothers in the City by the Bay. I was excited to see the campus' recently redone Library/Media Center which I had not seen since my last visit. On display were some gorgeous pieces from their Archival Museum Collection, including this dusty rose colored Chanel Couture Suit from the early 1960s: It was in INCREDIBLE condition and they let me touch it (OMG!). There are so many secrets to a Chanel Couture Suit that I would have been there for HOURS inspecting it--For Example: The lining had about 50 fish-eye darts and seams combined, all sewn INTO the boucle tweed outer jacket! During this visit, I got to meet a lot of the incoming students, pose for photos with them and sign a lot of their cool FIDM totebags (I even sketched an original "Nick Verreos Croquis" on one or two...or three...or fifty!)
It's always fun to do these Meet-and-Greet Open Houses, and as always, I look forward to returning to say "Hi" to my San Francisco FIDM "family"--and to do some "secret" shopping!!!