Nick Verreos Attends 2012 Costume Designers Guild Awards

Costume Designers' Extravaganza!

Black and White Fab: Angela Avanesyan and Nick Verreos, Costume Designers Guild Awards 2012, Hilton Beverly Hills

Last night, my NIKOLAKI partner--David Paul--and I were invited to a very fabulous event: the 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards. This is the "Oscars of Costume Design"--where awards are give out for outstanding achievements in Costume Design in various areas of the Entertainment field--including Contemporary TV and Film, Period/Fantasy TV series, Fantasy Film, Period Film and even excellence in Commercial Design (the Carl's Jr. "Miss Turkey" commercial costume designer was nominated!!).

Model Form Centerpiece: The LACOSTE Alligator-emblazoned Costume Awards Table Display "Centerpiece"--created by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM

This grand award ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills Hilton and David and I were honored--and humbled--to be guests of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater--and the College of which I am a Spokesperson. FIDM was also one of the Platinum Sponsors. They also created all the wonderful "Mini Model Forms" which were on each and every table at the Hilton International Ballroom--site of the award's show. LACOSTE was the Presenting Sponsor and each "Form/Table Centerpiece" had the iconic LACOSTE Alligator on it, of course.

Fashion Glee: (left to right) Jennifer Eve, Jane Lynch and Lou Eyrich

The Award's MC was actress Jane Lynch (in a red David Meister gown) of "Glee", and she was very funny (naturally) trying to keep the show going. Lou Eyrich and Jennifer Eve, Costume Designers of "Glee" received the "Outstanding Contemporary TV Series" Award and in addition, Eyrich (looking very Retro Chic in a bright pink semi-Watteau-back ankle-length dress) was honored with the Career Achievement in Television trophy.

Silver Pretty: Actress Kate Beckinsale was also honored with the LACOSTE Spotlight Award. She looked radiant in a silver-colored corseted gown by Vivienne Westwood.

Super Red: 90's Supermodel and actress Amber Valletta introduced the Disaronno Career Achievement in Film Award to Costume Designer Marlene Stewart--a FIDM Grad incidentally-- in a red chic sheath knee-length dress with outside dart detail by Roland Mouret.

"The Artist" Costume Designer Mark Bridges

"Hugo" Costume Designer Sandy Powell

Green Gorgeous: "W.E." Costume Designer Arianne Phillips in emerald green Lanvin by Albert Elbaz. Phillips won the "Excellence in Period Film" Award for the Madonna-directed "W'E.".

Costume High-Five: Costume Designer and stylist Trish Summerville, won the award for "Excellence in Contemporary Film" for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"---here she is above high-five'ing fellow winner Costume Designer Arianne Phillips

"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Costume Designer Trish Summerville (in a red version of the Alexander McQueen Pippa Dress) and actress Rooney Mara (in plum-colored J. Mendel), 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, Hilton Beverly Hills

Nick...and Rooney: I just about shook in my skinny ASOS tuxedo pants when I realized that "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" actress Rooney Mara was sitting right above me during the awards ceremony/dinner (to my right in the photo above). I went up to say "Hi" to one of my good friends, Make-Up Artist Extraordinaire Gregory Arlt and later afterward realized that Ms. Mara was seated at his table--the "Dragon Tattoo" table!!!

LA Fashion Sandwich: David Paul, California Apparel News Fashion Editor and Very Very Chic Blogger Jayne Seward, and Nick Verreos, 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, Hilton Beverly Hills

FIDM Debut Alumn Fab: (Left to Right) FIDM Debut 2008 Grad and Fashion Designer Angela Avanesyan, FIDM Spokesperson Nick Verreos, Debut 2011 Grads Ethan Bartlett and Paul Hernandez, 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, Hilton Beverly Hills

Speaking of Costumes and Costume Design: don't miss FIDM Museum & Galleries "20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition--running through April 28th...and see some of the Costumes that won!

Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos and Gayle Anderson on KTLA 5 Morning News: FIDM Museum Fun!

The Gayle & Nick "Show"...

Museum Twosome: Nick Verreos and KTLA's Gayle Anderson, 20th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries

Yesterday, I was up very early (5 AM) to then go to Downtown LA for a 6AM Call Time to shoot a very special Morning Show--the KTLA Channel 5 Morning Show (of course!!)--with the one and only Gayle Anderson, an ICON of LA Morning TV reporting and journalism and winner of three regional Emmys as well as many many other awards (naturally!).

Gayle (or "Miss Gayle as I now like to call her!) came to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM to do a entire morning full of segments on the just-opened 20th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition".

Costume Fab: 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries

Gayle and I filmed several TV segments for the KTLA Morning News--from 7 AM until about 10 AM--which were shown LIVE on the air and were also shown during the 1PM News as well as this coming Saturday as well. We talked about how there are 20+ films represented as well as 100+ costumes at this 20th Annual Exhibition, including the Academy Award Best Costume Design Nominees, including "Anonymous", "The Artist", "Hugo" , "Jane Eyre", and "W.E.".

Gayle Anderson and Nick Verreos, "Reel Steel" Costume Tableaux, 20th Annual "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries

Miss Gayle also loved checking out the other costumes on display, including this silver metallic one from the 2011 film "Real Steel" Costumes designed by FIDM Grad Marlene Stewart.

This one in particular you might recognize (if you're as old as MOI!) because it's from Thierry Mugler and was featured in the UBER FAB George Michael "Too Funky" music video.

Here's another we both LOVED: a costume worn by actress Vanessa Redgrave in the film "Anonymous", costumes designed by Lisy Christl. Redgrave played the elder Queen Elizabeth I. All in all, I had such an amazing time filming my segments with Gayle. She was OUTSTANDING, such a professional---I was in awe of her stamina and how she ran the entire thing!!! She is ONE of a KIND!!!! Can't wait for the next time we get to film another TV segment!

*Click HERE for one of the videos of our KTLA 5 Morning News "Art of Motion Picture Costume Design" Exhibition shenanigans! And don't miss the other ones (just click in the video bar with the heading "More Gayle Anderson Video" when you go to the link above).

*Click HERE for my Recap of the Opening Night of the Exhibit plus all the details regarding the Exhibition, times, hours, etc.

Nick Verreos Attends FIDM Museum & Galleries "Fabulous!" Opening Exhibit Party!!

McQueen, Versace, Chanel, Adrian...and SO MUCH MORE!!!

Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages

Alexander McQueen "Peacock Dress" Fall/Winter 2008-09, Fabulous! Exhibit FIDM Museum & Galleries (above, at the Museum and bottom photo from the Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 Runway)

Last Saturday I was invited to the Opening Night Party of the "Fabulous!" Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's Museum & Galleries. And in one word, it was FABULOUS!!! The exhibition, which opened last Tuesday September 13th, spans 200 years of fashion history 1800-2010 in addition to ten years of FIDM Museum Acquisitions, from 2000-2010. The 200-piece exhibition, co-curated by the fantastic team of Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson of the FIDM Museum, includes historical court costumes, Haute Couture garments, accessories, jewelry, textiles, as well as historical documents that give provenance to the items.

The exhibit features two main and very prominent podiums which "divide" the items into ones that have been acquired through purchases by the FIDM Museum & Galleries and ones that have been donated.

There is also a GORGEOUS "Fabulous!" Catalogue which accompanies the exhibition (and is prefaced by none other than Hubert de Givenchy) and can be purchased at the FIDM Museum Store, which is adjacent to the Museum. It's A MUST HAVE!

Some HIGHLIGHTS of the Fashion at the "Fabulous!" exhibit:

Embroidered Court Suit, belonging to composer Johann Hummel, worn in the court during the rule of Francis I, Emperor of Austria 1810-1814; It's one of the only ones in the World, and especially in such outstanding condition! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

A very rare Empire-style Silk Court Gown with gold laurel leaves brocade and an ELEVEN FOOT train worn by Ann Bloomfield Gamble Post (above) at Buckingham Palace when she was presented to King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903 during Edward's coronation. She was the wife of famous American Author Melville Davisson Post and died only 16 years later of pneumonia.

Gianni Versace: Men's and women's ensembles from the SAME Gianni Versace 1994 collection Lady Gaga has been recently going GAGA for!!! These were donated items. Can you only imagine the FABULOUS guy who wore those gold studded leather pants and silk printed shirt! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Gilbert Adrian: A draped gunmetal-colored iridescent silk taffeta halter-style gown from Hollywood designer Gilbert Adrian.

Mae West's Platform Shoes, as well as her actual foot imprint. Mae West was actually ONLY 5 FEET Tall, so you get to see what made her look SIX FEET Tall--Yep, those 10" platforms!

Also, as part of the "Fabulous!" Exhibition, there is the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection Gallery section. On view in this section is a selection of dresses, all originally belonging to European royalty! And you know how I'm a (fashion) fan of European Royalty...

Wedding Gown worn by Elisabeth of Wied, Queen Consort of Romania, in 1869: The gown is made of silk satin silk netting/tulle with cotton and paper faux flowers. It is in AMAZING condition considering it is 142 years OLD!!! You should see my gowns A DAY after an actress wears them on the red carpet!!! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Queen Victoria of Great Britain's Evening Gown, black silk faille and crepe, from 1897. (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages).

As you know, the black mourning color became popular during Queen Victoria's reign, particularly after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. She never wore anything else, just black. Isn't it AMAZING that you can see a gown worn by a Queen...from 1897 no less?

The Opening Night "Fabulous!" Exhibit Party:

The "Opening Night Party", which was held right outside the street-level FIDM Museum & Galleries, was just as great as the Exhibition itself. FIDM, as always, outdid itself with lots of food, cocktails and a tented seating and socializing area. Lots of FIDM's donors, TV and entertainment personalities and of course, fashionistas were on hand. I made sure to say "Hi" to a lot of them:

Fashion Designers Sue Wong and Nick Verreos, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibit, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

California Apparel News Fashion Editor and VeryVeryChic fashion blogger N. Jayne Seward and Nick Verreos, in front of a Chanel yellow paillette "Scuba" ensemble from 1991, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries

Doris Raymond, Curator and Owner of "The Way We Wore" Boutique, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Nick Verreos, Julian Bermudez and KPCC "Off-Ramp" Host John Rabe, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

Barbie Boys: Nick Verreos flanked by James Holmes and Peter Helenek of Mattel, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)

The Opening Night Party was so much fun and yes, the "Fabulous!" Exhibition made me shake with "Fashion Glee". It rivals ANY top fashion and costume exhibition I've been to at The Met in NYC, Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris, or the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. DO NOT MISS IT!!!

Here Are The Details:
What: "Fabulous!", An Exhibition of 200 years of Fashion History 1800-2010

Where: FIDM Museum & Galleries 919 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles CA 90015

When: September 13-December 17 2011 Open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm (closed Sunday, Monday)

Cost: FREE!!!!!!