Nick Verreos Hosts Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010 Bahamas Day 2: In Search of The Next Oscar, Indashio, Oliver Tolentino!!

Welcome To The Bahamas Club!

Turquoise Hosting: Nick Verreos poses at Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010 Red Carpet

Darlings: We're now onto Night Two--or "Runway 2"--of The Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010. This was the night I was to host the "In Search of The Next Oscar" Fashion Design Competition. After the previous evening's great start, with the NextGen Designers and Eco-Fashion Designs Presentations, I didn't know how IOTFW would be able to "bring it", but they sure did! They OUTDID themselves!!!

My day began, as I pulled the curtains in my hotel room and witnessed one of the two BIGGEST Cruise Ships known to man: The Royal Caribbean Allure of The Seas. The one with Central Park in the middle (along with REAL birds in it!), a skating rink and like 25 floors! Yep, THAT ONE! (see above photo). It was just arriving into Nassau as I was trying to make my morning coffee! They need to have a fabulous Project Runway-esque show up in there--and hire me to host it! Just sayin'...

Well, now onto the Second fashiontastic night of Islands of The World Fashion Week:

Caribbean Cocktail Hour: Tomas Frenes, Nick Verreos, Beverly Taylor, Oliver Tolentino, Owen Bethel and Louis Sarmiento, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

The night began with a VIP Cocktail Hour where attending fashion designers, editors, and fashionistas alike got to mingle and discuss the wonderful Bahamian weather, hospitality, and yes, the fabulous fashion! I opened the night's festivities with my "DIVA" (I have to put it in quotes thank you very much!) runway walk "blessing" and then we were off, starting with the "In Search of The Next Oscar" Design Presentation.

Violet Sequins: A Design by Georgina Esther Dominican Republic, Finalist "In Search of the Next Oscar" Design Competition

This Contest was created to find the next great Island Designer and was coined after Dominican Republic-born Oscar de la Renta. The Finalists were Georgina Esther from the Dominican Republic, who showed cocktail and evening wear, and Raynelis Howell from the Turks & Caicos, who showed sportswear separates as well as cocktail ensembles:

Models showing the designs of Raynelis Howell, Finalist "In Search of The Next Oscar" Design Competition

Both had their own unique point of view and the judges--Simon Collins Dean of Fashion Parsons The New School of Design, Louis Sarmiento, Senior Director for IMG Fashion, and Fashion Designer Jay McCarroll, had their work cut out for them (Thank goodness I was just hosting!).

Nina Michael Heidi...What Do You Think: Nick Verreos hosts "In Search of The Next Oscar" Design Competition Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

I brought both Georgina and Raynelis out--with their model muses--for a Q&A session--a la Project Runway--with the judges, which turned out to be a big hit with the audience--maybe not so much with the finalists who were a bit , shall we say, nervous. The announcement of the Winner would actually happen on Day Three so stay tuned...

Red Bull Barbie: Indashio takes his Finale Walk, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

Another highlight of the evening were the Runway Shows of Guest Designers Indashio and Oliver Tolentino. Indashio--whom you might remember winning VH1 Glam God Reality TV Show, is a stylist/designer out of NYC. Miss THANG pushes buttons. And huney, he sure did in The Bahamas. For his final walk, he danced his way--holding a Red Bull--in full DRAG bubblegum pink feathered dress, wig and make-up! The Crowd went CRAZY!

Strike A Pose: A look from Indashio modeled by Miss Bahamas 2010 (and Top 20 Finalist at Miss World 2010) Braneka Bassett, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010 (photo courtesy of Adrian Richards)

As for his collection, it was very colorful, Club-Kid cool, and just the right side of H&M-meets-TopShop; lots of sexy neon-colored mini dresses, printed one-shoulder Resort-wear for that stylish girl arriving on to the Bahamas via the Royal Caribbean Allure of The Seas.

Six-Pack Sailor: A look from Indashio, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

And he didn't forget the boys: They were either wearing a THONG swimsuit or sexy low-slung colorful pants. Next up was Philippine-born Los Angeles-based fashion designer Oliver Tolentino. He was the complete opposite of Indashio--in terms of his Ladies-Who-Lunch...and Black-tie Gala Collection.

Fashion Designer Oliver Tolentino and his Muse, model Tutay Maristela, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

Oliver has dressed former Philippines First Lady Imelda Marcos, and was also a Finalist in the Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress Competition at this year's Academy Awards. His Collection was elegant, showed lots of intricate draping, bows and ties, and used fabrications such as pineapple and abaca fibers.

He even flew in his muse, Filipina model Tutay Maristela, who STOMPED the runway OVERTIME in his gowns. Take a look at that pose above which she did at the end of the runway: WOOOORK!!!!!!

Matchy-Matchy: Host Nick Verreos and model Tutay Maristela (wearing Oliver Tolentino) at Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

It was a wonderful ending to a fantastic second night at the Islands of The World Fashion Week here in The Bahamas.
Stay Tuned for "Runway 3" or Day Three---darlings, there's even more from my fun time in The Bahamas to come!

Click below for the Finale of Indashio's Show:

Click below to watch me host "In Search Of The Next Oscar" Design Competition:

Nick Verreos and Islands Of The World Fashion Week 2010--Arrival and the Bahamas Screening of Jay McCarroll's "Eleven Minutes"!

The Bahamas...Here I Come!!!!

Uncle Nick and Mommy Peach: Nick Verreos with Project Runway Season 8 Designer Peach Carr and Daughter Molly at LAX

Last week, I flew to the Caribbean island nation of The Bahamas to host The Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010. Two years ago, I had the pleasure of actually debuting my Spring 2009 Collection at the Islands of The World Fashion Week...but this time, I was invited back to host. Less steaming...less model fitting...less alterations...less stress!! And more hosting fun time. My trip began at LAX with a BANG...as I made my way to my gate, my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul (who of course came with me), yelled "Is that Peach?" Yep, wouldn't you just know that Peach Carr, Project Runway Season 8 Designer was in the same terminal waiting to catch a flight back to Chicago (she had flown to LA to attend an event) with her daughter! Well, I thought this was a fabulous start to my Bahamas Islands of The World Fashion Week Adventure!

Flossy-Flossy Limo: Nick Verreos and Mr. Brooks, the "Ultimate VIP Driver" in The Bahamas, Nassau Airport

After about 8 hours of flying and a Miami-to-Nassau connection, David and I finally arrived in The Bahamas, where our unofficial "Mr. Bahamas", the dashing Mr. Brooks, our driver awaited us with a LONG white limousine and a big smile! We had the pleasure of originally meeting Mr. Brooks two years ago when I showed my collection in The Bahamas and we were more than ecstatic to re-unite with him...and his LONG WHITE LIMOUSINE!!!

Crusing: Cruise Ships parked outside our British Colonial Hilton Pool and Private Beach

After checking in to the British Colonial Hilton, site of the 2010 Islands of The World Fashion Week, and getting some much needed rest, we ventured into the gorgeous Caribbean sun-drenched pool area of the hotel, only to be greeted by THREE of the biggest Cruise ships parked (literally) outside!!! These Cruise Ships weren't stuck off the coast of Mexico waiting to be rescued!

Dip In The Pool: View of the pool and private beach from our hotel room, The British Colonial Hilton Nassau Bahamas

On this first evening, we were invited to an exclusive Bahamas screening of Project Runway Season One Winner Jay McCarroll's Documentary "Eleven Minutes". Jay, in fact, was one of the starring "Guest Celeb Designers" showing at this year's Island of The World Fashion Week and so it was only natural that the documentary that followed his first official Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week Runway Show several years back, would "kick off" this week's events.

White Pant Screening: Nick Verreos at the "Eleven Minutes" Screening, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010

Over 100 VIP guests were invited to the screening-- including editors, designers and yes, myself.

I had seen "Eleven Minutes" back at the official OUTFEST Hollywood Screening a couple of years ago along with my Season 2 Alumn Raymundo Baltazar and Season One Finalist Kara Saun (above photo), yet I was excited to see the film again. After the film, Jay (who had just arrived from Pennsylvania) held a Post-Screening Q & A. He had not even unpacked and in fact was driven straight from airport to the movie theater so I'm sure all he wanted was a post-flight cocktail. Yet, he was gracious enough to answer all the questions.

Caribbean Queens: Jay McCarroll and Nick Verreos, "Eleven Minutes" Screening, The Bahamas

As he looked out in the audience, he almost choked...on his words...as he saw me and David and exclaimed "Nick Verreos! What Are YOU doing here???" I guess no one informed him that I would be hosting the Islands of The World Fashion Week events, and he was happily (I think!) surprised to see me there. Needless to say, it was wonderful to see Miss Jay. You never know who you might run into...in The Bahamas!!!

Next Up: Islands Of The World Fashion Week 2010 Recap: Day One

Click below for a fun little video showing the beautiful beach at the Hilton in the Bahamas--and those HUGE Crusie ships:

Nick Verreos to Host "In Search of The Next Oscar" Design Competition: Islands of The World Fashion Week Bahamas 2010!

Caribbean Red Carpet Couture Hosting!!

Junkanoo Nick: Nick Verreos in The Bahamas, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2008 Welcoming Night Party

I am beyond excited to announce that I will be flying to The Bahamas TOMORROW!!! No, not to ride the dolphins, or slide on the Atlantis's Leap of Faith but to be part of...

The Island Of The World Fashion Week 2010 fashion shows and festivities. In addition, I have also been invited to host a fabulous Fashion Design Competition "In Search of The Next Oscar". Not as in the Academy Awards Oscar, but as in Oscar de la Renta, the Dominican Republic-born fashion designer. This competition will recognize and honor the island-based designer whose collection reflects a cohesive meeting point between ready-to-wear and Haute Couture.

Take A Bow: NIKOLAKI designers Nick Verreos and David Paul with models, Islands of The World Fashion Week 2008

As many of you may know, I was privileged enough--along with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul--to go to the Bahamas two years ago to show our NIKOLAKI Collection at the Islands of The World Fashion Week 2008.

NIKOLAKI at Islands of The World Fashion Week 2008

Showing our gorgeous gowns and dresses at the Islands of The World Fashion Week was an amazing one-of-a-kind experience which needless to say garnered TONS of press for us, including many top US and international publications.

NIKOLAKI at Islands of The World Fashion Week 2008

The elegant venue, the stunning models--everything was up to par with any top Fashion Week around the World. In short, The Bahamas does it right when it comes to showcasing the best of Fashion from the World's Islands!!!

This year's IOTW Fashion Week will run November 11-13th with fashion shows EVERY NIGHT at the elegant British Colonial Hilton. Highlights include Special Celebrity Designer Jay McCarroll--yes, Winner of Season One Project Runway--who will be showing his collection on Opening Night; the Search For The Next Oscar design competition on November 12Th and ending with the Haiti Relief Fashion Show on November 13Th.

Above are the Schedule of Events for Islands of The World Fashion week 2010. Click HERE for Tickets!!

See you in The Bahamas!!!!

Fun in Atlantis Resort, Bahamas: Nick Verreos Lets Loose!!

"Uncle Nick" Has Fun in the Bahamas! Sharp Suits: Bahamian police in their finest uniforms, Nassau.

To put a punctuation in my Bahamas Islands of The World Fashion Week recaps, I thought it would only be appropriate to end with photos and recollections of my "Fun Day" in this gorgeous Caribbean Island, and especially my adventures at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island.View from my Pool Chair: Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island.

The ever-accommodating Islands of The World Fashion Week clients booked both David and I at the unbelievable Atlantis Resort and from the moment we were dropped off at it's main entrance, all I could think of was "Oh My God, this is HUUUUUGE!". I was really looking forward to staying at the Atlantis because up to now all I had as a reference was two TV shows: The Oprah Winfrey Show and Regis and Kelly. I remember watching these shows when they filmed from The Atlantis and all I could think was "One of these days...I want to go there!". Well, be careful what you wish for. Here I was, witnessing one of the largest tropical resorts in the world. Picture this: Combine two Las Vegas Bellagio Hotels, Disneyland, a Huge Water park, and add a Beach. The end result: The Atlantis in Paradise Island. View from My Room: A Tropical Paradise in the Atlantis, Paradise Island

During my week in the Bahamas, we were treated like royalty and attended many "Fashion Week" parties as I previously wrote. The third day there, at the "Culture and Arts Welcoming Party", I was met by a couple of surprise guests: My beautiful niece and nephew, Casia and Alain. My parents had flown in from San Antonio Texas, where they now reside, and brought the kids with them--as a surprise to me. I knew my parents were flying to the Bahamas--in support of my fashion show--but I had no idea that my nephew and niece were coming along. They instantly jumped on top of Uncle Nick and didn't let go---except when I threatened to push them into the fire-filled limbo dancing segment; that's when they ran away! Junkanoo Greeting: Alain, Junkanoo performer, Casia and Nick Verreos

Of course, the next day, they just wanted to have an entire "Play Day" with their uncle, but unfortunately, I was there to work. I had fashion show judging to do, press interviews, fittings and alterations as well as other peripheral fashion week duties. Toward the end of the week, however, I managed to end my "day of duties" early and got a nice afternoon to spend with them, where we ended up enjoying the Atlantis Water slides and nearby beach.
Conch Anyone? Alain, Uncle Nick Verreos and Casia, show off Bahamas culinary must-try delicacy, conch fritters

But first, I had to have a plateful of the famous Bahamian Conch Fritters that all our local hosts kept raving about (they were curiously good, crunchy and somewhat spicy, which I like!). Of course, Alain and Casia didn't even go near it! The word Conch does not sound as appetizing to a 12 and 9 year old, the way popcorn chicken and fries do!
Now, we were ready for Uncle Nick to finally get his toes wet. Four days in the Bahamas and I had not even stepped in a pool! So you know, I was ready!Manta Ray Heaven: A lagoon filled with Manta Rays at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island

In case you didn't know, the Atlantis Resort has a 97-acre waterscape, featuring 20 million gallons of lagoons, pools, waterfalls and subterranean aquariums. Some of lagoons are filled with sharks, Manta Rays and with what seemed like every other species of fish known to man! And that's not to mention all the water slides strewn all over the resort. It seems that at almost every turn, there was a new water slide adventure. Take a Dip: My niece Casia and nephew Alain get ready to swim in one of the Atlantis resort pools

It's a kid's PARADISE! Of course, my niece and nephew went CRAZEEE! It's not necessarily an adult's resort--if you want quiet, relaxing, no-kids-screaming getaway---you might have to go somewhere else for that (I hear there's a more "adult" Cove section of the Atlantis, which we never got to see). Jaws Alert! A Shark swims by my niece and nephew,Casia and Alain, in the Mayan Temple Lagoon/Aquarium

My nephew immediately dared me to go on the famed Mayan Temple, a 60 foot vertical drop (yep, that's what I said) that ends in a clear tunnel INSIDE a shark-filled lagoon. I am not going to lie (if my nephew reads this, he will get a good laugh!), but I was NERVOUS! But I did it. Like THREE TIMES! We also enjoyed the nearby Challenger slides where you can challenge your "slide partner" to a slide race. Casia and I challenged each other. I think she won.
We ended our late afternoon with a quick run to the beach (it was late and getting dark).
Click below for a fun little video I filmed of my nephew and niece in the Atlantis Resort paradise Island Beach:



Toward the end of our stay in the Bahamas, David and I finally got to have some downtime, unfortunately, Hurricane Gustav was approaching and the weather drastically changed from sunny gorgeous to "Are we in Seattle?". But that did not stop us from having a "Nick & David Day" at the Atlantis Slides. This time, it was David's turn at the slides since he had not stepped foot in water the entire time we had been there! We did the Mayan Temple vertical drop slide (I dared him this time), and the 120 foot Power Tower, which featured 4 different slides, including a 50 foot drop into darkness (that was cool!). We also did the Lazy River, a relaxing slow float through a portion of the resort, where you just sit on an inner tube and let the man-made currents do their thing. I am too hyperactive and that one bored me to tears! I couldn't wait to get back on that Mayan Temple vertical drop instead!
Bahamas Dinin': Dinner at the Seafire Steakhouse in the Atlantis Resort, Paradsie Island

To cap our stay at the Islands of The World Fashion Week, we decided to have a wonderful dinner in the resort. The Atlantis features over 20 restaurants, some world-renowned such as Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and Nobu . We ended up having our final-night dinner at the Seafire Steakhouse with David's Mom and her friend, Blanche (both of whom came to the Bahamas via San Diego to see our Spring '09 Collection) and our VIP Hostess/Coordinator/Assistant/Manager/Model/Girl about Town, Miss Vanessa Pritchard. I called her my amazonian "Girl Friday". You may recall how in my last "Bahamas" posting (scroll below), I wrote about her elite lineage and how her family were the founders of John Bull, one of the premiere Caribbean high-end shopping boutiques in the Caribbean.
As much as we loved our week in the Caribbean, we could not wait to get back to our doggy, Benny, whom we had left at his "Doggy Resort" at LA Dogworks for a week. You can tell how much Benny missed "Daddy" David (and vice versa) from the photo below!David reconnects with our 1 1/2 year old dog, Benny, after a week in The Bahamas

Islands Of The World-- Nick Verreos' Fashion Week Recap!!

BAHAMA MOMMA! The Bahamas welcomes Nick Verreos and David Paul with a Junkanoo performer ( Bahamian New Year's Festival)

The Islands Of the World Fashion Week were not just about the NIKOLAKI show--although for us, that was a really important part, of course! The "week" encompassed four days worth of fashion shows from over 30 designers from the Caribbean (the Bahamas, Cuba, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia) Fiji, Indonesia and Madagascar, as well as featured designers, Danish-born Peter Ingwersen of NOIR Illuminati II, LA Designer-to-the-stars Kevan Hall, and myself. We ended each Fashion Week days' worth of shows with a "Premiere Show". Everyone Say Cheese: Islands Of The World Producers , Organizers, Judges, Designers: Tomas Frenes, Nick Verreos , Kevan Hall, Susan Stein, Owen Bethel, and David Paul

Featured Designers:

Peter Ingwersen opened the Fashion Week's festivities on Wednesday evening with his very modern take on sportswear, shown at the expansive Atlantis Resort Fashion Week runway stage. Gorgeous silky blouses, fitted jackets and ultra-skinny pants highlighted his show--all cut beautifully. My NIKOLAKI collection, was on Friday night at the "Old World" Colonial Hilton, and as I reported in my last posting, was a huge success (if I don't say so myself!) .NIKOLAKI Spring 2009 Collection Tableaux of Models

Kevan Hall then ended the week by showing last year's Spring '08 Collection, inspired by Africa and Safari back at the Atlantis Resort Ballroom Runway.

Judging:
Throughout the week, I was privileged enough to also be one of the judges of three special awards that would be later handed out at the Final Night's Festivities---the Sustainable Eco-Fashion, the Culture and Fashion Awards, and the Next-Gen Designer. My co-judges-in-fashion-crime were: Nole' Marin (of America's Next Top Model and judge of the new ABC show, True Beauty). He brought along his DIVA mom and friends and we immediately got along, like the kids from Gossip Girls!
And my newly discovered "Fairy Godmother", Susan Stein, fashion editor of Palm Springs Life Magazine, and producer/director of Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Desert.

It was a tough challenge to chose just one designer who would eventually win each award. We really wanted the Sustainable Eco-Fashion Award to reflect the use of sustainable natural fabrics and the use of proper and fair practices in terms of dying, sewing, labour, etc. In terms of the Culture and Fashion Award, I was interested in how effective the designer showcased their island, it's uniqueness and especially, use of local materials. The first night, we spent several hours looking over the designers' creations and then had to vote immediately, as guests waited anxiously for our results. It got a bit crazy backstage with designers fighting over whether or not they received enough "judges" time. I suggest that next time, we do it Project Runway style, and have a whole separate day of "Judging", like what I have done for the shows' castings in Los Angeles and Chicago: The judges at a table and the eligible designers coming up to us showing us why they should get the awards. Can I be the Tim Gunn of the bunch?Eco-Goddesses: Models in 2 of the Finalists' creations for the Sustainable Eco-Fashion Award

The winners were announced on the Final night after a prodigious fashion show highlighting the Finalists. It was like a Miss Universe Parade Of Nations Costume show, with some of the most gorgeous models the islands has to offer. It was certainly one of the best parts of my entire week in the Bahamas!Designer Queen Esther from St. Lucia, a colorful and vibrant woman with stupendous design talent, won the Sustainable Eco-Fashion with her John Galliano-like gown (see above) St. Vincent and The Grenadines native, Tamiko Browne won the other two awards, the Culture and Fashion as well as the Next-Gen Designer awards, which I was honored to have presented to her. Tamiko's bathing suit line was clearly our favorite in terms of the most wearable, sellable collection, and one that we could all easily see in Swimsuit boutiques from Miami to Papeete, Tahiti. Each winner received a gorgeous engraved Waterford Crystal vase.Velvet Seeds: St. Vincent and The Grenadines Jewelry Designer Ingrid John of Natural Beats

There were so many great designers we saw, but some of my other favorites included St. Vincent jewelry designer, Ingrid John of Natural Beats. Her necklaces, earrings and bracelets were beautiful, infusing natural ingredients native to her island nation. I photographed some of her jewelry, including FISH SCALE earrings (yep, you read that right!), and a VELVET SEED necklace, which has seeds, uniquely found in the St. Vincent Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere!Hand-Sewn Pin Tucks: Close Up on the handwork of Cuban designer, Carmen Fiol

I also was amazed at the hand work of the dresses made by the octogenarian Cuban designer, Carmen Fiol. There was one dress with HUNDREDS of 1/8 of an inch pin tucks that she sewed BY HAND!!! I also enjoyed David Andre's Sea Sun and Sex (what a great name!) line. He hails from Haiti and we had a lot of fun discussing the FIERCE DIVA ex-wife of former Haiti dictator, Michelle Duvalier. Trust me, she will end up being the inspiration for one of my future collections...

Next post, the parties......check back soon!