Pin Up Divas, A Fashionable Church, Sexy Tattoos, and Lady Gaga??? Welcome to Style Week LA...
Last night, I was invited to attend the inaugural night of Style Fashion Week LA at Vibiana's in Downtown LA. Yes, kids, in case you did not know, it is LA Fashion Week Fall 2011, and there are several events/venues going on around town showcasing Los Angeles Fashion, its Designers and LA Style. My friend, Arturo D. Chavez styled the entire show and he was kind enough to put me on the list to attend---and support the fashions and see his fabulous styling work. Stop Staring! is an LA-based clothing company headed by "Vintage Vixen", Designer Alicia Estrada, and is known for its sexy Vintage-inspired cocktail dresses, with very fitted 1940's and 1950's shapes, inspired by "Pin Up" and Rockabilly.
Stop Staring! has been in business for over ten years and has grown a cult-like status with all the Diva Pin-Up and Rockabilly girls as well as A-List celebs such as Eva Mendes, Kim Kardashian and some of the "Twilight" girls. I hear the dresses are affordable AND they make them up to size 18: Hello!
LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Commissioner of the Board of Public Works--and LA Fashion Champion!--Cynthia Ruiz, is a big fan of the clothing line, if not their "Muse". Every time I was at an LA event--and she was there-- I always wondered whose dresses she was wearing because: A) She always looked so good; and B) they always fit perfectly! No surprise, they were Stop Staring! Well, naturally, Cynthia was there last night, introducing the fashion show and featuring a fitted black and red number that looked divine! I also ran into Designer Maggie Barry (above) who, as always, was working her look! Loving those gold leather winged high-tops! The Fashion:
And Finally...Yes, that's me--with the Madame Tussaud's wax figure of Lady Gaga. She was there on display at Vibiana's Style Fashion Week LA, don't know why but YOU KNOW I had to get a photo next to her...I mean, it...I think... Happy LA Fashion Week! Click Below for the Final Model Walk of the Stop Staring! Fashion Show:

Los Feliz Birthdays, Fashion,& Shangela from "RuPaul's Drag Race"? Two weeks ago (almost) , I was invited to my friend Alejandro Laguette's Birthday Dinner Party at the UBER hip Los Feliz Vermont Restaurant. It was actually a "Shared Birthday" with other fabulous boys, Feruz, Frank and Iffy.Feliz Cumpleaños: Nick Verreos and Birthday Boy Alejandro Laguette, Rockwell VT In conjunction with the blowing-out-the-candles celebration, Los Angeles designers Xavier Othon and Richard Bowman of XR Collection decided to unveil their Summer 2010 Collection at the "secret" behind-the-Vermont-Restaurant lounge, Rockwell VT. I couldn't make it to the Birthday Dinner but arrived just in time for the fashion show. Los Feliz Boys: John Wade, Joey Maalouf, Erik Moreno, Rockwell VT Of course, I didn't come alone: I brought one of my best friends, Erik Moreno, John Wade and Joey Maalouf, who was about to leave to NY to do Rachel Zoe's make-up and hair for the Met American Woman Gala. Front Row Benches: Birthday boy Alejandro Laguette, Nick Verreos (far right) The show began as models walked from the Rockwell VT upstairs balcony and down the stairs and then sauntered through the capacity-filled invitees. Fashions ranged from sexy Menswear for the guy who obviously has no time for work and LOTS of time for the gym (tank tops and very sexy fitted pants) to... slinky cowl neck gowns in jersey for their "girlfriends".I was excited to see one of my DIVA models, Amara Wilson, who actually came with me back in 2005 to the Season 2 Project Runway Castings, model in the show--she brought the nightclub DOWN kiddies: She worked the flashbulbs and the gowns like a Pro! (BTW: She is!) Making a very "special appearance" in the XR Collection Summer 2010 fashion show was Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 2 Contestant Shangela--yes, that's how LA does it: Models and Drag Queens can sometimes share the same DIVA runway stage!

Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week Continues: Skingraft

Let the Fashion Circus Begin!Amanda Circus: Model Amanda Fields and Nick Verreos Last Thursday, the ever-so-fabulous Clint Catalyst, whom I've known through the "LA Fashion Circles" for AGES, invited me to an event which he was presenting, the "Gold versus Petker: A Holiday 2009 Runway Fashion Show Event". Designer Jared Gold (remember his now-infamous LIVE BUGS Fashion Show on America's Next Top Model?), and artist Joshua Petker were joining forces to create a "Fashion and Artistic Mash-up" to shake up those flip-flop, board-short and skinny-jean wearing Angelenos. Raise That Eyebrow: Joey Maalouf poses with Jennifer Egan of GenArt Jared Gold and Clint Catalyst are very well known for pushing the artistic (and fashion) envelope so I knew that any event that had their names attached would be fun. As my date, I brought along Joey "The Rachael Zoe Project" Maalouf. I had so much fun with him at the last event we went to (Style LA Swim and Resort Fashion Show) that he had to come along to this one.Project Runway All Stars: Designers and Project Runway Alumn Nick Verreos, Sweet P, Jerell and Kit Scarbo As we entered the venue, the Social Nightclub in Hollywood, I almost thought I had arrived at Lifetime Network's Premiere of the New Season of Project Runway. I instantly ran into Jerell Scott from Season 5 and Sweet P and Kit "Pistol" Scarbo from Season 4. As we all gave air kisses to each other, it created a rush of impromptu paparazzi (really, just guests at the party) rushing to get photos of us, like we were recently discovered Dinosaurs from the Argentinian Pampas! All we kept hearing was "OMG! It's Project RUUUUNWAAAAY!!!!" Oh Dear. Hands on the Hips Ladies: Model Amanda Fields and Make-Up Artist Noseph Trinh And before I could say "Where's Andrae?", I spotted former Project Runway model and one of my NIKOLAKI muses (she's all over my website by the way), the one and only Amanda Fields. Amanda--fantastically made up with cotton candy-looking hair and paint-ball effect splashed make-up-- was there to model in the show. The incredible Noseph Trinh had done her make-up and huney, she looked DIVINELY crazy! I love Noseph, he helped create the flawless make-up for my W Hotel Spring 2008 NIKOLAKI Fashion Show. Detail Shot: Amanda Fields' Hair and Make Up, Gold vs. Petker Runway Show Inside the capacity filled Runway "Ballroom" at Social, the crowd was eager to see the show. As we sat down in our front-row seats (Thank you Clint, I felt very Anna Wintour), I spotted transgender girl-about-town, Calpernia Adams, comedienne Selene Luna, LA Fashion "Doll" Audrey Kitching and even Ongina, one of the Drag Divas from "Ru Paul's Drag Race" reality show. Cupcake Princess: Audrey Kitching at the Gold vs. Petker Runway Show To say that the crowd was eclectic was the understatement of the year! Seated next to us was an instructor and an executive from the prestigious Otis School of Design, editors of the California Apparel News, Jewelry and Accessories Empress Tarina Tarantino and her husband Alfonso, and artist Joshua Petker himself. Striped Leggings: A look from the Gold vs. Pekter Runway Show The show itself was a fantastic journey and visual ride through the eyes of Jared Gold and Joshua Petker, put forth by the wonderful styling, make up and hair, music and staging of their fabulous crew of fashion "bandits". There were black and white diagonal striped jersey leggings, sweaters, lots of colorful pom poms, and a finale coat that dazzled the crowd. Rouged Cheeks: A wide-legged jumpsuit from the Gold vs. Petker Runway Show Afterwards, I made a bee-line to the VIP Dance Party where none other than Tarina Tarantino would be the special "Guest DJ". Yep, she designs jewelry, bags, clothing and now, she DJ's! Of course, her hubby, Alfonso was there like a proud Papa. At the bar, I ran into my friend, Director of Make Up Artistry for MAC (and Dita Von Teese's personal Make Up Artist) Gregory Arlt as well as stylist Charlie Altuna. Native American Barbie: Tarina Tarantino gives feathers (while designer Jared Gold looks on) Gregory and I chatted clothes and which one of his fabulous clients should be wearing my gowns (all of them!). I even gushed with envy over some photos of his recent trip to Singapore (his First Class Sleeper Seat was RIDICULOUS?!). I want to be The Director of Make Up artistry for MAC! After getting a little bit of my "groove on" (sorry, I know no one says that any more), I realized that it was time to bid "Adieu" to this fantastic fashion circus and head Downtown to go to bed--and hopefully have crazy fashion circus dreams!

Miss California USA '07, Project Runway Designers "Reunion", Rachael Zoe Make Up and Hairstylist...and Hot Swimsuits! Shut It Down: Make Up and Hair Stylist Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos It seems I may need to rent a house by the Beach. First it was the LA Fashion Week Designer Call-to-Action Cocktail Party at Venice Beach's Hotel Erwin. Then, last week I was invited to designer Chris Benz' Summer Party at Thomas Weens and Hill Salomon of The Branding Farm's Craftsman Home, also in Venice Beach. Now this: I was invited to the Style L.A. Swim and Resort Runway Celebrity Fashion Show 2009, held at Santa Monica's posh Viceroy Hotel. No Swim Zone: The Viceroy Hotel Pool Runway Area It's really taking a toll on my car and racking up on the miles! (Downtown LA--where my studio is-- to Venice Beach isn't a hop, skip or a jump kids!) Thank God I was away in Europe for two weeks not using it. I guess I had mileage to "make up"! I picked up my new "going out partner in crime", make-up and hair stylist extraordinaire Joey Maalouf. He happens to be on one of my favorite shows, The Rachael Zoe Project and does her fabulous hair and make-up, of course! I warned him: It would be a bumpy ride!Safari Beach: A Look from Style L.A.: Swim & Resort Runway Fashion Show '09 The Style L.A. Swim and Resort Runway Fashion Show Party--an event to raise money and awareness for a great charity, Operation of Hope-- has become an annual event, thrown by one of my favorite agencies, TMG International. I attend all their fabulous Oscars' Suites and have even hosted/judged a recent "Cutest Dog" contest, at an event they put together. In other words: Love them! Did You Lose Your Shirt? A look from Style L.A: Swim & Resort Runway Fashion Show '09 This year's event showed the designs of John Galliano (swimwear), Gottex, Rock Star, Guess and Paul & Shark, among others. The pool area was at capacity--Joey and I could barely make it to the bar!. Once situated (standing room only), I spotted Lorenzo Lamas, actress Elaine Hendrix, and fellow Venezuelan Luis Barajas, founder of Flaunt Magazine. The Show Someone Should Pitch: Stylist and former "Project Runway" Designer Kit Scarbo, Nick Verreos, and "Rachael Zoe Project" hair and make up artist Joey Maalouf But to my biggest surprise, I spotted Project Runway Season 4 Designer, Kit "Pistol" Scarbo. Besides being one of the FIERCEST girls in LA, Kit also happens to be a fabulous stylist, who works with various clients including Samantha Harris of "Dancing With The Stars". Pool Catwalk: Models strut down the Style L.A.: Swim & Resort Runway Show '09 I just about dropped the Champagne glass I was holding when I saw her! Joey, myself, and Kit, watched the entire fashion show together. We gave minute-by-minute commentary (can you imagine? Yeah, where's Bravo and/or Lifetime when you REALLY need them!)Miss California USA 2007: Meagan Tandy works the runway I was extra excited to see--among the models--former Miss California USA 2007 Meagan Tandy!! She looked stunning and her body--well, as straight boys say, she was "slamming!" (do they really say that?) I love me some Meagan, she actually modeled in our Spring '09 W Hotel NIKOLAKI Fashion Show and she wore one of my Custom NIKOLAKI gowns to almost win Miss USA 2007 at the Kodak Theater. Also modeling in the show was America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 model Analeigh Tipton. She was very tall and very thin--and walked the runway perfectly! Miss Tyra would be proud. It was a fun show but the best part was yet to come: As I waited to get my car in a 50 person-deep Valet line, Joey went around the corner and 5 minutes later, motioned me to come to the sidewalk. Yep, my car was there! Don't know what he did--but I was very happy! Click here on The Insider for more on the event.

Fashion..Under "The Grove" Stars! Boys Under The Stars: Raymundo Baltazar and Nick Verreos pose at The Grove CoOp Barneys New York Fashion Show Last Thursday was a MAJAH (in Victoria Beckham's words) day for me: I was filming all day and had a 4 AM Wake Up Call time! I shot all these fun segments for MSN.com Style Studio and even got to meet the GORGEOUS Victoria's Secret Angel and SpokesGODDESS, Marissa Miller. My day was done around 4 PM, got home, took a "disco nap" and somehow, got the energy to attend a fun fashion show at one of LA's most famous shopping meccas, The Grove--that same night! Crest White Strips Smiles: Petro Zillia designer Noni Tochterman and Nick Verreos at The Grove I was invited by my fabulous friends from S.PR to attend "CoOp Barneys New York presents Fashion @ The Grove", also dubbed a "fashion show under the stars". Anything S.PR puts on is DIVINE and always done right, so I knew I had to attend. It was to be a great evening to witness the latest and most stylish for Spring/Summer 2009 from featured LA and NYC designers like Alexander Wang, Trovata, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, APC, Petro Zillia and many more.I Want That Trench: Scene from the runway of "Fashion @ The Grove" fashion show My "date" that night was my friend, Raymundo Baltazar, who was on my season of Project Runway, who actually held one of the first fashions shows at The Grove back in 2007 when he was working for Christian Audigier. Normally, as an LA resident, I try and avoid The Grove if at all possible. It's a "Disneyland" of shopping malls and I only visit if say, my family are visiting from out of town. Other than that, it's just "too much". That water fountain in the middle with the "Last Dance" by Donna Summer musical accompaniment always gets me! It's very "mini Vegas". But I was eager to enjoy a fashion show "under The Grove stars" for this one night. We sat front row center and took it all in. I was happy to be seated next to none other than the fabulously chic Monica Corcoran, LA Times Fashion Blogger and consultant for the new Project Runway season. I also spotted across from me, Sam Shipley , formally of Trovata, one of my favorite menswear lines of all time! As you may know, he and design partner, Jeff Halmos, broke from Trovata and began their own line, aptly named Shipley and Halmos. Petro Zillia designer, the colorful Nony Tochterman was there as well as LA Fashion "momma", Miss Cynthia Vincent, who lovingly made fun of me by saying "Oh Mr. TV Star!!!" when she saw me.Reunited...and it Feels So Good: Nick Verreos poses with models Anna Maria Mostrom and his Barbie Model, Chantal Jones, The Grove The show was great! All the models (from LA Models) were perfect and all pros (I spotted my Barbie model, Chantal Jones, as well as others who modeled in the FIDM Debut 2009 Show). The clothing ranged from mini biker chic shrunken leather jackets, to cardigan and bow tied boys to floor sweeping draped jersey dresses. The styling, by Elizabeth Stewart, was exceptional. The models were "done and done" from the cutest hat to the fiercest platform spiked heel. Work those Booties Chantal: Model Chantal Jones on "The Grove" runway This was an LA fashion show at its best. I think I might have just changed my tune towards visiting "The Grove"...Maybe next time my line NIKOLAKI, will be shown "under The Grove" stars.... Click HERE for a great little blurb about the event and fashion show on LA Mag.com.