Puppies Meet Project Runway, and then some...
Benny: Look Over Here! Nikolaki designers David Paul and Nick Verreos with their dog, Benny
Beverly Hills Mutt Club Jingle Bones Party
Earlier this week, after returning from
Miami (the SAME DAY!), I was off and running, in terms of my so-called "social calendar"
(Thanks David, for keeping that calendar in check!). First, I was invited to the
Beverly Hills Mutt Club "Jingle Bones" Party at the
Beverly Hills Mutt Club Boutique for dogs, right across from the fabulous
Peninsula Hotel. Not only was I invited but so was my "son",
Benny and his other "Daddy", David. This would be Benny's chance to get his "Holiday Party" on and maybe get the chance for his first "red carpet" moment.
Doggie Party: Benny and his "buddies" at the Beverly Hills Mutt Club Jingle Bones Holiday Party
Even though my studio is in Downtown Los Angeles and the party was in Beverly Hills, we spent ONE HOUR driving in wonderful (I am being sarcastic, of course) Los Angeles traffic! And this was not "rush hour" but 7:30 PM!
Almost two miles from our party destination, Benny threw up! Yep, I said it! He was OVER it and we hadn't even walked him on the red carpet!! Thank God we kept a towel in my car, just in case for lovely occurrences like this one.
Benny's I-ain't-feeling-well mood did a 180 degree change once he saw all the puppies outside the event. He even behaved enough to pose for cameras on the "step and repeat" wall, as we made our way inside doggy couture "Heaven".
Beverly Hills Mutt Club "divas": Celina Bojorquez and her mother Sandy Siegler, pose with Nick Verreos and Benny (featuring his new sweater from Pooch Outfitters)
Once inside, we greeted our host,
Beverly Hills Mutt Club owner, the beautiful
Celina Bojorquez and met her lovely mother as well as mingled with other dog-owning guests.
Benny was having the greatest time smelling other dogs booties (what is that all about?) and enjoying all the other dogs. There were more than 50 people in this tiny boutique and the same amount of dogs.
Big Ol' Dog: An Irish Wolfhound
But one specific canine caught my eye. It was an
Irish Wolfhound (I later found out) and he was HUGE!!!
Benny got under him and there was still about 12" of space left above him. I had never seen a dog that big up close! (I know , I need to get out more--maybe visit one or two
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows)
Doggie Daddies: Hair Stylist Dean Banowetz, his Irish Wolfhound Max, and Nick Verreos
His owner was the equally fantastic
Dean Banowetz, hair stylist to the stars, including
Ryan Seacrest and all of the
American Idol contestants. He is the man behind
Sanjaya's infamous faux-hawk up-do. Even after the one-hour LA traffic and the "sickies" incident, we all had a fun time.
Benny even got to walk out with a stylish new cashmere sweater from
Pooch Outfitters (see above photo) and his own engraved crystal-studded tag from
Poochi Couture Luxury Dog Jewelry.
Jane Doe/John Doe Boutique Opening
Kortolicious: Designer Korto Momulu and Nick Verreos, Jane Doe/John Doe Store Opening
On the same night as the "Puppy Party", I was also invited to the grand opening of a new Los Angeles clothing store, the
Jane Doe/John Doe Boutique. The problem was that I still had
Benny and was not about to drive back home---an hour away in LA traffic--drop him off and then attend the boutique opening. So I just brought him along!
Stylista: Nick Verreos poses with guests at Jane Doe/John Doe Store Opening (she's wearing Jerell Scott's design)
Jane Doe/John Doe Boutique is a new store carrying up-and-coming designers from LA and elsewhere, including the designs of several
Project Runway designers such as Season 5 Winner
Leanne Marshall, and finalists
Korto Momolu and
Jerell Scott as well. Once we arrived, the opening was in full gear, with guests spilling onto the sidewalk of the store---which is located adjacent to the
Beverly Center Mall, on 3rd Street. Inside, it was like a small
Project Runway Reunion.
Miss Kit Pistol, from Season 4, was there, looking chic as always. I also said "Happy Holidays" to
Jerell and
Miss Korto, who was wearing one of her own designs, a stretch jersey bandeau dress which hugged EVERY INCH of her curvaceous body. She pointed out that the same dress was being sold at the store of course.
Winning Design: The pink dress at the Jane Doe/John Doe Boutique reminded me of this one from Leanne's Final Collection
I spent a little bit of time looking at all the clothing
Jane Doe/John Doe carried, but really wanted to see what
Leanne Marshall, the Winner of Season 5, had designed to sell at the boutique (she was not at the party unfortunately). Right near the front, was her "section" of three or four pieces that she made for the store.
My favorite was a mini bubble gum pink silk organza strapless cocktail dress which reminded me of the cream and baby blue two-piece ensemble from her final Bryant park Collection. It was priced at $2,000 which seemed a little high for a store that carries dresses in the $150-$500 Contemporary range, but it was still very pretty.
Rising Talent: Nick Verreos with designer Alice Schoenau, whose line is carried at Jane Doe/John Doe Boutique
I was also intrigued by the designs of young
Alice Schoenau. Hers were hanging next to Leanne's and I was especially drawn to a beautiful hammered/washed silk multi-tiered halter gown. Her line was pretty, directional yet still had that "wearable" hanger-appeal. I asked her how she ended up at the boutique and she told me that she literally answered an ad requesting for young emerging designers to be showcased at a new store...Simple as that! Next thing she knew, her mini-line was at
Jane Doe/John Doe.
After spending about 30 minutes at the boutique opening, I almost forgot that
Benny was with me (David was carrying him around!). He was having a grand ol' time with all the
fashionistas, but it was almost 11 PM and it was time to go. Not to mention the fact that someone needed his walk and to go tinkle. Time to go kids...See you at the next Holiday Party!
0 Response to "NICK APPEARANCES.....Holiday Parties '08 Nick Verreos Wrap Up Part 2"
Post a Comment