Premios Juventud 2011: Nick Verreos & Chica Orbit SHINE in Miami!!!

Boca Sucia...Sensacion Limpia No Matter What...Especially in Miami:

Nick Verreos, Premios Juventud 2011 Miami

Last week I had the pleasure of flying to Miami for Univision Network's "Premios Juventud 2011" (Spanish-Speaking "Teen Choice Awards"). I have gone consecutively for the past several years, as the "Style Guy" for Chica Orbit (the Latina Orbit Gum Girl) and even designed several Custom "Nick Verreos for Chica Orbit" designs for her for the red carpet so I was ready to return to Miami!

The last time I saw Chica Orbit was at the People En Español "50 Más Bellos" (50 Most Beautiful) Party in NYC back in May, so I was excited to reunite with the gorgeous Chica at "Premios Juventud 2011"!!

Miami Beach, view from the Gansevoort Miami Beach Hotel

I arrived in HOT & HUMID Miami (about 90 Degrees Fahrenheit-but with the humidity it felt like 110!) and checked in to the FAB Gansevoort Miami Beach Hotel on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach.

I just LOVE that hotel: Perfect location, great rooms, beach and stupendous pools! (photo above)

The lobby also has an immense fish and shark tank that well, you gotta see to believe (photo above)! And of course, there's the chi-chi $100-for-a-skirt-steak STK Restaurant (I never went...not in my budget kids! Instead I dined at a Venezuelan-Argentinian Cafe called "Cafe Charlotte" on Washington Avenue and had an $8.95 Venezuelan Pabellon Thank You VERY MUCH--and it was GOOOOOOD!!!!!!)

Blue Carpet Boy: Nick Verreos, Premios Juventud 2011

But enough about the Perfect weather, perfect beach, oh-so-nice Gansevoort Hotel pool and delicious (and cheap) dining. I was there to attend "Premios Juventud 2011" with my date, the beautiful and ever-so-chic Chica Orbit. The televised awards show were this past Thursday evening at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables Florida (about half an hour from Miami depending on traffic).

Best Dressed Couple: Chica Orbit and Nick Verreos, Premios Juventud 2011

Chica Orbit wore a white cotton pique shift dress with short sleeves featuring "Orbit Logo" buttons. I wore my Reiss silver suit, TopMan turquoise blue tie, Brooks Brothers pocket scarf (all bought! Not borrowed , Thank You!) and the Swarovski crystal "Orbit Pin" I made.

Chica Orbit, "Premios Juventud 2011" blue carpet

We arrived right in the "thick of it"--when all the Top Latin American Stars--from TV and Music--were arriving. It was INSANE!! Somehow, we made it through the madness and filmed a fun "vignette" with Univision's "Fashionista", Rodner Figueroa. It aired about 40 minutes into the "Pre-Show" Program LIVE on Univision Network and it was a BLAST to shoot!!!! I got some "Screen Shots" from my TV in case you missed it:

Nick Verreos and Rodner Figueroa, Chica Orbit Premios Juventud 2011 "Blue Carpet" Vignette

Nick Verreos, Chica Orbit, Rodner Figueroa, Chica Orbit Premios Juventud 2011 "Blue Carpet" Vignette

Nick TING: This is the part in the vignette where they put the Orbit Gum "ting" in my teeth---sorry it didn't come through in the photo, but you get the gist :)

After we did the blue carpet, we headed to our Box Suite Section (I know, very chic-chi!), to watch the show (look at the audience above!) and enjoy hors d'oeuvres of shrimp cocktail, sushi, beef skewers, crab cakes and cheese.

The "Premios Juventud 2011" Box/Suite Buffet Sampler

I also took some photos with some fans of Project Runway, Orbit Gum (and me!!!), who happened to also be at one of the nearby box/suites: Look at their faces--LOVE THEM!!!!! I had such a fun time with Chica Orbit and doing the "blue carpet" Orbit Gum/Chica Orbit vignette with "my boy", Univision's Rodner Figueroa. All in all, I say it was a very successful Miami trip. Cannot wait to do it again!!!!

Click Below for a short video I shot of the "Premios Juventud 2011" blue carpet and Chica Orbit:

TV Talk: Watch Nick Verreos and Chica Orbit on "Premios Juventud 2011" Awards Show THIS Thursday night!!

Miami FABULOSO!!!

Stylish Orbit: Chica Orbit--in "Nick Verreos/NIKOLAKI for Orbit Gum" custom dress--and Nick Verreos, Premios Juventud 2010

I just arrived in Miami--one of my FAVORITE cities in the USA--as well as the World, just two days after returning from my two-week trip to Europe!! (yes, I am trying to rack up LOTS of Frequent Flyer Miles!) Why am I here, you may ask? Well, I am attending Univision's "Premios Juventud 2011" , the Spanish-speaking version of the "Teen Choice Awards", kind of...well, just a bit more FAB than those. The PJ's give awards for both music, TV, movies to winners that are voted on by the Spanish-speaking public.

As the Chica Orbit/Orbit Gum "Style Guy", I've been privileged enough to be invited for several years now with my ever-so-stylish girlfriend, the Chica Orbit. Every year, we have a BLAST walking the "Red Carpet" (sometimes it's purple, so it's not really red...) as well as attend the fun awards show. I've also designed and created custom dresses for Chica Orbit to wear at Premios Junevtud in the past which have been a big hit--and so fun to do!

Premios Juventud Fashion Divas: Nick Verreos, Chica Orbit and Rodner Figueroa

This year, once again I will also be there with Chica Orbit and will also be talking with Univision's "Style Guy", the one and only Rodner Figueroa. So make sure to watch for us on the Red Carpet!!

It airs THIS Thursday, July 21st on Univision. Nominees (and expected to attend) include:

Shakira

Ricky Martin

Enrique Iglesias

Chayanne

Don't miss it!!! Or as we say "No te lo pierdes"!!!! Va ser INCREIBLE!!! It will be INCREDIBLE!

I Love me some Miami!!!!!

Pageant Central: Univision Crowns "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2011" and Nick Verreos Rates the Gowns!!

La Más Bella...

Sequin Queen: Nasstasja Bolivar, Nuestra Belleza 2011

8.4 Million (yep! MILLION!!!) people tuned in two days ago on Sunday night and watched the Season Finale of Univision Network's "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2011" (Our Latin Beauty), the Spanish-speaking version of "Miss USA"/"America's Next Top Model". The telecast – which saw Miami’s Nastassja Bolivar (of Nicaraguan descent) declared “Nuestra Belleza Latina 2011” and win...

Beauty Cash: Nuestra Belleza Latina Winner Nasstasja Bolivar holds up her $250,000 Winning Prize Check

$250,000 in cash and prizes, along with a one-year contract to be Univision on-air talent – led the Network to a third place finish for the entire night among all broadcast networks among Adults 18-34, ahead of CBS and NBC, and #4 among Adults 18-49, ahead of CBS. Additionally, last night’s telecast was the highest-rated finale in the history of “Nuestra Belleza Latina”. So, yeah, kids, it's time you might want to be paying attention to Univision and "Nuestra Belleza Latina".

"Nuestra Belleza Latina" is a Reality TV-style Beauty Show, in its fifth season, where ladies of Latino descent--from all over the USA , are chosen through "American Idol"-like castings (in various cities like Chicago, San Antonio, Los Angeles, NYC, Miami and San Juan Puerto Rico). Two of the finalist were even chosen through online fans of the show. Like I said, this year's winner was the tall and very bella Nasstasja Bolivar who "represented" Nicaragua. Her First Runner Up was Puerto Rican Gredmarie Colon. Both of their final evening gowns were elegant and on the "Pageant Lite" side--which Thank Goodness, is a good thing. The First Runner-Up's gown had a slit (not too high, gracias!) and the winner didn't even have a slit!

Nasstasja's gown was a purple strapless Princess -seamed fit-and-flare design, featuring silver beading bust-and-waist detail. Let's just say she WORKED that gown OVERTIME!!!

Afterward, she did an Outfit Change (At-a-Girl) and posed for Red Carpet Photos as well as posed with past winners (left to right) Alejandra Espinoza, Greidys Gil, Melissa Marty and Ana Patricia Gonzalez, who all looked very "Pageant Perfect" in their gowns. I especially loved Melissa's and Ana Patricia's gowns (far right).

"Nuestra Belleza Latina" TV Host Giselle Blondet (above), who never met a gown she didn't like--looked very elegante in a one-shoulder Mermaid-silhouette black-colored style. Her swept-back hair and over-sized earrings and bracelets perfectly finished her look.

During the telecast, Giselle also gave a "cocktail look", wearing a strapless canary yellow mini dress with sequin waist and folded side-peplum as seen in photo above. I thought she looked great!

Gown Heaven: Left to right--Lupita Jones, Julian Gil, Giselle Blondet, Nuestra Belleza Latina 2011 Winner Nasstasja Bolivar, and Osmel Sousa

Other "Gown Notables" included the ever-so-fabulous Lupita Jones, Miss Universe 1991 and Director of Nuestra Belleza Mexico/Miss Mexico Pageant. She is also one of the judges of "Nuestra Belleza Latina".

Red Universe: Lupita Jones, Miss Universe 1991 and Nuestra Belleza Latina Judge

Miss Jones, is a Drag Queen's Dream in her over-the-top lipstick red satin taffeta one-shoulder ruffled-and-shirred gown with cascading detail. Lupita does not waste a red carpet moment as can be seen above. Once a Miss Universe...ALWAYS a Miss Universe.

Turquoise Judge: Nuestra Belleza Latina Judge and Miss Venezuela Director Osmel Sousa

Speaking of Miss Universe--this "Nuestra Belleza" posting would not be complete without the notable mention of "La Diva", Osmel Sousa, "Miss Venezuela" Pageant Director, Beauty Pageant Svengali, and "Nuestra Belleza Latina" judge. He's like the Simon Cowell of the show...and everyone loves it! In case you didn't know, he took a little ol' pageant--the Miss Venezuela Organization--and turned it into THE POWERHOUSE of International Pageants. Under his direction, Miss Venezuela has won six Miss Universes, five Miss Worlds, six Miss Internationals and many many others. Osmel decided to turn it up a notch on Sunday night when it came to his own ensemble: A Turquoise blue satin dress shirt, printed jacket, ascot, and styled hair...well, Osmel you are un Dios!

Nick Verreos on Despierta America/Univision

Miami, Sears Fashion, Sharks and Venezuelan Arepas?

Click Above Video to see my segment on Despierta America

As you may remember I filmed a Sears Commercial for their Grant A Wish Campaign for the current Holiday Ads which are running on TV right now. As a bilingual designer, I filmed one in English and one in Spanish. Two weeks ago, I flew to Miami to film a "How to Dress for the Holidays" segment on one of the most popular morning show for the Spanish-Speaking population in The US, "Despierta America". In English "Despierta America" translates to "Wake Up America!", and just like it's English-speaking counterpart, it is a four hour talk fest comprised of news, entertainment, fashion and everything in between. It is hosted by Fernando Arau, Ana Maria Canseco, Neida Sandoval, and Raul Gonzalez and there's even a dog, Cosita ("Little Thing"), who serves as their unofficial mascot.Ana Maria Canseco: Ana Maria was my co-presenter for the Despierta America Holiday Fashion Segment

For the segment, I was asked to style an entire family (dad, mom, son and daughter) for a Holiday Party in outfits that we would get exclusively from Sears. And then, of course, go Live on Despierta America all across the US and talk about the outfits. My trusty confidante and design partner, David Paul came with me to Miami. For years, David helped style and assist in the Wardrobe of various shows, including "Queer Eye For the Straight Girl", NBC's "Passions" Daytime Drama and MTV's "Undressed". Since his expertise is Styling, I had a feeling that I would be needing his assistance when it came to the shopping portion of this trip.
Rooftop Lounging: The Gansevoort South Miami Rooftop Pool and Lounge--In case you are wondering, we never got to use it or even partake the chic lounging part...

After arriving in gorgeous Miami (the weather was a balmy 75 degrees), we settled into the stylishly new and UBER hip, Gansevoort South Miami Beach Hotel. The hotel is located right on Collins Ave., where all the other fabulous hotels are. In the lobby, waiting for us was the huge aquarium/tank filled with fish and sharks. What is it about aquariums, sharks and me? They seem to be following me around! First, last month at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas and now Gansevoort Miami Beach. Shark Attack! Miami Style: The Aquarium Fish and Shark Tank, Gansevoort South Miami Lobby

Needless to say, the hotel was very chic. There were gorgeous models everywhere I looked in the hotel, which led me to think that the only people in Miami (or allowed into the Gansevoort) are gorgeous models! But alas, I soon discovered that the main offices of Wilhelmina Models was located IN THE HOTEL! Not surprised. Art Basel was also going on at the same time we arrived so there were a lot of "artsy" and very stylishly "eclectic" people around. Lots of Europeans. Barely any Americans. I guess in these economic times, the Europeans are the only ones who can actually afford to travel....

The day after arriving, we went right to work. We spent an entire day shopping at a local Sears to find just the right "Holiday" outfits for our "TV Family". Along with David, the clients also provided me with a fabulous stylist who styles a lot of Despierta America segments, as well as other shoots. She was a local and knew the "lay of the land", as they say. After we found all the necessary clothing, accessories, and shoes, we went back to the hotel for fittings and now we were ready for our segment. Despierta Family: Nick Verreos poses with Despierata America's "TV Family" in their fabulous Sears Outfits

For the Mom, we picked a fitted blue and silver grey dress with a royal blue jacket to go with it. To finish her ensemble, we added some fantastic metallic shoes and clutch bag, to add that air of "festiveness" (and because metallics are so hot right now). For the Dad (he was a gorgeous model from Ford Miami!), we chose a fitted gray blazer, slick fitted pants (with a subtle plaid), a sweater and a dress shirt. To accent it all, we added a great plum-colored pocket scarf. The kids looked so CUTE in their "Holiday" outfits as well. The little girl (who has modeled in these types of TV segments before) wore a pretty 50's style red party dress accessorized with a little black purse, Heels and Headband. The little boy (who was the actual son of the "mom") looked dressy-but-casual in khakis, a black and red argyle sweater, white dress shirt and tie. Too cute! The tie was one of those new "zip-up" ties. I did not even know they made those. When I was a little boy, it was all about the "Clip-on". If you watch the segment (sorry but it's all in Spanish), I ask the little boy if he feels comfortable in his new look and he does the cutest "No" with his head---on LIVE TV!!!! I was like "No he didn't!" but in the end, he recovered and quickly did a "yes" nod ( I stopped breathing for 1.2 seconds!).
Posin' with Dad: Nick Verreos poses with model, Darian Faroy, who played "The Dad" on the Sears Fashion Segment

We shot the segment and time just flew by; it was over in less than five minutes! My co-presenter was the beautiful Ana Maria Canseco, who could not have been any sweeter. Before going live, she told me that she was a fan of me and Project Runway and how much she loved my work. I told her that the next time she visits LA or does any presenting or red carpet, she should come by my Los Angeles NIKOLAKI studio to take a look at my dresses and gowns. We might just see Ana Maria in a NIKOLAKi in the near future! I had such a great time at the Univision Studios filming the segment and meeting everyone there.Yummy Arepas: The Venezuelan "taco", it is the national "bread" of Venezuela and eaten for breakfast , lunch and dinner and can be stuffed with cheese, chicken,ham, beef or just about anything else!

I finished my morning in Miami (which began with a 4:30AM wake up call!!) by driving back to Miami Beach and to my new favorite Venezuelan bake shop, Moises Bake Shop on Collins and bought about TEN Venezuelan Arepas, Tequenos, and Empanadas! Before heading to the airport, David and I had a hearty Venezuelan-style breakfast back in our hotel before heading to the airport. It was a perfect way (for me at least) to end my quick stay in Miami.