Nick Verreos Will Show his NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection at San Diego's Best Dressed Awards 2010 this Saturday, November 6th!

San Diego Couture!

NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 by Nick Verreos & David Paul (above and below)

This weekend, I will be in San Diego to show my NIKOLAKI Collection...I know--sit down! The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater--is generously sponsoring the showing of our latest NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Spring Collection at THE Fashion Event of the San Diego Social Calendar: The 2010 Best Dressed of San Diego Awards.

Leonard Simpson presents his 2010 Best Dressed of San Diego Awards AND Dressed to the Nth Degree Fashion Show (of which my NIKOLAKI collection will be part of) on Saturday, November 6, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of San Diego and I am honored to be part of this fabulous--and worthwhile--event.

Besides the dazzling fashion show and awards ceremony for San Diego's Best Dressed, there will be professionally decorated trees available for auction and Leonard Simpson will also present Fashion Designer (best known for those iconic Dynasty designs) Nolan Miller with the Fashion Forward Lifetime Designer Award.

NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 by Nick Verreos & David Paul, Black Silk Zibeline asymmetrical cocktail dress with "Fan" pleating

Hope to see you there--- Here are the DETAILS:

What: Leonard Simpson's 2010 Best Dressed Awards and Dressed to the Nth Degree Fashion Show

Where: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina 1380 Harbor Island Drive San Diego 92101

When: Saturday November 6, 2010
5PM VIP Reception 6PM Red Carpet Arrival 8PM Awards Presentation and Runway Fashion Show

Tickets/More Information: For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jill Jones Mason 858-598-2415

Nick Verreos Hosts Simon Fashion Now's STYLE WARS!

Nick LOVES San Diego!Stomp that Runway: Nick Verreos hosts Style Wars at San Diego Fashion Valley

This last weekend, I was invited to host the first ever draping competition, Style Wars, at San Diego's upscale Fashion Valley Fashion Center, as part of Simon Fashion Now. Both Tim Gunn and Christian Siriano, winner of Season 4 of Project Runway have hosted Simon Fashion Now events here in San Diego and so I was in "good company"--or at the very least, had "big shoes" to fill...(especially with the incomparable Tim Gunn!). Nick and Courtney Dwyer at the CW6 Weekend Morning Show

After a quiet and lovely Friday night dinner at the very chic Solamar Hotel Restaurant, Jsix, and a good-night's rest, I was "up and ready" for Saturday's full schedule of events. First, I was scheduled to do a couple of San Diego's top Morning Shows beginning at 8 AM to publicize Style Wars as well as Simon Fashion Now.

Click Below for my CW6 TV Interview:

I stopped by San Diego's CW6 TV and and then went over to KUSI-TV and filmed a fun interview segment for their Weekend Morning Show, starring their Fashion Forward host for Style, Leonard Simpson.

Click Below for my KUSI-TV Interview:

After my TV appearances were done, it was time for the "Main Event": I headed over to San Diego's Fashion Valley, and began my hosting duties. Ten of the top Advanced Fashion Design students from my alma mater, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM were given one hour and several yards of pink taffeta and their challenge was to drape a gown or a dress. Style Wars was a Project Runway mini-challenge which seemed totally appropriate since FIDM is the new West Coast home of Project Runway. I helped mentor these students so they could achieve their utmost potential for this draping competition. If anyone knows a thing or two about time constraints and draping, it might be me.San Diego Chic: Nick Verreos and FIDM Debut Director, Mary Stephens, pose with the Simon Valley Style Wars Celebrity Judges

A panel of local celebrities and San Diego fashionistas judged the students on their draping--the only criteria being "Pick which one you like!". The judges were chic Gillian Flynn of Riviera Magazine, the very pretty Nikki Jones, from 944 Magazine, the stylish Andrea Naversen of Ranch & Coast Magazine, the gorgeous Arthel Neville, from Fox5 Morning News, and my new San Diego "BFF" , Leonard Simpson. The judges deliberated and chose Kapasa Musonda as the winner (she won a $250 Simon Shopping Gift Certificate!) and the First Runner Up was Sam Klemick, who won a $100 Simon Gift Certificate. Congratulations to my FIDM Debut Students for draping some of the most gorgeous gowns and dresses---under such time constraints and in front of hundreds of onlookers. Think Pink: Nick Verreos poses with the draped gowns and dresses from "Style Wars" (the winner is on the left)

The "Finale" display on the runway was AMAZING! Afterward, I signed photos and took pictures with lots of Project Runway fans and San Diego "mall shoppers". I also went shopping with David (who of course came with me since he is from San Diego) and did some "retail damage". I tried to support Fashion Valley, Simon Fashion Now, and the US economy, one H&M skinny pant, and Gucci belt at a time!
Enjoy the wonderful Photo Slide Show below of my fun weekend in San Diego's Fashion Valley.