Faces: Iconic Portraits of Los Angeles Fashion--Nick Verreos makes a "brief" photo Cameo!!!

Fashionable FACES...

Casual Fridays Posing: Nick Verreos prepares for his "Faces: Iconic Portraits of LA Fashion" close-up

Late last year, I was asked to partake in this wonderful opportunity to be photographed for the Faces: Iconic Portraits of Los Angeles Fashion, an ongoing series of books with portraits capturing some of the fascinating people who work for or on behalf of the Los Angeles fashion industry. The entire idea was produced, edited and directed by John Arguelles, President at Lloyd Klein Couture, and a man with an inspiring vision and an unstoppable love of LA and it's Fashion.

James Galanos

"Volume 1" of the book--due out next month--will feature over 150 of these people--a wide range of 'subjects", from Retailers, Editors, Factors, Stylists, Models, and of course, Designers. It is dedicated to James Galanos, our very own Master COUTURIER and was photographed by Steve Anderson. The first video of the portraits is up and features LA fashionistas from my very good friend, California Apparel News Editor-in-Chief Alison Nieder, to Fashion Historian Sylvia Sheppard to LA Times Fashion Critic Booth Moore to designers Randolph Duke, Sue Wong and myself.

Sue Wong

For the shoot, John asked me to just show up--and I did after dealing with back-to-back pattern-making, draping and design meetings--When I saw how FABULOUS and made-up Miss Sue Wong looked (ALWAYS a DIVA--take a look a the video below!), I now wish I would have at least put on a jacket, a dress shirt and a tie!!!!

Click Below for Part One--I make a brief "appearance" around 7:16:

FACES: iconic PORTRAITS of los angeles FASHION - part I from John Arguelles on Vimeo.

Click Below for a 'behind the Scenes" of my quick two-minute Photo session:

Holiday Party Round Up: The TV Guide Network Party at Lucky Strikes Lanes/Lounge at Hollywood & Highland

Bowling FASHION Pins, Onion Rings, Holiday Cocktails, and a beautiful Hollywood & Highland Xmas Tree...

Editor Sandwich : Nick Verreos and two TV Guide's "The Fashion Team" editors

Last week, I was invited to yet, another Holiday Bash: This time it was the TV Guide Network Holiday Party, which was being held at Lucky Strikes Lanes/Lounge at Hollywood & Highland. Fresh off my "Most Memorable Red Carpet Fashion Moments of 2010" segment which I filmed at the W Hotel Los Angeles with stylist Jen Rade and host Lawrence Zarian--in ICE SKATES!!!---

I braved the torrential LA rains (those three words do not belong in a sentence!) and went to the party! I wanted to say "Heeeyyy" to all my wonderful co-workers and the amazing TV Guide people who make me look good (or at least try!) and maybe get some "Holiday" cocktails and nibblings...

Lucky Strike Lanes/Lounge, Hollywood & Highland Complex

Once I arrived at Lucky Strike Lanes/Lounge, the party was in full swing with hundreds of TV Guide-ers drinking, bowling (I know, seriously!?) and partaking in the delicious food that was out. I spotted salads, desserts and even some onion rings (my favorite!). Unfortunately, there were too many prying eyes and I didn't want to show that GAYS actually EAT (so I didn't--but trust me, you KNOW I wanted to ask for a "To-Go" bag!).

Bowling (NOT!) Buddies: Nick Verreos and Michael Anthony Nalepa, TV Guide Holiday Party Lucky Strikes

I didn't see my fellow "The Fashion Team" cohorts--Miss Jen Rade and Lawrence Zarian (I heard I had just missed him!), and I didn't see Chris Harrison (Host of "The Bachelor" and the TV Guide Red Carpet Awards Pre-Shows), but...I did get to hang out with a lot of the behind-the-scenes kids: I said "Hola" to several of my producers (LOVE them!), segment directors, cameramen, sound guys and editors (REALLY LOVE THEM!).

Not that $11 Million Tree: The gorgeously lit Hollywood & Highland Christmas Tree

I had a really fun time, and in case y'all were wondering, NO, I did not bowl. I just mingled. It's more fashionable...Happy Holidays, be safe, be merry and always be FASHIONABLE...and take onion rings TO GO!!!!!

TV Guide Network's "The Fashion Team" End of The Year Show: Nick Verreos Ice Skates...at the W Los Angeles CHILL!!!

Fashion Ice Capades, A Meat Dress, Cinnabon Couture and CHILL-in' at the W Los Angeles!

Michelle Kwan I Am Not: Nick Verreos does a leg lift on ice skates, filming TV Guide Network's "The Fashion Team", Chill at the W Los Angeles/Westwood

Oh how quickly time flies..when you're having "Red Carpet" DISHING fun! Yes, kiddies, this week was the last episode--for 2010--of my TV Guide Network's "The Fashion Team" show-and the fun and always insightful segment we lovingly call "WTF?", or "What's The Fashion?" (yeah, I bet you thought those initials stood for something else--Dirty Mind!).

Can I Get a "W": The W Hotel Los Angeles Chill entrance

For this last installment, host Lawrence Zarian, myself, and stylist Jen Rade--who just recently styled Cher in THIS and Angelina Jolie in THIS--met up at the W Los Angeles Hotel (near UCLA's Westwood's Campus) and enjoyed some CHILL time.

Westwood Ice: W Hotel Los Angeles

Well, actually, we filmed the entire episode at the W Los Angeles Chill space, where the pool was transformed into an outdoors skating rink! (I know, Shut Up Sasha Cohen!) Now, we all know how much I LOVE ME some Figure Skating so you know I was like a 21 year-old gay boy at a Lady Gaga Concert: Loving It!

Ice Skating Threesome: Jen Rade, Lawrence Zarian and Nick Verreos, at W Los Angeles Chill Ice Skating Rink

Jen, Lawrence and I donned our skates and got right to it. I was trying to do my best QUAD (not!) while Jen was just looking FAB in her newly-purchased TopShop ensemble from her recent trip to NYC styling Miss Jolie for the NY Premiere of "The Tourist".

Any White Skates? The Skating Boot Section, Chill at the W Hotel Los Angeles

For this final "What's The Fashion?" Wrap-Up, we went down the list of our "Top Ten Most Memorable Red Carpet Fashion Moments of 2010". Well, naturally, there were MANY moments that we had to chose from--both good and not-so-good. The whole point was that they had to be Memorable...

Ivory Red Carpet Queen: Actress Claire Danes in that Armani Prive ivory sequined made-to-order (if you had to actually buy this gown, it would set you back $100,000+ kids!) strapless gown made the cut, of course. Danes was MY choice for one of the BEST Dressed gals of the entire year in this gown. The clean modern hair, the simple yet elegant make-up, the no-borrowed-jewelry-to-hawk look: Simply Sublime.

Two gals who made our "Most Memorable Top Ten List" for mixed reasons--were actress Charlize Theron's "Cinnabon" Christian Dior by John Galliano rose-pink Duchesse satin gown (yes, with those infamous twist-a-roo bust details!), and "Avatar" star Zoe Saldana in her Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown.

And finally, there was Lady Gaga...

Now you KNOW Miss Lady Gaga and THIS Meat Dress had to make our "Top Ten" List--In fact, it was Numero Uno. For Better or Worse. I really hope she didn't head to Benihana's after the MTV Awards...Just sayin'

*In case you missed it, you can watch the episode again on these dates: Dec 22, 24, and 26, as well as January 3rd--Click HERE for all the times.

Click HERE to watch the Video of our TV Guide "The Fashion Team" Red Carpet Hits & Misses for this End of 2010 Episode:

Here's to lots more Memorable Red Carpet Fashion Moments for 2011!!!! Adieu for now---

Holiday Party Round-Up: Nick Verreos Attends the E! Entertainment Holiday Party in Westwood, CA!

Doughnuts, In-n-Out Burgers, Desserts Galore, Open Bars...and LOTS o' Taxi's!!!

We Need To Stop Meeting Like This: Kit Scarbo (stylist extraordinaire and Season 4 Project Runway Alumna), and Nick Verreos, E! Entertainment 2010 Holiday Party

Yes kids, it's the Holiday Season, and that means one thing here in LA-LA land: Holiday Parties!!! This last week, I got invited to the E! Entertainment Holiday Bash--for the FIRST TIME! I brought along my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul with me naturally. The party was being held in Westwood near my old "stompin' grounds": UCLA. I attended the University of California, Los Angeles and got my B.A. in (wait for it!) Political Science/International Relations many, many moons ago, before I went on to pursue my real love: FASHION!

Oscar Girls: Former E! host Debbie Matenopulos, Nick Verreos and Kim Kardashian, 2008 Pre-Oscar's Show

As you may know, I have been on E! several times, including the time I did the Pre-Oscar Show with then on-air personality Debbie Matenopulos as well as (Wait For It Part Two!), La Kim Kardashian. I've also recently been filming episodes of Style Network's "Style Star", a show about celebs and their fashion style. In fact, I just found out that "Style Star" is airing on E! International and will begin airing domestically on the Style Network in early 2011!! To make a long story LONGER...an executive from the show was kind enough to invite me to the E! Holiday Party (Yeayyy!!!).

SO...let's get to the PARTY. A full-on parking-lot sized tent was set up (see photo above) near the UCLA campus, for this fabulous E! Entertainment Holiday Party. Inside, there were hundreds--if not thousands of guests, mingling and in their out-of-work/cocktail-attire finest, enjoying the immensity of it all.

Many Open Bars were set up--fully stocked--to serve everyone. There were A LOT of Dessert Tables framing the inside of the tented soiree, with many sweet goodies, including:

Oversized cookies, lollipops, chocolate-covered EVERYTHING, peanut brittle, fresh fruits and...

Smore's Parfait's (they were DELICIOUS, David let me taste his!). Waiters passed around an unending amount of In-N-Out Burgers as well, for those who maybe needed a respite from all the sugar. Speaking of (more) sugar, I made it outside to "get some air" and lo and behold, I was stopped by a Doughnut Wall! Yes, you read right: There was a wall with fresh glazed doughnuts waiting for the guests to start pickin'.

Doughnut Picking: Nick Verreos at the E! Entertainment 2010 Holiday Party "Doughnut Wall"

Once I got done with the In-N-Out burgers and the doughnuts, I began really enjoying myself. I did not see Miss Kim K. or Chelsea Handler or Ryan Seacrest, but...I did run into my Project Runway "sister", the lovely and very stylish Kit Scarbo (as you can see from the photo at the beginning of this post).

I ran into comedienne Loni Love, whom I had recently worked with on Logo's "Gossip Queens" TV Show (she was SOOO sweet!), and saw fellow Style Network "Style Star" commentator Marcella Reynolds as well as frequent E!'s "Daily 10" style expert, Amanda Luttrell Garrigus.

E! Fashionistas: Nick Verreos poses with guests (and E!/Style Network "Style Star" Mini-Divas!) Audrey Angulo and Raika Khosravi, E! Entertainment 2010 Holiday Party

I had an amazing time, but soon enough, it was time to go, and as David and I made our way out, we spotted many, many Taxi Cabs waiting...Oh did I mention: E! made sure to give out Taxi Cab Vouchers so people could get home safely...I know, they think of EVERYTHING! These people really know how to throw a Holiday Party!

Happy Holidays Y'all!

Nick Verreos "Hearts" the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular!!

X-mas High Kicking It With The Rockettes...

And...Kick: Nick Verreos and The Rockettes, at FIDM/Grand Hope Park in August 2010

Back in August, while The Rockettes were touring the country promoting their annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show, they visited Los Angeles and made a pit stop at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising LA Campus. I had the pleasure of "hosting" them at a fun event titled "High Kicking With Nick", in which we had a VIP Costume Show, where four of The Rockettes showed--up close and personal--some of the marvelous and iconic costumes. I also got to do some High Kicks with them, as well as over 200 of our "closest" friends, at FIDM-adjacent Grand Hope Park.

Nokia Theater Fan: Nick Verreos inside the Nokia Theater, Radio City Christmas Spectacular Opening Night Performance

Well, cut to last Friday and The Rockettes were BACK--to do their Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. They were generous enough to invite myself and my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul to the "Opening Night". Believe it or not, I had NEVER seen an actual Rockettes Show, much less THE famous Christmas Spectacular so, of course, I canceled everything else I had that evening and headed to Downtown LA.

Happy Downtown LA Holidays: David Paul and Nick Verreos, L.A. Live Entertainment Complex

I hadn't been to the Staples/Nokia/"LA Live" Entertainment Complex in a while (not since I attended the World Championships of Figure Skating at the Staples in March 2009) and I certainly had never really gone there on a Friday Night...but KIDS: The place was CRAZY!! I guess I am LATE but I never knew that this has now become the new "Universal City Walk" of LA!

Walking into the nucleus of it all, there were all these new restaurants, bars/nightclubs, hundreds and hundreds of people walking around (NO ONE EVER used to be here in Downtown LA five years ago--and especially after 6PM!) and there was even a Skating Rink! Hello, Nick is HOME!!

Skating Under The Stars: Nick Verreos poses by The L.A. Live Skating Rink, Downtown LA

Now,let's get to the reason we were there: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show. One Word: AMAZING!!!!

It's one thing high-kicking with four of these leggy DIVAS in a park Downtown, but it's a WHOLE OTHER thing seeing ALL of them in their perfectly choreographed numbers on a HUGE stage like the Nokia Theater. Every section of the show was entertaining. I loved The "Nutcraker Suite" with Dancing Bears (how they can kick so high in all that fur??) and...

The famed Toy Soldier number, with its INCREDIBLE footwork, was one of my favorites as well. The section of the show where the Biblical Magi pay their visit to the newly born Jesus offering gifts was visually stunning; the intricately ornate costumes of The Three Wise Kings left us awestruck!

One of the highlights of the entire Radio City Christmas Spectacular was the Touring Through NYC Landmarks Bus Ride. This truly was UNBELIEVABLE: The way the Double-Decker bus turned and the changing views of the Big Apple, was fabulous! One almost felt as they were following them on another Double-Decker bus!!! I'm sure I'm not the first to say this, but this really is a not-to-be-missed show! So if the Rockettes come to your town, in their candy-cane costumes, I think you know what to do!

Happy High Kicking Holidays!!!

Click Below for a Video Sneak Peak I found on YouTube of the Rockettes "Nutcraker Suite" Dancing Bears (it's the CUTEST thing in the World!!!):

Holiday Party Round-Up: The Magical Elves Tenth Annual Holiday Party--Elf Fest X!!

Magical Party...

Project Runway Couple: Nick Verreos and Kit Scarbo at the Magical Elves Tenth Annual Holiday Party

This last weekend was the Tenth Annual Magical Elves Holiday Party. Magical Elves were the original producers for the first five seasons of Project Runway. They currently are the people behind Top Chef, Top Chef Just Desserts, The Real L Word, and others. The company--headed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz--has been having a Holiday Party for the last ten years!

For the "ELF Fest X", they went "all out" as usual, fake snow blowing at the entrance, fully-stocked bars, food for DAYS (the Vegi-Pizza slices and Pigs-in-a-Blanket were my fave), a Sushi Bar and much more.

Bieber Fever: "Elf Fest X" Hosts Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz pose with Justin Bieber cut-out

There was a Photo-Booth and even a fake cut-out of Justin Bieber for drunk--and not-so-drunk guests to live out their "I LOVE ME SOME Justin Bieber" fantasies. I brought along a couple of my best friends, naturally.

Say (Holiday) Cheese: Nick Verreos with friends Erik Moreno (l) and Matt Brubaker (center), Magical Elves Tenth Anniversary Holiday Party

The annual party also asks its guests to bring a toy to benefit the USMC Toys For Tots Program. Waiting to get into the party--with my huge Barbie Gift--it looked as if I was the only guest who obliged by this special "Gift Request", but once I got in, it was nice to see that the "Toy Boxes" were full!

Disco Anyone: The Scene at the Magical Elves Tenth Anniversary Holiday Party

Outside, the party was in full-on "Dance Fever" mode as the house's pool was covered in Plexiglas and transformed into a fabulous dance party with the DJ spinning tunes--from Hip Hop to Disco and 80s.

Producer Love: Nick Verreos and Michael Rucker, Emmy-nominated Producer (and friend)--Love his Vintage X-mas Sweater Vest--yes, it's a SWEATER VEST!

As always, I had a BLAST (I always do at the Magical Elves Parties) and it was especially nice to re-connect with my old Project Runway "family" from back-in-the-day (Gosh, Season 2 was SOOOO long ago!). They've always been kind and respectful to me, and I will always return the sentiments. Can't wait for next year's Holiday Party!