Oscars Fashions Minute: Nick Verreos Sketches Designs for the 84th Annual Academy Awards Best Actress Nominees

Red Carpet Sketching...

Since the 84th Annual Academy Awards are coming up--THIS SUNDAY NIGHT!!!---I was asked about my predictions of what the stars might be wearing. So, I thought, well, why not take it a step further and actually draw MY visions of what the Academy Award-nominated Best Actresses would be wearing if I was asked (a little boy can DREAM n'est pas?) to design and create their Oscars Red Carpet Gowns.

So, without further ado, here are my designs for actresses Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Glenn Close, and Viola Davis. All of these "Dream Illustrations" are based on some of my NIKOLAKI dresses and gowns from my collection. Let's begin with:

Rooney Mara: Rooney is the 2012 Fashion "It" Girl--the Cate Blanchett of this year. I see Rooney in something that is NOT black! She LOVES the color black and so therefore I want to take her out of her "comfort zone" and have her wear RED! I also envision her in a directional statement-making dress.

This gown is based on one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses from my Spring 2011 Collection (above photo) and it features an asymmetrical neckline/top section and a very architectural cascade drape in the front of the structured silk ziberline gown.

Meryl Streep: For Meryl, I wanted to see her in something softer--more "Grecian Goddess". So I sketched this gown above. She's been wearing lots of black for recent award shows and so therefore I wanted to go in the opposite direction. The color would be a vanilla creme and it would be in silk jersey.

The gown would feature a high cowl neckline and asymmetrical open back detail with side-draped cowl, just like the original gown from my collection which I based it on (above photo). There would be figure-hugging and complimentary side pleating that would fall into a dramatic side back. It would be DRAMATIC, SEXY and oh-so fab for that three-quarter I-am-holding-my-Oscar-statuesque shot! It would also be such a departure from those too-stiff 80's suits a la Margaret Thatcher.

Michelle Williams: Gorgeous Michelle. She wore a beautiful silver-blue Chanel Haute Couture sequined gown for last year's Academy Awards and I'd love to see her in head-to-toe sequins once again. But my NIKOLAKI design would be in a lilac/lavender color --very similar to this gown of mine:

However, the sequin and color detail would Ombre from light to dark/light to heavy at the hem. My design features a plunging neckline but it is delicately hidden by an attached silk chiffon capelet. The shape would be fit-to-flare and feature a sexy side slit (she was TOO covered up at the 2012 Golden Globes).

Glenn Close: For Glenn, I wanted to also take her out of her black color fashion comfort zone and create a gown in a midnight blue. I also know she loves that Mermaid Shape so I did a variation on this, based on one of my NIKOLAKI Mermaid-shaped gowns.

The gown would be in a stiffer silk ziberline or taffeta and have hand-applied Swarovski crystal embellishment at the waist and neckline--again, for that ever-so-important three quarter shot! Finally, I would semi-cover her shoulders and biceps with horizontal pleated drape accents.

Viola Davis: Finally, for Viola, I sketched this Fashion Goddess illustration. First off, I would LOVE to see Viola in a gown of this color: apple green. This is THE color for Spring/Summer 2012 and we saw it on a lot of the Paris, Milan, NY runways. If anyone can WORK this color, it's Miss Viola. The silk chiffon gown would be gathered at the bust as well as the center front, like this gown below from my NIKOLAKI Collection:

There would be a high side slit for dramatic red carpet posing and yes, her torso--and "Sistahs" (she's been displaying them a lot lately)--would be elegantly positioned, with this gown. Finally, I added a very DIVA-like 20+ yards of silk chiffon cape attached to the gown at the back. This would flow as she walked like a Spartan Empress waiting to greet her 10,000 warriors--or her Oscar statue!

I can't wait to see on Sunday night what these actresses decide to wear to the 84th Annual Academy Awards--and if my original sketches/designs were actually better...or not-so-much!

Click Below for my "Oscar Fashion" What I Would Design For The Nominees Segment with NBC-LA's Cary Berglund from the fabulous FIDM Museum "Oscars Costumes" Exhibition:

Nick Verreos Hosts FIDM Scholarship Store "Fabric Party": The Recap!

A FAB Fabric Sale, Lots of Signed Fashion Illustrations, Free Prizes, "Project Runway" Dishing and More...

La Familia: Nick Verreos with FIDM Scholarship Store attendees, my "Twitter" Bestie Victor Padilla (holding his Season 2 Project Runway DVD!) and his mommy, the fabulously chic Olga, FIDM Scholarship Store "Fabric, Draping & Sketching Party"

FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A. FIDM Campus

Last Thursday I had the privilege of hosting a fun "Fabric Party" at the FIDM Scholarship Store (voted the "Best Boutique/Store in L.A." by the readers of Downtown News BTW!). The reason for the little daytime bash was the fact that EVERY fabric in the store was priced at only $2/yard (it's ALWAYS on sale at the FIDM Scholarship Store!).

Sketching Table: Nick Verreos getting ready to sketch fashion illustrations for the shoppers

Also, besides the fact that I was hosting this event, I was there to assist shoppers on what fabrics to get, give you ideas for fashion design, and to of course, sign original fashion illustrations that I did right then and there!

In addition, we had two FIDM Graduates from the Advanced Fashion Design Program--Angela Avanesyan and Paul Hernandez, presenting the "Art of Draping": each created a one-of-a-kind gown as guests watched (!) using fabric from the FIDM Scholarship Store. Angela, who was one of my students several years ago (very proud of her!) draped a beautiful one-shoulder flowing gown with original strapping using blue satin fabric, as seen above...

And Paul (above)--shy little Paul (Not!), went "Miss Venezuela Fabulosa!" creating a plunging neckline gown featuring a hand-pleated top section and OVERSIZED gathered side "Puff's". In case you want to know how those stood up: "dotted" pattern paper! He used "Barbie Pink" poly satin--again from the FIDM Scholarship Store, of course.

Also for this "Fabric Party" was Mark Griffin, a FIDM Interior Design graduate, and one of the talented FIDM interior design students featured in the HGTV series "Design School" . He was there showing how to use fabric from the FIDM Scholarship Store for home decorating ideas--such as covering lamp shades, photo frames, and table coverings.

Dishing: Nick Verreos plays host and "Project Runway Gossip Queen" to shoppers at the FIDM Scholarship Store "Fabric Party"

The event was a big success! It was a delight to see so many people in the store shopping and getting fabric! There were lots of "Project Runway" fans which was great! The Finale was that night so I gave them a little "insight" on what to expect possibly (since I had attended the NY Fashion Week project Runway Finale show).

We Want Fabric...and a Nick Fashion Illustration: FIDM students pose at the FIDM Scholarship Store "Fabric Party"

A special treat was meeting one of my "Twitter Besties", Victor Padilla and his lovely mom, Olga. He brought his Season 2 Project Runway DVD which his mommie had just bought for him (love her!), so naturally they both got a special "Nick Hug" , fashion illustration and signed photo! (see photo at the top of this post).

What's In The Bag: Nick Verreos and one of the "FIDM Scholarship Store Fabric Party" prize winners

We even gave out prizes--LOTS of them--to the shoppers, guests and attendees! Everyone put their name in a box and then throughout the party, I reached in and chose a winner. They got some FAB prizes (yes, I'm jealous!).

I can't wait until we have another fun "Fabric Party" at the FIDM Scholarship Store. Thank you to EVERYONE who came out and especially to all the amazing FIDM Scholarship Store staff--LOVE YA!