NIKOLAKI.....NIKOLAKI Gown, Sunnylands Chic: Fashions of Leonore Annenberg Event

Leonore Annenberg: Style Muse

(left to right) Walter Annenberg, First Lady Betty Ford, Leonore Annenberg, and President Gerald Ford at Walter Annenberg’s 90th birthday celebration, March 1998.

Photo by Marc Glassman Courtesy of www.sunnylands.org

Early this year, I had the honor of being asked--along with five other fashion designers including Michael Costello, Anthony Franco, Paul Hernandez, Lloyd Klein and Fe Zandi--to create an original NIKOLAKI design based on the fabulous fashions of the illustrious Leonore Annenberg--for a very special event.

Fashion Designers Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI

Leonore Annenberg with Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif. --2007 White House State Dinner for Queen Elizabeth II

Mrs. Annenberg was an American business woman, philanthropist and during 1981-1982, served as Chief of Protocol to the United States. She was also, of course, the wife of Walter Annenberg, newspaper publishing magnate (in 1953, he launched TV Guide as a national magazine), and Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Richard Nixon. Mrs. Annenberg was also known for her fabulous parties, social gathering and naturally, her fashion. So, it is natural that she would be a Style Muse

Style Icon: Leonore Annenberg

This upcoming Wednesday evening, a special event is being held at the Sunnylands estate to "unveil" our creations as well as the Leonore Annenberg ensembles/gowns that inspired us. The event--titled "Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg" --is part of the Nightlife program at Sunnylands in partnership with Palm Springs Life magazine.

I am especially excited because the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising--my Alma Mater and College I am the Spokesperson for--is sponsoring the creation of my design as well as my appearance at Wednesday night's event...so yes, I will be there to show my Leonore Annenberg-inspired original NIKOLAKI creation!

Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage

Sunnylands is, of course, the famous midcentury Annenberg "winter retreat"--located in Rancho Mirage, CA--that has hosted illustrious guests such as U.S. Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and the former Shah of Iran. I have never been to Sunnylands but, as a huge fan of midcentury homes (I own one) and Hollywood Regency-style interiors, I cannot wait to attend and show my NIKOLAKI Leonore Annenberg-inspired creation.

WHAT: "Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg"--Six Fashion Designer Interpret Leonore Annenberg-worn ensembles with their own contemporary perspective.

WHERE: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage CA

WHEN: Wednesday March 13, 2013 6:00-8:00 PM

COST: Event is SOLD OUT!

For More Information: Click HERE