Fashion School Fix: Nick Verreos at FIDM Orange County Open House Summer 2011

Fun In the OC...



This past Saturday, as one of my "duties" as the Official Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I made a trip to the FIDM Orange County Campus for their annual FIDM Summer 2011 Open House. FIDM Open House is a chance for high schoolers (and post-graduates) and their parents to check out FIDM, its facilities, alumn, instructors as well as the curriculum--just in case they might be thinking of attending a fashion college.

FIDM Orange County Campus, Irvine California

I live in LA so I thought "heck, it'll take just 45 minutes to get there!" (it has before). Nope, try almost TWO HRS...On a Saturday morning! Yep, welcome to the world of LA Traffic. Finally, I made it and just in time for my first "Lecture/Special Appearance". FIDM OC invited members of the FAB Nordstrom Brass Plum (BP.) Fashion Board to come and check out FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House--and hear me speak!

Southern California Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board...and Nick Verreos, FIDM Orange County Summer 2011 Open House

Members of the Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board from all these different areas/local shopping centers were already waiting for me as I walked in and did "my thang"! I told them all about my recent Europe Trip and my new FAB red "Man Bag" as well as how I got into fashion, my love of sketching, talked about Project Runway, owning a fashion design business for ten years, as well as having celebs like Beyonce, Katy Perry and Heidi Klum wear my NIKOLAKI creations.

Nick Verreos Doing the "Hands on the Hips" pose with Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board members, FIDM OC

Afterward, I posed with EVERY Nordstrom BP. Fashion Board group and even met a BIG FAN--who was almost crying (well, a bit teary eyed) when she met me:

LOVE her!!! (look at my "Clutch my Pearls" face!)

Then it was onto my next Lecture at the FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House. These were general--but still VERY IMPORTANT!-- guests who came to the Open House to check out the Campus. I loved this group as well because there were several "Mommies and Daddies" in the audience, so you KNOW I had to give a couple "Mom & Dad" high-fives! There were also several attendees who GAVE some Fashion LOOKS!!! Naturally, I had to get some pics:

Funky Hair, Custom Tees and Stripes: Nick Verreos poses with two attendees at FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House

Blue Fashion Boys: Nick Verreos poses with a FIDM OC Summer 2011 Open House attendee--with (almost) matching blue-colored H & M skinny jeans

Until next time FIDM OC!!! Bye for now!

FIDM San Francisco Open House 2011: My Photo Recap!!!

60's Shift Dresses, Fashionable Students, a Fun Lecture, and ...oh, Is That Miss Raja from "RuPaul's Drag Race"???

Nick Verreos, FIDM SF Entrance

This past weekend, I took a quick trip to one of my favorite cities (and old "stomping grounds")--San Francisco--to make a visit at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's San Francisco Campus, for their annual "Open House".

The FIDM SF campus is located right in the heart of Union Square, one of the BEST--and most famous--shopping meccas in the world. I always love coming to the campus because I just LOVE the entire FIDM SF team and they always "roll out the red carpet" for me.

In addition, I always love looking at the great window displays they have as soon as one gets out into the 5th Floor "lobby" area. This time around, they had a display entitled "Pop Goes The 60's", showing colorful fashions of the 60's--from the FIDM SF "vault"--including a sassy red plaid pantsuit--accessorized by a chic red hat/turban--as well as...

A lemon-yellow wrap dress and one of my favorites, the apple-green silk shantung shift dress with encrusted sequin trim seen above on the right. But enough about the chic window displays...now onto the Open House...

Speech Mode: Nick Verreos at FIDM SF Open House 2011

After an entire morning of students, parents and families taking a tour of the FIDM SF Campus and getting to meet former graduates, faculty, the FABULOUS library, and classrooms, they get a special treat: I give my "Nick Inspiration" Lecture and share with everyone my story--from growing up in Caracas Venezuela sketching my mom and flight attendants--to finally pursuing my dream of becoming a fashion designer, attending FIDM and of course, my time on Project Runway. I was taken aback by HOW MANY people showed up for my "little ol' lecture":

It was Standing Room Only kiddies! I have been here before doing my "Nick Lectures" for past Open Houses but this was KRAZEE! (good krazee of course!). I think everyone in attendance really enjoyed it (they told me so afterward) and said that "It was really informative, inspirational" and added that I was "really funny!!".

Say "FASHION!": Nick Verreos poses with a Cuppertino-based high school Fashion Club, FIDM SF Open House 2011

Following this, I took photos with anyone who wanted as well as signed FIDM tote bags. As always, it was so much fun meeting everyone--from the high school students to their mommies and daddies!!

Spell Your Name: Nick Verreos signing FIDM tote bags, FIDM SF Open House 2011

Check out That Necklace: Nick Verreos poses with guest--and future fashion designer--FIDM SF Open House 2011

After the Open House was over, I still had several hours before I had to go back to SFO to catch my Virgin America (Love the Mood Lighting!) flight back to Los Angeles, so the FIDM SF ladies decided to send me off with some delicious cocktails and nibblings at...

Kuleto's on Powell in Union Square. Well, darling, the staff there was BEYOND-gracious as they showered my "party" with complimentary Champagne and yummy signature cocktails. Who knew someone at Kuleto's was a fan of Project Runway and TV Guide Red Carpet Shows and moi!? Needless to say, it was a great "Send Off" and a wonderful way to end a very successful Open House lecture. But wait...it wasn't over:

Posing Girls: Nick Verreos and Sutan "Raja" Amrull of "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3", Union Square San Francisco

All of a sudden, as I'm about to leave, I spotted a friendly face from LA: Sutan Amrull--"Raja Gemini" from "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3" just walking with his friends. Of course, I ran out and had to say "Hey Girl!" At the same time, we both asked "What are you doing here in SF???" and I told him I was doing my FIDM SF event and Miss Sutan was emcee'ing "Soiree 9: La Dolce Vita" 9Th Anniversary of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. We then posed and caused a minor scene right there and then, much to the delight of the German tourists walking by. Love me some Raja!!

Now...I was really ready to catch my flight back home to LA--Until next time SF...

Nick Verreos Hosts FIDM Open House Los Angeles!!

Hello High School Fashionistas...Moms, Dads, and Educators!!!

Welcome: Nick Verreos at FIDM Open House 2011 Los Angeles

Last Thursday began a Three-day Fashion Marathon at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, the College in which I am an Instructor and also the Spokesperson, and of course, as many of you know, the college I also graduated from YEARS ago!

This "FIDM Fashion Marathon" concludes with the very special "Debut " which is a HUGE fashion show at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar where the collections of the Advanced Fashion Design as well as Costume Design Graduates are shown.

But before that, there are other very fun events, one of which was the fabulous "FIDM Open House"--where high school students, just-accepted students, their parents, and educators come visit the FIDM campus and get to know the school, its facilities and the campus.

Fashion Director's Seats: Nick Verreos Hosts FIDM Open House 2011 Los Angeles--Hope Park, Downtown LA

FIDM has Open Houses in all of it Campuses, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Orange County. I was asked to host the Los Angeles Open House Panel Discussion, which I have done before and is always a lot of fun--as well as very informative to the audience.

Tented View: Nick Verreos and audience--FIDM LA Open House 2011

The panel included three Graduates and one current students, all from different majors: Kara Gaydosz (Merchandise Marketing graduate), Sarah Thompson (Visual Communications, Entertainment Set Design & Decoration graduate), Jonathan Gitlin (Digital Media graduate) and Erica Williams (Fashion Design current student).

Looking On: FIDM LA Open House 2011 Audience

Because it was the LA Open House, it was HUGE!!! The school set up an expansive tent--or tents--adjacent to the Downtown LA campus on Hope Park, where HUNDREDS of students, parents, educators got their lunch, and then sat down to hear or Panel Discussion. This was probably the BIGGEST Open House I had hosted so I was excited!!

Naomi Who: Nick Verreos (at end of walkway)--FIDM LA Open House 2011

So excited that of course, I had to do my "Nick Runway Walk" down the center aisle of the tented seated audience! Yes, that's me--above--trying to "give" RUNWAY--to kids and parents, from all over California and the US including Arizona, Florida, NY, Massachusetts, and even Mexico City!

Bow Tie Cheese: Nick Verreos and guest, FIDM LA Open House 2011

Afterward, I spent time taking photos and signing autographs for all the "FIDM Open House Los Angeles" attendants who wanted to. I had a great time hosting the event as well as getting to meet everyone (or most everyone) there!

Heyyyyy: Nick Verreos, posing with FIDM L:A Open House 2011 guests

But soon, I had to get back in my car, do a quick outfit change and head to the Santa Monica Barker Hangar to host the FIDM Fashion Club Party and make a special appearance at FIDM Debut 2011.

Stay tuned for those photos--That posting will be FAB for sure!

Until next time...

Nick Verreos Pays a Special Visit to FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising San Diego's Fall 2010 Open House!

San Diego Fashionistas...

San Diego Posing: Nick Verreos at FIDM San Diego Open House

A couple of weekends back, I drove down to San Diego to make a "Spacial Appearance" at the San Diego Campus of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM. I am an Instructor at FIDM, as you may know, as well as the Official Spokesperson for the last several years. It is always a joy to visit all the different campuses of the College and get to know prospective students , their parents, as well as high school students thinking about attending FIDM and beginning their studies--and eventual careers--in fashion.

I have been to the gorgeous San Diego Campus before--for its Grand Re-Opening two years ago, as well as other functions. This time, I was there for the Fall 2010 Open House. The Open House is a chance for students thinking about going to FIDM, to tour the school, meet alumni and advisers, and get information about all that FIDM has to offer.

Petco View: Nick Verreos (from a previous FIDM San Diego Appearance) and the View of Petco Park, FIDM San Diego Campus

I just love the new San Diego Campus: It's located in Downtown, just off the very hip Gaslamp Quarter and next to the immense Petco Park. The view from the College's balcony is INCREDIBLE!!! The space is designed by Architect Clive Wilkenson and showcases a Loft-like modern feel that mirrors what a Design School should look like!

A highlight for me is the FIDM San Diego Library/Resource Center (see photo above). I especially love it's Magazine Section (I wish my coffee table looked like that!).

Barbie On Top: Nick Verreos Barbie, FIDM San Diego Library

And they even have one of my Barbie's (see above photo). Yes, the one I designed for the "My Scene Barbie Project Runway Challenge" back in my Season (2) and was sold exclusively at Toys "R" Us for a very limited amount of time.

For FIDM San Diego's Fall Open House, I was invited to give a "pep talk" lecture to the students--and their parents--and I stuck around afterward to pose for photos, sign bags (provided by FIDM!) and even drawing some original fashion illustrations on their bags!

Fashion Illustration 101: Nick Verreos draws a fashion croquis on a student's bag, FIDM San Diego Fall 2010 Open House

The room was PACKED and they even had to bring in extra chairs I heard! I brought along a slide-show of my latest Spring 2011 NIKOLAKI Collection, as well as images of celebs wearing my gowns on the Red Carpet, for everyone to enjoy during my lecture. I had a really good time--as always , and cannot wait to return to San Diego! Good Luck and Happy Holidays to all the prospective FIDM San Diego students!!!