NICK APPEARANCES.....Special Presentation at the FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House + More: BLOG RECAP!

San Diego Fab: (Clockwise from top left) Nick Verreos, Special Presentation at FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House, "Dior and I", Nick Verreos and David Paul at San Diego Museum of Art "Art Alive" Exhibition

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to San Diego for my Special Presentation/Appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM San Diego's Spring 2015 Open House which occurred on Saturday April 25th. As a Grad, Instructor and Official Spokesperson of FIDM, it's always a joy to do these events. The FIDM Open House, as you may know, is a great way to check out the different FIDM campuses, as well as tour the facilities, meet alumni, instructors and...get to meet me! (THE best part--LOL!).

Nick Verreos--ready for the Special Presentation/Appearance, FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House

My partner David and I drove down to San Diego (from Los Angeles) the day before the Open House, to check into our hotel and relax before the following day's activities. For our not-so-crazy Friday night in San Diego, we decided to see the movie/documentary "Dior and I" which covers the making of the first Christian Dior Haute Couture collection by Creative Director Raf Simons...

This past Friday was the Opening Day of "Dior and I" so we were excited about seeing the film--especially on OPENING NIGHT! We found out that the film was playing exclusively in San Diego at an "Art House" movie theater in the Kensington district of San Diego. Our excitement turned into a bit of sadness and disappointment when we saw that there were only FIVE--yes, FIVE!--people in the movie theater seeing this film. IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO!!!! And David and I were TWO of the FIVE huney! This was especially disappointing since it was Opening Night. Now, we attended the 9 PM showing so we wondered if maybe the "late" showing was the reason. But the non-evident throngs of fashionistas coming out before our 9 PM slot lead us to believe that the previous showing was probably just as empty. Anyhow, David and I really enjoyed the film. On a good note: we had the theater (almost) all to ourselves!

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FIDM San Diego Open House: The following day, it was time for the FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House and my Special Presentation/Appearance...

Nick Verreos and "Special Presentation/Appearance" attendees--FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House

Lecture Time: Nick Verreos at FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House Special Presentation--FIDM San Diego

Post-Presentation Meet and Greet Pics:

Nick Verreos with attendees of the FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House--FIDM San Diego

And to finish my Special Appearance at the FIDM San Diego Open House, I wanted to make sure to take group photos with some of the wonderful attendees:

Fashionable Smiles: Nick Verreos with attendees of the FIDM San Diego Spring 2015 Open House--FIDM San Diego

I had a BLAST on Saturday and hope EVERYONE who attended did too! And I also hope they enjoyed my presentation and fun lecture!

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On my last day in San Diego--on Sunday--David and I were invited by FIDM to attend the final day of the fabulous "Art Alive 2015" exhibition at the San Diego Museum of Art. The San Diego Museum of Art is transformed into a vision of art and flowers as more than 100 floral designers bring the Museum's renowned Permanent Collection to life during the 34th annual Art Alive fundraiser.

Flower Couple: Nick Verreos and David Paul at the "Art Alive 2015" exhibition in the Rotunda of the San Diego Museum of Art, designed by René van Rems

 Fashion Meets Art: Draped designs and masks of FIDM grad Paul Hernandez--San Diego Museum of Art "Art Alive 2015" exhibition

Above are photos of the draped works of FIDM grad, designer (and San Diego native) Paul Hernandez. He was commissioned to create draped designs--and masks--inspired by art in the San Diego Museum of Art. I especially LOVED the "Masked Muse IV" (bottom right in above photo) which was inspired by the sculpture Bather by Jacques Lipchitz.

Rotunda Gorg: The Rotunda of the San Diego Museum of Art, designed by René van Rems--"Art Alive 2015"

Adios San Diego: Nick Verreos in front of the San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park

Until next time San Diego! XOXO

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Russia 2015, The Winner, The Gowns, Elie Saab Haute Couture + More!

Miss Russia 2015 Gown-Fab: The new "Miss Russia" Sofia Nikitchuk (far left) and the Haute Couture Gowns from the co-host Victoria Lopyreva (lower pics) and "Miss Russia 2014" Yulia Alipova (top pics)

Russian Queen: Miss Russia 2015, Sofia Nikitchuk representing Yekaterinburg--Bravikha Luxury Village Concert Hall, Moscow, Russia

This past Saturday night,
April 18, 20115, a new Miss Russia was crowned at the Bravikha Luxury Village
Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia. The winner was Sofia Nikitchuk, 21 year old model and student at the Faculty of
Humanities and Arts of Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg.

Sofia Gorgeous: Sofia Nikitchuk "Miss Russia 2015"

Earlier this year, the 1.77 m
(5' 10") tall beauty won the Miss Yekaterinburg title and subsequently, competed for the "Miss Russia 2015"
title. She beat out 49 other contestants for the coveted crown.

The first “Vice-Miss” (First Runner-Up) was Vladislava Yevtushenko and the second “Vice-Miss”
(Second Runner-Up) was Anastasia Naydenova (seen in top photo, above). The new Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk, was
crowned by last year's Miss Russia, Yulia Alipova (above photo). Sofia is expected to represent Russia in both the
Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. Rolene Strauss "Miss
World 2014" and Paulina Vega "Miss Universe 2014-2015" were not present at this year’s event. Normally, the "Miss
Russia" pageant organizers invites both "Miss World" and
"Miss Universe" titleholders. The Miss Russia pageant organizers have
to pay for both of their "Appearance" fees as well as cover travel,
etc. for them and their entourage which can be a very hefty expenditure; the Miss
Russia Organization decided not to do this year for some reason.

Dresses and Swimsuits: Photos from "Miss Russia 2015" Beauty Pageant--Bravikha Luxury Village Concert Hall, Moscow, Russia

The Gowns:

Prom-a-Licious: How do you say "Prom" in Russian? Some of the semi-finalists, in
their evening gowns during the Finals of "Miss Russia 2015". The
gowns were a tad bit "Prom"-inspired even though they probably didn't
mean to be. The colors were a bit "Prom"-ish and so were the
silhouettes. The gowns worn--strapless ball gown/"Princess" style,
Empire gowns, Mermaid...the dresses seemed a bit off-the-rack and not
Couture-worthy. At least (on a positive note), the lengths were correct! Спасибо! (Thank You!)Winner Gown: Sofia Nikitchuk--who eventually won the top "Miss Russia 2015" crown--wore this coral pink colored gown featuring a high waist, chiffon skirt multi-layers and a pink and creme brocade strapless bustier. Honestly, this was nice but sooooo $129.99 at a Prom-and-Pageant Boutique Sale! I think I remember making a dress just like this...in 1993, fresh out of graduating from fashion school. Also, the necklace didn't help; it was so 90's! But obviously, none of that made a difference: Sofia won!

Now, to the Co-Host and Miss Russia 2014 COUTURE!!!

Victoria Lopyreva Diva: Model/Actress/Model/Miss Russia 2003 Victoria Lopyreva co-hosted the "Miss Russia 2015" Pageant Finals with Alexander Belov. She wore a stunning red ball gown with silver sequin details. When I first saw her in this gown, I thought "Oh wow, she's wearing an Elie Saab Haute Couture creation!". But I was wrong...

After a little--OK, A LOT!--web investigating--I found out that she wore a gown designed by Russian fashion designer Alexander Arutyunov. The red gown was from his Fall/Winter 2014/2015 collection. Even though she tripped on her way onto the stage, she looked amazing in the gown and it was a very impacting design.



Another Couture Diva of the night was...

Yulia Alipova Miss Russia 2014

Yulia Couture: Yulia was there to "give up her title" and crown her successor at the Miss Russia 2015 pageant finals. Yulia, naturally, was not saying "Goodbye" in something off-the-rack. Instead, she wore a fabulous hand-made ball gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014.  The stunning gown which featured hand sewn sequined appliques over a silk organza base is estimated to cost $150,000+. She also wore this gown for the...

Miss Universe 2014-2015 Evening Gown Website Photos--Yulia Alipova "Miss Russia 2014"--I am assuming since, she has had this gown so long that...the organizers actually purchased it and therefore it was not borrowed from the Elie Saab P.R. team. If so: WOW!!! At least the organizers are getting good mileage out of their $150,000+ couture purchase!

Congratulations to the new "Miss Russia" Sofia Nikitchuk and Best of Luck at both the 

"Miss World" and "Miss Universe" beauty pageants! I cannot wait to see what $100,000+ Haute Couture creation you'll be wearing!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015 Finals, The Winner Francisca Lachapel + Evening Gown Recap!

Nuestra Queen: Francisca Lachapel "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015"--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015 Finals

The ninth annual "Nuestra Belleza Latina" Reality TV Show and Beauty Pageant aired the Season Finale this past Sunday. In case you have no idea what this is, "Nuestra Belleza Latina" (translates into "Our Latina Beauty") it is a combination of "America's Next Top Model" with "Miss Universe" but with a Latina twist! The Univision-televised and produced show gets HUGE ratings and is seen as a "trampoline" of sorts for the winners.

Crowned: Francisca Lapachel, originally from the Dominican Republic, being crowned by last year's "Nuestra Belleza Latina" Aleyda Ortiz--Nuestra Belleza 2015 Finals

Besides getting a chance to win $200,00 in cash and prizes, they also become contracted to the powerful Univision Network and get to appear on many of its programs and specials. The winner doesn't really get paid for any of that but it's "incorporated" into her so-called "cash prizes" and well, the p.r. is invaluable.

Francisca Lachapel is a 25 years old model, TV show host and actress. She emigrated to the USA in 2010 and is married to Rocky Lachapel. Yes, kids, you can be married and compete in this beauty pageant. She beat out 12 other ladies (during the entire season). During the Season Finale this past Sunday , the show was down to the Top Four.

Swimsuit Toned: Francisca Lachapel during the Swimsuit Competition--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015 Finals

Let's get to the GOWNS!!! First, co-host Chiquinquira Delgado:

Chiqui Change: Venezuelan Chiquinquira Delgado had FOUR outfit changes. Or, shall I say, GOWN changes. The former "Miss Venezuela" finalist and "Miss Venezuela Flowers Queen" (as well as soap opera actress and TV host) had a busy backstage changing room I am sure! Of all these looks, I really liked the canary yellow-with-black-bands gown as well as the final black paillette-over-nude lining look.



Now, let's get to the Top Four Gowns: 

Clarissa Molina of the Dominican Republic: Clarissa eventually got 4th place. I have to say that in terms of gowns, I really liked this. Loved the shape of this strapless ball gown and the unusual print. Her soft hair and "light" makeup also helped.

Catherine Castro of Puerto Rico: Catherine--who eventually got 3rd Place, wore this bronzed sequined gown. It was lovely; nothing extraordinary. I appreciated the horsehair-trimmed hem in terms of couture construction and the long sleeves, deep v-neck were very much on-trend with what's happening in pageant gowns. Thank goodness there was NO Hoochie slit in sight!

Nathalia Casco of Honduras: Nathalia went very Couture Old School in this strapless fuchsia silk ziberline gown with silver sequin applique. The gown was very "Miss Venezuela 2003" in terms of shape, style and look. I think the dress fit her nicely but in a way, it aged her and didn't make her look like a "modern" pageant queen; if there is such a thing.

Francisca Lachapel of Dominican Republic: I cannot lie--I am not a fan of this gown. The strapless ice-silver sequined dress looks a bit cheap. It's too long on Francisca and in terms of fashion, there's nothing at all that makes my heart beat a little faster. In essence: this gown looks off-the-rack. From 2005. On a good note: I like her modern hair and makeup--and lack of over accessorizing. Gracias.

Top Two: Finally it was down to these two--Francisca Lachapel of the Dominican Republic (left) and Nathalia Casco of Honduras (right)--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015 Finals

Then...they did a Gown Change. Of course...

Nathalia Casco: Nathalia wore a chartreuse green one-shoulder gown designed by Mexican fashion designer Benito Santos, featuring a heavily sequined bodice and one sleeve, and a long fit-to-flare attached gown skirt with pleated cummerbund and cascade folded detail. The dress was impacting---especially in its color. But, it was very five years ago in its style. I did like seeing a more modern style to her hair, as well as the jewelry choices (nice bracelet and earrings!).

Francisca Lachapel: Two words. Oh Dear. I really did not like this Douglas Tapia-designed gown on Francisca. I know that she won and all that but...this gown was so...not...cute. It was dated. It had nothing to do with what is going on with fashion right now. The illusion vs. neckline nude coverage panel was tacky...I could go on and on. At least, there wasn't a Hoochie-licious slit showing her you-know-what. But yes, overall, this style and gown reminded me of dresses I saw during the 1990 Miss Universe Pageant. Can we please evolve???? Pageant Gown Wise????

The 90's Are BAAACK!!! Top Two 1990's Inspired Gowns--(L to R) Francisca Lachapel and Nathalia Casco--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015 Finals

And The Winner Is...

CONGRATULATIONS and Felicitaciones Francisca Lachapel. Hopefully she won't ever have to wear this gown again. Por favor.