Nick Verreos Heats Up Miami and Premios Juventud, Chica Orbit: Part Uno!

Part One: Swarovski Crystals, Hot & Humid Miami...and a Run-In with Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez?
Orbit Gum Limo: Nick Verreos rides the limo with "Chica Orbit", Rosario Abarca

Last week, I flew to Miami. Why, you may ask? Well, kids, for the last three years, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Wrigley's and Orbit Gum--the most fashionable gum in the planet thank you very much--in creating perfect red carpet dresses, inspired by Orbit Gum, for Premios Juventud. In 2008, I designed...A very "retro" strapless white silk duchess dress (with an Orbit Gum "Jackie O" pillbox hat of course!). And in 2009... I created this "Orbit Blue" silk jersey Grecian goddess dress above. This time, the clients LOVED the gown I designed for Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez for People En Español"50 Most Beautiful" gala, that they asked me to create a brand new one, inspired by that one, to highlight the brand new retro-printed boxes Orbit Gum just released. Therefore, for this 2010 Premios Juventud, I designed a one-shoulder with a back draped cowl shorter "cocktail" version of Stefania Fernandez's long, flowing Batwing gown (sketch above).
Swarovski Worktable: David Paul's Chica Orbit Accessories-in-the-process

Back at my studio in LA--for the last three weeks--I have have been working "feverishly" to create the dress and get the print made. Once again, I enlisted the help of my favorite printer First2Print--LOVE THEM! I also had the AMAZING aid of my Nikolaki design partner, David Paul, who created the perfect silver faux python skin clutch, "Orbit" earrings and bracelets, using HUNDREDS of gorgeous Swarovski Crystallized Elements sequins.
Last Tuesday, I arrived to Miami to my "Home Base", the sprawling Loews Hotel and Resort in Miami Beach. It was GORGEOUS (the hotel) and the weather, well, very HOT (95 degrees) and HUMID (70%). The hotel is right on the beach (that was my view!) and features a stunning pool, a fabulous spa and restaurants galore! But no time for that since just a couple hours after dropping my suitcase, it was time for a fitting with my Chica Orbit, the beautiful Peruvian-born Rosario Abarca. Just A Peak: Chica Orbit fitting the Nick Verreos "Premios Juventud 2010" dress and the earrings, Loews Hotel Miami Beach

She tried on the dress and it fit PERFECTLY! (this was the first time ever meeting her!). She looked BEAUTIFUL! Like an "Orbit Gum Barbie" come to life! After little minor alterations (close the slit just a little bit) and deciding if the clients liked my custom "Orbit" accessories (they loved them), it was time for a little shopping and sightseeing...
Tourist Nick: Nick Verreos poses in front of the former Gianni Versace Mansion, The Villa by Barton G.

Of course, I walked into Ocean Drive and ventured to The Villa by Barton G., best known as The Gianni Versace Mansion. I also did a little bit of "retail damage" naturally, but the heat was overpowering my sweat glands and I ran back to the hotel after an hour! I then received a message from my friend Roston Ogata, Creative Director for the Miss Universe Organization (and "Momma Chaperone" to Miss Universe). He was in town, along with Stefania Fernandez Miss Universe 2009, and wanted to hang out. Done and Done, Part DOS!
Delicioso: Stefania Fernadez, Miss Universe 2009, eyes her Venezuelan tequeños and empanadas

After a shirt-change (remember, it's 95 Degrees and 70 % humidity!), I made my way to The Viceroy Hotel (very fancy-schmancy!) where they were staying and as I arrived Stefania, Roston, and a few friends were at the lobby waiting for me. The friends had brought the STUNNING Stefania (who was in town for some TV shoots) Venezuelan tequeños and empanadas as a "Welcome" care package (yummy!). Viceroy View: Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009 and Nick Verreos, The Viceroy Hotel Downtown Miami

For my part, I brought her some of my Nikolaki gowns that I took with me to Miami. Maybe she might wear one when she goes to Las Vegas in August for Miss Universe 2010. Who knows? Later that night, I was invited to a Pre-Premios Juventud "VIP Tour" party/concert featuring the very popular Venezuelan reggaeton duo, Chino y Nacho. Stefania LOVES them so she pleaded if she could come. Well, done and done! Hello, she IS Miss Universe after all.
Miami Vice: Nick Verreos and Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, Premios Juventud VIP Tour Pre-Party/Concert

We had a great time but called it a night right after Chino y Nacho's performance: Stefania was leaving back to NYC and I had to get some rest for the next day's Premios Juventud Awards Show. I was to help my "muse", the Chica Orbit get ready and styled correctly, as well as walk the blue carpet along with her.
Stay tuned for my Recap of the night! Ciao for now.

Nick Verreos for Orbit Gown: Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez-Behind The Scenes!!

Behind the Miss Universe Orbit Gum Gown...Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009 wearing Nick Verreos for Orbit Gown

Recently, I had the pleasure of designing and creating a custom gown for the most beautiful Miss Universe 2009, Venezuela's Stefania Fernandez. It was a collaboration with Orbit Gum. I have done several "Special One-of-a-Kind" Creations just for Orbit Gum to emphasize that ORBIT is the most Fashionable gum in the country! Orbit On A Mannequin: The Nick Verreos for Orbit Gown for Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, Nikolaki Studio Los Angeles

They gave me one of the new prints for their gum wrappers and my design partner, David Paul and I had it custom printed onto chiffon--and then from there we created a one-shoulder "Goddess Gown". The gown was hand-delivered(!) to Stefania to wear at the People En Español 50 Mas Bellos event in New York. It was definitely a Project Runway-like "Make It Work" scene at my studio, since the Orbit clients gave me only two weeks from start to finish and Stefania was in Brazil and it took several days before we even got an "approval" on what style she liked (from my sketches). Blue Muslin: Model Lisa Blades (in the "Stefania Fernandez Orbit Gown" mock-up) and Nick Verreos

Along with the printer First2Print (love them!), David Paul, my Nikolaki Design partner (as well as the official gown-cutter!), my wonderful seamstress, and my fit model, Lisa Blades (who substituted for Miss Universe when I couldn't be in Brazil to meet with Stefania) we got it done!

Click BELOW for some Behind-The-Scenes Footage from Our NIKOLAKI Studio while creating the "Stefania Fernandez Orbit Gown":

Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez wears Nick Verreos for Orbit Gum Gown!

La Mas Bella Miss Universe!Stefania Fernandez Miss Universe 2009 in Nick Verreos for Orbit gown, People En Espanol Magazine 50 Mas Bellos (50 Most Beautiful) Event

Tonight, while I was hosting my Macy's "Sex And The City 2" event at the Macy's Union Square in San Francisco, another fabulous event was happening on the other side of the country: The People En Español Magazine's "50 Mas Bellos" (50 Most Beautiful People) Gala in New York City! Two weeks ago, I was commissioned by ORBIT GUM to design and create a red carpet gown--inspired by one of the chic new ORBIT GUM Wrappers--for the MOST GORGEOUS: Stefania Fernadez, Miss Universe 2009, from the country I was raised in: Venezuela! And so yes, tonight, Stefania stepped onto the "Mas Bellos" red carpet wearing my "Nick Verreos for Orbit" gown--a chiffon gown featuring a one-shouldered batwing sleeve, gathered and draped front with high side-slit and "mini" train. I sent Stefania several sketches of my designs for her to chose from and she decided on this very "Elizabeth Taylor-Meets-JLo in Capri" style which was actually one of my favorites that I sketched out (OK, it WAS my favorite!). Alongside my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, we collaborated in creating the design, and we also enlisted the aid of one of the BEST Fabric Printing Companies in Los Angeles (they also have offices in NY), First2Print, who were able to print the custom Orbit design.... onto 20 yards of chiffon in two days! (UNBELIEVABLE!). First2Print were AMAZING!!!
The results were FANTASTIC, if I don't say so myself (I just did!). I am so honored to have been asked to collaborate with Orbit Gum, once again, to create a red-carpet worthy gown and this time for my compatriota, the MOST BEAUTIFUL Stefania Fernadez, Miss Universe 2009.
Stay tuned for an upcoming posting, I will show you some "behind-the-scenes" of the process of creating this custom gown! For now , hope you enjoy these photos:

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009: Red Carpet Fashion Year In Review

Universal Fashion Doll:

If you've been keeping up with the Pageant World (and I have of course!) you might remember that early this year, in the Bahamas Atlantis Resort, 19 year old Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009. This was the second year in a row a woman from that country (where I was raised by the way) had won the coveted crown. She has since made many appearances, representing the Miss Universe Organization and on behalf of AIDS, a cause which the Donald Trump-owned organization supports. She's also been "out-and-about" at parties, events and many a fashion week shows. Stefania has become a little "fashion plate" in her own right. The Miss Universe Organization has their own stylist who works with their title holders providing designs to best "market" their girls in the public eye. Some are from the sponsors of the pageant and some are from the designers whose show she is attending (if it's during Fashion Week). Then after that, I'm sure the stylist goes shopping or may get dresses from various stores and designers from all over.

Here is my 2009 Year-In-Fashion-Review of Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe '09...Some Good...
Monochromatic Queen: Here is Stefania in one of her most recent red carpet appearances, where she debuted her new above-the-shoulder hairstyle. I think she looks modern, fresh and less of the typical "Pageant Betty", more model-like/TV host. The monochromatic look works on her with the black dress layered over black stockings. I'm sure her Latino base of fans may not like the somberness and expect more brighter hues, but to me, she looks modern.
Best Dressed: Here-- at the recent Latin Grammys this month in Las Vegas-- she is in one of my favorite looks. The sand-colored shirred one-shoulder mini-dress looks fantastic. Her asymmetrical hair-bun compliments the overall look as well. The shoulder copper detail adds just the right amount of "bling". Trust me, looking at some of the crazy dresses our Latina sisters wore to the Latin Grammys, Stefania looked AMAZING!!!!Miss Spartacus: Another favorite is this black Grecian-inspired dress, which she wore to the Toni Maticevski NY Fashion Week Show. I am LIVING for the serious DIVA you-can't-touch-me look!Clean and Simple: Here she is at the Narciso Rodriguez NY Fashion Show in a pretty midnight blue fitted dress. She looks good, but I might have done without the pageant-esque Diamante earrings--not necessary for a dress with such clean lines. Fun and Flirty: At another NY Fashion Week event, she looked young and flirty in this ruffled charmeuse number. Cute and young--after all the girl is still only 19!!! I like it.After-Five Dept: And last, I'm on the fence on this violet ruched satin dress. It's very I-bought-it-at-the-"After-Five"-section-at-Macy's. Nothing against that section. But maybe for Miss Universe, you want to strive for "Milan" and not Going-to-a-wedding-in-Woodland Hills, California.

And the Maybe-Not's:Handkerchief No-No: When I saw this photo of the gorgeous Stefania, I went "Oh Dear!". She's at the Custo Barcelona NY Fashion Week Show, and I can only surmise that she's wearing Custo naturally. Another designer friend of mine said that she looked like one of the "Real Housewives from Orange County". And I kind of agree.Stefania and Designer Zang Toi: Zang Toi has provided many a dress or gown for past Miss Universes. Here she is with the designer posing the day of his NY Fashion Week Show. Toi is known for some over-the-top concoctions that border on top-of-a-wedding-cake so for him, the ensemble she was wearing was quite subdued. Maybe too much so. The black 3/4 coat and lace dress aged her. Leave that to her mother. Lace Overkill: Finally, Stefania made an appearance at a Mary McFadden Tribute Cocktail Reception this September at the Hotel Gansevoort where she wore a high-necked lace overlay dress. I actually like the high-neck style of the dress and the hair is perfect. Part of me wishes I had a pair of scissors to cut about 12 inches from the lace so it would match the inner lining hem.

Overall, the year was a fashion success for the newly crowned Miss Universe. So here's to a fashionable 2010 for the gorgeous Stefania! Buen provecho mi amor!

Update:
Here is video of Stefania's haircut and how the decision was made! Do you like the new style?!