Viva CHICAGO!


Last week, I flew to Chicago, to host a wonderful event for Macy's. This month, Macy's is having all these great in-store events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month as well as honoring Carlos Santana as an "Icon of Style".  

Macy's On State Street Chicago called and asked if I could be part of the store's celebration and host their festivities and well, it was a quick "Si!". It also happened to be Latino Fashion Week in Chicago--and they were one of the sponsors of the event--so this fabulous event was part of the events on the Latino Fashion Week Chicago calendar.


I flew into Chicago the night before and checked in to the very chic Park Hyatt Chicago. My room was very nice--sleek and well-appointed. What I also loved most was the Eames leather lounger--chair and ottoman in my room. It retails for about $5,000 (I know!) so, needless to say, I almost slept THERE!


The next morning, I had some time to waste and so, naturally, I went SHOPPING! The Park Hyatt is fortunately (or unfortunately to my bank account) next to the Water Tower and one block from the "Magnificent Mile"/Michigan Avenue and some of the best shopping IN THE WORLD (Darn you Park Hyatt!). I headed to TopShop, Zara and Sephora to do some retail damage, and on the way, I loved seeing the...



And this great window display at the Benetton store in The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue--The white creations are by students of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) sponsored by Marie Claire and United Colors of Benetton. I thought the designs were very creative and beautifully avant-garde.

Soon, it was time to get ready for my Macy's Event Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Macy's On State Street Chicago. I was so excited to be the "Host with the Most" and be part of it...


Vanidades Magazine was also a co-sponsor. LOVE Vanidades. As a young boy back in Venezuela--where I was raised (dreaming of becoming a successful fashion designer), I remember flipping through my mommy's Vanidades looking at all the fashion and being very inspired.

There were over 200 RSVP's and from what I heard, many more also showed up!! (LOVE you Chicago!). So, all the seats were taken and then it was "standing room only". I was so happy to see several friends of mine--who live in the Chicago area and came out to the event. I was extra excited to see a Project Runway alumn, designer Peach Carr (who you will see in the new Season 2 of Project Runway All Stars) also come out and support my event. Besides honoring Carlos Santana, there was a great panel discussion on Latino Style, Fashion and much more with Vanidades Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Blanco, Leanne Violette designer for Carlos by Carlos Santana Footwear and Diego Rocha, Chicago-based accessories designer and former contestant on Season 1 Project Accessories. I also presented a fashion show featuring clothes from Macy's and accessorized with shoes, boots, purses, from the Carlos by Carlos Santana collection.




The panelists of the Panel Discussion on Latina Fashion and Style at this event included Diego Rocha (above photo)--from Lifetime Network's Project Accessory, as well as...

Leanne Violette, designer for Carlos by Carlos Santana Footwear (far right) with Cesar Rolon Jr. (far left), CEO of Imagen Marketing Consultants and Arabel Alva Rosales (second from left) Co-Founder and Principal of Latino Fashion Week and Nick Verreos--Macy's On State Street Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Carlos Santana event

And our other panelist was Jacqueline Blanco (far right), Editor-in-Chief of Vanidades Magazine--seen here with Cesar Rolon Jr. (far left), Nick Verreos, and Arabel Alva Rosales (second from left)--Macy's On State Street Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Carlos Santana event




Thank You and GRACIAS Chicago and Macy's ON State Street and the FABULOSO audience...for a GREAT event!!! I can't wait to come back to Chicago and be with my Latinos and Latinas!!!

Click HERE for more fun photos of the event from Gozamos.com

Chicago Gets Fashionably Windy!!!
After checking into the wonderfully chic theWit Downtown Chicago Boutique Hotel, I got some dinner at the hotel's "State and Lake" Restaurant (I had one of the most DELICIOUS Steak Frites I have EVER had btw!), and even met up with a friend in "Boys Town" (naturally) for some "Welcome To Chicago" cocktails. Soon, it was time for me to head back to the hotel and get some rest for my event the following day. I had been to Chicago many times--to judge several seasons of that city's Castings of Project Runway and even last year, hosted a Macy's in-store event at the Woodfield location in the outskirts of Chicago in Schaumburg...but NEVER had I stepped foot in the AMAZING Macy's on State! And WOW!!! As I walked in and was told to look up, I witnessed the beyond-incredible Tiffany Dome Ceiling which immediately took my breath away.
The immensity and elegance of it all. The architecture of the building was incredible. It reminded me of a combination between Galleries Lafayette as well as maybe the Paris Opera House! I almost forgot it was a department store. In addition, they were having their annual Macy's Flower Show, which goes on until April 10th so I was excited to be there just in time to see it! Spring was definitely in BLOOM at the store with gorgeous displays of flowers of all kinds. My favorite was, of course, the soaring "Tower of Flowers" (see photo above) which was ASTOUNDING to see!!! I felt like Alice in Wonderland...at Macy's!
I capped off my quick tour by going to the historic Walnut Room on the 7th Floor (just above that aforementioned Tiffany Dome Ceiling). But then, it was time to get ready to host my "Putting It All Together" event. I asked the Special Event Directors and the Store Manager if they'd mind if I did a little "Shout Out and Mention" on the intercom about the event, in order to remind shoppers to come! And for the FIRST TIME EVER--or so they told me--they allowed someone other than their official intercom event announcer to yes, go ahead and speak! And so I did!!! (Love you Macy's on State!).
Well, I guess, that helped a little bit, because upon arriving, the entire Macy's Impulse Department was FILLED with shoppers, tourists, lots of Mommies and their daughters--some sons too!--as well as some Project Runway fans (I "Heart" you!). I was SOOOO excited to do my event!
As you may know, "Putting It Together" is an in-store event/fashion show/contest where I chose people from the audience, they get two minutes to style models--using Macy's Spring fashion & accessories that are on nearby racks and tables--for special "challenges" which I pre-selected; such as "Having brunch with your girlfriends" or "Dressing for a Night Out", etc.
The models then change and are brought back out and the audience votes (by hootin' and hollerin') whose outfit was best. The winner gets a $100 Macy's Gift Card while the Runner-Up got a $25 Card. I had such a BLAST doing the event. The entire audience got really into it, which was great!
There were so many cute little girls--all fashion'ed out--that at one point, I called them all up on stage and did an impromptu "Macy's 'Putting It Together' Walk Off"! I think the young ladies--and their mommies--LOVED that! And for a rare moment---I chose A BOY!!! Yes, a boy...to be one of the "contestant/stylists" for one of the challenges. Usually, since the challenges run in the vain of "How would you dress for a Girls Night Out" , (and it's only women's clothing and accessories to chose from) I usually pick women to be the contestants...but I wanted to change it up a bit. And he WON! (Our male contestant/fashionista above with me) Yeayyyyy for the Boys!!!! We all had a fun time and yes, I can't wait to come back to Chicago and Macy's State Street and "Put It All Together" once again!!! Bye Windy City...for now! Click HERE for a fun video and clips for the entire event from Chicago3Media.com

Hello Windy City Fashionistas!!! I'm excited to announce that I will be flying to Chicago this weekend to host a very special "Putting It All Together" Event and Fashion Show at Macy's State Street! EVERYONE is invited--no RSVP needed: ALL of you are VIP! Hello! I will host a fun event where: *I will ask members of the audience to style our models in the latest for Spring 2011 for "very special" scenarios--like "How To Dress For A Night Out" to "How To Dress For Your First Date". *Then, the rest of the audience (make sure to bring your friends and families for applause back-up!) will chose the winners and they will get $100 Macy's Gift Cards!!! (Love that!). *I'll be giving tips on the "do's" and "maybe not's" for Spring 2011 Fashion as well as What's On Trend. *If you come out, I'll be taking all the Facebook, Twitter, MySpace pics you want afterward and you might also (an added bonus) end up on my "Macy's Chicago Photo Recap" RIGHT HERE on my BLOG in an upcoming post!!! See you Saturday! Here Are The Details: What: Macy's "Putting It All Together" Fashion Event & Contest Hosted by Nick Verreos Where: Macy's: 111 North State Street Chicago, IL When: 2pm RSVP: Just show up!!!

Guess Who's Coming Back to The Chicago Area???
Here are the Details: What: Nick Verreos Hosts the Macy's Fashion Challenge Where: Macy's at Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg Illinois When: 2PM RSVP: Nope, just show up! See you tomorrow!!!