Pageant Queens!Miss Texas USA, Kelsey Moore, in a feathered golden-beige gown reminiscent of the one Stefania Fernandez won her Miss Universe 2009 title in Well kiddies, the Miss USA 2010 Pageant is on tonight, LIVE from Las Vegas. I was not commissioned to design any of this year's contestants gowns in case you were wondering (too busy of a schedule right now unfortunately!) but in the past, I have had the pleasure of designing the Final Gowns for... Miss California USA 2007, Meagan Tandy and... Miss Alaska USA 2008, Courtney Carroll, whom won Third Runner Up and Miss Photogenic Titles respectively (in my gowns!). So of course, as a fashion designer (and pageant fan), I will be watching for one thing, well...TWO: 1)What gowns these girls wear? And 2) Which one will not know where Iraq, Afghanistan or who our Vice President is and whether or not President Obama was born in Hawaii or Kenya. Hopefully they also studied up on what Goldman-Sachs is. Here's a hint: It's not a brand of shoes. Hopefully, Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir who is one of the judges (yes, he is this year's Perez Hilton I guess!) will ask a "controversial" question--Can't wait! Bring it on Johnny! As always the Preliminary Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competition already occurred earlier in the week and in lieu of tonight's pageant, here are my "Nick Verreos" Highlights and Low-lights of those gowns:There were several "Color Trends" this year with contestants choosing White, Royal Blue or Red as the most popular colors. In the White Gown Category, Miss California USA, Nicole Johnson featured a strong gown with side lace re-embroidery. Not too "racy" and somewhat elegant (pageant girls LOVE the white, it makes them look "pure" I guess).Miss Ohio USA, Amanda Tempel's was one of my favorite White Gowns. Simple elegant, silk charmeuse cowl draped gown with not-too-bold crystal details. Very "Hollywood Glamour".Miss Oklahoma USA, Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, also chose white, with coral and multi-colored beaded embroidery. She looks like she has a great figure and the sculptural gowns shows it off. I'm just not a fan of that sweetheart neckline and the off-the-shoulder design; very 1986 for my taste.Another "White Gown" girl was Miss Washington USA, Tracy Turnure. She's over 6 feet tall and again, was wise in opting for a fitted and column silhouette. The gown was OK, I just wanted to remove that damn feather! It's like someone went to Michaels and really thought she needed an "accent"!Finally, for the White Gown Section, Miss North Carolina, Nadia Shirin Moffett (love that name, is she part Persian?) just gets "Nick Verreos Points" for giving "Drama" with that back "over-piece". That is so Fashion School 101, and I could just see the designer thinking "Oh, it will be FABULOUS to have that back piece...you will WORK IT, on the stage huney!".In the Royal Blue Color Trend, Miss Delaware stood out as one of my favorite. I like the top with the fanned criss-cross "bow" and crystals; I even like the slit. Not too bad. Go Miss Delaware!Miss Arkansas USA, Adrielle Churchill's royal blue gown was just right. Strapless, elegant, draped beautifully and the crystal brooch was perfect.In the Scarlet Gown Trend Category, Miss Florida USA, was probably the best. Again, fitted, strapless, elegant Duchesse satin and very "red carpet" worthy. I like how the back train looks here (as opposed to on Miss North Carolina USA). It's "organic" to the gown, not something that looks like it could be snapped on and off in a HOT MESS minute! Speaking of HOT MESS:Oh Miss Mississippi USA, Courtney Breanne Ponder. You are soooo pretty! GIRL, why this gown? Like the high slit wasn't enough, you had to then have half your gown cut off on the side (of course, to reveal that 6-pack ab you've been working so hard for--but that's what the Swimsuit Competition is for!!!). Then I almost fainted when I looked down and saw them heels! Ladies, you are not STRIPPERS or ex-wives of Lorenzo Lamas! leave those to Shauna Sand! Some of the contestants wear the same gown for the Final Telecast and some do not (they want to "Bust Out" with that "stunner" of a gown if they get picked as a Finalist!). We'll see! Well, have fun watching--you know I will! Happy Miss USA 2010 Viewing!

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.

I Believe in the Diversity of California Too! Here is the just-released Public Service Announcement/PSA featuring several past Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss California USA and Miss Universe title holders expressing how much they "Believe". I think its fantastic and I give all of them a big Nick "Go On Girls!" high five--albeit a fashionable high five, thank you very much!Former Miss Universe, Brook Lee, in NIKOLAKI silk dress at "Speed Racer" Premiere I was excited to see Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 (and recent model for the NO H8 Campaign) and Meagan Tandy, Miss California 2007, featured in this PSA. And I can proudly say, both have worn my designs and therefore consider them two of my favorite NIKOLAKI muses! Miss California USA 2007, Meagan Tandy, in NIKOLAKI silk Swarovski-crystal beaded gown for the Miss USA Pageant

ESCANDALO!!!
Last week, my darling sister, Rita (of Survivor: Fiji fame) was in Los Angeles training the lovely contestants vying for the Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA 2008 titles. She invited David and I to attend the finals, which were held at the historic Orpheum Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.

I wanted to attend the finals to support my sister, who looked absolutely stunning wearing one my NIKOLAKI gowns as she handed the bouquets to the Final 5. It was a nice surprise to see the beautiful Meagan Tandy, last year's Miss California USA, wearing the gown we designed for her when she competed (and received the 3rd Runner Up Title). Also in attendance were two Rita's castmates and friends from Survivor:Fiji, Michelle Yi and Alex Angarita. It was fun to watch all those girls whom Rita trained and to see her "stamp" of excellence in their walk, posture and presentation.

The pageant itself was actually an exciting one. Everything seem fine and normal. There were over 100 girls competing for both titles. I had my favorites including Miss LA who was a spunky Latina with a walk and a personality that could be seen from the nose-bleed seats at the theater. Miss Barstow and Miss Greater San Diego were gorgeous, the former being a dead ringer for Carmen Electra and Lauren Conrad of MTV's The Hills and the latter, a beautiful California blond who had "Miss USA" written all over her. These last two were the obvious favorites of the capacity audience at the Orpheum, as well.

It came as a shock then when neither of their names got called as the winner. This is went things got "pageant ugly". All one could hear were shouts of "Boo" and hisses from the entire theater when Miss Barstow was not named the winner. The sassy Miss LA, Christina Silva had been crowned the new Miss California. We happened to be seated directly behind the judges, which included last year's controversial Miss Teen USA, Katie Blair (from MTV's Pageant Place) who looked at the other judges with wonderment. There was some shuffling that had occurred right before the naming of the winners, by the judges' reps who were tabulating their scores. So there was obvious confusion, but besides this, everything seemed to be going according to a normal pageant script. I met the newly crowned Miss California USA as well as her family backstage and she was such a doll. She confided that she was a fan of Project Runway and loved the gown I designed for last year's winner and couldn't wait for me to design hers.

Cut to today. My sister calls me and tells me to go to ExtraTV.com to see the new pageant scandal: It has just been discovered that the judges scores were somehow "misread" by the accounting firm overseeing it and the winner was not the Miss LA, but in fact Miss Barstow, Raquel Beezley (the Carmen Electra/Lauren Conrad doppelganger) . At least this pageant scandal did not involve pepper spray or drug addiction. The lovely Christina Silva, Miss LA, was asked to give up the crown she just had for only 5 days and the crowd favorite, Miss Barstow now has been crowned the new Miss California USA. I am sure this is not the way she envisioned to be crowned the most beautiful woman in California. But, as they say, any publicity is good publicity. More eyes will be on her when she competes in next year's Miss USA and she will already be on the pageant radar.