How I became a Superfan of Figure Skating: Golden Girl: Republic of Korea's Yu-Na Kim wins the 2009 Ladies Figure Skating Championship (photo courtesy of Johnny Nicoloro)
Last week, the all-important "Academy Awards" of Figure Skating Competitions--the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2009--came to the Los Angeles STAPLES Center. The US and South African Pairs Team Is: Nick Verreos and Kara Janx, Season 2 Project Runway
Now, as many of you Project Runway fans may know (there are some of you still out there?) that back in Season 2, we were asked to design a costume for Olympic Figure Skater Sasha Cohen for the 7Th week of the show. The episode was aptly titled "On Thin Ice". Well kiddies, I was the ONLY one who even knew who Sasha Cohen was and acted like a thirteen year old girl meeting the Jonas Brothers when she was introduced to us (as well as what the challenge would be) . Not For Sasha Cohen: Nick Verreos' design for "On Thin Ice" episode, Project Runway Season 2
In short, I "came out of the closet" as being a fan of Figure Skating on Cable TV. To be honest, I was exposed to the sport by my partner and NIKOLAKI co-designer, David Paul, who is the REAL fan. So much so, that when David and his friend found out that the Championships were coming to LA, they each bought an entire WEEK'S PASS--to ALL the events! Needless to say, I didn't do that. He's SUPERFAN, I'm just a fan and a respectful TV watcher of the sport--oh and I REALLY love seeing those sometimes-wacky costumes!Superfan: NIKOLAKI co-designer David Paul, watching the practice sessions (photo courtesy of Johnny Nicoloro)
The entire week passed by and David was gone from 9 AM until 11 PM, almost living at the STAPLES Center, while I tended to NIKOLAKI and various other events and duties I had during the week. Saturday came and I had enough: After 6 days of listening to him in the evening go on and on about how AMAZING the Championships were, I caught the bug!Stand Out In A Crowd: Nick Verreos at the Staples Center
I went ahead and spent $200 and put my jacket and scarf on and got myself to the STAPLES Center to see the all-important Ladies Final Figure Skating Championship. My seat was fabulous (it should be for that price!) and it was near David and his skating buddies but I was by myself. A Fan With Taste: Renee Klish, the Army Art Curator for the US Army Center of Military History in Washington DC, poses with Nick Verreos at the STAPLES Center, World Figure Skating Championships
I was sandwiched between two lovely ladies who promptly schooled me with the "who, what and how" of the Ladies Final Championship skaters. Little did they know that I was already "up to speed" with fifteen years of watching figure skating on TV--heck I was even sent to Italy back in 2006 for the Torino Olympics to comment for NBC on the Ladies Figure Skating Costumes!
Miss Universe Parade of Nations: The top three skaters display their pride in front of the World's press
The Championships were AMAZING! I cannot lie. It was such a treat after years and years of seeing it on TV to be there, LIVE, watching it all happen . The Ladies Final Championship lasted about 6 hours (yep, all you see is about 2 hours of it on TV, when they get to the top 6 skaters at the end). The top Gold Medal Prize went to South Korea's Yu-Na Kim for her gorgeous and athletic performance. She did so many triples (triple jumps), she almost made me dizzy. The sold-out STAPLES crowd went CRAZY when she won. You'd think that half of South Korea was in attendance from the roar of the crowd and the flags that were being waved. Oh Canada, Oh Canada: Canada's Joannie Rochette at the World Figure Skating Championships ( photo courtesy of Johnny Nicoloro)
The First Runner Up, or Silver medal, went to one of my favorites, Canada's Joannie Rochette. I just love her. Don't know why, I just do. She reminds me of the "old school" Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen skaters. Lots of grace, beauty and artistry, which tends to be missing from the sport because it is now so heavily concentrated on athleticism and those all-important jumps. By the way, half of Canada WAS at the Staples cheering her on, as she won the Silver. Japan's Miki Ando "turns it out!" at the World's Figure Sakting Championships (photo courtesy of Johnny Nicoloro)
Finally Japan's Miki Ando received the Bronze, or Third Prize. Our American contenders didn't fare so well, but my favorite and the top US skater, Rachael Flatt, was incredible and in fact received a standing ovation for her performance. Rachael ended in fifth place, which was amazing for her considering she's only 16 years old and this was her first World Championship (more on Rachael at the end of this posting--wait for it!).Lyrical Ingenue: Sixteen Year Old Rachael Flatt: Fifth at the World Figure Skating Championships (photo courtesy of Johnny Nicoloro)
I was curiously drawn to her asymmetrical bodice red beaded Guipure Lace costume because the top portion silhouette reminded me so much of the design I did for Sasha Cohen on Season 2 Project Runway.
The Medal Ceremony: Kristi Yamaguchi is on the far left of the photo
A Medal Ceremony (which they don't show on TV unfortunately) soon followed, in which figure skating icon, Kristi Yamaguchi was on hand to present . Kristi, by the way, looked FABULOUS; her Dancing With The Stars body was in tip-top shape. After the Championships ended, I made my way to the lobby to find David and his friends, and before you could say "Michelle Kwan", I was surrounded with what seemed like 50 thirteen year old girls and their doting Mom's! They were all asking to take a photo and have me sign their booklets. I wondered if they were confused and thought that somehow I was a Figure Skater.
"I'm Not a Figure Skater from Greece!": Nick Verreos signs autographs and poses for photos at the Staples Center
In fact, I told the first photo-and-autograph seekers "Ummm, you know I'm not some famous figure skater right?" in embarrassment. They quickly responded with "Oh no, we know, you're Nick from Project Runway!!!!!" Well, I had no idea that Figure Skating Fans=Project Runway Fans. But now I do.
Now here's that "wait for it" moment: As I finally made it out the STAPLES Center, a woman with a couple of beautiful young girls came running up to me holding a phone: "Nick Nick!! Rachael Flatt (the 16 year old US skater) is on the phone and she LOVES you and wants to say 'Hi' !!". Then shortly after, her father introduces himself, telling me that they were big fans of the show and would love it if someday I would design Rachael's competition costume. Wow, I could not believe it! (neither could David). So we'll see. Maybe Rachael Flatt might be wearing a "Nick Verreos Original" when you see her at the Olympics next year.
Oh and you know that part about me not really being a "SUPERFAN". I am now.
Click Below for a video of the Medal Ceremony and the National Anthem of the Republic of Korea:
Blog Archive
-
▼
2009
(794)
-
▼
March
(57)
- Nick Verreos Attends the World Figure Skating Cham...
- Nick Verreos Will Be In San Antonio Texas this Thu...
- THE ONE FINAL RULE
- 2008 MANHUNT INTERNATIONAL
- 2007 MANHUNT INTERNATIONAL
- 2006 MANHUNT INTERNATIONAL
- 2005 MANHUNT INTERNATIONAL
- 2002 MANHUNT INTERNATIONAL
- 2001 MANHUNT INTERNATIONAL
- 2009 MISS EARTH
- 2008 MISS EARTH
- 2007 MISS EARTH
- 2006 MISS EARTH
- 2005 MISS EARTH
- 2004 MISS EARTH
- 2003 MISS EARTH
- 2001 MISS EARTH
- REALITY....SHOWS!
- 2009 MRS WORLD
- 2008 MRS WORLD
- 2007 MRS WORLD
- 2006 MRS WORLD
- 2005 MRS WORLD
- 2003 MRS WORLD
- 2001 MRS WORLD
- 2000 MRS WORLD
- 1999 MRS WORLD
- 1984 WOMAN OF THE WORLD
- Carrie Ann Inaba wears NIKOLAKI (again!) on "Danci...
- Nick Verreos attends Andrew Christian Show at Los ...
- Nick Verreos attends Single Fashion Show at LA Fas...
- MISS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Dancing With...NIKOLAKI!!!!
- Nick Verreos attends Los Angeles Fashion Week at B...
- THE NATURAL LOOK
- Valentino: The Last Emperor, the TRAILER!!!!
- Paris Fashion Week: Alexander McQueen's Creative G...
- SHE'S GOT THE LOOK?
- 2010 MISS TOURISM INTERCONTINENTAL
- 2003 MISS TOURISM INTERCONTINENTAL
- FIDM Debut Judging Night with Nick Verreos
- 1991 MISS TABLE BAY
- 1990 MISS TABLE BAY
- 1989 MISS TABLE BAY
- MISS SA WILL BE BLACK THIS YEAR
- Milan and Paris Fall 2009/10 Fashion Weeks-- Trend...
- CLOTHES HORSE OR PAGEANT PATTY?
- IF ONLY SHE HAD BEEN THERE
- Heidi! Marisa! Anastassia! It's MODELINIA Baby!
- CAMPUS QUEEN CAPE PEN TECH
- CAMPUS QUEEN CAPE TOWN
- CAMPUS QUEEN NORTH WEST
- Nick Verreos' Malibu Barbie--Part Two--Behind The ...
- Nick Verreos Debuts his Second Barbie!!!!
- ANY MORE LIKE HER?
- Central Saint Martins Graduate Show--London Fashio...
- NY Fashion Week Fall 2009 Runway Videos!!--Part 2
-
▼
March
(57)
Nick Verreos Will Be In San Antonio Texas this Thursday April 2nd!
Texas (Fashion) Hold 'Em!!!Nick Verreos co-emcees the IADT IMAGINE 2009 in San Antonio Texas, Thursday April 2nd
Watch out San Antonio, 'cause I'm coming! This week I will be flying into the big ol' State of Texas to co-host the International Academy of Design and Technology/IADT IMAGINE 2009 Fashion Show on Thursday April 2nd at the Norris Conference Center.
Last year, I had the pleasure of being invited to IADT San Antonio to emcee this wonderful event which showcases the fashions of IADT design students. I will also be doing a special workshop/seminar the day after at the IADT San Antonio Campus, discussing how I got into the world of Fashion Design and what steps you can take to navigate through "this crazy industry". Sibling Pose-Off: Nick Verreos poses with his sister Rita Verreos (wearing NIKOLAKI), at IADT San Antonio IMAGINE 2008 "red carpet" last year
I am always excited to return to the city San Antonio since it also just happens to be where my sister, Rita Verreos, lives as well as my beautiful nephew and niece, Alain and Casia. My parents also reside there. So as brief as my visit will be, I will try and get in some "Uncle Nick" time with them. Last time, they got a big kick out of riding in the limo with me to the event and sitting front row. I will have to see if my nephew Alain can put down his X-box 360 long enough to pay attention to his Uncle hosting and the pretty models (and fashion) that will be coming down the IMAGINE 2009 runway.Meet & Greet: Nick Verreos chats with a guest at last year's IADT San Antonio IMAGINE event and fashion show
If you are in the San Antonio area, make sure not to miss the show because it will be a great night of fashion , and a "Walk-Off" or two from yours truly--and hopefully I will get to meet you and take a fun photo--Call 210-530-9449 for tickets and info regarding my Seminar/ Meet-and-Greet the following day.
Click HERE for more IMAGINE 2009 Fashion Show information.
Watch out San Antonio, 'cause I'm coming! This week I will be flying into the big ol' State of Texas to co-host the International Academy of Design and Technology/IADT IMAGINE 2009 Fashion Show on Thursday April 2nd at the Norris Conference Center.
Last year, I had the pleasure of being invited to IADT San Antonio to emcee this wonderful event which showcases the fashions of IADT design students. I will also be doing a special workshop/seminar the day after at the IADT San Antonio Campus, discussing how I got into the world of Fashion Design and what steps you can take to navigate through "this crazy industry". Sibling Pose-Off: Nick Verreos poses with his sister Rita Verreos (wearing NIKOLAKI), at IADT San Antonio IMAGINE 2008 "red carpet" last year
I am always excited to return to the city San Antonio since it also just happens to be where my sister, Rita Verreos, lives as well as my beautiful nephew and niece, Alain and Casia. My parents also reside there. So as brief as my visit will be, I will try and get in some "Uncle Nick" time with them. Last time, they got a big kick out of riding in the limo with me to the event and sitting front row. I will have to see if my nephew Alain can put down his X-box 360 long enough to pay attention to his Uncle hosting and the pretty models (and fashion) that will be coming down the IMAGINE 2009 runway.Meet & Greet: Nick Verreos chats with a guest at last year's IADT San Antonio IMAGINE event and fashion show
If you are in the San Antonio area, make sure not to miss the show because it will be a great night of fashion , and a "Walk-Off" or two from yours truly--and hopefully I will get to meet you and take a fun photo--Call 210-530-9449 for tickets and info regarding my Seminar/ Meet-and-Greet the following day.
Click HERE for more IMAGINE 2009 Fashion Show information.
THE ONE FINAL RULE
Pageant fans often complain that they see the same girls competing at Miss South Africa year in and year out, and that they would like to see "fresh faces". If the truth be known, there are very few "fresh faces" on the South African pageant circuit.
Whilst many contestants at the Miss South Africa finals may be making their first appearance at the pageant, very few are new to the pageant scene. Most of the finalists have "cut their pageant teeth" on the regional pageant circuit. Although I could be mistaken, I cannot think of a single Miss SA winner that had not previously entered a national or regional pageant or model contest. The same applies to the runners-up and other contestants. Most of the finalists are seasoned pageant girls.
I do understand that "fresh" could stand us in good stead at international level, and that "pageant patty" and over-rehearsed or trained contestants could be over-looked, but let's for a moment consider that at least 80% of the semi-finalists at international level are "pageant patty" types. Every now and again a "fresh" contestant will slip through and place or win, but that doesn't happen too often.
My personal motto is "practice makes perfect", and I don't have issues with girls making multiple appearances at the national pageant although I do believe that, if you have not won after two attempts, chances are very good that you will never succeed. I do find the "you may not be a finalist in successive years" rule a bit silly though.
What if a situation exists where the Top 2 contestants in a particular year are equally qualified to win and are at their pageant prime, yet there can only be one winner. The "gap year" for the runner-up could just be enough to lose that competitive edge. Excluding entrants from the national pageant because they had previously been finalists is the same as excluding athletes from the Olympic Games because they had been finalists at the previous Games. Silly!
Whatever your opinion, let's hypothesise that the "one final" rule had been in place since the first Miss South Africa pageant in 1956, and that no contestant could make another appearance at the pageant after having been a finalist in preceding years. Assuming that all other variables remained constant, who would have been crowned Miss South Africa:
1958: Rosemary Whitlock
1961: Marlene Boyes
1963: Ellen Liebenberg
1967: Mary McDonald
1969: Diana Newman
1986: Nancy Riach
1988: Mache Booysen
1990: Olivia Scrooby
1991: Amy Kleinhans
1992: Augustine Masilela
2008: Anja van Zyl
Whilst the rule would only have affected 11 winners, more than 40 finalists would not have been allowed to compete again. We would also have "lost" some of our favourite winners such as Penny Coelen, Linda Collett, Suzette van der Merwe and Diana Tilden-Davis. Hmmm! So the "one final" rule is not such a good idea after all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)