
Home » Archive for 07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006
The Inside Job w/Nick Verreos: Sandals and Summer
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Since Frontiers is a local Los Angeles Magazine and most of you would not read it even if you were in LA, I thought I would post my columns here to share with everyone. The columns deal mostly with Men's fashions and fashion advice for style-challenged men. I'm really having a great time writing them and hopefully I am spreading around some good fashion advice (at least that's what my friends say).
Sandals And Summer. Two words that have become inseparable from each other, like Brad and Angelina, Nick and Jessica (ha!), Liza and the Gays. You get the picture. Sandals and flip flops are a wardrobe staple, especially here in Southern California, where we basically have no seasons and enjoy spring/summer almost all year round. What is amazing to me is how, say five years ago, sandals and flip flops were not as ubiquitous as they are now, and how the choices for styles have become unending. Years ago, you had rubber flip flops and get-out-of-the-shower-at-the-gym styles, or-shall I even go there?-yes, those nasty Teva hiking sandals that Americans in Miami Beach or even at the Louvre in Paris would be seen wearing. Times are a changin’, and we are happier as a result.
Chalk it up to “Queer Eye”, “Abercrombie & Fitch”, “American Eagle Outfitters”, MTV’s “Real World/Road Rules” as catalysts that brought flip flops and sandals into the mainstream and cemented them as a natural part of our wardrobe, no matter what the season. And now, with the airport security being as strict as it is, you can be in a winter snow storm in Buffalo NY and I guarantee there will be guys wearing flip flops at the airport for the sake of comfort and not having to take those shoes off and hold up the line any longer than they have to.
The variety of choices we have is great. On the inexpensive yet still cute side, there are those colorful Havaianas, that can be found in any surf shop from Venice to La Jolla. I also found this great pair of inexpensive flip-flops at H&M with “Italy” and the Italian flag colors emblazoned down the sole (they also have other “World Cup” countries such as England and Brazil). On the pricier side, DSquared has really stepped up it’s sandal styles by creating leather braided ones as well as a style that has Native American-inspired beaded straps. I know it sounds like a bit much to wear on your feet, but trust me, these were HOT. Of course, you can always count on Gucci or Louis Vuitton for some logo-crazy versions that will instantly let everyone around you know that: a)You went to the Cabazon Outlets in Palm Springs and bought them there, or b)you are a broke sales associate at Bloomindales but heck if that’s going to stop you from looking fabulous, or c)You are part of that 1% tax bracket that can actually afford to pay full price.
Whatever your taste or style, there are tons of choices out there in sandals and flip flops, yet the most important thing (besides how cute they look on your feet) is how comfortable they are. I remember several years ago spending over $300 on a pair of fabulous Miu Miu’s that had a powder-blue canvas strap and a heavy wooden sole. They were the most uncomfortable pair of sandals I have ever worn and people could hear me coming a mile away because of the click-clack of the wood. I felt like a pained Dutch milk-maid. At the end of the day, I would have been much happier with a pair of $14 Havaianas.

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Project Runway Recaps People.com and BravoTV.com
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Nick and the Misses
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SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe Pageant, Nancy O'Dell Hosts in NIKOLAKI
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Nancy O'Dell in Custom Nick Verreos/Nikolaki
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SASHES AND TIARAS.....Nancy O'Dell Will Wear NIKOLAKI to Host Miss Universe
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PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos Project Runway Blog on People.com
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PROJECT RUNWAY BLOG on PEOPLE.COM
I have been asked several times to give my "Two Cents" on the episodes of the new Season of Project Runway. Well, you ask , and you shall receive! I am honored to say that People.com has asked me to write a blog on the new season. So now, instead of just e-mailing my friends my commentary on the show and the designers, a whole lot more people are going to get to read it.
Being that I was a designer on the previous season, I think this gives me a bit of a special and unique insight into the show, it's challenges and the drama that ensues as a result. I will also be coming from my experience working in the Industry for 15 years as well as an Instructor of fashion design, sketching and patternmaking .
I am giving some honest, yet biting commentary. You might agree or disagree with my comments, but heck, it's nothing that wasn't already dished out to me!
Click HERE to read my people.com blog.

Learning Annex San Francisco
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PROJECT RUNWAY.....People.com Where Are They Now? Project Runway Article
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OK, so a Where Are They Now? article on a cast of people that have only been off a show for 4 months might be a bit of a stretch (What are we, the cast of Who's The Boss?!?), but it is always fun to be involved with People Magazine!! It is a flattering article for everyone and all the pictures look great. Below is my profile. Only on People.com Project Runway: Where Are They Now? As a new season starts, catch up with Austin, Chloe, Jay and six other favorites from the Emmy-nominated show. By Serena Kappes and Julia Wang with Jenny Sundel
NICK VERREOS Season 2 As a professor at L.A.'s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Verreos, 39, is passing on the pearls of wisdom he learned on Runway. And he's going full-steam ahead with a fashion line with his partner of 14 years, David Paul – Nikolaki (Greek for "little Nick"). Another coup: Verreos has gotten calls from such celebrity fashionistas as Sarah Jessica Parker. "My presence on the show has taken things to another level," he says. To see the complete article click HERE

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nolita "Project" EMC2 New Line Emmett McCarthy
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NOLITA 'PROJECT'
NEW LINE BY EMC2 GETS A BOOST FROM 'RUNWAY' VETS 
"I never would have imagined a year ago that I'd be in my own store," says McCarthy, soaking up the residual post-storm humidity and post-show popularity in the quaint garden behind his shop.
He credits the boob-tube design incubator for taking him from behind the seams and forcing him onto the catwalk.
After toiling in nearly every capacity in the fashion industry, McCarthy stitched up his aspirations under the tutelage of host Heidi Klum and judge Tim Gunn, chair of the Department of Fashion at Parsons School of Design, McCarthy's alma mater.
"I didn't win, so there wasn't as much pressure. I was able to catch up to myself," he says.
Known for his dexterity for menswear, the designer underwent a sartorial sex change by instead opting to design a bright array of women's wear, including bold, flowered three-quarter length coats, geometric printed dresses, and halter tops and dresses in nearly every color and fabric.
EMc2's sophomore effort included textured double-breasted cropped blazers and a gray flannel swing coat.
"It's incredibly beautiful work," says Gunn, while signing T-shirts for adoring fans and industry folk at the intimate soiree.
"I am a son of Gunn," jokes McCarthy. "Tim has been a great supporter. I never knew how many friends I had until I went into business."
And he'll need those friends, because his own clothing line lands a few deviations from the high standards of Elizabeth Street, the power address for Manhattan style and cutting-edge independent commerce. A glaring discrepancy between the workmanship of the product and the prices might affect the overall take for the till.
However, redemption at EMc2 is found in the dressmakers form of McCarthy's reality show alums Chloe Dao, Nick Verreos and Kara Janx, whose duds he also carries.
Second-season winner Dao's party dress - a nifty cleavage-bearing black tulle empire-waisted number topped with a green sash - would win it for her all over again.

Also on sale are metallic kimono wrap dresses by Janx and various leather belts and beaded jewelry from an array of accessory designers.
Perhaps the item with the most pop is the Tim Gunn T-shirt designed by EMc2 brand director Dimitri Said Chamy. The printed cartoon-like semiautomatic bears the crossed-out names of Joan Rivers, Mr. Blackwell and Anna Wintour on the handle - a nod to Gunn's burgeoning reputation as the new arbiter of style and taste.
"I'm riding the wave. And it's all happened after age 50," adds the natty Gunn.
NICK APPEARANCES......NIKOLAKI at EMC2 Trunk Show featuring Project Runway Designers
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Labels:
Amanda Fields,
Chloe Dao,
EMc2,
Emmett McCarthy,
Events,
Kara Janx,
Nick Verreos,
Nikolaki,
Project Runway,
Tarah Rodgers,
Tim Gunn
THUNDER SHOW
No wonder most New Yorkers somehow find the resources to get out of the city in the middle of July. I woke up Thursday to a hot, sticky, humid New York day. The theme of the day was quickly materializing into : "I shvitst, you shvitst, we all shvitst!"( To quote my favorite Kara Janx). Today was the Trunk Show at Emmett's NoLita boutique, EMc2. David and I arrived at the store to set up in the lovely back garden space Emmett had created for Chloe, Kara and myself to show our lines in the back of his store.
We signed 10 of the just-released Season 2 DVD's to be given to the "big-spender" customers at the Trunk Show. In the beginning, the weather, though HOT and humid, was a bit sunny. All of a sudden, as soon as the store (and the back garden) seemed to be packed with visitors, shoppers and fans alike, a thunderous storm poured into New York. To be honest, it seemed as if the nucleus of the storm was EMc2!!! HUNDREDS (it seemed) of us scurried for cover under the garden tent Emmett's well-oiled employees had set up.
Suddenly, the rain had poured so fast and furious that the tent seemed to be coming down and threatening the flooding of all our collections. With the unconditional help of all the fans, shoppers, and visitors, we gathered bags to cover the clothes and the racks and rushed through the uncontrollable downpour to bring the collections inside for safe cover.
Everything turned out fine, even with the snafu of the rain (remind Emmett next time to check the Acu-Weather forecast please). I sold A LOT, from my draped caplet jersey tops(they were a hit!) to my Cruise Collection linen skirts and jackets. Tarah, my model and muse from the show, recently moved to NY from Miami, along with her sister Sabrina, and I asked them to come by and model my designs while the guests and shoppers were there so they could see what my collection looked like, just as they do in other Trunk Show events I have been a part of.
Amanda, the model from Season 3 whom I befriended , also stopped by and offered to model my dresses as well. A Getty_Images photographer stopped by and took several photos of my "Nikolettes".
Tim Gunn made another fabulous appearance holding court just as he did the previous night at Buddha Bar. He was diligently signing T-shirts, autographing bags and being gracious, classy and unflappable never letting on that there was a torrential downpour happening 10 steps away. He didn't even SHVITST, thank you very much. Chloe's model , Grace (wearing a cute vintage shift dress and jacket) also came by to congratulate Chloe and they posed for a photo with the Elle Magazine layout that just came out on the newsstand.
I had a great time, even with the thunderous storm that almost ended the whole event. Were it not for the unbelievable support, love and help of all the guests, shoppers and fans of "Project Runway" we would not have been able to "Carry On!" Speaking of fans: there were lots ! One in particular stood out, because of his shameless tenacity and fervent love for us and the show. Most fans want us to sign T-shirts, DVD's, etc. He asked, no DECLARED, that we sign his CHEST!!!
Well, before I could say "Nipple Ring", he took his shirt off and handed Chole , Kara and myself a Sharpie. When it came time for Tim Gunn to sign his chest, unfortunately we left little room above the belly button for his autograph (on purpose of course!). Let's just say, this fan went home never wanting to wash his chest, torso, and abs ever again!








PROJECT RUNWAY.....Season 3 Premiere Party of Project Runway at Buddha Bar NYC
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NICK APPEARANCES.....OUTFEST Project Runway Premiere Party Hollywood
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PROJECT RUNWAY.....Project Runway DVD Give Away!
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PROJECT RUNWAY.....Runway+Reality=SALE EMC2 Summer Sale Event NYC
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PROJECT RUNWAY.....Project Runway My Scene Nick Verreos Barbie
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NICK APPEARANCES.....Nick Verreos on TV Guide Channel's Reality Chat Show
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I recently did an interview on TV Guide Channel's "Reality Chat" show with Rosanna Tavarez and Kimberly Caldwell. I was slated to plug the release of the DVD for Season 2 of Project Runway. There are four CD's, with thirteen EXTENDED Episodes plus lots of bonuses. I still have not seen every extended episode . When the DVD's were first sent to me , I have to admit, I was nervous to open them up and I sort of felt like a little kid peeking at his Christmas gifts secretly. I was alone and began to watch the "bonuses" and "extras" but decided to wait and possibly have a "Viewing Party" with my closest of friends, so whatever footage has been added will not only be a surprise to them, but to me as well.
In addition to talking about the new DVD , I also brought a couple of my NIKOLAKI pieces as gifts for the girls. I wanted to make sure Rosanna and Kimberly had " a little piece of me". Needless to say, they loved their gifts! Here is the segment in case you missed it.