Showing posts with label Nikolaki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikolaki. Show all posts

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from NIKOLAKI Nick Verreos, David Paul...and Benny!!!


HAPPY DIVA HOLIDAYS...and A FABULOUS 2011!!!Here at my lovely blog, we all wish you a very Happy Holidays and a FABULOUS and FASHIONABLE New Year! I'm off to San Antonio Texas to spend Xmas with my family but will return to Los Angeles to ring in the New Year! For 2011...

I promise there will be more NIKOLAKI Fashion...

More Red Carpet Coverage...

More Events, hosting and "surprise" appearances by moi...

More Figure Skating Fashion (of course!)...

More Euro-Royals Wearing Couture...

More Beauty Pageant Gowns, Slits and (hopefully), NO clear Lucite Stripper Heels to go with them...and more of EVERYTHING in between---

Happy New Year! xoxo Nick Verreos, David Paul...and our doggie Benny!!!

Nick Verreos Interview with 944.com


Talking Fashion, My Vision of the Ultra Feminine Woman, Teaching, my New Collection, and More...
Popping The Collar: Nick Verreos

Recently, I did an interview with writer Carina Calhoun for 944 Magazine's website 944.com. I had so much fun chatting with her on a wide range of topics, from how my own line NIKOLAKI--co-designed with David Paul--began, what my vision for making women ultra feminine is...

As well as discussed my love of teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM. In addition of course, I talked about my newest Spring 2011 NIKOLAKI Collection, which we recently debuted at the fabulous Style Week Orange County 2010, and one of my favorite projects from this past year:

Nick Verreos poses with the The Victory Project Experts: Chantal LinkMoore (far left), Kacy Duke and Katherine Brooking (far right)

MSN.com's The Victory Project Sponsored by Special K, a web show where four Experts (including myself!) find four women in three different cities and help them with nutrition, exercise and after they've reached their "Victorious" goal, all four ladies are given a make-over complete with Hair, Makeup and a styling session with ME!

Nick Verreos at the Chicago taping of The Victory Project, with Jennifer at Cinnamon Boutique

I have a blast showing REAL WOMAN--ones that are not a size 4, how to find clothes that brings out their inner DIVAS! Speaking of Divas, the writer asked me who my "ideal" client would be; an actress I'd like to dress, let's just say. And I mentioned Spanish actress Penelope Cruz.

I love her acting, love how strong yet ultra feminine she is, and yes, love that she is from España! Now, I know that she loves Marchesa and since she is one of Harvey Weinstein's "muses", it's not a coincidence she wears a lot of his wife's designs. She also loves Ralph Lauren; a lot of Spanish socialites and actresses do too. But maybe, just maybe she should consider one of our NIKOLAKI gowns for her next red carpet awards appearance...who knows, a boy can dream right? Below are a couple of suggestions:

Infanta: Black silk taffeta fitted Mermaid-shape gown with hand beaded feather trim, NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul

Mint Blue Goddess: Strapless fitted gown with asymmetrical gathered detailing in silk zibeline, NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul


Below is my Interview from 944.com: "Fearlessly Feminine Nick Verreos--On Making Women Want Top Work It" (love that title!)

From Project Runway to the red carpet, Nick Verreos has made a name for himself in the competitive fashion world by marking his territory with the stunning styles that make women feel fearlessly feminine. Showing the spring 2011 collection of his line Nikolaki at Orange County Style Week in October, Verreos took a few minutes to chat with 944 about making it in the industry and, as his former mentor, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn always says, making it work.

944: How would you describe your design philosophy or point of view?

Nick Verreos: It’s pretty simple. Just making women look and feel beautiful, and trying to bring out the inner goddess within them. I grew up with a group of women, and I just want them to feel ultra-feminine. I feel like I can give women that dress when they want to look like a princess or a diva.

944: When did the Nikolaki collection or concept begin?

NV: I worked for different companies as an assistant designer and pattern maker, and I paid my dues in the industry. I was still making dresses and gowns to fuel my creativity. I built up this closet full of dresses, and I would put on shows at a club here and there. In 2001, we got a showroom, and before I knew it, we were in 150 stores. My partner, David Paul, and I work great together. The name means “little Nick” in Greek, which is what my dad called me when I was young.

Click HERE for the entire article and to find out why I would LOVE to dress Spanish actress Penelope Cruz

A Royal Hollywood Wedding: Jane Cha and R.J. Cutler in the Hollywood Hills!!!


A Wedding To Remember...

Say "Beautiful Wedding": David Paul, R.J. Cutler, Jane Cutler, Nick Verreos, Jimmy Nguyen and Karen Kwan-Oppegard

Well, following on my "Wedding Fest" (see previous posting), I thought, it would be perfect to write about a FABULOUS wedding I actually attended: Last month, my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul and I attended one of the most elegant--and fun--weddings we've ever been invited to (and very A-List to boot!).

Bridal Gorgeous: Jane Cha in her Monique Lhuillier wedding gown, with her father, walking down the aisle

The Bride:
My very good friend, the gorgeous Jane Cha, Founder and Executive Vice President of Full Picture--and one of the executive producers of Project Runway (Yeayyy!!!). She wore a strapless silk organza and hand-embroidered wedding gown from LA-based Fashion Designer (and FIDM-alumni) Monique Lhuillier. Her hair and makeup were done by Uber Glam Squad Linda Hay and Michel Aleman. She even had an "outfit change" and wore a Christian Siriano (Winner of Season 4 Project Runway) gown for the reception.

The Groom: Well, kids, it was none other than R.J. Cutler. Yes, THE R.J. Cutler, Producer of "The War Room", "American High" and Director of "The September Issue", nominated for an Academy Award, won an Emmy as well as a Peabody! (I know, tell me about it!!!). He's also my "bearded brother...from another mother!", but that's another story.

Hollywood Hills Chuppah: The Wedding Ceremony Scene, Jane Cha-R.J. Cutler Wedding

Bridesmaid Boys: Michael Moore and Chad Rothman

Well, kids , they got married! Both David and I almost didn't make it, because we were supposed to show our collection at an event in San Diego--as well as make a special appearance--which was scheduled the same evening but it was suddenly canceled TWO DAYS before, and well, it was time for us to find something to wear...

Dinner Time: Nick Verreos enjoying the dinner service, Jane Cha-R.J. Cutler Wedding

The wedding occurred at R.J.'s beautiful home in the gorgeous Hollywood Hills. There was a Chuppah set up in the beautiful lawn of his home, where the ceremony took place. And the Dinner Reception that followed: On TOP of the sprawling pool! They covered the pool and set up many, many, many tables and transformed it into the most beautiful Wedding Dinner Banquet.

The Guest List: Miss Klum: Heidi wearing a dress from my line, NIKOLAKI *not what she wore at the wedding :)

Well kids, the one and only Heidi Klum (love her!) was there, and walked down the aisle in a very fitted Yves Saint Laurent "Le Smoking" black suit:

Heidi was the Numero Uno Bridesmaid at the Wedding of course! Her husband Seal was there of course, front row taking care of the kids, who were the "Flower Boys and Girls". The "Flower Girl"--Leni (Heidi's gorgeous daughter)--wore a custom dress designed and created by Jewelry Designer Courtney Prince Miller.

Now, speaking of Seal: He sang to the Bride and Groom! It was UNBELIEVABLE to A.) Hear Seal sing live (Hello!) and B.) Just to be there to witness it. My arm-hairs (and I have many, I'm half-Greek remember!) were standing up! All of Jane and RJ's guest were VIP: They included Full Picture Founder and President Desiree Gruber and her husband actor Kyle MacLachlan...

Dancing Queen: Elle Creative Director Joe Zee and the bride, Jane Cutler, wearing Christian Siriano rose-pink strapless gown (her outfit change!)

Elle Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee; Lory Johansson, who designed the interior--and exterior--of R.J.'s (and now Jane's as well!) home; David Kirsch, Victoria's Secret Supermodel celebrity trainer; actress Amy Brenneman and her husband; Director Brad Silberling; and President of Entertainment for Showtime David Nevins.

Posing Kids: David Paul, Nick Verreos, Jimmy Nguyen, Karen Kwan-Oppegard and Peter Oppergard

Also on hand were Karen Kwan-Oppegard and her husband, Peter Oppegard, Figure Skating ROYALS!!! So you know, we spent a lot of time DISHING about them figure skating costumes!!! Karen wore a slinky bias-cut dress. She looked fabulous of course, but I told her that next time, she needs to "Call Me" for a dress from our line if she ever has a "Figure Skating" Red Carpet event (LOL!!).

I wasn't the only Project Runway Alumn invited: The statuesque Laura Bennett (above with moi) Finalist from Season 3 (and my fellow MSN.com Style Studio expert) was also there!

Who Wants Cake: Bride and Groom exchanging cake

It truly was an amazing wedding!
The entire night was perfect. From the ceremony to the dinner to the dancing and "midnight" pizza afterward: SUBLIME!!! All the food was by Jon Shook of Animal Restaurant fame. Thank you Jane and R.J. for allowing David and myself into your lives. We were truly honored to have been part of such a wonderful evening!

Congrats, Felicitaciones, Mazel Tov & Ch'u-k'a-dŭ-rim-ni-da! 축하드립니다!

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos and David Paul Wedding Gown: Lifetime Promotes Lucy Liu's New Movie "Marry Me"


Catch the Couture Bouquet:
Where's the Bride: NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Demi-Couture Wedding Gown, Silk organza strapless gown with hand-beaded paillette bustier *photo courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward

To promote Lucy Liu's new Lifetime Movie: Marry Me premiering Sunday, December 12 at 9 pm et/pt , I was asked by Lifetime to send them some photos of recent Wedding Dresses from my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Demi-Couture Collection. And although we do not have a full line of Wedding Dresses, I always have one or two special Bridal Pieces to complete each collection, so I was happy to send images of these new looks. They also asked several other Project Runway Designers--Season 2 Winner Chloe Dao, Season One's Austin Scarlett, and Season 5 Winner Leanne Marshall to name but a few.

For Spring 2011, my NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul and I designed a couple of (we think) beautiful dresses for a very stylish bride. The first is a Strapless Gown featuring a Silk Chiffon Hand Beaded Bustier with a Silk Organza Raw Cut High-Low Skirt, shown here:

*photo courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward

On one of our fabulous (and favorite) models, Amanda Fields from Season 3 Project Runway. It is fully lined in taffeta and has Horsehair trim to stiffen the hem. It also has hidden side pockets!

A Mykonos Wedding: NIKOLAKI Demi-Couture Wedding Dress, hand-beaded paillettes over silk chiffon cowl-draped dress with matching capelet *photo courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward

The other Wedding Dress we submitted is this short-and-sexy number for that adventurous bride. Seen above on model Lauren Gish, it is a hand-beaded Ecru-colored mini bias-cut dress featuring a cowl-draped front and back. It also has a matching hand-beaded paillette sequin capelet. Think Mykonos Wedding...for a very rich Supermodel...or a sexy Dubai Emira!

*Click HERE to view all the wedding dresses by Project Runway Winners and Alumn as well as Wedding Gown Design Veterans such as Angel Sanchez, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, and Monique Lhullier.
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