More Beauty Pageant Gowns, Slits and (hopefully), NO clear Lucite Stripper Heels to go with them...and more of EVERYTHING in between--- Happy New Year! xoxo Nick Verreos, David Paul...and our doggie Benny!!!

Bowling FASHION Pins, Onion Rings, Holiday Cocktails, and a beautiful Hollywood & Highland Xmas Tree... Last week, I was invited to yet, another Holiday Bash: This time it was the TV Guide Network Holiday Party, which was being held at Lucky Strikes Lanes/Lounge at Hollywood & Highland. Fresh off my "Most Memorable Red Carpet Fashion Moments of 2010" segment which I filmed at the W Hotel Los Angeles with stylist Jen Rade and host Lawrence Zarian--in ICE SKATES!!!--- Once I arrived at Lucky Strike Lanes/Lounge, the party was in full swing with hundreds of TV Guide-ers drinking, bowling (I know, seriously!?) and partaking in the delicious food that was out. I spotted salads, desserts and even some onion rings (my favorite!). Unfortunately, there were too many prying eyes and I didn't want to show that GAYS actually EAT (so I didn't--but trust me, you KNOW I wanted to ask for a "To-Go" bag!). I didn't see my fellow "The Fashion Team" cohorts--Miss Jen Rade and Lawrence Zarian (I heard I had just missed him!), and I didn't see Chris Harrison (Host of "The Bachelor" and the TV Guide Red Carpet Awards Pre-Shows), but...I did get to hang out with a lot of the behind-the-scenes kids: I said "Hola" to several of my producers (LOVE them!), segment directors, cameramen, sound guys and editors (REALLY LOVE THEM!). I had a really fun time, and in case y'all were wondering, NO, I did not bowl. I just mingled. It's more fashionable...Happy Holidays, be safe, be merry and always be FASHIONABLE...and take onion rings TO GO!!!!!

Oh how quickly time flies..when you're having "Red Carpet" DISHING fun! Yes, kiddies, this week was the last episode--for 2010--of my TV Guide Network's "The Fashion Team" show-and the fun and always insightful segment we lovingly call "WTF?", or "What's The Fashion?" (yeah, I bet you thought those initials stood for something else--Dirty Mind!). For this last installment, host Lawrence Zarian, myself, and stylist Jen Rade--who just recently styled Cher in THIS and Angelina Jolie in THIS--met up at the W Los Angeles Hotel (near UCLA's Westwood's Campus) and enjoyed some CHILL time. Well, actually, we filmed the entire episode at the W Los Angeles Chill space, where the pool was transformed into an outdoors skating rink! (I know, Shut Up Sasha Cohen!) Now, we all know how much I LOVE ME some Figure Skating so you know I was like a 21 year-old gay boy at a Lady Gaga Concert: Loving It! Jen, Lawrence and I donned our skates and got right to it. I was trying to do my best QUAD (not!) while Jen was just looking FAB in her newly-purchased TopShop ensemble from her recent trip to NYC styling Miss Jolie for the NY Premiere of "The Tourist". For this final "What's The Fashion?" Wrap-Up, we went down the list of our "Top Ten Most Memorable Red Carpet Fashion Moments of 2010". Well, naturally, there were MANY moments that we had to chose from--both good and not-so-good. The whole point was that they had to be Memorable... And finally, there was Lady Gaga... *In case you missed it, you can watch the episode again on these dates: Dec 22, 24, and 26, as well as January 3rd--Click HERE for all the times. Or Click Below to watch the latest What's The Fashion Segment! Here's to lots more Memorable Red Carpet Fashion Moments for 2011!!!! Adieu for now---

MSN.com's The Victory Project Sponsored by Special K, a web show where four Experts (including myself!) find four women in three different cities and help them with nutrition, exercise and after they've reached their "Victorious" goal, all four ladies are given a make-over complete with Hair, Makeup and a styling session with ME! I have a blast showing REAL WOMAN--ones that are not a size 4, how to find clothes that brings out their inner DIVAS! Speaking of Divas, the writer asked me who my "ideal" client would be; an actress I'd like to dress, let's just say. And I mentioned Spanish actress Penelope Cruz. Below is my Interview from 944.com: "Fearlessly Feminine Nick Verreos--On Making Women Want Top Work It" (love that title!)

From Project Runway to the red carpet, Nick Verreos has made a name for himself in the competitive fashion world by marking his territory with the stunning styles that make women feel fearlessly feminine. Showing the spring 2011 collection of his line Nikolaki at Orange County Style Week in October, Verreos took a few minutes to chat with 944 about making it in the industry and, as his former mentor, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn always says, making it work.

944: How would you describe your design philosophy or point of view?

Nick Verreos: It’s pretty simple. Just making women look and feel beautiful, and trying to bring out the inner goddess within them. I grew up with a group of women, and I just want them to feel ultra-feminine. I feel like I can give women that dress when they want to look like a princess or a diva.

944: When did the Nikolaki collection or concept begin?

NV: I worked for different companies as an assistant designer and pattern maker, and I paid my dues in the industry. I was still making dresses and gowns to fuel my creativity. I built up this closet full of dresses, and I would put on shows at a club here and there. In 2001, we got a showroom, and before I knew it, we were in 150 stores. My partner, David Paul, and I work great together. The name means “little Nick” in Greek, which is what my dad called me when I was young.

Click HERE for the entire article and to find out why I would LOVE to dress Spanish actress Penelope Cruz

Doughnuts, In-n-Out Burgers, Desserts Galore, Open Bars...and LOTS o' Taxi's!!! Yes kids, it's the Holiday Season, and that means one thing here in LA-LA land: Holiday Parties!!! This last week, I got invited to the E! Entertainment Holiday Bash--for the FIRST TIME! I brought along my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul with me naturally. The party was being held in Westwood near my old "stompin' grounds": UCLA. I attended the University of California, Los Angeles and got my B.A. in (wait for it!) Political Science/International Relations many, many moons ago, before I went on to pursue my real love: FASHION! As you may know, I have been on E! several times, including the time I did the Pre-Oscar Show with then on-air personality Debbie Matenopulos as well as (Wait For It Part Two!), La Kim Kardashian. I've also recently been filming episodes of Style Network's "Style Star", a show about celebs and their fashion style. In fact, I just found out that "Style Star" is airing on E! International and will begin airing domestically on the Style Network in early 2011!! To make a long story LONGER...an executive from the show was kind enough to invite me to the E! Holiday Party (Yeayyy!!!). Once I got done with the In-N-Out burgers and the doughnuts, I began really enjoying myself. I did not see Miss Kim K. or Chelsea Handler or Ryan Seacrest, but...I did run into my Project Runway "sister", the lovely and very stylish Kit Scarbo (as you can see from the photo at the beginning of this post). I had an amazing time, but soon enough, it was time to go, and as David and I made our way out, we spotted many, many Taxi Cabs waiting...Oh did I mention: E! made sure to give out Taxi Cab Vouchers so people could get home safely...I know, they think of EVERYTHING! These people really know how to throw a Holiday Party! Happy Holidays Y'all!

Back in August, while The Rockettes were touring the country promoting their annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show, they visited Los Angeles and made a pit stop at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising LA Campus. I had the pleasure of "hosting" them at a fun event titled "High Kicking With Nick", in which we had a VIP Costume Show, where four of The Rockettes showed--up close and personal--some of the marvelous and iconic costumes. I also got to do some High Kicks with them, as well as over 200 of our "closest" friends, at FIDM-adjacent Grand Hope Park. Well, cut to last Friday and The Rockettes were BACK--to do their Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. They were generous enough to invite myself and my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul to the "Opening Night". Believe it or not, I had NEVER seen an actual Rockettes Show, much less THE famous Christmas Spectacular so, of course, I canceled everything else I had that evening and headed to Downtown LA. I hadn't been to the Staples/Nokia/"LA Live" Entertainment Complex in a while (not since I attended the World Championships of Figure Skating at the Staples in March 2009) and I certainly had never really gone there on a Friday Night...but KIDS: The place was CRAZY!! I guess I am LATE but I never knew that this has now become the new "Universal City Walk" of LA! Happy High Kicking Holidays!!! Click Below for a Video Sneak Peak I found on YouTube of the Rockettes "Nutcraker Suite" Dancing Bears (it's the CUTEST thing in the World!!!):

A GRAND Grand Prix: My Best and Worst...with "Professor Nick Costume Grades"! This past weekend was the 2010 ISU Grand Prix Finals of Figure Skating in Beijing China at the Beijing Capital Gymnasium. Thank goodness for Universal Sports and NBC because I got to watch the entire event from the comfort of my home back in Los Angeles! So, yes, the Grand Prix series is over--for this year--and as you may know, I have had the pleasure of critiquing the costumes for UniversalSports.com and their Figure Skating Blog "Go Figure" (love that!). But First: Even at this Grand Prix Finals, after traveling across the Globe to four different continents for all the various Grand Prix Competitions, there were still some skaters changing up their costumes, and in the case of Japanese Figure Skater Miki Ando, a whole new Short Program!! Here are some Examples of the Last Minute Costume Switcheroo's: Now, let's get to my "Best" and "Worst" of the entire Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2010--Below is an "Amuse Bouche" of my List--one for each category... BEST: WORST:

Dingle-ball Witch: When I first saw Russian Figure Skater Alena Leonova in BOTH her Short (L) and Long Program (R) Costumes, I yelled “Oh Dear!” Now, I’m not a Professional Judge of Figure Skating, but I’m pretty sure, those are not the words one wants to hear when they first step on the ice. I know that her Themes involved Polka/Circus and “Witches of Eastwick” but that still didn’t excuse the dingle-balls, the $1.99 Diamante trim, the BEIGE ice skates (not a fan!), black gloves with painted nails (I swear!) and the 1976 Nadia Comaneci hair-DON’T. Cirque du Soleil: Yes. Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NYET! Grade: D

To Continue Reading my Complete List of Best and Worst Costumes of the 2010 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Click HERE on my Figure Skating Blog for UniversalSports.com!!!!