Nick Verreos and NIKOLAKI Collection in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Miami University of Ohio Italy Summer Abroad

Ciao Bellissima!!!

Grazie Firenze: Designers Giulia Bigoli, Althea Harper and Nick Verreos taking their bow, Florence Italy Fashion Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Last month, I was invited--along with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, to showcase our NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses at the first-ever "Florence Italy Fashion Show at the Miami University of Ohio Summer Program" entitled Tredici 13.

Florentine Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul, NIKOLAKI designers, in Florence Italy

For the past two years, I have been part of this FAB Study Abroad Program as a "Special Guest Lecturer", for the Journalism students, speaking about fashion, fashion blogging, trends, as well as of course, giving my unique experience and insight to the students. Oh, and yes, DISHING a little bit on the "behind-the-scenes" of being on Project Runway. But this year, the director of the program wanted to "turn it up a couple fashion notches", and have a fabulous fashion show at the program's historic campus location, the Gould Institute a palazzo built in the mid-1600's originally a residence to the noble Florentine family Del Rosso.

Runway Preparations: The Runway at the Gould Institute garden

They also invited fellow Project Runway alumn, NYC-based fashion designer Althea Harper. This was her second time joining me on the Miami University "Summer In Italy" Program so it was a real treat (for us and for the audience) to show our designs in Italy for the FIRST TIME! The fashion show--"Tredici 13"--which was wonderfully produced and organized by Fashion Photographer Jerry Ingram of Foto-Genique also included the punk-rock-inspired designs of POLIMODA 2011 Fashion Designer Graduate, Giulia Bigioli.

Fashion Designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, Fashion Photographer and Producer/Organizer of the event, Jerry Ingram, Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Runway Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

The fashion show was amazing--from the location, the gorgeous Florence-based models, the production (the lighting and runway!)--it all led to a fantastic backdrop to feature our fashions. Now, speaking of fashions:



NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos David Paul:

Yellow Princess: Canary yellow silk satin crepe NIKOLAKI gown with pleated draped-front cascade detail (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Florentine Red Carpet: One shoulder canary yellow silk satin crepe dress with shirred side, asymmetrical hemline and shoulder detail (Photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Fuchsia Italia: Models featuring NIKOLAKI dresses in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Silk-wool ziberline strapless side pleated asymmetrical dress (Left) and silk jersey cowl tunic dress with "Croq"-embossed leather shoulder accents (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Floating Marchesa: Model in NIKOLAKI one-shoulder silk chiffon "Watercolor"-printed gown with side slit (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Althea Harper:

Three looks from Althea Harper, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Giulia Bigioli:

Three looks from Giulia Bigioli, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Below are a few more photos from the event:

Step and Repeat Italia: Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute

Beard Boys: Nick Verreos (right) with Designer Domenico Strecapede (left), Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Molto Baci: Nick Verreos and one of the Florence Fashion Show "Security Detail", Alessandro Marchi (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Posing Ladies: Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy students with Nick Verreos, Gould Institute

Click Below for a great video of the runway show TREDICI 13 in Firenze Italia:

Beyoncé wears NIKOLAKI In Her New Music Video: "Best Thing I Never Had"

Beyoncé in NIKOLAKI, "Best Thing I Never Had" music video

I just returned from almost two weeks in London, Mykonos (Oh how much I miss those beaches!!!), Rome and Florence, Italy, where, along with my design and business partner David Paul, we showed some of our NIKOLAKI Collection for the first ever Miami University of Ohio "Summer In Italy" Fashion Show. More on the entire trip in an upcoming blog posting later, of course (working on editing the 400+ photos and videos!). While there, I received word that Beyoncé--yes, THE Beyoncé--wore one of our NIKOLAKI dresses in her latest video "Best Thing I Never Had".

Beyoncé Prom Diva: Beyoncé in NIKOLAKI, "Best Thing I Never Had" music video

We grabbed some screen caps here from the video where she is doing a "look back" at a "younger Beyoncé" and where she wears our silk-wool ziberline fuchsia strapless dress with side draped detail. I was so excited that I think I actually stopped my sunbathing in Mykonos and yelled a "Go Miss Beyoncé!" in front of about 200 Italian and Australian fellow beach-goers!

MTV.com does a style "look by look" of the video HERE

Above is the dress from our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection modeled by model Lauren Gish Photo by Evans Vestal Ward

Click Below to watch the entire "Best Th9ing I Never Had" Music Video:

Virgin Mobile Sparah Web-Series Part Two: Celebrity Couple "Sparah" Get Styled and Sarah Wears NIKOLAKI!

Sparah Celebrity Stylist (Me!!) Is Back!

As y'all (yes, I'm a "Southern Gal!"...Not!) know, I shot a FAB Virgin Mobile Commercial featuring "Sparah"--the newest Hollywood "manufactured" Celeb Couple --as well as myself and some of the cutest dogs in the business.

Well, in addition to the commercial there is also a Webisode Series.

Cute Couple: Virgin Mobile's "Sparah", Sarah and Spencer

I was their "Celeb Stylist" in the series (just like in the national commercial) and got the chance to get them out of the Greyhound Bus-to-Hollywood, and into the real Red Carpet. Yes, I was a bit "Bi****" but, sometimes, it takes a strong DIVA to make things work...

We shot this fun behind-the-scenes "Sparah Makeover" at the Chic Little Devil Showroom in Downtown LA--and I was helped by the AMAZING team of...

Stylist Arturo D. Chavez (Right) and Designer Maggie Barry (Left)--LOVE THEM!

As you'll see in "Part II" of "Virgin Mobile Sparah/Nick Verreos: Celebrity Stylist", I actually got Sarah (the female half of "Sparah") to try on some of my gorgeous NIKOLAKI Collection gowns, so she could have a feel for what a Red Carpet Gown feels and looks like...

Virgin Mobile Red: Sarah of "Sparah" in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul red silk ziberline strapless gown, Chic Little Devil Showroom Virgin Mobile Sparah Web-series

Check out Part Two of the "Sparah" Virgin Mobile Webisode Series and see how Sarah and Spencer had their "fashion moment"--while I was trying to STOP Sarah's giggles!!!

Here's the latest in the Virgin Mobile "Sparah" Series: Nick Verreos, Celebrity Stylist Part 2:

2011 Tribeca Film Festival: Actress Malin Akerman in J.Mendel leather!!!

Asymmetrical Beauty...

Actress Malin Akerman in J.Mendel, 2011 Tribeca Film Festival

Actress Malin Akerman showed up to the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival "Bang Bang Club" Red Carpet premiere in New York City last night. Showing off her new red hair color, Malin was wearing a sexy tan leather J. Mendel dress featuring a great asymmetrical folded-and-pleated neckline. Love the dress. On the fence with the shoes. I like how they are stacked (points for that!) but not so sure of the color. But, you know what, come to think of it, Malin can really wear just about anything and look AMAZING!

Speaking of...here's a Malin Akerman "Flashback":

Malin Akerman, circa 2003, modeling NIKOLAKI Fall 2003 Los Angeles/Smashbox Fashion Week

Yes, kids, that's Malin Akerman (pre-red hair) modeling in one of my first Los Angeles Smashbox Fashion Week Runway Shows, back in 2003, when--along with my design partner David Paul, we debuted our NIKOLAKI Fall 2003 Collection. She was one of our models!!! And she walked TWICE in the show: First wearing a wool plaid pant ensemble with a copper jersey one shoulder top above.

And then, we put Malin in an asymmetrical silk charmeuse one-shoulder cocktail number with hand-sewn Swarovski crystals (seen above). *And NO! Those aren't her eyebrows, we were being a bit Avante Garde with the make-up!! She did a FABULOUS job in my NIKOLAKI show and well, who would have known that in just a few short years, she would be one of Hollywood's top stars!!! Love ya Malin!

Actress Marley Shelton Wears NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul to the "Scream 4" Premiere!

Ravishing in Raspberry!

Actress Marley Shelton wearing NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 by Nick Verreos/David Paul, "Scream 4" Red Carpet Premiere

I just found out that the beautiful actress , Marley Shelton, wore one of our NIKOLAKI dresses--earlier TODAY--on the Red Carpet Premiere of "Scream 4". Marley plays "Deputy Judy Hicks" in the upcoming Wes Craven film. She's been in TONS of movies, including her debut back in the well-received drama, "Grand Canyon", as well as "Pleasantville", "Sin City", "Grindhouse" and now, "Scream 4".

It's from our Spring 2011 Collection--co-designed by myself and my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul. It is a silk ziberline strapless mini dress with diagonal pleated bustier and asymmetrical side-gathered detail (seen above from our www.nikolakidesign.com Spring 2011 Look Book photo). The color looks stunning on her and she looks FAB! Her stylist, the one and only Jessica Paster, gave her a "retro" vibe with the pointed toe pumps and gold clutch.

Here are some more images from today's Red Carpet "Scream 4" Premiere:

Actress Emma Roberts (L) and Marley Shelton (Right, in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 by Nick Verreos/David Paul) arriving at "Scream 4" Premiere

Actresses Aimee Teegarden, Alison Brie and Marley Shelton (wearing NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 by Nick Verreos/David Paul) , at "Scream 4" Premiere

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Click HERE or search "Nikolaki" on Facebook.

NIKOLAKI in Genlux Magazine: The Hollywood Stars Issue

Hollywood NIKOLAKI Starlets...

Actress Camilla Belle on the cover of the new Genlux Magazine "Spring 2011 Hollywood Stars" Issue

Check out the new Genlux Magazine, on newsstands NOW! Why? To begin with IT'S Genlux and the gorgeous actress Camilla Belle, star of "From Prada To Nada" is on the cover--beautifully styled by Jessica Paster. Secondly, it's the Spring 2011 "Hollywood Stars" Issue, so it's chock full of Hollywood Fashion Starlets. And lastly, well, it features dresses from my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection! (Hello! That's the BEST reason to get the magazine!).

I got some images/tear sheets from the magazine to share with you: Above is actress Pippa Black from NBC's "Outsourced" wearing one of our NIKOLAKI ivory silk jersey cowl-draped cocktail dresses with hand-beaded epaulets, photographed by Bonnie Holland and styled by Angel Terrazas in a photo essay titled "Star Watch"...


And here's a photo of model Stephanie Loba, styled by Kelvin Seah in a photo editorial titled "In My Dreams" shot by Erik Almås, wearing NIKOLAKI creme silk chiffon paillette-and-caviar hand-beaded tunic dress with padded shoulder capelet.

You can go to our website HERE and check out what the dresses look like in our Look Book.

FIDM Debut 2011 Fashion Show Gala--The Nick Verreos Recap!!! Photos Galore!!!

Fashionable Gala!

Last Saturday night was the much-awaited Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut 2011 Gala. In case you didn't know, "Debut" is the only show like it on the West Coast-- it annually attracts more than 8,000 people over 3 days and features design by graduating students in FIDM’s Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Advanced Study Programs as well as work from the Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Textile Design Students.

FIDM Debut 2011 Trophy Girls: Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and his NIKOLAKI gown-clad models, Amara (Left) and Brianna Barnes (Right)

The Saturday Night Gala is a black-tie event for VIP sponsors, donors and Fashion Industry Leaders such as editors, designers, clothing company owners and the like. It is held at the Santa Monica Barker Hanger with well-appointed tables and chairs, full three-course dinner, cocktails and of course, the fashion! I was invited to assist in handing out the Scholarship Winners for next year's Debut 2012--along with Barbara Bundy, Vice President of Education at FIDM. As a bonus, I was asked to bring two of my NIKOLAKI gowns so we would have our very own "FIDM Tropy Girls" wearing NIKOLAKI Couture on stage as we handed out the Scholarships. One of them--Brianna Barnes had a Project Runway Connection:

She had modeled in BOTH Kara Janx's Season 2 Bryant Park Project Runway Finale Runway Show as well as...

Season 3 Winner Jeffrey Sebelia's Collection

The Gala was FABULOUS with a Capital "F" for sure. I, of course, donned my White Dinner Jacket, black bow tie and braces (that's "suspenders" darlings), naturally (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Dishing Fashion: Nick Verreos and Kelley Nelson, FIDM Debut 2011 (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berlin/ABImages)

Bow Tie Heaven: Nick Verreos with Jim Holmes and Peter Helenek from Mattel (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Advanced Fashion Design Graduates' Debut 2011 Collections ranged from chic Parisian Audrey Hepburn-inspired separates, "Upscale American Apparel" Sporty-Spice, colorful and very innovative knitwear, menswear, FABULOUSLY tailored Little Boy's wear, to exaggerated ruffled red carpet gowns.

Here are some photo highlights:

Pretty in Stripes: A navy-blue silk skirt and striped top by Hannah Childs (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Let's Get Physical: Knit off-the-shoulder top, sheer and PVC leggings, Kristine Flanigan (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Debut 2011 Graduate Pamhidzai Mbanga and her Africa-inspired "boys" (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Best Dressed 1st Grade Plaid: Plaid double-breasted jacket, denim pants ensemble by Kamelia Stojanikova (Photo by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Ready to Rumble: Denim overalls and sweater combo from Kamela Stojanikova (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

I'm On The List: Strapless jumpsuit with inter-woven detail from Ethan Bartlett (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

She-Bop: Strapless printed dress from Ethan Bartlett (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

St. Petersburg Queens: Three knitwear looks from Adelle Louise Burda's Russian-inspired collection (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Edwardian Foxtail Boy: Asymmetrical coat, mustard pants, and rust-colored cardigan from Alexandra Paulus (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

London Calling: Blue leather side-zip front jacket, brown skinny pants with inseam patches and mustard-colored hoodie, from Alexandra Paulus (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Brunch at MOCA: Red pocketed tunic with wood (yes, WOOD!) "collar", from Airi Isoda (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Dinner at Nobu: Felt and chiffon ensemble with knitted "Ankle Warmers", from Airi Isoda (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Leopard Who Lunches: Black-and-white Cheetah print top with "coned" sleeves and black ankle-length high-waisted trousers, from Paul Hernandez (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Ruffled Diva: Black organza one-shouldered cocktail dress, from Paul Hernandez (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Fashion Security: Nick Verreos poses with the FIDM Debut 2011 Security Team

All in all, it was a fabulous Debut 2011 Show. It's always great to see what the "Designers-of-Tomorrow" are doing and of course, as a former FIDM Debut Graduate myself (don't even THINK of looking up what year!!!) it's always nostalgic seeing these shows for sure, as well as the young talent up there on the runway. Naturally, I had to get a final photo with the very hard-working security team at the Debut 2011/Santa Monica Barker Hanger. They were AMAZING and so sweet and respectful to me--especially "my guy" Rick Young, who at the very least, made me look as if I was actually someone important...

Until Debut 2012...