Showing posts with label California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show. Show all posts
NICK APPEARANCES.....Nick Verreos talks Michelle Obama Fashion
0
NICK APPEARANCES.....Nick Verreos talks Michelle Obama Fashion
California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show
FIDM
First Ladies-inspired Gowns
Nick Verreos
Nick Verreos Gowns
Nikolaki Spring 2009 Collection
Washington DC
0
comments
While attending and hosting the California State Society and FIDM Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show, I was interviewed before the show by VOA reporter Amra Alirejsovic. We spoke about Michelle Obama's fashion choices and how they will impact the fashion world. And because of my collection inspired by first ladies ranging from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, we discussed the impact of past First Ladies and fashion.
It is a great report which shows wonderful highlights from the show.
*If you are having problems viewing the video above click HERE
NIKOLAKI.....Nick Verreos "First Ladies" Washington DC Fashion Show
1NIKOLAKI.....Nick Verreos "First Ladies" Washington DC Fashion Show
California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show
FIDM
First Ladies-inspired Gowns
Inauguration 2009
Nick Verreos Appearance
Nick Verreos Gowns
Nikolaki
Washington DC
1 comments
DC Fashionista
Host With The Most: Nick Verreos wearing his Tarina Tarantino-designed "Liberty Pin" onstage at the Ritz Carlton Ballroom
Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Luisa Adams and Dolley Madison, as imagined by Nick Verreos
Luisa Adams was known to wear bejeweled turbans (gasp!), and therefore my gown for her was a silk chiffon sequined gown with a corset, as a nod to the early 1800's fashion. For the more contemporary First Ladies, I either stayed close to how we remember them or gave them a bit f a make-over. Nancy Reagan was known for her sleek James Galanos one-shoulder gowns so I designed a black sequined one-shoulder number for her. The gown inspired by Jackie Kennedy was in ivory duchess satin and featured a Watteau back "cape-train", reminding me of the gowns she wore in her official visit to France. Hillary Clinton has always been fond of her blue pantsuits so I took some liberty with her and designed a very feminine gown that featured turquoise blue, as well as draped celadon-colored silk.
Where's The Presidential Ball? David Paul and Nick Verreos pose backstage with their "First Lady" models
Host With The Most: Nick Verreos wearing his Tarina Tarantino-designed "Liberty Pin" onstage at the Ritz Carlton Ballroom
Beyond my "Sightseeing Day" of visiting the Washington and Lincoln Monuments as well as taking far away snapshots of the White House, not to mention my lengthy all-day excursion to the Smithsonian Museum, the main purpose of my once-in-a-lifetime visit to Washington DC was to host the California State Society and FIDM's Presidential Inaugural Luncheon as well as Fashion Show. As part of the fashion show, I was going to show a selection from my most recent NIKOLAKI Spring 2009 Collection. While I was designing the collection, many months ago, I found out that I was being invited to Washington D.C. for this event and decided to design a group of gowns around famous US First Ladies. However, because of the secrecy surrounding this event, I couldn't say so at the time--until now.
Welcome to DC Baskets: Nick Verreos in his hotel room
Welcome to DC Baskets: Nick Verreos in his hotel room
The night I arrived into DC--after a whole day of traveling cross-continent--I was greeted by the most INCREDIBLE basket of goodies and a GORGEOUS bouquet of roses and balloons waiting for me in my hotel room. I just about died and went to Champagne-Cookies-and-Obama Pin heaven! My gracious hosts at the California State Society were responsible for this "Welcome" and I had to capture a photo of it. Both David and I tried to pick up the one "Goodie Basket" and our non-Gym-Bunny bodies almost broke our backs! It was a wonderful way to arrive into DC.
Nick and his First Ladies: Saturday Press Meet-and-Greet
The Saturday prior to the event, we held a "Press Meet-and-Greet". Various journalists, writers and reporters of local websites and newspapers, including the Washington Times, were invited to preview the gowns which I would be showing on the runway. As I noted previously, these gowns were loosely inspired by First Ladies. They included Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, Louisa Adams, Mary Todd Lincoln, Jacqueline Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. My designs were modeled by the most gorgeous Washington DC-based models, who originated from far-flung places such as Uganda, Poland, Russia, and even New Jersey!
Nick and his First Ladies: Saturday Press Meet-and-Greet
Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Luisa Adams and Dolley Madison, as imagined by Nick Verreos
In my press "Meet-and-Greet", I explained to the press to first of all "suspend their belief" of how they remember most of these First Ladies, especially Mrs. Washington, Madison and Lincoln. I wanted to "re-invent" them, fashion-wise. This was my "Nick Verreos Make-Over" of how I would see these famous women in 2009! For example, in my research, I discovered that Mary Todd Lincoln was probably the first Fashionista and loved to shop, therefore I designed a very "high fashion" gown with an impressive back cascade and directional one-shoulder strap detail. 
Nick and the "Luisa Adams"-inspired silk chiffon sequined gown
Nick and the "Luisa Adams"-inspired silk chiffon sequined gown
Where's The Presidential Ball? David Paul and Nick Verreos pose backstage with their "First Lady" models
Finally, for Michelle Obama, I was inspired by her tall statuesque frame and love of color. Mrs. Obama has such strong shoulders, I created a strapless architectural fitted gown in a candy-apple red. As we know now, she chose a full-skirted one shoulder design by 24-old NY-based designer Jason Wu. Of course, I have to admit, I kind of like my design just a little better...
Pep Talk: Nick Verreos thanking the Dressers backstage at the Ritz Carlton Ballroom
Pep Talk: Nick Verreos thanking the Dressers backstage at the Ritz Carlton Ballroom
The event, which took place the Sunday before Inaugural Tuesday at the very exclusive Ritz Carlton Washington DC, was a complete success. I wore my Marc Jacobs suit with a fabulous Tarina Tarantino "Lady Liberty" pin which she designed especially for the Inaugural. Notable guests included California Senator Diane Feinstein, as well as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Former S.F. Mayor, the always stylish Willie Brown, and many others. 
Nick and Leanne: Nick Verreos posing with models in Leanne Marshall's Project Runway Finale Collection
After they enjoyed their lunch and some wine and champagne, guests were "good-and-ready" for the fashion show, which besides my 9 First Lady Gowns, included the designs of FIDM's Advanced Study Fashion Design and Theater Costume students as well as an exclusive showing of Project Runway Season 5 Winner Leanne Marshall's Finale Bryant Park Collection, which was bought by the school through the Bravo Website Auction. I had an amazing time hosting as well as meeting all the guests and taking photos with them-- I ran into many people that were present at the Luncheon/Fashion Show at various Inaugural parties days later and they all felt compelled to stop me to say how fabulous the event was and how much they loved my "hosting" of the show...Ahhhhh, that really made my week in DC!!!!!
Below are four great articles about the Luncheon and Fashion Show--as well as my First Lady-inspired Gowns:
Click HERE for an article on Washington DC's RollCall.com site
Click HERE for an LA Times.com article
Click HERE for the COVER STORY featured in the Washington Times
Click HERE for an article on Style.gay.com
Click HERE for a great article at the Washingtonian.com
Nick and Leanne: Nick Verreos posing with models in Leanne Marshall's Project Runway Finale Collection
FIDM.....Mr. Verreos Goes To Washington
0FIDM.....Mr. Verreos Goes To Washington
California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show
FIDM
Inauguration 2009
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama Fashion
Nick Verreos
Nikolaki
0
comments
Happy New Year!!!
President and First Lady-to-be Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
It's January 2009 and the Presidential Inauguration is coming up of course. Recently, I got word that I would be going to Washington D.C. to the California State Society's Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show. 
Nick Verreos to host and show his Gowns at the California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show
For several of the last US Presidential Inaugurations, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM has showcased the designs of their top Fashion and Costume Design students at a fabulous fashion show as part of the illustrious California State Society Presidential Luncheon. 
It's like one of those Inaugural Balls we've all heard about--but with food, fashion and in the daytime! This year I was honored to be invited by FIDM to not only host the event but also showcase some very special gowns from my NIKOLAKI Collection, as part of the fashion show. An added bonus to the show, will be the one-time-only exclusive runway showing of Project Runway Season 5 Winner, Leanne Marshall's (a graduate of FIDM) Bryant Park Collection. 
Bryant Park to Washington D.C.: Leanne Marshall's Project Runway Season 5 Finale Collection
VIP Invitation: The California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show Date: Sunday, January 18Th Location: Ritz Carlton Hotel
Washington D.C. is not necessarily a "Fashion Capital", the likes of New York, Milan and Paris. But it will be on Sunday, January 18th. Michelle Obama has become somewhat of a fashion icon herself and for weeks now, everyone has been a buzz about what she will wear for the Inauguration and all the Balls. I would love for Mrs. Obama to wear one of my designs, but I am sure I will have to fight Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez and her favorite Chicago designer Maria Pinto. Lets just say every designer in the world is dying to dress the First Lady to be!
I am beyond excited to be going to Washington D.C. for many reasons. My father was a Diplomat working for the State Department and he lived in D.C. for a long time and spoke of it very fondly. My week in D.C. will be filled with fittings, rehearsals and doing press interviews for the event but I hope that maybe I will get to visit one or two of the historic Washington D.C. attractions, such as the Lincoln and Washington Memorials or the Smithsonian Museum or maybe get a photo of the White House.
Click HERE and HERE for great articles from the Washingtonian.com and The Faux Socialite regarding the event. Hope to see you there!
President and First Lady-to-be Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
It's January 2009 and the Presidential Inauguration is coming up of course. Recently, I got word that I would be going to Washington D.C. to the California State Society's Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show. 
Nick Verreos to host and show his Gowns at the California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show
For several of the last US Presidential Inaugurations, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM has showcased the designs of their top Fashion and Costume Design students at a fabulous fashion show as part of the illustrious California State Society Presidential Luncheon. 
It's like one of those Inaugural Balls we've all heard about--but with food, fashion and in the daytime! This year I was honored to be invited by FIDM to not only host the event but also showcase some very special gowns from my NIKOLAKI Collection, as part of the fashion show. An added bonus to the show, will be the one-time-only exclusive runway showing of Project Runway Season 5 Winner, Leanne Marshall's (a graduate of FIDM) Bryant Park Collection. 
Bryant Park to Washington D.C.: Leanne Marshall's Project Runway Season 5 Finale Collection
VIP Invitation: The California State Society Presidential Luncheon and Fashion Show Date: Sunday, January 18Th Location: Ritz Carlton Hotel
Washington D.C. is not necessarily a "Fashion Capital", the likes of New York, Milan and Paris. But it will be on Sunday, January 18th. Michelle Obama has become somewhat of a fashion icon herself and for weeks now, everyone has been a buzz about what she will wear for the Inauguration and all the Balls. I would love for Mrs. Obama to wear one of my designs, but I am sure I will have to fight Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez and her favorite Chicago designer Maria Pinto. Lets just say every designer in the world is dying to dress the First Lady to be!
I am beyond excited to be going to Washington D.C. for many reasons. My father was a Diplomat working for the State Department and he lived in D.C. for a long time and spoke of it very fondly. My week in D.C. will be filled with fittings, rehearsals and doing press interviews for the event but I hope that maybe I will get to visit one or two of the historic Washington D.C. attractions, such as the Lincoln and Washington Memorials or the Smithsonian Museum or maybe get a photo of the White House.
Click HERE and HERE for great articles from the Washingtonian.com and The Faux Socialite regarding the event. Hope to see you there! 
