A couple of weeks ago, I went on my "Nick Tour" to promote my new dress line--NV Nick Verreos--at various Dillard's across the US. I've already covered my visit to Arizona, Texas, and now, it's all about Florida. I flew to Fort Lauderdale to do an in-store appearance and host a fashion show presentation showcasing my NV Nick Verreos dresses at the Dillard's in the Pembroke Lakes Mall, located in Pembroke Pines Florida. My NV Nick Verreos design partner-for-life David Paul and I arrived in Fort Lauderdale Florida (which is about 30 minutes from Pembroke Pines) the night before my event and checked into the beautiful W Hotel Fort Lauderdale, thinking maybe--just maybe--we might get some pool time (we somehow forgot that this was a BUSINESS trip and there would be no time for "play" notwithstanding the weather situation). Alas, not so much, it was the FIRST DAY of HURRICANE season and it stormed (almost) the entire time. But we made sure to sneak a photos of the pool that we never, ever used:



Now, let's get to my NV Nick Verreos Dillard's In-Store Appearance/Event: My event and fashion presentation was fabulous--and a lot of fun--I had three of the sweetest (and nicest) models including one who was oe Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Models(!). After my event/presentation, almost everyone left (BAD Shoppers, Bad!)...but David, myself and our "NV Nick Verreos" Diva Janet Scibetta, wrangled some of the ladies back---so they could TRY on my dresses and eventually BUY! Anyhow, here's my Photo Gallery:

Last night were the Finals of the 62nd annual Miss USA pageant. The winner was the beautiful 25-year-old 5' 8" tall Erin Brady "Miss Connecticut USA". She beat out 50 other lovely women representing all the United States plus the District of Columbia for the coveted title. Erin is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Finance and a minor in Criminal Justice and according to her Miss USA bio, she would like to pursue an MBA in the near future.


Also, according to her bio, she is a Financial Accountant, well up until last night. Now, she will spend a year traveling around the country as Miss USA 2013, and calling a NYC apartment home. She will also represent USA in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which announced last night--will take place in November in Moscow Russia.

As you might have read in my last few postings here on my blog,  it's "Miss USA" time again and that means one thing: Pageant Gowns! The all-important Preliminary Competition occurred this past Wednesday night at PH Live Theater in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas--site of the Finals on Sunday night. In my last post, I discussed my Favorites in Evening Gown (Miss Minnesota USA, Miss Texas USA, and so on) and now it's time to discuss "The Others". Normally, this is the "Oh Dear!" post. However, I have to admit, there weren't that many "Oh Dear's!" this year. This is a good thing and could signify that these pageant girls--and their style handlers--are getting a little more conscious of what defines A MESS. But for some pageant watchers (the catty ones!) it's also a semi-bad thing, since there's not much to wreck, as it were. So, with that in mind, I decided to break down the girls who STILL love a Good Slit, the "Blue Belles" (the color blue was a trend) as well as "Lipstick Ladies" (red gowns) and finally, the Pageant Betty's; contestants whose gowns were a bit of a throw-back to the 1990s. So, let's get to it:
Show Some Leg: (Left to right) Miss Alaska USA, Miss Florida USA, Miss California USA, Miss Nevada USA--these ladies (among others) love a good slit in their gowns. The slit is a very popular detail in Pageant Gowns and has been for years. I also love a good slit and have designed many a NIKOLAKI gown with them. They've even now "invaded" the red carpet with the likes of Angelina Jolie showing what a slit can do! But sometimes, the pageant girls take a slit to new heights (like waaaay up there!). And this is where you might go into "Oh Dear!" territory. The contestants above did just fine, with all their slits, thank you very much. Now, here are two ladies who took the slit to new heights on Wednesday night---First, Miss North Carolina USA Ashley Mills...

This last Wednesday was the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition (Full Video at the end of this post, in case you missed it!). This is the pre-final contest in which a separate set of judges get to pick who the semi-finalists are for Sunday night's final Miss USA 2013 pageant...

The 51 contestants--representing all the 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia--competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Some of the evening gowns the contestants wore were the same as the ones I wrote about when I reviewed the "Miss USA Website Photos", but some were different (as expected). So, let's take a look at my "Nick Top Favorites" of the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition:

As part of my time in San Antonio Texas last week promoting my NV Nick Verreos line at the Dillard's North Star Mall (Click HERE for the Recap!), I had the chance to do some TV shows and press for my event. The day before my event, I was invited to appear on the #1 Local Entertainment/Lifestyle Program in San Antonio, KENS5 "Great Day SA" Morning TV Show.

As I previously talked about HERE, the youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden got married in a lavish Royal Wedding this past Saturday. In that post, it was all about Madeleine and her GORGEOUS Valentino Haute Couture wedding gown, designed by the (not so much) retired couturier Valentino Garavani.
Now, it's time to discuss the Guests, most all Royal, and one fabulously chic former Swedish reality show star...Let's get to it: