Golden Globes Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba and Nick Verreos

Don't forget to tune in TONIGHT for the Golden Globes Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba and her esteemed panel of experts including ME!

It is always a great show and we have the best time doing it. Don't Miss It!

81st Annual Academy Awards TV Guide Network Fashion Wrap Video

What does my love for Tilda Swinton, a "Napkin Gown" and a Thief have in common? Well, click on the above video and find out...

In case you missed the finale of our last Awards Season Fashion Wrap--here it is!!!!
This is the TV Guide Oscars Fashion Wrap which we filmed on Monday, just a day after the Academy Awards. We all had a crazy fun time--like always--speaking fashion, jewelry and hair--and dishing as if we were all at home having chips and guacamole, and lots of Margaritas (even though of course, we weren't).
I think this was one of our best and I just cannot wait until the next Awards Season begins.
See you on the Red Carpet!

Academy Awards Fashion Wrap with Lisa Rinna and Nick Verreos!

Oscars Fashion Wrap Madness and Dior's "Junon" gown makes a Comeback???

Lisa Rinna and Nick Verreos on TV Guide Network Fashion Wrap

Yes kids, it's that time again for the Oscars Fashion Wraps---make sure to watch, starting tonight at 7, 8, 9 and 11 PM on the TV Guide Network--check you local listings and your cable provider (sounds so official!!!). Along with the "TV Guide Network Panel of Experts", stylist Jennifer Rade (she styles Angelina Jolie!), Lawrence Zarian, and colorist-to-the-stars Kim Vo, I joined in on the fun. This was our last Fashion Wrap of the 2008-2009 Awards Season and trust me, we ended with a Fashion Bang!

Look Familiar? Zuhair Murad's Spring 2009 Couture Gown and Christian Dior's "Junon" gown from Fall 1949

Speaking of a Fashion Bang: As I was watching the Pre-Oscar shows last night to see what all the actresses were wearing for the Academy Awards (since of course I have to do my "homework"), an "I-Have-Seen-That-Before" image instantly came to mind. As Miley Cyrus made her Red carpet appearance in a beaded gown by Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad, I could not help but think "Oh My GAWWWD---that dress looks JUST like a very famous Christian Dior 'Junon' gown from his Fall 1949 Collection!!!!" In fact, I sprinted off my couch and instantly retrieved one of my many Haute Couture Books, "Haute Couture: The Metropolitan Museum of Art" and went right to the page that showcased this gorgeous and iconic Dior gown. See photos above for the Zuhair Murad gown as it was shown in Paris at his Spring 2009 Couture Collection, the original Dior "Junon" gown and Miley wearing the Murad gown at the Oscars Red Carpet. Looks kind of similar, what do you think?
Watch tonight on the TV Guide Oscars Fashion Wrap with Lisa Rinna as I get to say a little bit of something about that...as well as a lot more...
Happy Awards Season!

2009 Grammy Awards Fashion Wrap Video

In Case you missed the 2009 Grammy Awards Fashion Wrap with Lisa Rinna on TV Guide, have no fear!! Uncle Nick is here to assist. As I said before, we were Out of Control for this Recap!! It must have been all that Rock and Roll Fashion!! So sit back relax, pour yourself a cocktail and let the fun begin!
*If you are having problems viewing the video in Firefox click HERE or switch to Internet Explorer

Nick Verreos on Grammy Awards Fashion Wrap!

On Fire!!!
Guitar Heroes: Jennifer Rade, Nick Verreos, Lisa Rinna, and Lawrence Zarian

I just finished filming my "Grammy Awards Fashion Wraps with Lisa Rinna" and it was OUT OF CONTROL!! I do not know why but we were "on fire" (I know, who says that??). We had a rip-roaring hilarious time on the set so make sure to watch tonight on the TV Guide Network. Just a warning: We were in a fightin' mood kiddies!!! Let's just say that when it comes to fashion, the red carpet and the Grammy Awards, well, we do not HOLD BACK!
It airs tonight, February 9Th, at 7, 8, 9 and 11 PM, but of course, as they say in "TV Land": Check your Local listings.

Nick Verreos DISHES on Golden Globes Red Carpet Fashion

The US Economy may be in a Slump....but IT'S AWARDS SEASON !
Nick Verreos and Lisa Rinna dish, post Golden Globes Red Carpet

Hi guys, well, it is Awards Season and the Golden Globes is the first show of the new year. And I am back doing my post-show red carpet dishing on the TV Guide Network's Fashion Wraps With Lisa Rinna. Watch me, along with the resident style expert TV Guide "crew", comment on who makes our list for "Best" and "Worst". I always love doing these and this time, it should be a "hoot" and a half---it always is when we get together. Watch and see how much my "T-zone" will act up from how hot those studio lights are!
Check your local TV/cable listings but it is scheduled to air Monday January 12Th, beginning at 7 PM and re-airing at 8, 9, and 11 PM.

Best of 2008--Nick Verreos Recap-Part I

Happy Holidays and a Happy 2009!!Nikolaki Santa: Illustration by Nick Verreos

Since 2008 is coming to an end, I thought it would be fun to do a "Best of" here on my fun little ol' blog site. I know it's very "Tyra" of me , but of course this Best of 2008 Recap is ALL ABOUT ME! Well, what I thought were all the highlights for me and what I had done throughout this past year. So without further ado, here goes my monthly Nick Highlights for 2008:

TV Guide Fashion Wraps with Lisa Rinna, Oscar's Pre-Show with Debbie Matenopoulos and Kim Kardashian; FIDM Debut 2008; NIKOLAKI gowns shine on actress Melora Hardin (NBC's The Office), Miss Alaska USA at Miss USA '08, as well as TV Guide Network's Rosanna Tavarez and Kimberly Caldwell at Amercian Idol Finale...

January---------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the beginning of January, I got called in to do some "Red Carpet Fashion Expert" commentating for the TV Guide Network and specifically, to join the expert team on Fashion Wrap with Lisa Rinna post-red carpet show. First up were the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in late January. I had a blast doing it and I guess the "powers that be" at TV Guide Network liked what they saw...

February--------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following month, I was asked to do E! Entertainment's Live Pre-Oscars Show. I joined the gorgeous (and long-lost Greek sistah) Debbie Matenopoulos as well as TV personality Kim Kardashian, at the Roosevelt Hotel E! Oscars Pre-Show Studio across from the Kodak Theater, and added a little bit of testosterone (just a little) to an otherwise all-girl line up. Debbie Matenopoulos, Nick Verreos and Kim Kardashian on E! Oscars Live Pre-Show

I also got to star in the first ever E! Oscars Fashion Show where we showed gown styles that might be seen on the Academy Awards red carpet, including one of my own NIKOLAKI designs (the turquoise silk gown to the right of the photo below). I even got to take a "final bow". The E! Pre-Oscars Coverage ended with Miss Debbie giving me a bouquet of flowers as I did the "Miss Congeniality" wave and pretend-cry.Debbie Matenopoulos hands Nick Verreos his post runway bouquet

One of the best moments of 2008 for me was when Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin (Best Actress in 1988 for "Children Of A Lesser God") attended the 2008 Oscars and wore one of my NIKOLAKI gowns--a black and white silk duchess fitted gown from my Spring Collection. Actress Marlee Matlin wears NIKOLAKI gown to the 2008 Oscars

This was the first time a Project Runway Designer dressed an Academy Award-winning actress at the Oscars. The gown was later featured in an issue of In Style Magazine, in their "Best Gowns of the 2008 Academy Awards" issue. Consequently, I did a live taping for a BBC Morning Talk Show "Breakfast" and offer more of my expertise on Academy Awards fashion as well as do post-award show commentary once again for Lisa Rinna's Fashion Wraps for TV Guide Network. My time with Lisa and the rest of the red carpet fashion "crew" was not over, however, as I got called upon for one last award show fashion expert chat fest for the Grammy Awards.Project Runway Season 3 Model, Amanda Fields models in FIDM Debut '08

February was also the month for the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) famed Debut Fashion Show. The annual show occurs at the massive Santa Monica Airport Barker Hanger. As the Spokesperson (and Instructor) of FIDM, I introduced the show in front of a packed house of 3000 attendees and then later posed with literally, hundreds of them, for their MySpace and Facebook photos. Fun times!Nick Verreos takes photos at FIDM Debut '08

April-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Along with my partner David Paul--who as you know, co-designs the NIKOLAKI Collection with me--we designed the custom gown for the reigning Miss Alaska USA, Courtney Carroll for her to wear at the Miss USA 2008 competition. It was a sexy 1930's inspired bubblegum pink silk crepe back satin gown with Swarovski crystal shoulder accents. Miss Alaska USA in NIKOLAKI gown, Miss USA 2008 Pageant

We flew to Las Vegas to attend the Miss USA as Courtney's "special guests" and cheer her on as she won the Miss Photogenic 2008 title (which she dutifully accepted in our NIKOLAKI one-of-a-kind gown live on the NBC telecast).

Nick Verreos and Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori

During our visit to Sin City, I got to meet the beautiful Riyo Mori, the reigning Miss Universe 2007, from Japan and the stunning new Miss Venezuela, a lovely young model by the name of Dayana Mendoza. Five months later, Dayana won the Miss Universe 2008 crown in Vietnam.
Miss Venezuela (and future Miss Universe 2008), Dayana Mendoza and Nick Verreos

During April, I was invited (thanks Absolut!) to attend the 2008 GLAAD Media Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Kathy Griffin (and her hilarious mom) opened the show. Janet Jackson was there. Nick Verreos, GLAAD Awards red carpet

So was Cindy Crawford (who accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award for Herb Ritts). Even Tom Ford was in the audience, seated two rows behind me. I also got to say "hello" to actors Rex Lee of HBO's Entourage and Michael Urie of ABC's Ugly Betty, amongst others.

Actors Rex Lee (HBO's Entourage), Michael Urie (ABC's Ugly Betty) and Nick Verreos, 2008 GLAAD Awards

Actress Melora Hardin wears NIKOLAKI to host Elle Magazine event, New York City

During this month, the statuesque (and gorgeous) actress Melora Hardin (of NBC's The Office) wore my NIKOLAKI black ruffled neck fitted dress to an Elle Magazine event she hosted , along with Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barneys NY.Actress Melora Hardin (wearing NIKOLAKI) on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet

Melora also chose one of my silk chiffon flower-printed gowns from my Spring 2008 Collection to wear for her appearance a week later on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet in New York City.TV presenter and singer Rosanna Tavarez, wearing NIKOLAKI gown to American Idol Finale taping

The month ended in a NIKOLAKI coup d'etat when TV personalities (and hosts of TV Guide Network's Idol Chat, Idol Tonight and Reality Chat) Kimberly Caldwell and Rosanna Tavarez wore my elegant gowns to host the American Idol Finale. Kimberly Caldwell wears NIKOLAKI to American Idol Finale taping

Rosanna wore a white silk jersey Grecian Goddess gown and Kimberly wore two: A black silk duchess strapless gown for the Finale and a black and white cocktail number to interview the winner, David Cook (see video below). They began dating soon afterward. It was my dress I SWEAR! (ha ha)

Project Runway Canada!

Resort Mentor

Well, now that the "cat's out of the bag", as it were, I can talk about one of my favorite shows on TV (or YouTube) Project Runway Canada! I was asked to participate in the first ever season of our Northern neighbors' version of our most beloved show and of course, I said "Yes!". I was either to be a judge or a "guest mentor", but did not know which one (I don't think the producers did either until very close to shooting). I finally got the call and they told me that I would not be flying to Toronto to shoot there but that they would be coming to LA instead. You know I already had my outfits packed and ready to go whenever the call from Canada would come in.

The Challenge was to be the Resort Challenge and instead of Paris where Season 3 of the American version of the show traveled to, these Canadian designers would be coming to Huntington Beach and then working at my alma mater, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). Since I am an instructor there, it made perfect sense.

The night before we filmed the scene at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, I was driven secretly late at night to the hotel where I was to stay overnight. The designers were having a nice dinner and enjoying the "resort" surroundings that evening but in the event that they were wandering around the hotel, they wanted to keep me hidden and "locked in my room", for fear that they would see me.
The next morning, I shot the scene in which I introduced myself to the group. It was funny to see their reactions because it became very obvious who knew me and who had no idea. Stephen was the first to be all "No they didn't!". He recognized me right away while the rest, for the most part, either were too stressed to show emotion, or actually thought I was the Hotel's Venezuelan-Greek Concierge telling them they had to leave! As the day proceeded, the rest of the designers began "opening up" more and more to me, yet I still felt that a couple had this "You are NOT Brian Bailey, and don't even think of replacing him!" look on their faces.

We then traveled to Mood Fabrics where they had to shop for fabrics. Afterward, we went to FIDM, where their workrooms would be. This was to be their "home" for the next two days. They loved the FIDM workspace. They especially liked the Industrial machines we had. The workroom is the same one used in my Advanced Fashion Design class so I felt right at home there. The show follows the same "script" of its American counterpart and so does its mentor. I was asked to come and survey what they were doing and just give my "two cents". I tried to vibe my best "Instructor Nick", being helpful with my advice, giving my constructive criticism in a way that would not be hurtful. Since I already felt a bit of distancing from the designers because I was not the mentor they had been used to for all this time, I treaded carefully but added some fun to lighten the atmosphere which was palpably stressful.

I was excited to see their varying ideas come to life and after the second day, very surprised to see how much they had done and so quickly: They were obviously a very talented group. I thought Bidell's outfit for himself was a bit CRAZY. In fact, I dubbed it "Jedi Resort". The dress for his model surprised me in its prettiness, especially in that green "Tye Dye" fabric. But I somehow had this weird feeling that the judges back in Canada would think it was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S and would give him props for being original and creative. I loved Stephen's and thought he hit the mark when it came to resort. I just feared they might think he looked a bit too "gay postman" with his own outfit. Marie Genevieve's was tres chic. And Shernett's seemed complicated in terms of its construction (especially for resort wear) but I appreciated her skills in tailoring. I especially loved the complicated fitted jacket she made. Lucien's was my least favorite. I was worried for him. His own outfit was a bit "Eurotrash" to my liking (and I love me some Eurotrash!) and his model's dress was Cavalli five years ago. But I loved his draping! Somehow I knew he would be in the bottom when judging came about. In the end, it was Shernett's time to go. Of course, I, along with all of you guys, had to wait to see who made it "In" and who "Just didn't cut it". I had no idea of the final conclusion to this Challenge.

In the end, I had an amazing three days working with these talented group of designers and being part of the show. I know you may not believe me when I say this, but I didn't do this to have "more camera time". I was just honored to have been asked and happy to do what I normally do twice a week at FIDM--teach and mentor my students. I am hooked on this show and can't wait for the Finale episode which has already been filmed at Toronto Fashion Week. I am dying to see who wins the first ever Project Runway Canada! Click HERE to watch the entire episode.