Nick Verreos Hosts Style Week OC 2011--Opening Night Rack Rave Party at the Irvine Spectrum: The Recap!!!

Style Week OC 2011 Opening Night Party: Fashion, Candy, Prizes, and a BLOG CRUSH!

On The OC Big Screen: Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave Opening Night Party, Irvine Spectrum Center

This past Friday night I had the honor of hosting the Opening Night of the Fourth Annual Style Week Orange County at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, California. Last year, as you may know, I showed my NIKOLAKI Collection--along with my design partner David Paul--and it was a HUGE success, so I was happy to return. Style Week OC 2011 is going on all THIS WEEK with TEN can't-miss events including 3 Spectrum Runway Presentations, 5 Fashion Island fashion shows--including collection showings and appearances by designers David Meister and Rachel Roy as well as many, many other events. This past Friday night was the Opening Night Rack Rave Party which yours truly, was hosting.

Color Happy: Nick Verreos hosting Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave, Irvine Spectrum (Photo Courtesy of "Blog Crush")

After a rather traffic-free drive from Los Angeles to the OC (we were lucky!)---David and I checked in to the FABULOUS Pelican Hill Resort--my "home away from home"---while I hosted Friday night's festivities.

Welcome Yummy: The Welcome Spread, Pelican Hill Resort Newport Coast

The Pelican Hill is UNBELIEVABLE! I knew it was going to be a good night when we walked into our Bungalow and found a delicious "Spread" of Chanti, bread, cheeses, and meats--as well as a lovely "Welcome to the Pelican Hill Resort" note form Managing Director Giuseppe Lama.

After a brief lunch poolside at the Coliseum Pool & Grill, overlooking the breathtaking 136 feet circular Coliseum Pool (above photo) it was time to head back to our Bungalow, so I could get ready!

The OC weather was just PERFECT for tonight's kick off Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave outdoors bash at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The scene had a Fashion Carnival ambiance with a fab stage, DJ Mike Bless spinning the tunes, and a sectioned off area for all guests to enjoy the party with the stunning lit-up Irvine Spectrum "Giant Wheel" overseeing everything.

The "Rack Rave" party included nine great Irvine Spectrum Center retailers: Macy's, Nordstrom, Target, Salvation, H&M, Max Studio, Forever 21, Kaitlyn and Active Ride Shop and Fuzziwigs Candy Factory. Each retailer had a tent/table where they featured clothing, accessories as well as fun games and prizes, Make-Up and Brow sessions, sandal "be-dazzling" and even some "Goodie Bags". Gorgeous models, representing each Rack Rave retailer came on stage , then took their position at each tent, showing the latest for Fall 2011:

Models showing the latest from Irvine Spectrum Center Retailers including: Macy's, Max Studio, H&M...

Salvation, Target, Nordstrom...

Forever 21, Kaitlyn, Active Ride Shop

A BIG HIT with the overflowing Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave crowd were the Fuzziwigs Candy Factory tables, set up front-and-center. Once the organizers pulled the ropes to allow guests into the Rack Rave area...EVERYONE ran to it as if Halloween was TOMORROW! Moms, dads, and kids of course. There seemed to be HUNDREDS of people lined up to get their candy!!

A BIG highlight for everyone attending was when I announced the Target Winners--I was jealous in that I think someone got themselves some Missoni for Target--and some cute stuffed Target Dogs (so cute!!) I even autographed one--I'm sure it's on Ebay right now!

Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave--The Blog Crush VIP section

But a BIG highlight for me--was meeting all the "Blog Crush" OC Bloggers who were in attendance in a roped-off VIP section of the party. After doing my MC duties and being, the "headmaster" of the Rack Rave fashion carnival (and trying to corral all them Candy-Loving guests!), I headed right to them:

OC Blog Love: Nick Verreos with the Blog Crush Ladies (Photo Courtesy of "Blog Crush")

Bloggers from the Orange County area were invited to cover this Style Week OC 2011 kick off party including Michelle Fryer of LifewithDylan.com and Shel Cosmetics Blog, Heather Bandura of Sixty Minute Housewife, Lydia Poblano of The Vintage Mama , Marcy Taylor of Suburban Mama, Sonia Marsh of Gutsy Living/SoniaMarsh.com, Marcy Massura of marcymassura.com and The Glamorous Life, Jennifer Klein of 3 Before 30, Lynzee Moore of mooremischief.com, Suzanne Broughton of suzannebroughton.com, Jami Rogers of This and That/JamiAllyn.wordpress.com, Amanda Elhaj of Amanda's Favs, Carrie Braun of Get Carried Away, and Lana Waggoner of SheLivedInAShoe.com . It was a major "Nick Love Fest" in that Blog Crush VIP section. Let's just say I was screamin' and sweatin' A LOT and having a blast with all of the ladies!

Afterward, I signed LOTS of autographs and took photos with lots of the Rack Rave attendees. I was SO happy to see so many "Project Runway" fans who came out for this party. I was especially surprised by how many very young fashionistas said that they were especially fans of Me and My Season!!! (I was like, "were you FIVE when it aired??"LOL!). It was a FABULOUS event and in addition, a very successful Kick Off to Style Week OC 2011.

Model Love: Model Lauren Gish (one of my NIKOLAKI website Divas!) and Nick Verreos, Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave, Irvine Spectrum Center

OC Style: Nick Verreos with two very styling OC Fashionistas, Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave, Irvine Spectrum Center

NIKOLAKI Duo: David Paul and Nick Verreos, Style Week OC 2011 Rack Rave, Irvine Spectrum Center

And Don't Forget: I'll be back to the OC NEXT Friday--when I host Close out the week with Runway Glam Slam featuring the Cadillac: Contemporary Design Fashion Show and LOTS, lots more. I can't wait!

Nick Verreos Attends Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA "ARTrageous"

FASHIONrageous at Macy's GLAMORAMA LA 2011:

Nick Verreos, Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA 2011 Red Carpet, Orpheum Theater Los Angeles

This past Friday, I was invited (as well as my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul) to attend Macy's Passport Presents GLAMORAMA 2011. Macy's Glamorama is an AMAZING event that combines runway fashion, entertainment, music, and all the while raising money for the fight against HIV/AIDS. They do a four city tour, which includes Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco and LA.

For the past 29 years, more than $29 million--yes, MILLION--has been raised for outstanding and worthwhile organizations such as AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food in Los Angeles and many others in the other cities. Side Note: I remember actually going to one of the very FIRST Macy's Passport shows in San Francisco back when I lived in the Bay Area. I think my Mommie took me (please don't do the math!).

Macy's Glamorama LA 2011 was held at the historic Orpheum Theater in Downtown LA, and the Theme for this year was "ARTrageous". I knew this would be a fun night when the first person I ran into as I get out of my car is...

Ice Queens: Nick Verreos and Johnny Weir

Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir--looking much more fabulous than I (Thanks Johnny!!) in a Chris Benz purple knit sweater-jacket and iridescent leggings and some SERIOUS wedge bootie pumps! Now, you might know how much I am a fan of Figure Skating, and especially the Costumes. Last year, I also did some "Fashion Commentating" for Universal Sports during the Vancouver Olympics (with Johnny in fact, but he was in the Vancouver studios while I was in LA). Needless to say, it was wonderful finally meeting him. My partner David was also excited to say "Hi" to Johnny (wait until you see the last photo in this blog!)...

But back to the show:

Macy's Glamorama LA 2011 had so many many highlights. Let's begin with the musical performances. First came Far East Movement (above). I knew their songs, just didn't know who sang them--but Lord Knows now I do! (I know, I'm such a loser when it comes to what "the kids" are listening to these days!). They were GREAT by the way.

Beyond great was Cee Lo Green, who had everyone on their feet by the end of the night. If I wasn't seated all the way in the back, I would have run up on stage and become a groupie/fan and started dancing with him right then and there! (Thank goodness for David that I did not!).

A definite highlight of the evening was a Special Tribute to Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who devoted so much of her life to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Tribute was presented by Sharon Stone. Ms. Stone looked every bit a Hollywood Star in a fitted royal blue side shirred dress and LOTS of diamonds (an homage to Miss Taylor I presume?). It was such a loving tribute which also included a brief yet poignant appearance by Elizabeth Taylor's grandsons, Quinn Tivey and Tarquin Wilding.

Oh and yes, then there was The Fashion:



As always, Macy's Passport Presents Glamorama involved showing lots of Fashion. There were nine runway presentations showing the latest Fall 2011 looks from brands that are at Macy's: Armani Jeans, Kenneth Cole, Rachel Rachel Roy, Tommy Girl, Tracy Reese, Impulse Macy's Department, Calvin Klein, bar III...

And Papi, the underwear line. This last "runway portion" of the show was, of course, a BIG HIT with the audience--men and women alike, thank you very much. How those boys can be up on that stage almost naked is beyond me. But I guess if I had their bodies...

After the show was over, it was time for David and I to head to the After Party, which was held at the nearby California Market Center, in its expansive lobby. For tonight's Glamorama After Party, the lobby was transformed into a Las Vegas-style Nightclub. Guests arrived and began to enjoy the Patron Tequila Bar, several food/hors d'oeuvre sections (the roast beef sliders and vegi wraps were delicious!), as well as a See's Candy and Don Francisco's Specialty Coffee tables, among others.

At the After Party, I ran into my friend Ross Mathews, who was there with his partner Salvador--both looking quite dapper. Ross was working his grey H&M jacket with white piping, skinny tie and skinny jeans.

Also, a woman in a cute red dress approached me, telling me how she was a "big fan" and how her daughter would so jealous that she was meeting me. Her name was Michele and her beau turned out to be "The Young and The Restless" actor Sean Kanan (above with Michele). We had a very fun conversation which involved everything from Project Runway to our mutual love of Italy, my experience of almost drowning off the coast of Capri and his new cooking book "The Modern Gentleman". And of course, I made Michele call her daughter so I could say "Hi" and give my best Tim Gunn "Make It Work" impression. With that, it was time to say "Ciao" to them, and the fabulous Macy's Glamorama After Party.

Oh and before I forget, I promised a certain photo of David and Johnny Weir--well, Here ya go:

Get Your Hands Off My Man: Johnny Weir and NIKOLAKI co-designer David Paul

It doesn't get more Figure Skating Fabulous than this! If this doesn't end up on David's Facebook, I don't know what will!

Postcard: New York City August 2011--McQueen Exhibit, Dream Downtown Hotel

A Pool in a Manhattan, a balcony in a NYC Hotel, a 2 1/2 hr Wait for McQueen and DELICIOUS Pizza? Read on...

Nick Verreos, Dream Downtown Hotel Pool NYC

A couple of weeks ago--between my crazy schedule of co-running my NIKOLAKI design company, designing, draping and making patterns for the next collection, filming TV Show Pilots, and trying to AVOID answering questions of "Why Are You Not on Project Runway All Stars?"--I had to fly to NYC with my design-and-business partner David Paul for an important business meeting. Well, let's just begin with how much I love NY. Love. I have many friends there so I can't wait to arrive. But I was a little bit scared since, well, for the last few weeks, it had been like 10,000 DEGREES HOT. I don't do HOT HUMID WEATHER very well! My T-zone doesn't "likey". But--thank goodness--the weather had "cooled" down--to a respectable 80-something degrees. I really didn't have an option, since this was the only time we could have this business meeting.

Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum NYC

Also, I remembered that the FAB Metropolitan Museum Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" Exhibition was going to close soon and my partner, David, had not gone...so, this would be the PERFECT opportunity!



David and I booked ourselves into the newly-opened Dream Downtown Hotel, which is located near the "Meatpacking District"/Chelsea area. It had a pool. Enough said. Done and done. Upon arrival, we went to our Deluxe Room and I just about SCREAMED...



We had a balcony! (above photo) Who has a balcony in a NYC Hotel? Well, we never had. It even had a little chair as well. Yes, it was a vertiginous balcony about 18" wide but still, it was a balcony. The room was spacious--for NYC standards.



The room also had a interesting "Girl Scout" painting which I was obsessed with. But the "piece de resistance" (besides the balcony, pool, painting), was that there were ETRO bath and grooming products in the bathroom:



I LOVE me some Etro! After our business meetings, we returned to our hotel and enjoyed a day in the Pool:

Dream Downtown Hotel Pool

Dream Downtown Hotel Pool Beach area

The next day we headed off to the Metropolitan Museum to see the Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" Exhibit. I had been to it when it first opened but David had never been. And it was THE LAST WEEK!!!! So, No Should've, Would've, Could've...Just Do It!!!

Metropolitan Museum Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" Exhibition, Final Week lines

Metropolitan Museum NYC

We braved a 2 1/2 hrs wait (when I first went, I barely waited in line!) hanging out in the Met's immense entrance upstairs balcony area (in line of course!). Finally, we made it in. It was PACKED and not so comfortable of an experience (for both David and I) to be 10 people-deep from the actual clothes and trying to read what they were.

Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" Exhibit, Metropolitan Museum NYC

Since I had already "been there, done that", I really didn't care. But, yes, I felt bad for David. He even rented the Audio Equipment (my suggestion) which well, if you can't even see the displays, what's the point?

Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" Exhibit, Metropolitan Museum NYC

After it was all said and done, we did it, and more importantly, David got to see (kind of) the

Exhibition: The dresses, gowns, shoes, videos...were AMAZING!!! (the accompanying book is A MUST BTW!) We will really be PISSED if it comes to Los Angeles and the almost-three hour wait and barely-seeing-anything (for David) was for nothing!!

David Paul and Taylor Schultz, Maritime Hotel La Bottega NYC

After our trip Uptown to the Exhibition, we capped off our time in NYC with drinks and dinner with our very good friend Taylor--first at the Maritime Hotel's "La Bottega" for cocktails and then Artichoke Pizza: Yum and Yummier...





PS: I LOVE NY!