Hosting Fashion's Night Out and Project Style Charleston West Virginia: My Recap!!!

Good Evening Charleston West Virginia!!!!

FNO Balloon Happy: Nick Verreos, flanked by Charleston Town Center Mall "Fashionista Volunteers", Charleston West Virginia

As everyone knows, last Thursday night, September 8th was Fashion's Night Out. As part of the FNO Shopping Celebrations, I was invited to host a Fun & Fab event in West Virginia!! So, last week, I left 100 Degree Heatwave-weather Los Angeles, threw on my trench coat and scarf and flew to much cooler climates: Charleston West Virginia (it was in the 60s-low 70s Thank Goodness!!).

The Stage Is Yours: The "Project Style" Runway Stage at Charleston Town Center Mall, Macy's Court, Charleston West Virginia

I was invited to host a Fashion's Night Out Event AND a Project Style 2011 Competition at the Charleston Town Center Mall. As everyone knows (if you've been reading here on my BLOG), I've been hosting several of these Project Style "Style-Off's" and this time, it took me to "John Denver Mountain Momma"-Country! After a long flight (it's not easy to get there from LA), I arrived to an awaiting long stretch white limo (!) which then took me right to my hotel where I got some pre-event sleep.

Luncheon Posing: Nick Verreos, and my new friends, at Tidewater Grill Charleston Town Center Mall, Charleston West Virginia

The following day, I had a delicious "VIP" Luncheon at Tidewater Grill, where I met the charming Lisa McCracken, CTC Marketing Director and Project Style Co-Producer (LOVE HER!!!) plus several of the judges of the night's Project Style competition--including Laura Sheets Cosmetics Manager & Macy's Charleston Town Center Mall Fashion Director, Stephen Smith, the Assistant Manager at Gap, and Jennifer Miller, Owner of Mission Savvy Boutique.

Eco Fab: Jennifer Miller, Owner of "Mission Savvy" in front of her store, Downtown Charleston West Virginia

Afterwards, I even went to Jennifer's boutique where I filmed a lovely video (at the end of the post). Then, it was time to get back to my hotel, do an outfit change and get "spritzed up" for the Hostin' Duties of the evening. I returned to the Mall, and once inside I almost fell off my YSL Johnny Boots when...

FNO Charleston Town Center Mall, Charleston West Virginia

I passed this wondrous display of red balloons spelling out "FNO" (for Fashion's Night Out" of course) PLUS a HUGE banner with my photo above it...right IN THE MIDDLE of the Mall! (Oh Lordy!). The "Southern Hospitality"--technically, West Virginia is considered "The South"-- didn't stop there.

Once in my Pre-Event "Green Room", the organizers had many, many newspapers showing the ad and promo of the event--all reserved for my taking--PLUS...

Lisa McCracken's (The CTC Marketing Director) AMAZING Assistant, Katrina (LOVE HER Part 2!), had created a "Nick Board" with photos not just of me (Oh Lord!) but many many of my NIKOLAKI dresses and my Celebrity Clientele wearing my NIKOLAKI dresses on the Red Carpet! She even included a photo of "my" Project Runway MyScene Barbie AND a picture of me and my precious doggie, Benny!!! (Awwww! Yes, I was clutching my pearls huney!). I autographed it and hopefully, that's hanging prominently in someone's office at the Charleston Town Center!

Soon, it was SHOWTIME. Project Style, in case you didn't know, is a contest sponsored by shoptopia.com where budding stylistas apply online, send their photos and go through a selection process where they get chosen through different "rounds" of voting. The Top Five, then come to the Finals, where in Charleston West Virginia's case, I then gave then each a $200 CTC Gift Card, and ONE HOUR, to shop for an entire outfit, and come back...for a LIVE Style-Off.

The Finalists were Alyce Crist(pink top, flower-print skirt), Hennah Vogel (denim shorts), Kenzie Fry (headband & flower-print dress), Amelia Edmondson (Boho-Hippie Chick) and Taylor Ingram (white belt), seen above with me and last year's Project Style Winner, the beautiful Simran Walker (far left).

The First: The first Project Style Charleston Town Center Winner, Olivia Smolder (right) , who was also one of the VIP Judges, and Nick Verreos, Project Style Charleston Town Center, Charleston West Virginia

The judging was very CLOSE but there could only be one winner. The Project Style 2011 Winner was:

Amelia Edmondson (above)! She was very tall (5'10"+) and styled herself with a very "Boho Hippie Chick" ensemble including denim shorts, stretch lace leggings, brown knee-high boots, multi-colored and multi-printed tops, a cute headband, various jewelry, all for under $200!

$1,000 Smile: Project Style Winner Amelia Edmondson and Nick Verreos, Fashion's Night Out Charleston Town Center Mall, Charleston West Virginia

As a result I handed her THE PRIZE: A $1,000 Charleston Town Center Mall Gift Card! She was ECSTATIC and overjoyed (so were all her friends and family who were cheering her on the entire time!!!). I had such a fun time hosting this special Fashion's Night Out event and Project Style "Style-Off"!! The super warm hospitality of EVERYONE in Charleston was INCREDIBLE. Words cannot describe. But soon, it was time to head back to my hotel and get three hours of sleep, since I had a 6AM flight to catch. Where did I have to go? New York City! Why? To attend the Project Runway Season 9 Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Show Finale... Stay tuned!!!

For Now: Here's a Video I shot of the very FAB "Mission Savvy" Boutique--and its owner Jennifer Miller--in Charleston West Virginia:

Missoni for Target.... A Great Add-ons for Home and for Girls!!

Yeah, I know, Target's website is down and boo...... such a bummer!! 
I know if I can't see anything online, I'd pissed so I decided to stop by Target even though I am slow-motioned driving there when I should really vroom vroom....... before everything is gone!!

You know, I am not the crazy one...this is only the modest. 

Well, not so bad and here are the hauls I scored...{no, I did pay, and I can't believe I bought $691 from Target which is equal to a year supply of toilet paper, kids' shampoo, cheetos, toys, gift wraps, Mascaras, and maybe kids' Halloween costumes, Christmas cards I ever spent.}  except I really want a Missoni throw and maybe that bike just to display it in our living room!! {Therefore my guests will know what's the big deal of Missoni for Target, right?!} 

For girls, me and for home. 



Two pillows and one zigzag storage box which I used for leveraging dimensional look for photo frames at the side table. 



Go color and pattern wild in family room. 







For Heidi and me



For Ilona



For Niel, my son. {I hope he doesn't mind....  ^O^}

Love that mini skirt which would go perfectly with my last year buy M Mission sweater!!



I put back the hat as I have way too many... but keep the lightening socks. Hooray~~



Cardigan, check (out)!! 







Both Oct. magazine 

Yeah, I love the zigzag sweat pants, it is a keeper!!




Stay tuned .. I shall have more modeling pic. in the next following days..
Play with zigzag pattern ~~ 


xoxo Rachel 

Pageant Minute:The New Miss Universe 2011 is...Miss Angola, Leila Lopes!!!

The Most Beautiful Woman in The Universe

The new Miss Universe, Leila Lopes of Angola, being crowned by last year's Miss Universe, Ximena Navarette of Mexico

Last night was the Finale of the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant. As you may know--if you've been following my BLOG--it was held in São Paulo Brazil, and yes, I've been having a BLAST doing my "armchair" Fashion Reviews of those gowns--The Good, The Hoochie, and the Trends. The show was broadcast LIVE on NBC and Telemundo here in the US. And of course, I watched! In fact, I was invited to a FAB Viewing Party in Hollywood last night by the one-and-only former Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee!

Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes in Evening Gown and Swimsuit

The Winner was Miss Angola, the exotic and oh-so-stunning Leila Lopes. She was one of my favorites in terms of her evening gown back when I reviewed BOTH the "Official Evening Gown Portraits" as well as last week's Preliminaries. She was NOT a favorite to win amongst the well-versed "Pageant Watchers"/Missosologists.

Leila Costume: Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes in her "Miss Angola" National Costume

But HUUUUUNEEEEYYY: The minute that show began and the Top 16 were announced, she STOLE the show!!!! The 5'10" stunner lit up the entire stage the minute the camera hit her! In fact, the minute I saw her on TV, I turned to my fellow party guest, NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul, and said "That's The Winner!! She's GA-GA-Gorgeous!" . She was also a BIG favorite with the audience in attendance. You could hear the shouts of support while watching the live telecast. It was quite interesting in that the mostly-Brazilian audience were cheering HER more than their own Miss Brazil!!! In case you might be Geographically-deficient, she's from Angola, which is in the continent of Africa. Angola was a former Portuguese colony (that is why she spoke Portuguese, the official language of Angola and of course, Brazil). This makes her the FOURTH woman from an African country to win the Miss Universe title.

Final 2: Miss Ukraine Olesia Stefanko (1st Runner Up) and Miss Angola Leila Lopes (Miss Universe 2011)

The Top 5 were (L to R) Miss Brazil Priscila Machado, Miss China Luo Zilin, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, Miss Ukrain Olesia Stefanko, and Miss Angola (foreground), Leila Lopes

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes: Wearing a perfectly regal strapless gold, feathered and embroidered/applique' sequined gown with Princess-side slit; this gown was one of my favorites.

1st Runner Up Miss Ukraine Olesia Sefanko: Wearing a Empire-style white "Grecian Goddess" gown with gold and sequin under-bust and neckline trim detail. Also, on my "Top Miss Universe 2011 Evening Gowns" list. She is absolutely beautiful but I think it was this simple yet elegant dress that carried her all the way to the final two.

2nd Runner Up Miss Brazil Priscila Machado: Priscila wore a different gown than in the Preliminary Competition. I liked the canary yellow color in this gown; it really made her stand out amongst all the other finalists. This is a very "Pageant Betty 101" Gown--the one-shoulder, the side-cut-out's, the slit, the back shoulder drop/fall. I designed a gown just like this back in 1994 right after attending Fashion School. But...it worked here! She definitely made a statement and the judges liked it.

3rd Runner Up Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup: Shamcey wore the same "transparent" sequined gown she wore in the Preliminaries. It was (I hate to be repetitious, but...) one of my FAVORITES from the "Transparent Trend" at the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. She was so Mestiza and so pretty! She also reminded me of a gorgeous local weather anchor here in LA, Maria Quiban from MyFoxLA Good Day LA.

4th Runner Up Miss China Luo Zilin: Luo wore the same gown she wore in the Preliminary Competition as well, a fitted-torso but full from-the-hips-down red gown. She's six feet tall, so she carried it off very well!

Best Costume: There was really no "Official Miss Universe 2011 Costume Competition" where they gave out prizes, trophies, etc. However, it was announced during the Telecast, that an "expert panel" (maybe the Preliminary Judges?) did review the National Costumes and "chose" Miss Panama Sheldry Saez as the Best! Of course, being that I am half-Panamanian (mi Mami!), I was very happy!!! It was FAB-u-LOUS as you can see from the photo above.

Leila Lopes, the day after winning Miss Universe 2011, as she gets interviewed by Brazilian TV

Congratulations to the new Miss Universe, Leila Lopes and Congratulations to the country of Angola! This is, by the way, the FIRST time, that country has ever won a Miss Universe. Parabéns!!

Miss Universe 2011 Official Viewing Party: True Beauty Rocks The Universe In Hollywood

Fiesta de Miss UNIVERSOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Designer and Muse: Nick Verreos and former Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee (wearing NIKOLAKI), True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Last night was the Finale of Miss Universe 2011. Of course, the actual pageant was in São Paulo, Brazil. Needless to say, I wasn't invited to go and therefore, did not. However, there was a BETTER Party I was invited to: The "True Beauty Rocks The Universe in Hollywood Official Miss Universe 2011 Viewing Party at the W Hollywood Hotel. It was sponsored by the Miss Universe Organization, The Atwell Group, True Beauty Special Events, LCH/La Casa Hermosa, and Telemundo.

A Suited Threesome: Actor/Comedian (and friend!) Alec Mapa, Nick Verreos and David Paul, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood Miss Universe 2011 Viewing Party W Hollywood Hotel

My good friend Brook Lee--who happens to be a former Miss Universe (and the last Miss USA to win that title!)--invited both my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul and myself to this festive BASH! And naturally, I couldn't say "No"! A) I LOVE Beauty Pageants; B) I Love Miss Universes and C) I Love Parties!! Once we arrived, the party was in full swing on the street-level "courtyard" of the very happening W Hollywood Hotel. The place was PACKED with many, many gorgeous ladies wearing sashes (lots of Miss California USA contestants) and many well-dressed men following them!!

LOVE HER: Nick Verreos, Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006 and her cutie boyfriend, Brandon Belsky from their band Jamestown Avenue, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

A HUGE screen floated from one of the walls as Telemundo Network projected the Miss Universe "Pre-Show" that had begun at 8PM "Camino a la Corona", which highlights all the Latin American contestants in the Miss Universe Pageant. Hors d'oeuvres were passed around (I saw them but never got to try any--and I surely did not see any of those girls with sashes attempt to even reach for those plates!). There was a fully-stocked Open Bar as well. In addition to viewing the Telecast (it was like one of those "Oscar Viewing Parties", but with more gorgeous women around), this was also a Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Miss Universe. As a result there were some "Special Guests" in attendance.

Universal Announcer: Nick Verreos announcing the past Miss Universe Titleholders--flanked by (L to R) Chelsi Smith Miss Universe 1995, Brook Lee (in NIKOLAKI gown) Miss Universe 1997, Justine Pasek Miss Universe 2002, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

As the time got closer and closer to the start of the Live Telecast at 9PM, I was asked to announce who these Special Guests were: TEN Former Miss Universe Titleholders, who were invited to Hollywood for this unprecedented celebration!

Look at My Face: Nick Verreos, as he greets Miss Universe 1964 from Greece (my father's parents' homeland!) Corinna Fields, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

I introduced la bellisima Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002 from Panama, my "Hawaiian Sister" Brook Lee Miss Universe 1997 (USA), the vivacious Chelsi (Those incredible legs!!) Smith Miss Universe 1995 (USA), the elegant Michelle McLean Miss Universe 1992 (Namibia), Mona (Face of a Supermodel) Grudt Miss Universe 1990 (Norway), the statuesque Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 (South Africa), the beautiful Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago), the elegant Sylvia Hitchcock Miss Universe 1967 (USA), my "Greek sister" Corinna Fields, née Tsopei Miss Universe 1964 (Greece)...

And the MOST Special Guest, the FIRST EVER Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela, who was Miss Universe 1952, seen above being handed a special presentation by a Miss Universe Organization representative.

Las Misses: Nick Verreos with all the past Miss Universe Titleholders, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Colors of The Universe: (L to R) Justine Pasek Miss Universe 2002 (Panama), Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago), Nick Verreos, Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 (South Africa), and Mona Grudt Miss Universe 1990 (Norway), True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Pageant Squeeze: Shanna Moakler and Nick Verreos, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

My Girl: Actress ("Unstoppable") and former Miss California USA 2007 (she wore one of my NIKOLAKI gowns to the Miss USA 2007 Pageant!!), and Nick Verreos, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

I can't even begin to tell you what an honor it was to have introduced them at this amazing event! I felt like I was a little boy, back in Caracas Venezuela watching the Miss Universe Pageant and being all excited to see all the gorgeous girls in their gorgeous dresses! I had such a blast at the party that I almost forgot that there was a Pageant to watch on the big ol' screen!!!!

OOTD: Today's Workwear

I am extremely lucky in the respect that I don't have to wear a uniform or a suit in order to conduct my business.  I can express my mood or personal style through what I wear every day to work.  My workwear has to be three things...smart, functional and stylish.  I was meeting a few vendors today and decided to base my outfit on my new turquoise shell top from New Look.

Top: New Look (link!)

Jeans: ASOS (link!)

Leather Jacket: La Redoute

Wedges: Faith

Bag: Moda In Pelle

Necklace: New Look (link!)

Ring: Accessorize

I love this top because it's lightweight, extremely wearable, a gorgeous bright turquoise, easy to wash and you don't need to iron it! What more could you want?! I also like the large button detailing on the back.

My new ASOS supersoft black skinny jeans have proved a big hit too.  They are comfortable, flattering and don't go all baggy at the knee after you have worn them for a couple of days.  I will definitely be going back for more.

My favourite wedges have seen better days and at some point I will have to buy a new pair but I just love them so much.  They are the essence of comfort and go with just about anything.

I got my tan leather jacket from La Redoute as a Christmas present a couple of years ago and although it was £200, it's one of the best presents I could have been given.  A leather jacket in a classical style NEVER dates and will always be current.  This one is buttery soft and gets better with age so it's more of an investment really.

Another nice little purchase was this brown stone drape necklace from New Look which is a lovely contrasting colour for the turquoise top.  I don't often buy jewellery from New Look but sometimes you find nicer pieces like this so it's worth a look.  It was only £6.99...bargain!