The Rockettes and Nick Verreos: High Kicking It at FIDM!!!

Swarovski Crystals, Erte, Vincente Minnelli, Gorgeous Gams... and High Kicks!

Salutin' Soldier: Nick Verreos and "Wooden Soldier Rockette", Laura Danelski (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Last week I had the FABULOUS opportunity to be the Master of Ceremonies welcoming the World Famous Rockettes to Downtown Los Angeles, and specifically, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM.

Fashion Spectacular: Nick Verreos flanked by The Rockettes, FIDM Los Angeles

(photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

The Rockettes are on their Kick Across America tour promoting their Christmas Spectacular Show and they decided to make a very special stop at FIDM, and I was invited to be the Host with The Most, naturally, being that I am a FIDM Instructor as well as the FIDM Spokesperson Extraordinaire (and a lover of all things Musical Theater and Sequins!). I made sure to put on my best RED jacket, multi-colored pocket scarf (to match the ladies Christmas Spectacular Color Scheme) and get ready to meet the lovely high-kicking ladies.

Let Me See Your Muslin: Nick Verreos looks at the inspiration for Chairing Styles designer Ralph Prado, FIDM (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

The event, appropriately titled "Kick With Nick" , was to occur at the adjacent Grand Hope Park. But first, there was an exclusive Workshop at FIDM, where the Debut (Advanced Fashion Design), Chairing Styles as well as Advanced Theater Costume students--and invited media--got a private and close up demonstration on the Art of designing for the Musical Theater and specialty costumes. The Rockettes brought several costumes and described in depth all their corresponding details.

X-Mas Happy: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes, FIDM (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

I was SO EXCITED to host The Rockettes that I could barely contain myself upon meeting them. They were UNBELIEVABLY gorgeous. First they discussed their Christmas Spectacular ensembles which they arrived in: Red and ivory "Candy Cane" costumes with gold "flutter skirts"--all boned and corseted within an inch of their toned lives...

Costume Changes: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes, in various costumes (Photo courtesy of Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Afterward, one of them went into the dressing room and came out in the Wooden Soldier Costume, designed by the one and only Vincente Minelli (Liza Minelli's father and Judy Garland's husband for you kiddies who are too young!).

What Side Seam: Nick Verreos points out the details on the "Let It Shine" Costume on Traci Reszetylo (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Then, another one changed into the Let It Shine Costume featuring over 3,000 Swarovski crystals! Here I am pointing at how the "print" of the crystal-encrusted design miters(matches) and you can barely see a side seam: Theater Couture Darlings!

Is That Cher? Nick Verreos and Rockette Alyssa Epstein, FIDM (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

Finally, we got to see the Gershwin Royal Blue Tiered Skirt Costume designed by the great Erte ! Layers of iridescent organza, lots of crystals and blue & white feathers made for a FAB conclusion to this exclusive FIDM Rockettes Workshop. I LOVED how Rockette Alyssa Epstein reminded me of Cher (and I told her so!). Now it was time for the "High Kick With Nick" at Grand Hope Park at FIDM:

(Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

FIDM welcomed The Rockettes in STYLE (see above photo) Yes, I brought along 24 fabulous ladies, decked out in black Top Hat ensembles, with signs!

High Kicking: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes high kick it (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

I then got a quick lesson in "How To High Kick It, Rockettes Style" right there and then, in front of about 300 people, who came out for this very special event. Thank Goodness my black Zara pants had stretch in them (a little bit!) and that I wore my YSL Johnny Boots.

Follow Me Downtown Los Angeles: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes lead attendees into a High Kick Lesson, Grand Hope Park/FIDM (Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

But of course, I wasn't the only one to look like a High-Kicking Fool: I got the help of five audience members who came up to the stage and got their "High Kick" lesson from The Rockettes. And truth be told, they did REALLY WELL.

Nick Verreos, KNBC Reporter Cary Berglund and The Rockettes, FIDM
(Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Photography/BEImages)

It was a FABULOUS event and I was so ecstatic to have finally met The Rockettes, got to see their costumes up close and personal, and even got a lesson on how to High Kick It! I look forward to more High Kicks with The Rockettes. Those ladies...and their costumes were AMAZING!

*We even made it on the 5 o'clock news on KNBC Los Angeles: Click HERE for the video!!!
*Click HERE for a fun photo an article from Los Angeles Downtown News.
*Click HERE for more fun photos from LookBookLA.com

A Total Venture of Fashion and Friends.

I rarely meet NEW friends whom I chat through Internet in REAL LIFE but I think it is a great experience to always want to meet new friends from all works of life! Friends come and go but true friendship doesn't fade by the distance. 

Yesterday I had a meeting-new-family venture in SF city.  Her family travels all the way from Canada to visit relatives and friends here in San Francisco. We girls knew each other way back in 2009 from the Internet while we both are into CHANEL very much. So we have been knowing each other for 2 years before we even meet in person. (Oh, note: I still like Chanel's collection now but somewhat got pushed away by its never ending price increase.)  

After I had my family, I feel the needs to meet new family as I also want DH get involved in my circle of life. ..... yeah, knowing a luxury lust side of ME! haha......  I am glad that I invited my new friend, Ceci's family over to my house in the afternoon.  Even though they only stayed at half an hour but my DH got to come home in time to meet w/ OUR new family friends!!! We don't know when is the next time we two family have the chance to catch up again but "friendship" between two families starts right then!!!! 

We do have pictures that both of us looks more "seriously" but I found those two more particularly amused. ^O^ 



I love the sheer and the not-so-provocative feather which sticks out around the chest.



I think the cut-out around the shoulder is very sexy!! ^^



Ilona: ooooo....mom, I want you hold me...
Rachel: Wait, this is the last one then I am done!!


1. Top:
lace tank (Target.com)
Prabal Gurung feather tuxedo sheer shirt w/ cut-out 
Jill Stuart green jacket w/ peplum hem 
2. Skirt:
Alexander Wang pencil skirt 09' 
3. Accessory:
Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel bag in Gray
4. Shoes:
Jill Sander cutout wooden platform buckle heels



back view



(pardon my hair again)



Go Venture!! When was the last time for you?! ^^
xoxo Rachel

I'm Back and officially Mrs Murphy!

Finally I'm back! I'm delighted to say that the wedding proved to be the best, most emotional and most memorable day of my life.  Everything about it was perfection and I just wish I could live it over and over again.  The weather was a bit dodgy in the days leading up to the big day but miraculously, the sun beamed on our wedding day and the weather was glorious.  I couldn't help but think we were incredibly lucky.  So now I'm officially Laura Murphy! We returned from honeymoon a couple of days ago and we are still getting used to coming back to reality.  I will be doing some honeymoon posts so stay tuned for them.

I will never forget the look on Chris' face when he saw me walking down the aisle towards him.  He never normally cries but he was very emotional whilst reading his vows.  That made it even more meaningful.  We were surrounded by everyone that we love and we definitely partied until the wee hours afterwards.  It was everything I hoped for and more.  Here's some snap shots of the day...

We also got word from our photographer that he had published a few of the professional shots he took on the wedding day on his blog http://gordonmcgowan.co.uk/blog/?p=396.  We were so excited to see a taster of what was to come.  We should receive the proofs by tomorrow so then we can choose which photos we want for our wedding album.

That's all for today folks as I'm snowed under with thank you cards, change of name stuff and a MASSIVE pile of washing after our honeymoon!

Work It Out: Installment Seize

I have been somewhat uninspired in the fashion stakes lately. Perhaps it is this horrid dull weather, or just the realisation that summer has well and truly run its course, but I seem to have very little energy in the mornings, and my snooze button gets more of a work out each day. Nevertheless, here is another little show and tell of my daily wardrobe debaucle.

Cardigan: French Connection (I also have this in a purple plum colour, so easy to wear and versatile). Black lace cami (just seen): M&S. Fishtail skirt: M&S. Black suede pumps (now retired to the Italian rain) Zara.

For makeup to play up the green in my eyes I used all MAC all that glitters with a little bit of mulch in the crease. Liner as always is L'oreal and I am still loving the Estee Lauder sumptuous volume lifting mascara. Over two months and it is still going strong! For lips I am obsessed with the Clarins instant light glosses, they smell absolutely amazing and give a lovely, sheer natural finish.

I hope you are all well lovelies. Any requests for posts? I need inspiration to get out of the rainy gloom :) xxx