FIDM.....FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Day One: FIDM & Skid Row Denim & Apparel debut Collaboration

Nick Verreos Collaborates with LA's Skid Row Denim & Apparel with Customizing Tote Bags to Combat Homelessness--FIDM Los Angeles 2018 "3 Days of Fashion"

This past week was the start of FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" Summer Fashion Event! I am always BEYOND EXCITED to be part of my Alma Mater's "3 Days of Fashion" since it's like a FABULOUS Fashion Summer Camp! Every Summer, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM has this three-day event--"3 Days of Fashion"--a unique immersive program which allows high school students to experience fashion through the eyes of a college student.

Nick Verreos--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion"

"3 Days of Fashion" happens at all four of the FIDM campuses including FIDM Los Angeles, FIDM Orange County, FIDM San Diego and FIDM San Francisco. At the FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" you get to...
*Learn from FIDM instructors
*Collaborate on creative projects in hands-on workshops
*Meet fashion professionals (like myself and many others!) + Much more!

Nick Verreos (wearing his Skid Row Denim & Apparel denim jacket!) at the Skid Row Denim & Apparel Pop Up Store in Hope Park/FIDM Los Angeles Campus--FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

This year, Skid Row Denim & Apparel is collaborating with FIDM to combat homelessness through creativity. High School students from FIDM's "3 Days of Fashion" attended workshops to decorate bags or pillows that will be donated to formerly homeless individuals, who are now residents of the Skid Row Housing Trust...

 Checking out the Denim--Nick Verreos and Director of Corporate Development & Innovation for Skid Row Housing Trust, Brad Robinson--FIDM LA“3 Days of Fashion”

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages.com

Skid Row Denim & Apparel Love--(L to R) Strategy Analyst & Communication for Skid Row Housing Trust, Kisha Claude; Executive Consultant & Strategy Officer for Skid Row Housing Trust, Lee Raagas; Nick Verreos and Director of Corporate Development & Innovation for Skid Row Housing Trust, Brad Robinson--FIDM LA “3 Days of Fashion”

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages.com

Through this collaborative effort and special boutique/"Pop-Up" Store of Skid Row Denim & Apparel, students learned about how fashion and design can intersect with social causes and philanthropy. 

 Creativity for a Cause--Creative Partnership between  FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" and Skid Row Denim & Apparel

After the presentation from Skid Row Denim & Apparel, the students of FIDM's "3 Days of Fashion" went off to different workshops where they got to customize tote bags as well as pillows using trims, markers, zippers, paper, hot glue...in essence they got to "Make It Work!" and create and decorate all for a WONDERFUL cause. Here are some photos of the students busy at work...

Students of FIDM's "3 Days of Fashion" during their "Creativity for a Cause" Workshops--FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

And yes, even I got into the creative spirit and decorated a tote bag as well:

Nick Verreos decorating a tote bag to benefit the Skid Row Housing Trust--FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages.com

My "Nick" tote bag plus my "message" of encouragement--FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

Here are some WONDERFUL tote bag designs from the FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion" students--much better than mine ;) I might add:

Tote Bags decorated by FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion" students on display at Hope Park/FIDM Los Angels Campus

In addition to the Skid Row Denim & Apparel Presentation and workshops, I also had the chance to say "hello" to another FIDM Alumni, the lovely Tina Cheng and check out her beautiful line of jewelry, Capsul Jewelry at a Pop Stop Shop she had in the FIDM Museum Store:

Nick Verreos with FIDM Almuna Tina Cheng of Capsul Jewelry--FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion"

That's a Wrap! For Day One of FIDM Los Angeles "3 Days of Fashion"--Nick Verreos with the "Skid Row Denim & Apparel" Team--FIDM LA "3 Days of Fashion"

**UP NEXT: Day Two including INSPIRING Guest Panels with FIDM Alumni including Influencer/YouTuber Chriselle Lim, "Project Runway" designer Candice Cuoco as well as Costume Designers Mandi Line ("Pretty Little Liars"), Kimberly Adams ("Stranger Things Season 1" and Kimberly Culmone VIP of Barbie Design, Mattel