Miss USA 2010 Evening Gowns; Nick Verreos Gives His "Pageant Red Carpet" thoughts!

Pageant Red Carpet Dish...and Johnny Weir? Miss USA Rima Fakih

Last night, Miss Michigan USA Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA 2010. She was gorgeous, exotic and her answers to the Interview questions made her very natural--at least within the pageant world. Now, let's discuss those gowns...
Final 3-All in White: Rima is the first (reportedly) Muslim-American woman to have won the Miss USA pageant. The Lebanon-born beauty wore a white strapless gown with a silver crystal trim. She tripped on it several times (bless her heart!) which led me to think, "GIRL!, learn how to kick a gown!" but that's a whole other issue! Her gown, to be honest, seemed cheap, but obviously, the judges did not mind. The bust corset stood out and was ill-fitting and that hem was too long (hence the tripping). Her personality and beauty stood out above that "I just bought this from David's Bridal" gown. It was inferred that she barely had enough money to compete at all, so Congratulations Rima for winning the crown on a budget...now have the Miss Universe Organization buy you some better gowns!On the complete opposite end of the spectrum was Miss Oklahoma USA, Morgan Elizabeth Woolard who wore a gown designed by Gionni Straccia (who created the dress worn by Stefania Fernandez when she was crowned Miss Universe) as well as...the current Miss Venezuela 2009, Marelisa Gibson, who was crowned last September in a Gionni Straccia silk Zibeline crystal-encrusted gown. As I said in my previous blog posting, I was "on the fence" with this 1980s off-the-shoulder gown. I had only seen internet photos but I must say, on air, it was more impacting. It was definitely the most polished look of the night. The funny thing is that the minute she stepped on stage with the gown, I remarked "She looks like a Miss Venezuela!". Well. of course, because she was wearing a gown--and matching earrings--from a Venezuelan designer who outfits all those South American beauties! Just one problem: she looked SOOOOOO much like Heidi Montag !
Miss California USA, Nicole Johnson, wore the same one-shoulder gown she wore in the Preliminary Competition. It was a 7 out of 10 in my book. She just didn't "work it" the way she should have. Runway Coaching Alert!
Third Runner Up Miss Virginia USA, Samantha Casey also wore a white gown (a theme this year!), a jersey high-neck key-hole number featuring a shirred waist and rhinestone detailing. This gown was OK in my book; it did not re-invent the pageant gown wheel and honestly, didn't make me say "You Go Girl!". It did, however, have a great back which she made sure to feature as much as possible.
Miss Tennessee USA Tucker Nicole Perry's gown was a silver beaded strapless one-- which stood out from all the ubiquitous white ones. It had a sense of drama, looked expensive and fit well.
Miss Mississippi USA, Breanne Ponder, made a lot of STRAIGHT MEN happy , wearing this stripper cut-out high-slit almost-showing-her-business red gown on the Final Telecast night. She wore this to the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, as I discussed and I was not a fan. I could just imagine Judge Johnny Weir thinking "GIRL, do you realize you are NOT accepting an AVN AWARD!!???". Just sayin'-- I'll leave it with that. Speaking of Miss Johnny Weir...
LOVE HIM!!! He gets "Nick Verreos At-A-Girl" points for this ensemble above--and for the fact that he had TWO outfit changes while judging the Miss USA 2010 Pageant! A first! Obviously, people will HATE this but would you really want Johnny to wear anything else?!? Hope you guys enjoyed this year's Miss USA pageant and my Nick Verreos Pageant Gown Red Carpet. Until next time: No Stripper Heels and keep the "cut-out's" to a minimum!

FIDM Orange County Open House: Nick Verreos Makes an Appearance!

Pink Carpet!
This past weekend I made a special visit to Irvine California to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Orange County, to say "Hi" to all the future FIDM Fashionistas!! I always bring my doggie Benny and my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, but this time, they had to stay back in LA at our studio (we have a very important custom gown deadline!). So naturally, I got there and EVERYONE asked "Where's Benny?" and then soon followed by "Where's David?". Hello? What am I "Chopped Liver?". LOL! What brought a big ol' smile to my face was being greeted by the two prettiest girls I "done ever seen", as I walked through the glass door of FIDM OC and through that Barbie-esque pink carpet. FIDM Open House is a way for high-school (and beyond) students to "check out" FIDM and also for "I-Just-Got-Accepted" ones to meet-and-greet FIDM Alumni like myself. The theme of this year's FIDM OC Open House was "Meet Your Professors", and since I am one, I was there to give advice, valuable information about FIDM, the industry and what it takes to succeed. One Shoulder Cocktail Dress Meets Bow Tie Boy: FIDM Open House guest stands next to Nikolaki dress

As a "special bonus", I brought three of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses which have sold in stores across America. They served as a backdrop to my "appearance". I loved speaking with all the just-accepted students as well as with the "what advice do you have for me since I am thinking of coming here...." Whose Fauxhawk is Higher: Nick Verreos poses with guests at FIDM OC Open House

At one point I was spending about 20+ minutes on one student and after I was done , I noticed a woman in the back--teary eyed--she came up to me and said "I'm one of the mom's and you are AMAZING!...such an inspiration..those words you said to him were life-changing..." I had no idea anybody else was watching or listening. Well, I am glad I got the mom going because I love me the moms!
Kellie Peterson, Nick Verreos, Tenley Molzahn, FIDM OC Open House 2010

Another special treat was seeing all the FIDM OC Admissions Advisor Beauties , including the beautiful Kellie Peterson, who just happened to be Miss International Hawaii 2004, as well as the lovely Tenley Molzahn, whom you might recognize as one of the Finalists of this last season's The Bachelor: On The Wings Of Love. Turquoise Love: FIDM Advisor and ABC's The Bachelor Finalist Tenley Molzahn with Nick Verreos, FIDM OC Open House 2010

Tenley is so sweet and so helpful to the FIDM OC students! (and that turquoise blue dress is soooo cute!), she is such an asset to the College. I had a really fun time in Orange County (even without my dog Benny and David!) and hopefully, with my advice--I might have made a little bit of a difference--to someone. Congratulations to all the newly accepted FIDM OC students and I hope to see some of you in my classes soon!

Miss USA 2010 tonight! Here are some Best and Worst of the Preliminary Evening Gowns

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!

Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Valley Fair Swim Event in San Jose!

I Love Me Some Macy's!!!
As you may know, I will be in the San Francisco Bay Area soon! First I will be hosting a FAB Sex And The City 2 fashion event at the Macy's Union Square on Thursday May 20Th--and then, I will be in the "South Bay", in San Jose, at the Macy's Valley Fair for an afternoon of Hot Trends, Beach Body Tips and Timeless Swimwear and a FAB fashion show worthy of a Miss Universe Swimsuit Competition!We will look back into decades of design as bathing beauties model the Heritage Collection, modern recreations of classic swimsuits by Jantzen over the past 100 years. I usually design red carpet gowns but last year, I was asked to design a Nick Verreos/Nikolaki Swimsuit for Equality CA (my sketch above) and their Equality Awards Gala in Palm Springs. So even, I have had my share of "experience" with swimsuits--and designing them (not easy by the way!).

Please come say "Hi" and join me at the Macy's Valley Fair in San Jose next Saturday afternoon and celebrate Jantzen's 100 years of making women look beautiful!

Here's the Info:
Macy's Valley Fair Swim Department, Level 2
Saturday, May 22 2pm
Call (4o8) 248-3333 for more info.

Macy's Union Square San Francisco to host "Sex And The City 2" shopping event hosted by Nick Verreos

San Francisco, Here I Come!!!!!When I spent my high school years in the San Francisco Bay Area, we always called it "The City", so it seems appropriate that...next week, on Thursday May 20th, I will be flying to San Francisco--one of my ALL-Time Favorite Cities In The WORLD!!!--to host a Fabulous Event at Macy's San Francisco Union Square for the release of Sex And The City 2. San Francisco, to me, is a "Mini" New York City--and certainly full of sexy, glamorous and oh-so-confident fashion gals ready for "A Little Nick" in their lives.... Macy's Union Square is honoring our favorite all-girl cast, and the entire army of Carrie Bradshaw-lovers, with free gifts, fashion tips, fun & more! I will be there to walk you through closets full of affordable luxury while you enjoy refreshments, music, mini manicures, makeup tips from Benefit and sample the fragrance SJP NYC.
Miss Sarah Jessica Parker was one of the FIRST celebs to personally CALL ME (she did and I almost fainted!) when I was on Project Runway Season 2 telling me how much she admired and loved my designs so I AM THRILLED to be hosting this Sex And The City 2 SJP "love fest" at Macy's Union Square.

Here's is the info:
Macy’s Union Square
Impulse Department, Level 3
Thursday, May 20th
6:00 pm

RSVP: 1-800-786-2665

Man Fragrance Review: John Varvatos's Artisan Black

John Varvatos launched a limited-edition flanker to their 2009 twist on an 18th century eau de cologne complete with a rattan casing called Artisan, a bestseller of the brand. The new iteration is titled Artisan Black and is meant to be a more intense version of the original scent by accentuating the woody and musky tonalities and being more long lasting according to the press release. (Yet to test and confirmed!!:P ). According to other review, Artisan is light and bright, juicy and breezy whereas Artisan Black has more depth, feels a bit more “masculine” and has better sillage and lasting power.

Artisan Black was created by perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux and lists notes of Meyer lemon, tangerine, blood orange, calypsone (a watery melon note), Murraya flower (orange jessamine), neroli/orange blossom, jasmine, Nigerian ginger, purple ginger, cardamom, coriander, Kephalis, Belambre, Boisiris (woody iris note), Serenolide (white musk), vetiver, patchouli, Mexican cueramo (wood), soft leather and Florentine orris absolute.



John Varvatos Artisan Black is a limited edition fragrance; 125 ml Eau de Toilette for $78 from Amazon.

Mens Designer Watches: Are These What You Looking For?

There are just too many mens designer watches for men available in the market and manufactured by top brands and sold at hefty prices which are directly caused by the making materials ensuring the quality and style.



Mens Designer Watches have become the necessity in modern society especially we are believe time is money, and a designer watch of chic design is much more charming for it is not only a necessity but also a chic accessory for daily decoration.



So today we would like to share these 3 unique mens designer watches with our readers.



Snyper One

Far from its suggestion of stealth, Snyper has generated considerable buzz despite debuting only in 2009. Co-founder and designer Jean-Francois Ruchonnet was a sniper in the army day and he is on target with the watches' aggressive designs inspired by automatic rifles.

This inaugural Snyper One collection is a head-turner, featuring black PVD-coated chronographs with gemset options spanning black and white diamonds to yellow sapphires.



HD3 Three Minds

HD3 is for lovers of high-end complications who appreciate both aesthetic and technical virtues. Conceived by watch designers Jorg Hysek, Valerie Ursenbacher and Fabrice Gonet, HD3 never let futuristic styling and inspired complications get in the way of each other.

This "Three Minds" is a great piece of kit for the lovers of Oversize watches. A bit aggressive but good enough to be recommended to you that love "modern taste" in fashion.



Hautlence HLQ 08

Like its name, which is an anagram of Neuchatel, one of Switzerland's most important watchmaking towns, Hautlence likes to mix things up and offer different view. It comes in five variations, with 88 pieces available per model. The case is 43.8mm x10.65mm, and is available in either stainless steel or gold. All models come with a hand sewn alligator strap.

Each watch is individually identified with plate numbers. The jumping hours and retrograde minute are controlled by the HL patent combining translation slide as a result of declining probe snail with a mass of gold acting as flywheel and to provide the energy necessary to jump drive.



In conclusion, there are so many mens designer watches out there, but we always believe that when choosing the most fashionable watches for ourselves, the true value lies in the choosing of the best watches that will be perfect for the purpose you have in mind.