NICK APPEARANCES.....16th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards

 Tuxedo Boy: Nick Verreos attends the "16th Costume Designers Guild Awards with presenting sponsor Lacoste" at The Beverly Hilton Hotel

A couple of Saturdays back--in the lead up to the Academy Awards, I was invited to attend the 16th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards. I brought my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul and we both had a wonderful evening enjoying the show, stretching our necks to see some of the stars present (Hello Amy Adams and Kerri Washington!), dishing with "Mr. Makeup Extraordinaire", the one-and-only Gregory Arlt of MAC (who was seated with "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Costume Designer Trish Summerville), and enjoying the delicious dinner. The Awards were at the Beverly Hills Hilton in the same ballroom where the Golden Globes happen.

The entry lobby area of the ballroom had various displays set up: 

Lacoste collaborated with the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (my Alma Mater!) FIDM Film and TV Costume Design students--The students were challenged with designing a contemporary tuxedo shirt for an iconic movie character. As you may know, the college and FIDM Museum holds world-renown exhibitions every year highlighting both Television and Motion Picture Costumes, including the Academy Award-nominated costumes which are on display RIGHT NOW at FIDM Museum in Downtown Los Angeles.

Tuxedo Fab: FIDM Film &TV Costume Design students re-envision iconic tuxedo shirts (Left to right) Loaren McFarland-designed tuxedo shirt inspired by Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather; Julia Laftsidis chose the iconic film character Ren McCormack (played by Kevin Bacon) from the popular 1980s movie, Footloose.

Some of the key highlights of the Awards in terms of the Winners:

Patricia Norris won the Outstanding Period Film Award for her design work in "12 Years A Slave"--photo of the costumes above from FIDM Museum's "22nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition".  She was not present but her son Patrick accepted on her behalf. “She guaranteed me this wouldn’t happen. I’m kind of a little nervous but she gave me a few things to say in case it did happen. She’s honored that the Costume Designers Guild has recognized her. She thanks you and I appreciate you. I can’t wait to give this to her,” he said. It was very sweet.

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

Trish Summerville, an FIDM Alum, scored the Outstanding Fantasy Film Award for her "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" costumes--photo of the costumes above from FIDM Museum's "22nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition"

 Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

Caroline McCall took the Outstanding Period/Fantasy category for "Downton Abbey"--photo above from FIDM Museum's "7th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition"

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

Tom Broecker took the Outstanding Contemporary Television Series honor for "House of Cards"--photo above of myself and my partner David Paul with Tom at last year's FIDM Museum "7th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition"

Ellen Mirojnick won Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries for HBO's "Behind The Candelabra"--photo above from FIDM Museum's "7th Annual Outstanding Art of MTelevision Costume Design Exhibition"

Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

A Special Dinner Table Guest: Actor Steve Coogan of "Philomena" was seated at the same table as us!! He was so classy, very cordial and might I add, very, very dapper in his double breasted tuxedo.

The Dinner Menu:

Arugula Salad, Salmon and Chocolate Mousse--16th Annual Costume Guild Awards, Beverly Hilton Hotel

Table Arrangements:

 Beautiful roses and a paillette tablecloth (so fab!)--16th Annual Costume Guild Awards, Beverly Hilton Hotel

 Posing with Rachel Padilla of FIDM (left) and with my better half, David Paul--16th Costume Designers Guild Awards. Beverly Hilton Hotel

Tie and Tux Close-up: My bow tie and midnight blue tuxedo--16th Costume Designers Guild Awards, Beverly Hilton Hotel