Nick Verreos visits Season 2 Project Runway Winner Chloe Dao in Houston!!!

Miss CHLOEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Season 2 Hug: Chloe Dao and Nick Verreos, Lot 8 Boutique, Houston Texas

The day following my San Antonio IADT Imagine 2010 visit, I flew to Houston Texas to host my first Macy's Fashion Director event at the Houston Galleria Shopping Center! My Macy's event wasn't until 2 PM and unfortunately, I arrived into Houston at 8:30 AM!! In other words, I had about 5 hours to "get to know Houston". Well, I had two options: Spend 4 hours at a local Denny's and give fashion tips to the All American Grand Slam-eating patrons OR... call up my good friend, Chloe Dao, the Winner of Season 2 Project Runway (Our season...THE BEST Season!), who happens to live in Houston and owns a fabulous boutique there, Lot 8 . Guess which one I chose?
Window Shopper: Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

She was so sweet that immediately, she called me back and told me where to get some breakfast (across from her boutique!) and said she would meet me there in less than half an hour! Love her! You should have seen the croissant and coffee-drinking crowds reactions when they saw me stroll in at 9 AM with my big ol' red suitcase in tow trying to order my Omelet breakfast. I'm sure I was the most over-dressed person there (I was dressed in my Macy's Hosting ensemble!)...until Miss Chloe showed up...
Kick Up Your Heels: Chloe Dao poses in her Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

She soon showed up, dazzling in a royal blue jersey dress with neck detail (one of her own of course!) and escorted me to her "palace", the Lot 8 Boutique. It was my first time in Houston and also my first time in her store! Shame on me; we both have been a bit busy in the last 4 years and we have met up in both LA and NY but I was happy to finally be in her hometown!
Golden Dress: Chloe Dao showing off one of her most popular styles, a gold halter dress, similar to...Her "13Th Look" from her Season 2 Bryant Park Collection

She showed me all her gorgeous designs--I loved all the dresses, the suitings, the blouses...EVERYTHING!!!!She even has a special gown section, which has become rather popular as of late with the Prom Girls and the well-heeled Houston Debutantes alike!
Heading To School: Nick Vereos poses with one of Chloe Dao's new backpack designs, Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

I even took a peek at her new printed Backpack and Computer Bag line, which I LOVED!!! I could NEVER have too many "Man-bags", thank you very much! I just wished I would have snapped one up while I was there (I was too busy taking photos and gossiping with Chole!).
Sisterly Love: Sydney Dao, Nick Verreos, and Chloe Dao, Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

I had an amazing time meeting with Chloe, her FAB sister Sydney, as well as some of Chloe's interns, sales staff and Houston fashion-friends who just "happened" to stop by while I was there (I have a feeling Miss Chloe told a "little birdie" called Facebook that I was coming!). Of course, I couldn't leave my short visit with Chloe without getting a view of THAT car: Her Season 2 Project Runway Prize, the slate-gray Saturn Sky Roadster she won.
Car Models: Nick Verreos and Chloe Dao pose with her 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster

Thanks Chloe and my new Lot 8 Houston "family" for making me feel right at home and opening your hearts to little old me! I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend my time before heading to my Macy's Fashion Director event. And to put the icing on my "Chloe Visit" cake, she even drove me to the Houston Galleria and proceeded to escort me to the Macy's! Now that's what I call CLASS! Nick HEARTS Chloe!

Lace + Jeans = GORGEOUS...and Chanel Tattoo!!

This lace tube top certainly is a versatile piece in my wardrobe and I notice I can easily transfer my top to be a bottom or a bottom worn as a top.  

Here is the original look of this Earl Jean lace top. 



The new inspiration of today!!

I was playing w/ this HM lace jacket this morning and when I incidentally paired it w/ my lace tube top, they look like a skirt suit altogether.

Look 1. 

Look 2.

My ODJ.

1. Top:

• Max & Co. jeans baby-doll dress
• H&M divided lace crop jacket

2. Bottom: 

Earl Jean lace tube top as another layer of skirt

3. Accessory:

• Max Co. taupe floral belt
• J Crew pale pink tights
• Chanel 09' pink camellia earrings w/ tear pearl drop
• Chanel 09' beige medium/large classic flap 
• 
• HM floral scarf

4. Shoes: 

• Valentino patent taupe bow platform sling back
• Max Mara black clog

Who says you can't combine two trends together.... 

Lace + Jeans = Gorgeous!! ^O^

NEXT~ Let's move onto Furniture!!

Circa 1890 Original look Victorian arm chair

Now...w/ new upholstery

It costs me another $600 to keep its charm of those tuft buttons n' re-upholstery! 

LASTLY, Chanel tattoo. 

Right now, there is a full house in my place...Melody, Irene and Kitty's family are here since this afternoon...and a new friend from China who I haven't have time to greet him since I want to do blogging at this moment! ^O^ (kinda' of a bad manner, I admit.) 

However, blogging is my passion too.... can't wait to share it w/ you all. 
Irene gave me this Chanel tattoo and I can't wait to try it out....tomorrow. 

 

 Which one should I do first?? 

Have a great weekend!!

xoxo Rachel

Nick Verreos Hosts IADT San Antonio's IMAGINE 2010 Fashion Show!!

San Antonio's Night Of Fashion...
What Brings You To San Antonio: Reporter Gina Garcia and Nick Verreos on the IMAGINE 2010 red carpet

Last week, I was invited to San Antonio Texas to host the third annual IADT Imagine Fashion Show. I'm always excited to return to San Antonio since my parents, my sister and my gorgeous niece and nephew live there!
Uncle Nick...with his nephew and niece, Alain and Casia

So it's a chance to be "Uncle Nick", if only for a brief time. I also love coming back to host IADT San Antonio's Imagine show--the "Graduation Fashion Show" of the school's top fashion design students. This is the THIRD time I have been honored with the task of hosting the show so I guess we are doing something right!
Good Luck Students! The audience at Nick Verreos' IADT San Antonio lecture

My day began with an inspiring lecture to new incoming IADT students, where I told them about how I got interested in fashion, how my mom would buy me all my sketching notebooks and how my dad was so excited when I finally told him that I wanted to be a DESIGNER!!!!! I also gave them a "Nick Pep Talk" on making it in the business and how they can make the most out of their time in fashion school.
Room For Ten: Inside view of Nick Verreos' Limo to the IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 Fashion Show

Before I knew it, I had to return to my hotel room, and change into my "evening" attire for my hosting duties. IADT San Antonio always treats me like a STAR and this was no exception. Take a look at the limo I had all to myself on the way to the Laurie Auditorium, site of this year's Imagine 2010 Fashion Show! Very "flossy flossy!" (do people say that anymore?)
Step & Repeat: Nick Verreos, make-up artist Starley Murray, and Creative Director/Producer of Imagine 2010, Tony Harris

When I arrived, there was a fabulous red carpet waiting for me, where I did many interviews for local press and TV, including a fun interview with Gina Garcia, the "San Antonio Fashionista" (see video at the end of this post).
Shoes, shoes and more shoes: Backstage at the IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 Fashion Show
IMAGINE 2010 went without a hitch: 19 designers showed their mini-collections to an audience of over 500 guests, all there to support San Antonio's Next Great Fashion Designers. It was a diverse showing, from children's clothing, evening gowns to stylish men's collections.
IADT designer Jaime Galvan and his "Romantic City Vampire" models in black with gold details.
IADT designer Nanako Pastol with her "Grandmother's Vinatge Kimono" inspired children's collection (and her ADORABLE models!).
Nick Verreos poses with the IADT Staff, including Cynthia Rangel: Fashion Program Chair, IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 (2nd from the right).

Afterward, there was an "After Party" Meet-and-Greet at the Laurie Auditorium's red carpet lobby, where I got to take photos and sign autographs with every designer--and what seemed like all 500 of the attending guests! I can't wait to return next year!

Click Below for a great Video of IADT San Antonio Imagine 2010 Fashion Show and my Interview with Gina Garcia, SA Fashionista:

Nick Verreos and His Muse Attend FGILA's "The Designer and The Muse" Fashion Party

Cocktails, Gowns, and a Project Runway Designer-Almost-Without-A-Muse, at the Standard Downtown LA...Helloooooooo?!: Model Lisa Blades and Nick Verreos gossip on the phones at the Standard Downtown LA (Photo Courtesy of Tim Regas for Photomezzo.com)


Last Wednesday, on March 17Th, I was invited to the second annual Fashion Group International of Los Angeles/FGILA's "The Designer & The Muse That Inspires Them" party in celebration of LA fashion Week. This year's party and red carpet parade of Designers and Muses was to be led by the legendary Couturier James Galanos. Well, of course, I couldn't miss it! I was teaching (and giving Finals) that entire day at FIDM and afterward, rushed to my NIKOLAKI design studio to get ready and meet up with my friend--and Muse--the statuesque and oh-so-lovely, Lisa Blades. Lisa was my muse at last year's FGILA Designer and The Muse event and I just LOVE being with her so naturally, I wanted her to be my date again! For this year's event/party, she wore a pale blue and gold silk-wool zibeline, high-neck mini-dress with padded cap sleeves from our NIKOLAKI Fall 2010 Collection. The moment she tried it on, she looked AMAZING and it also made her legs look TEN FEET LONG!! (that's the part I loved).Natalie Cole and designer Lloyd Klein

The moment we arrived, we spotted the stunning Natalie Cole as she was leaving the party and slipping into her very VIP limousine. Inside, the lobby was jam-packed with fashionista guests, designers, and beautiful models mingling and enjoying cocktails. We were then whisked off to the the second level for some red carpet photo ops.
I was happy to run into Palm Springs designer, Michael Costello who was there with his model/muse, the exotic Suwana Perry. I also ran into my really good friend, designer April Mun of Stella & Jamie , who was there with her muse, actress Melissa Ordway .
Model Blocked: Brandise Danesewich, Mila Hermanovski, Nick Verreos and Lisa Blades, FGILA's Designer and The Muse Party

I knew that it would be only a short while before I would run into some Project Runway Alumn. First, Season 7 Model Brandise Denesewich spotted me from afar and we screamed like little girls (OK, I did!). She was there as the Muse of Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski, whom I also had just seen at the Gen Art LA Alumni Party days before!Better Late Than Never: Lisa Blades, Nick Verreos, Althea Harper and Tanisha Harper, the Standard Downtown LA

And then, as Lisa and I were leaving (I had a very early morning flight to Texas the next day!), we bumped into Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, who was in town for Fall 2010 LA Market Week. Althea didn't realize that she was supposed to bring a Muse (somehow she missed the "Muse" part of "Designer and The Muse") so she called her Project Runway Model, the beautiful Tanisha Harper. She left the party, met up with her, gave her one of her gowns to wear and returned to the party! You Go Girl! Althea and Tanisha both get my "Nick At-a-girl Fashion Stars" for the entire week!!!