NICK APPEARANCES.....Style Week OC 2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition: RECAP

MC Nick: Nick Verreos Hosts Style Week OC 2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition, Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine California

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting the FAB Style Week Orange County 2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition and Irvine Spectrum Collection runway show at one of the most GORGEOUS outdoor shopping centers in the country: the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, California.

 Cadillac Runway Under the Ferris Wheel: Style Week OC/Cadillac Design Competition 2013, Irvine Spectrum Center Irvine California

 Nick Verreos and the Cadillac Couture Design Competition designers and designs (left to right): Jarret Levin and his model/design; David Lee and his model/design; Nick Verreos; Tylor Purcell and his model/design; Carol Wong and her model/design--Style week OC 2013 Irvine Spectrum Center Irvine California

This is the 6th annual Style Week OC and the fourth annual Cadillac Couture Design Competition. I have hosted Style Week OC before and actually shown my high-end NIKOLAKI Collection along with my design partner David Paul a couple of years ago. It was one of THE BEST fashion shows we've ever done! So, needless to say, I have very fond memories of Style Week OC. Now, let's get to my fun BLOG RECAP--with lots of photos (Thank You David!).

 Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI--A "selfie pic" at the "Pelican Hill Resort" right before leaving to host "Style Week OC 2013"

 Nick Verreos, Pelican Hill Resort, Newport Coast, California

Capri, OC: First up, once again, the Style Week OC clients put us up at the MOST GORGEOUS of Resorts, the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast California. The resort is INCREDIBLY beautiful and an oasis that makes any one staying feel as if they are in the Italian Riviera.

 Coliseum Pool: The Pelican Hill Resort also boasts the largest circular pool in the world, at 136 diameter feet (above photo).

Now, time for the 2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition:

Cadillac On a Rack: Designs form the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Advanced Fashion Design/Debut students--2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition, Style Week OC Irvine Spectrum, Irvine California

Cadillac Clutch: FIDM Advanced Fashion Design Students Jarret Levin (left) and Carol Wong (right) showing their designs during the Judging Portion of 2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition, Irvine Spectrum Irvine California

Seat Belt Couture Harness: Nick Verreos and the other judges survey a look from FIDM student designer Jarret Levin--Cadillac Couture Design Competition, Style Week OC Irvine Spectrum Irvine California

“Beautiful Clothes Inspired by a Beautiful Car” was the theme of this year’s competition with the Cadillac ATS at the heart of it all. Four students from my alma mater--The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design/Debut program, were asked to design a look with this theme in mind.

They also had access to various Cadillac ATS parts--seat belts, the Cadillac emblem, etc.--to incorporate into their designs. And yes, this was very Project Runway the "Unconventional Challenge".

Runway Diva: Nick Verreos working the runway at Style Week OC 2013, Irvine Spectrum Center Irvine California

Host With The Cadillac Most: Nick Verreos, Style Week OC 2013, Irvine Spectrum center Irvine California

The 2013 Cadillac Couture Design Competition designs:

Carol Wong: Wong created a purple silk shantung dress with details inspired by the Cadillac ATS grille--which she created out of boning. She also made the clutch which had the Cadillac emblem and seat belt material. Finally, check out that necklace!

Tylor Purcell: Purcell made a black cocktail dress with a flirty double-tiered ruffled hem, and added a silver "Torso Plate" made form the part that covers the bottom of a Cadillac ATS. Oh, and yes, that is a Cadillac seat belt waistband.

Jarret Levin: Levin created a red crepe flared dress using a half-circle pattern (for lots of sweep) and then utilized the Cadillac ATS seat belts to create an upper torso harness. His model was none other than Project Runway Season 3 model (and one of LA's top runway divas!) Amanda Fields (LOVE HER!).

David Lee: lee made a dress in silk/wool black & ivory ziberline that featured an original pointed neckline and jutting-out-from-the-hips silhouette. He also made a headdress out of Cadillac ATS car parts. His model was one of my favorite LA Models, the statuesque Holly Ridings, who also was on "Project Runway" and "Models of the Runway Season 2".

The Winners:

Fan Favorite and Grand Prize Winner: Jarret Levin (left) won the "Fan Favorite" prize (voted on Facebook), and $500 from Tustin Cadillac. David Lee (right) was the Grand Prize Cadillac Couture Design Competition winner of $2000 from Tustin Cadillac

Nick Verreos and Cadillac Couture Models--Style Week OC 2013 Irvine Spectrum Center Irvine California

The Irvine Spectrum Collection Fall 2013, here are some of the looks from that fashion show featuring some of the top stores at Irvine Spectrum Center:

Nordstrom

Macy's (left) and American Apparel (right)

bebe

Brandy & Melville (left) and Windsor (right)

Post Show:

Nick Verreos with Carol and Gary White, of Tustin Cadillac--Style Week OC 2013 Irvine Spectrum Center Irvine California

Style Week OC 2013, Irvine Spectrum Center Irvine California

Champagne and Chocolates: After the event, we got back to our Pelican Hill Resort, and there was a bottle of Champagne and chocolates waiting for us...a FABULOUS ending to a WONDERFUL night!