Happy Thanksgiving Week!! Hopefully, you enjoyed a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, had fun with friends and family, rested and well, got out and "exercised" your shopping duties! While taking some "down-time" during this Thanksgiving, I figured, this would be the perfect time to post my last Recap of the AMAZING time I had a couple of weeks back in The Bahamas at the 2010 Islands of The World Fashion Week. In case you missed my other previous postings, you can go HERE, as well as HERE and HERE to get caught up.
But now, we're onto the last and Final "Runway 3" night of this annual affair which showcased designers, fashions, and accessories from the Islands of The World!! The "crowning jewel" of this final night was the Fashion Cares for Haiti: The Relief Benefit Fashion Show. VIP guests who were present for this final night included all the Guest Designers who showed this year at Islands of The World Fashion Week, such as Project Runway Season One Winner Jay McCarroll, Indashio from NY and Oliver Tolentino from Los Angeles (via The Philippines). Dignitaries including the Haitian Ambassador to The Bahamas as well as the Haitian Ambassador to The United Nations were also on hand to witness the beautiful designs from Haitian Designers and artisans.
I had the honor of hosting this final night and from the moment I stepped onstage and uttered (OK, yelled!) Sak Pase Nap Boule (Haitian Creole for "What's Happening?...We're Chillin'" I was told), we were off to a fabulous night to benefit the beautiful nation of Haiti.
The collections ranged from stunning day-to-evening wear, impeccable jewelry, as well as fantastic purses and bags from Veve Collection by Phelicia Dell, Maguy Durce, Artisans du Soleil Haiti by Giovanna Menard, Maelle Creations by Maelle David and Savannah Savary, among others.
Soon afterward, it was time for the second part of the evening: The Announcing of the Winners for the first ever "In Search of The Next Oscar" design competition, in addition to the NextGen Designer and Eco-Fashion Designer Awards. Continuing my emcee duties, I especially LOVED this part of the evening. I channeled being the host of the Miss Universe or Miss World pageants as I announced the Winners with much DRAMA! The Winner of the "In Search of The Next Oscar" was... Georgina Estherr from the Dominican Republic, whose sequin-and-satin gowns/cocktail attire took the grand prize. She spoke little English and as I am Bi-lingual, I was her official translator during the contest and when announcing the winner. I think she didn't need any translating, however, when I called out her name!
And finally, I announced the Winner of the Eco-Fashion Award, Designer Oliver Tolentino (above), and his strapless off-white gown made of pineapple fabric (yes, I said PINEAPPLE!). It also had actual hand-sewn cultured pearls woven into it!
The night ended with a festive VIP After Party at the British Colonial Hilton (site of the Islands of The World Fashion Week) with a delicious buffet, drinks and musical entertainment where guests, editors, models, photographers and designers got to party all night under the gorgeous Caribbean moonlight! Bahamas Free Time!!
Naturally, it wasn't all work for yours truly. Luckily, we had some "down time" prior to the evening's Runway Shows and my hosting duties to enjoy the sights of the GORGEOUS Bahamas. One day, Tomas Frenes Vice President of Mode Isles (Producer of the Fashion Week) as well as Owner of Tomas Frenes Design Studio in Miami (and my King Teddy Bear!) took Jay McCarroll, Matthew, David Paul and I to have CONCH at The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, where in the back of the restaurant, we discovered a brightly colored wooden wall which of course, we had to take photos in front of.
On another day, David and I also went to Paradise Island and the Atlantis Resort. We certainly couldn't leave The Bahamas without getting a little Atlantis in. Since the last time I was here (2 years ago when both David and I showed our NIKOLAKI Collection at the 2008 Islands of The World Fashion Week), I had been wanting to go back and do those infamous Atlantis Resort water slides.
Well kids, I did it: That's me midway down The Leap of Faith--yes, in them shorty-shorts! (Thanks David for that AMAZING photo). And don't EVEN think about magnifying it! I'm sure the look of sheer horror on my face is neither pretty or fashionable. With that, I bid a warm Goodbye to The Bahamas and Islands of The World Fashion Week 2010. Until the next time... Below are Three Exclusive NICKVERREOS.COM videos from "Runway 3" night of Islands of the World Fashion Week 2010: Announcement of the Eco-Fashion Designer Award:
Final Model Walk and Bow of Maguy Durce Fashion Show: "Fashion Cares for Haiti" Fashion Show: Final Model Walk and Bow of Veve Collection by Phelicia Dell "Fashion Cares for Haiti" Fashion Show: Final Model Walk and Bow of Michel Chataigne, "Fashion Cares for Haiti" Fashion Show:

Happy New Year kiddies! The end (of 2008) is near...and so is my "Best Of" recap... Again, keep in mind it's more of what were the highlights of what I accomplished or did during this last year...So now, when anyone stops me on the street and says "What Have You Been Doing???", I can refer them to this lovely recap... September----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In September , I was asked by the good (and very intelligent) people at SOAPnet to do a "Live From The Red Carpet" segment once again. I had a blast covering the awards. I was just happy that it was NOT 105 Degrees (like at the Daytime Emmys over the Summer) thank you very much! EVERYONE stopped for me, which was great! Heidi Klum (in her glorious Armani Prive) and Vanessa Williams (in beautiful Kevan Hall) both said "Hi" and even my former FIDM student, Lauren Conrad, rushed by and gave me a little double-kiss on the red carpet. The following day, I joined the panel of fashion experts at the TV Guide Network's Fashion Wraps With Lisa Rinna and said what I REALLY felt, in regards to my "best" and "worst" dressed of the night.
I then flew to New York City to attend the Project Runway Season 5 Finale. This was to be the show's last season on Bravo (since a deal was signed with Lifetime), so of course, I wanted to be there for one final "Bravo Blow Out". Nick Verreos and David Paul, in the front row of Project Runway Season 5 Finale Bryant Park show My partner David and I were lucky enough to have befriended Lisa Gilpin, an executive with Saturn/GM, who to our surprise got us seats IN THE FRONT ROW!!! It was a mixed blessing to be seated in the front row because I saw every good--and bad---seam, loose thread and as my friend would say, wanky zipper. Nick Verreos, Project Runway Designers Rami Kashou and Sweet P at Bryant Park Finale Show But I loved it since that would probably be one of the only times I would ever get to sit in the front row of a NY Fashion Week I am sure...J.Lo was supposed to be the "Special Guest Judge" but pulled out citing a foot injury--Tim Gunn reluctantly replaced her at the last minute, to everyone's surprise. A week later, Miss Lopez ran a marathon (with her broken foot?).
Hours after the show at Bryant Park, I was invited to the Official After Party , where I got to congratulate Miss Korto and Leanne (I had a feeling they would be the finalists since their collections were the best).Leanne Marshall's Finale Bryant Park Collection, which has been purchased by her Alma Mater, FIDM Project Runway Season 5 Designer (and eventual Winner), Leanne Marshall and Nick Verreos at the After Party During this month, I also continued to write my fashion one-liners for UsWeekly, as one of their resident Fashion Police. I didn't realize how many people really read UsWeekly (of course I always did!) but I must say that almost everywhere I go, someone always stops me and tells me how much they loved what I said in UsWeekly! October---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The highlight of this month was attending the Finale Viewing Party for Season 5 Project Runway at Hollywood paparazzi central, STK Restaurant. It was thrown by its producers, Magical Elves and it was a fabulous way to end the season! Magical Elves Producer Micahel Rucker, Finalist Korto Momolu, Nick Verreos and John Wade at STK
November---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David and I flew to The Bahamas and spent a week casting the models, steaming the 25-piece gown collection (that had traveled in our suitcases all the way from LA), doing alterations, fittings and even managed to get in some pool time, while staying at the gorgeous Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. Both our families flew to The Bahamas to support us. I was especially surprised to see my nephew and niece who flew in from Texas! They REALLY LOVED the Water Slides at the Atlantis--as well as those famous Sharks and Manta Rays. I think I received "Ten Favorite Uncle Points" for that trip! Nick Verreos and David Paul take their final bow after debuting their NIKOLAKI Spring 2008 Collection
Our collection was deemed a success and David and I were very proud to have been part of the first ever Islands Of the World Fashion Week. We were treated and entertained like royalty and enjoyed night after night of Fashion Week Parties and events at places such as the Marley Resort and the UNBELIEVABLE Nygard Cay Resort, one of the most expensive resorts and private islands in the world! We received a lot of press--locally and internationally and were featured on the cover of the California Apparel News as well as in industry trade publications and websites such as The Daily, and WGSN (Worth Global Style Network).
After returning from The Caribbean, I was off and running, with a couple of fun events I was invited to. Lily Collins personally invited me to attend the Launch of the "Lily Bag" and ballet flats she designed in conjunction with Mary Norton, so of course I was there with "bells" on---OK, maybe not bells, but more like my YSL Johnny Boots!
I also attended the unveiling of the Juicy Couture Dedication Wall at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM in Los Angeles. Juicy Couture co-founder and co-designer, Pamela Skaist-Levy is a FIDM grad. The designers looked fabulous in their mini fur (mink or fox?) capelets , pencil skirts and 5 inch Louboutins. I, on the other hand, wore an H&M cotton cardigan I bought for $30. December---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that we have come to the end of the year, I have to mention my Sears Commercial as the highlight of not just this month but probably the whole year! I was contacted by Sears to star in their upcoming 2008 Holiday Ad Campaign, along with Ty Pennington (of ABC's Extreme Home Makeover), LL Cool J, and Vanessa Hudgens. I shot it in Spanish and English and it was shown through the month leading up to Christmas. I'm still in astonishment that they would choose me to be in a national ad campaign!
As a result of the Sears Campaign, I flew to Miami to shoot a Live Fashion Segment in the Spanish-speaking version of Good Morning America, the Univision show Despierta America. I styled an entire family in Sears clothing for the Holidays. Nick Verreos and his models in NIKOLAKI red carpet gowns at FIDM San Diego Grand Opening I returned to Southern California to attend the Grand Opening of The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM San Diego Campus.
I was invited by the school and decided to give the Grand Opening a special treat: I brought some of my just-debuted Spring 2008 NIKOLAKI Collection and had a mini-trunk show while guests and San Diego's gliteratti--including that city's Mayor-- mingled. Designer Korto Momolu and Nick Verreos at Jane Joe/John Doe Boutique Opening Party Back in Los Angeles, I attended the opening of the Jane Doe/John Doe Boutique in Los Angeles. The store unveiled designs by several of this last Project Runway season's designers, including Korto Momolu, Jerell Scott, and its winner, Leanne Marshall, so I wanted to show support for their designs. David Paul, Nick Verreos and their dog Benny (looking chic in House Of Dog collar and leash), at the Beverly Hills Mutt Club Holiday Party Since December is a time for Holiday Parties, I was happy to attend several of them, including the Beverly Hills Mutt Club Party, where David and I got to bring our beautiful dog, Benny. Even though he got sick on the ride to the party, it was all better once we arrived and he saw all his canine buddies.Lauren Conrad (of MTV's The Hills), her friend and Nick Verreos at HERE Lounge, West Hollywood I also attended the Toys For Tots Woody's Christmas Party, where I ran into Lauren Conrad and one of her best friends. She made me feel really bad since I brought a Learning DVD for kids as my gift; Lauren brought the cutest Teddy Bear. Next time Nick, I mumbled to myself, bring a HUGE Teddy Bear!!!! Happy New Year and here's a toast (pretend I am holding a Champagne flute) to a prosperous and busy 2009! xoxo Nick

"Uncle Nick" Has Fun in the Bahamas! Sharp Suits: Bahamian police in their finest uniforms, Nassau. To put a punctuation in my Bahamas Islands of The World Fashion Week recaps, I thought it would only be appropriate to end with photos and recollections of my "Fun Day" in this gorgeous Caribbean Island, and especially my adventures at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island.View from my Pool Chair: Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island. The ever-accommodating Islands of The World Fashion Week clients booked both David and I at the unbelievable Atlantis Resort and from the moment we were dropped off at it's main entrance, all I could think of was "Oh My God, this is HUUUUUGE!". I was really looking forward to staying at the Atlantis because up to now all I had as a reference was two TV shows: The Oprah Winfrey Show and Regis and Kelly. I remember watching these shows when they filmed from The Atlantis and all I could think was "One of these days...I want to go there!". Well, be careful what you wish for. Here I was, witnessing one of the largest tropical resorts in the world. Picture this: Combine two Las Vegas Bellagio Hotels, Disneyland, a Huge Water park, and add a Beach. The end result: The Atlantis in Paradise Island. View from My Room: A Tropical Paradise in the Atlantis, Paradise Island During my week in the Bahamas, we were treated like royalty and attended many "Fashion Week" parties as I previously wrote. The third day there, at the "Culture and Arts Welcoming Party", I was met by a couple of surprise guests: My beautiful niece and nephew, Casia and Alain. My parents had flown in from San Antonio Texas, where they now reside, and brought the kids with them--as a surprise to me. I knew my parents were flying to the Bahamas--in support of my fashion show--but I had no idea that my nephew and niece were coming along. They instantly jumped on top of Uncle Nick and didn't let go---except when I threatened to push them into the fire-filled limbo dancing segment; that's when they ran away! Junkanoo Greeting: Alain, Junkanoo performer, Casia and Nick Verreos Of course, the next day, they just wanted to have an entire "Play Day" with their uncle, but unfortunately, I was there to work. I had fashion show judging to do, press interviews, fittings and alterations as well as other peripheral fashion week duties. Toward the end of the week, however, I managed to end my "day of duties" early and got a nice afternoon to spend with them, where we ended up enjoying the Atlantis Water slides and nearby beach. Conch Anyone? Alain, Uncle Nick Verreos and Casia, show off Bahamas culinary must-try delicacy, conch fritters But first, I had to have a plateful of the famous Bahamian Conch Fritters that all our local hosts kept raving about (they were curiously good, crunchy and somewhat spicy, which I like!). Of course, Alain and Casia didn't even go near it! The word Conch does not sound as appetizing to a 12 and 9 year old, the way popcorn chicken and fries do! Now, we were ready for Uncle Nick to finally get his toes wet. Four days in the Bahamas and I had not even stepped in a pool! So you know, I was ready!Manta Ray Heaven: A lagoon filled with Manta Rays at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island In case you didn't know, the Atlantis Resort has a 97-acre waterscape, featuring 20 million gallons of lagoons, pools, waterfalls and subterranean aquariums. Some of lagoons are filled with sharks, Manta Rays and with what seemed like every other species of fish known to man! And that's not to mention all the water slides strewn all over the resort. It seems that at almost every turn, there was a new water slide adventure. Take a Dip: My niece Casia and nephew Alain get ready to swim in one of the Atlantis resort pools It's a kid's PARADISE! Of course, my niece and nephew went CRAZEEE! It's not necessarily an adult's resort--if you want quiet, relaxing, no-kids-screaming getaway---you might have to go somewhere else for that (I hear there's a more "adult" Cove section of the Atlantis, which we never got to see). Jaws Alert! A Shark swims by my niece and nephew,Casia and Alain, in the Mayan Temple Lagoon/Aquarium My nephew immediately dared me to go on the famed Mayan Temple, a 60 foot vertical drop (yep, that's what I said) that ends in a clear tunnel INSIDE a shark-filled lagoon. I am not going to lie (if my nephew reads this, he will get a good laugh!), but I was NERVOUS! But I did it. Like THREE TIMES! We also enjoyed the nearby Challenger slides where you can challenge your "slide partner" to a slide race. Casia and I challenged each other. I think she won. We ended our late afternoon with a quick run to the beach (it was late and getting dark). Click below for a fun little video I filmed of my nephew and niece in the Atlantis Resort paradise Island Beach: Toward the end of our stay in the Bahamas, David and I finally got to have some downtime, unfortunately, Hurricane Gustav was approaching and the weather drastically changed from sunny gorgeous to "Are we in Seattle?". But that did not stop us from having a "Nick & David Day" at the Atlantis Slides. This time, it was David's turn at the slides since he had not stepped foot in water the entire time we had been there! We did the Mayan Temple vertical drop slide (I dared him this time), and the 120 foot Power Tower, which featured 4 different slides, including a 50 foot drop into darkness (that was cool!). We also did the Lazy River, a relaxing slow float through a portion of the resort, where you just sit on an inner tube and let the man-made currents do their thing. I am too hyperactive and that one bored me to tears! I couldn't wait to get back on that Mayan Temple vertical drop instead! Bahamas Dinin': Dinner at the Seafire Steakhouse in the Atlantis Resort, Paradsie Island To cap our stay at the Islands of The World Fashion Week, we decided to have a wonderful dinner in the resort. The Atlantis features over 20 restaurants, some world-renowned such as Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and Nobu . We ended up having our final-night dinner at the Seafire Steakhouse with David's Mom and her friend, Blanche (both of whom came to the Bahamas via San Diego to see our Spring '09 Collection) and our VIP Hostess/Coordinator/Assistant/Manager/Model/Girl about Town, Miss Vanessa Pritchard. I called her my amazonian "Girl Friday". You may recall how in my last "Bahamas" posting (scroll below), I wrote about her elite lineage and how her family were the founders of John Bull, one of the premiere Caribbean high-end shopping boutiques in the Caribbean. As much as we loved our week in the Caribbean, we could not wait to get back to our doggy, Benny, whom we had left at his "Doggy Resort" at LA Dogworks for a week. You can tell how much Benny missed "Daddy" David (and vice versa) from the photo below!David reconnects with our 1 1/2 year old dog, Benny, after a week in The Bahamas