Nick Verreos Gets ARTrageous! at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washignton DC

ARTrageous Nicky!
Draping Buddies: Designer Nick Verreos and Artist Karen LaMonte, stand next to LaMonte's sculpture, ARTrageous 2010

Last week, I flew to Washington DC to attend ARTrageous 2010, a fabulous annual gala in support of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery. The event was also celebrating the recently acquired artwork, Reclining Dress Impression with Drapery by sculptor Karen LaMonte. LaMonte lives and works in the Czech Republic--but made a special trip to DC for the unveiling. A very smart and eagle-eyed Smithsonian-ite recognized the similarities between LaMonte's draped glass-sculpture artwork and the tribute I pay to Grecian Goddesses in my NIKOLAKI Collection. Therefore we were both invited to be part of the unique Smithsonian American Art Museum party.Hotel Monaco Washington DC: Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fruit Plate and Classic Architecture

I checked in to the sophisticated Hotel Monaco DC, which is in a Historic restored all-marble building that happens to be conveniently located across from the Museum, where upon I was welcomed with a wonderful fruit plate, delicious brownies and chocolate cupcakes! (someone REALLY likes me at the Hotel Monaco DC!).DC Buddies: Nick Verreos and Ross Randall, Smithsonian American Art Museum ARTrageous! 2010 Party

I settled in and got dressed for the evening's gala, and headed out for the festivities. Awaiting me was Smithsonian Host-With-The-Most, Ross Randall, Development Officer of Major Gifts (love that title!) for the American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery. Throughout the evening--Ross became my Superstar DC Handler/Manager/Best Friend. I have definitely made a friend-for-life with Ross!Table Setting at the ARTrageous! 2010 Dinner

The evening began with a pre-dinner "Cocktail and Hors d'oeuvres Hour" which quickly led to a delicious dinner comprised of a Fennel Soup starter and Quail main course. Dinner Snapshot from ARTrageous! 2010

Before the dinner, Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery Curator Nicholas Bell, moderated a very lively discussion with artist Karen LaMonte and myself. Think of James Lipton and Inside The Actors Studio. Nicholas was a much more handsome and fashionable Lipton, to say the least! Smithsonian Designer and Artist Studio: Nick Verreos, Karen LaMonte and Nicholas Bell chat it up at ARTrageous! 2010 Dinner

We "warmed up" the dinner guests with a fun and lively discussion of our mutual passions for Grecian Goddesses, draping and powerful women. I think the DC crowd loved my stories of my Diplomat US State Department/Foreign Service Officer father and my JLo-like mom while I spent my early childhood in Venezuela.Dinner Fashion: Nick Verreos and guests, ARTrageous! 2010

Following the dinner, guests were led into the stupendous Smithsonian American Art Museum Atrium, where LaMonte's Sculpture "held" Center Court. The party was in full swing as guests danced and mingled.Atrium Chic: A view of ARTrageous! 2010 party, in the Smithsonian American Art Museum Atrium

Of course, I did both! I had an amazing time at ARTrageous 2010 and I am humbled and honored to have been part of this great event. Rumor has it that it was a very successful night! I always have a great time in Washington DC and since this is was my THIRD visit, maybe I should start looking for a chic apartment in Georgetown! DC Beauties: Nick Verreos with guests at the ARTrageous! 2010 Party

At the end of the night, artist Karen LaMonte was so sweet that she even offered to make a one-of-a-kind sculpture out of one of my gowns. I certainly will have to take her up on that offer.

Click HERE for more fun photos from The Cotillion Online Blogsite.

What Will the Nominees Wear?! Nick Verreos makes Predictions and Suggestions

In honor of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, I have decided to make a few suggestions on what I think some of the beautiful nominees for the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories might wear for their big night.

Now I know that these decisions have been made weeks, if not months prior to today and many of these Top Actresses have Gowns Custom Designed for their big night, but I thought it would be fun to play a bit of a guessing game as to what these actresses might choose.

Let's take a look at a few of the nominees and make a few suggestions for what they should wear to the most important night of both Film and Fashion!

Sandra Bullock:
Sandra Bullock is the front runner for the Best Actress Oscar and the entire fashion world is clamoring to dress her. Photos of Sandra will be shown across the world and pictures of Bullock in tomorrow nights gown will most likely become iconic.

I think she needs to make a bold choice with clean lines that will stand the test of time and she should definitely wear a strong color. My suggestion is this crimson red Marchesa gown from their Resort 2010 Collection. I'm sure the gown she will actually wear will be Custom Couture by a European design house, but this dress would be equally as beautiful on her.

Maggie Gyllenhaal:
Maggie is a Fashionista with a capital "F"!!! She has made strong and often unusual choices throughout her entire career and we should expect nothing but the same from her for the Oscars. My suggestion for her is this Blush Pink Chanel Haute Couture Gown from Karl Lagerfeld's Spring 2010 Collection. Only someone as risky as Gyllenhaal could pull off this fashion-forward gown and she would be wise to make another daring choice. Whether people love it or hate it, everyone will be talking about what she wore the next morning!

Helen Mirren:Helen Mirren is Hollywood Royalty and is also known as having one of the best bodies in town! Although this dress by Carolina Herrera for Fall 2010 is not a risky choice it is a rich, luxurious color and fabric and is figure flattering while having an ingenious chiffon embroidered overlay that offers just the right amount of coverage.

Carey Mulligan:
Carey is this seasons "it girl". She is the ingenue that everyone wants to dress this awards season. And it looks like she is having a great time with all the fashion and fashion choices that suddenly seem to have "fallen into her lap".

While she might also be able to pull off one of the gowns from the Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2010 Collection, I have chosen for her the bright lemon yellow chiffon gown from the Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2010 Collection. The striking color along with the softness of the chiffon drape will make her a standout on the Red Carpet. Also, her new pixie haircut will really highlight the asymmetry of the neckline.

Vera Farmiga:
And finally, for Vera I have chosen a gown from my NIKOLAKI Collection (hey, why not?! This is my blog predictions after all!). I think she would look stunning in this Celedon Green silk Zibeline Column Gown with asymmetrical strap and back cascade detail. I think the silhouette would look fantastic on her and the strap and back detail would add just enough drama for the biggest night of her life....and Vera, if you have a wardrobe malfunction tomorrow, call me! I have the perfect dress waiting for you!

COLOR BLOCKS!!

I gave this (vintage) quilted cropped jacket a face-lift couple weeks ago n' finally I got it back...


The result?!!


100% satisfied!!


My tailor understands exactly what I wanted to do for this Millard Fillmore MF-13 jacket. And she did a superb job!! 
(review: Millard Fillmore is United State 13th president aka. the Father of Contemporary sports wear, remember?!!)

Here is the look before~~

Cute jacket but seem not tailored enough to fit me...

After done the transformation!!

The puffy princess sleeves perfectly show the softness of guilt in my opinion n' more cropped length gives this jacket a trendier look!!

 This quilted jacket is a high quality embodiment of true natural classic!!

This is my today's inspiration -- Marc Jacob color block taupe Mika bag from 08'!!

There are camel, navy, military green, purple, orange, gray and yellow(gold bracelets) on me.... a rainbow color!!! ^O^

My ODJ.

• Accessory:

Hermes orange lacquer/horn necklace
Chanel 08' gray flat mary-jane w/ charms design

Have a great weekend!!! xoxo Rachel

Nick Verreos Takes a Look at Balmain Fall 2010: Runway Video!

Goldfinger: Balmain Fall 2010 Gold Leather Gown

I think we can now officially say that Christophe Decarnin for Balmain is to this Decade what Tom Ford for Gucci was to the 90's. Seeming to pick up right where Tom Ford left off, Decarnin is providing his women with Sexy, Edgy Clothing that was such an integral part of the Tom Ford Gucci Era.
Louis XIV Redux: Balmain Fall 2010 Brocade Pantsuit

This isn't to say that Christophe is doing a Gucci-Knock off Collection, he is way too talented for that. Instead he cleverly weaves his signature Rock and Roll style with the sexy 90's theme that seems to be a strong trend of the season. There were plenty of pantsuits that were done in a variety of styles mixing his signature Military accents with sophisticated brocades and "After Six" pinstripes.Beaded Brocade: Balmain 2010 Mini Dress

But to me, the stand-outs in the collection were the plethora of mini dresses done in an endless variety of shapes and fabrications. This is sure to have every young Starlet and Supermodel from here to Moscow clamoring to be the first to wear these sexy creations. Above Decarnin cleverly continues the brocade theme with a completely beaded brocade mini!
Mini Madness: Balmain 2010 Gold Bugle Beaded Mini Dress

The color palette was tight with heavy accents of Gold and sumptuous Plums and Purples. As always, Christophe accessorized the collection with studded belts and military-esque boots to give all the designs a very edgy and relevant vibe.

Let's see which actress will be the first to show up wearing one of these sexy pieces!!

Click below for a Sneak Peak of the Collection:

K-State Fashion Madness: Nick Verreos Takes on the Kansas State University Fashionistas!

Purple, Wildcats, Cows and Eco Fashion? Yes, I'm in Kansas!Welcome to Manhattan Regional Airport: The plane I arrived in

Two weeks ago, I began my "Winter 2010 University Speaking Engagements" in the US Heartland: Kansas! I was invited to speak to the fabulous students of Kansas State University (home of the Wildcats!) located in Manhattan, Kansas. I took an LA to Dallas to Manhattan, Kansas flight--and arrived in one of the quaintest airports I have ever seen: The Manhattan Regional Airport. The plane I arrived in was the only plane in the airport and once we taxied and parked, it dropped us off right in front of the airport terminal door! Front Door Service: The entrance to the terminal as you get off your plane, Manhattan Regional Airport

It brings new meaning to Front Door Service! Students from K-State were there to greet me and they proceeded to take me to my hotel. En route, I spotted something that could not be dismissed: A HUGE COW STATUE! Well, I almost made the University student driver get in an accident as I YELLED "STOP!!!!!!!!!!...I need to take a photo!!!". And they did. And of course, I posed in front of this big ol' cow! I'm in Kansas less than 30 minutes and I am already LOVING IT!Kansas State University

I finally made it to the University's Campus and got ready for the evenings fashion festivities, entitled K-State Project Runway all organized by the great UPC/Union Program Council. The night would involve a special speaking engagement by yours truly, plus a great Eco Fashion Show featuring designs from Kansas State University Students.I spoke for about an hour an half about how I got into fashion and gave lots of dish on Heidi, Tim and how it felt to be a contestant on Project Runway. There was a great slideshow behind me, showing the latest gowns from my NIKOLAKI Collection (so the attendees wouldn't be bored just looking at me!). The Top Three Designs and Designers, K-State Project Runway Eco Fashion Show/Contest

Then the K-State "Eco Fashion" Contest began: Students from the Fashion Merchandising Major--as well some Architecture students--Undergraduate and Graduate, were given four hours to create Eco-friendly designs using materials such as paper, duck tape, markers, magazines, aluminum cans, etc. Each student showed their finished designs to a capacity-filled theater and to a panel of judges--including me! Yes, the entire show was done like a Project Runway Episode. I played the part of Heidi Klum (I was NOT Michael Kors, thank you very much!). And The Winner Is: Winning K-State Student Designer, her model and design, and Nick Verreos

After much deliberation, we all agreed on the winner. The student had created a one-shoulder cocktail dress, entirely out of paper folding it and pleating it in ingenious ways. It was very Alexander McQueen and we all loved it.Can I Have a Photo? K-State Students pose while waiting in line for photos and autographs

Afterward, I posed for lots of photos and signed lots of "Posters" of the event! It is safe to say--by the reaction of the students, the designers and all the attendees--that it was a VERY successful K-State Project Runway. And I was more than happy to be part of it!The following morning, I had to return to LA, but before leaving I had to get one last parting shot of what is now, my favorite little airport in all of the USA!!! Go Manhattan Kansas! And Go Wildcats Fashionistas! Hope to return soon!