Lovin' The Stage: Nick Verreos speaks to San Diego FIDM Three Days of Fashion audienceThis last week I went to beautiful San Diego to make a special appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM San Diego campus, right next to PETCO Park for the FIDM Three Days Of Fashion.
San Diego's Pacific Beach from the Catamaran Resort and SpaDavid and I drove down to San Diego for the event and FIDM generously put me up at the Polynesian-inspired Catamaran Resort and Spa in the lovely Pacific Beach area of San Diego. Afterall, with traffic, the drive there can take up to 3+ hours (don't believe anyone who tells you it's just an hour and a half, not on this planet!). So, it was nice to relax before the appearance the following day.
Photos With A View: Nick Verreos poses for photos at the FIDM San Diego Campus balconyI love doing these events and appearances because I get to hang out with fun and very fashionable high school students who come from all over the country. The Three Days of Fashion is a three day seminar/workshop where high school students get to know FIDM. They go shopping, have trend seminars, even drape and sketch. Seriously, I wish I had known about this when I was in high school (OK, they probably did not have this "back in the day").
San Diego Group Shot: Nick Verreos and model Heather Chantal Jones pose with FIDM San Diego Three Days of Fashion organizing staffI love coming to San Diego, because this is where David Paul's (my design partner and Vice President of NIKOLAKI) grew up and his wonderful family still lives here. His mom even came to my appearance! Also, as you may know, I have a special place in my heart for San Diego, since it's where I showed my Spring/Summer 2008 Collection at the W Hotel San Diego. Here's a quick video of my NIKOLAKI Spring 2008 Show at the W San Diego, to refresh your memory:
Nick Verreos and Model Heather Chantal Jones, wearing the silk jersey gown Carrie Ann Inaba wore on ABC's Dancing With The StarsGuess who also came down from LA? Model Heather Chantal Jones, from America's Next Top Model Season 9--and MY 50th Anniversary Barbie Model!!! She made a special trip to model some of my NIKOLAKI Collection for the kids. She was gorgeous and so sweet! We had a great time with everyone (I LOVE the FIDM San Diego staff--they're the sweetest and most accommodating!) and stayed for over an hour to sign autographs and take lots of photos!