Europe Summer 2011 Postcard: The Finale--Florence and Rome!!!

EuroStar:

Dress Up Traveler: Nick Verreos--and luggage--arriving in Florence Italy via Eurostar fast train

Last month--as you may know--both David Paul, my NIKOLAKI partner-in-fashion-crime, and I went to Europe. Primarily, I was invited to lecture and show our NIKOLAKI Collection at a first ever "TREDICI 13" Fashion Show sponsored by the Miami University of Ohio Summer School in Florence Italy Program. You can click HERE to read my posting of the Fashion Show, including a favoloso video and tons of photos.



This post here is all about my time in Firenze after the Fashion Show, partaking in a special lecture alongside fellow designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, as well as a tour of the new POLIMODA Institute Campus.



POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design Tour:



The day following our very well-received runway presentation, Althea along with her lovely sister, Maeve (who accompanied Miss Althea on her "Europe Summer 2011" trip), David and I joined students and instructors from the Miami University of Ohio Summer in Italy for a tour and special presentations/lectures at the POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design--the Premier University in Florence, specializing in Fashion and the Marketing of Fashion.

Hands on The Hips: Nick Verreos and Althea Harper lead the Miami University of Ohio Study Abroad students to a Photo Pose-Off--POLIMODA International Institute, Firenze Italia

We had been to POLIMODA on my previous visits to Florence, having been invited to speak & lecture at the Miami U. Summer in Italy Program, but this was a brand new Campus location for POLIMODA. Last year we began the tour by "climbing" up the hill to the Villa Strozzi, once the summer residence of one of the most powerful families of Florence, the Strozzi family. But this year, Institute is undergoing a "location change", to the more centrally-located Villa Favard in one of the toniest sections of Florence. We even got a wonderful and very special lecture from its famed Director, Linda Loppa.

Miami U. Calendar Boys: Althea Harper and Nick Verreos pose with "The Boys" of Miami University Summer In Italy Program, POLIMODA Institute

Lecture Time:

Lecture Hall: Miami University of Ohio Summer Abroad students, The Gould

After a delicious lunch, we all headed back to The Gould--site of last night's Fashion Show, as well as the Campus Headquarters for the Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy Program. There , both Althea and I lectured to a group of the program's Journalism students--all set up with their laptops (Note taking 2011!). The students listened intensely as we spoke of our backgrounds, how we "got to where we got", as well as the importance of social media in the fashion world, strategies for interviewing subjects, and how to create a good story/article--especially if the subject matter might be "foreign" to you.

Ciao Firenze: (Left to right) Maeve (Althea's sister), Nick Verreos, David Paul and Althea Harper

Soon we were off for Goodbye Drinks and hors d'oeuvres at the gorgeous rooftop pool bar of the Grand Hotel Minerva overlooking the Piazza Santa Maria Novella as well as breathtaking views over the Duomo. But before we left, I had to snap a "Miami Vice in Firenze" photo with Jerry Ingram--photographer extraordinaire as well as the Producer of the TREDICI 13 Fashion Show--it's become a tradition. See for yourself:

Jerry Ingram and Nick Verreos 2010

Nick Verreos and Jerry Ingram 2011

Rome:



Soon, we were off to Rome. David and I had one full day in Rome before returning back to the USA and so, we were going to "Make It Work!" and do a Marathon Rome Tour! Of course, we hit up the monumental Colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheater:



David Paul in front of the Flavian Amphitheater/Roman Colosseum (notice his little bag from Gucci!!)



Afterward, we walked (yes, we WALKED EVERYWHERE!) to the Victor Emmanuel Monument (above photo), honoring Italy's first king, Victor Emmanuel II. Then we stumbled--literally--onto the...



Mario Testino Photo Exhibit "Todo O Nada", which had just opened!! This exhibit features 54 photographs of Testino, exploring his two loves, Fashion and the Nude.



Model Stella Tennant by Mario Testino, "Todo O Nada" Exhibition, Rome Italy



It was so GOOD!!!! We bought the book, a full-size poster/print--well, you name it, we bought it!!



We also headed to the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Steps, where yes, there were THRONGS of people (see above photo)--mostly young tourist just chillin' on the steps or walking the chic shopping streets. I also noticed the "V" for Valentino insignia nearby which happened to be Palazzo Mignanelli, which belongs to yes, Valentino. This meant one thing: Photo Time...

Nick Verreos, Palazzo Mignanelli or as it is also known, Palazzo di Valentino

And in case you were wondering, yes we eventually made it to the Fontana del Trevi or Trevi Fountain (above). It was--as usual--PACKED, but somehow, I still got a fun photo of David doing the requisite "Make a Wish and Throw a Coin" toss. I got the pic midway:

Ciao Roma e Ciao Italia!!!

Nick Verreos and NIKOLAKI Collection in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Miami University of Ohio Italy Summer Abroad

Ciao Bellissima!!!

Grazie Firenze: Designers Giulia Bigoli, Althea Harper and Nick Verreos taking their bow, Florence Italy Fashion Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Last month, I was invited--along with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, to showcase our NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses at the first-ever "Florence Italy Fashion Show at the Miami University of Ohio Summer Program" entitled Tredici 13.

Florentine Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul, NIKOLAKI designers, in Florence Italy

For the past two years, I have been part of this FAB Study Abroad Program as a "Special Guest Lecturer", for the Journalism students, speaking about fashion, fashion blogging, trends, as well as of course, giving my unique experience and insight to the students. Oh, and yes, DISHING a little bit on the "behind-the-scenes" of being on Project Runway. But this year, the director of the program wanted to "turn it up a couple fashion notches", and have a fabulous fashion show at the program's historic campus location, the Gould Institute a palazzo built in the mid-1600's originally a residence to the noble Florentine family Del Rosso.

Runway Preparations: The Runway at the Gould Institute garden

They also invited fellow Project Runway alumn, NYC-based fashion designer Althea Harper. This was her second time joining me on the Miami University "Summer In Italy" Program so it was a real treat (for us and for the audience) to show our designs in Italy for the FIRST TIME! The fashion show--"Tredici 13"--which was wonderfully produced and organized by Fashion Photographer Jerry Ingram of Foto-Genique also included the punk-rock-inspired designs of POLIMODA 2011 Fashion Designer Graduate, Giulia Bigioli.

Fashion Designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, Fashion Photographer and Producer/Organizer of the event, Jerry Ingram, Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Runway Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

The fashion show was amazing--from the location, the gorgeous Florence-based models, the production (the lighting and runway!)--it all led to a fantastic backdrop to feature our fashions. Now, speaking of fashions:



NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos David Paul:

Yellow Princess: Canary yellow silk satin crepe NIKOLAKI gown with pleated draped-front cascade detail (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Florentine Red Carpet: One shoulder canary yellow silk satin crepe dress with shirred side, asymmetrical hemline and shoulder detail (Photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Fuchsia Italia: Models featuring NIKOLAKI dresses in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Silk-wool ziberline strapless side pleated asymmetrical dress (Left) and silk jersey cowl tunic dress with "Croq"-embossed leather shoulder accents (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Floating Marchesa: Model in NIKOLAKI one-shoulder silk chiffon "Watercolor"-printed gown with side slit (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Althea Harper:

Three looks from Althea Harper, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Giulia Bigioli:

Three looks from Giulia Bigioli, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Below are a few more photos from the event:

Step and Repeat Italia: Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute

Beard Boys: Nick Verreos (right) with Designer Domenico Strecapede (left), Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Molto Baci: Nick Verreos and one of the Florence Fashion Show "Security Detail", Alessandro Marchi (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Posing Ladies: Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy students with Nick Verreos, Gould Institute

Click Below for a great video of the runway show TREDICI 13 in Firenze Italia:

Blog Postcard From Europe 2011: First Stop--London!!!

London Calling:

I Need To Make a Call: Nick Verreos steps into a London Phone Booth

Two weeks ago, my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul, and I returned from a two-week trip to Europe. It was both for Business and yes, pleasure. The main purpose of the trip was that I was invited to be part of the Miami University Summer In Italy Program once again (third year in a row!!) and bring some of our NIKOLAKI Collection for a very special FIRST EVER Florence Italy Fashion Show (more on that in a later post of course!). But first, we decided to take a couple of Pre-Florence-Fashion Show "pit stops". First up, London:

Uniform Perfection: Queen's Foot Guard, Buckingham Palace London

We flew into London, Capital City of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, via British Airways. Right as the Royals (William and Catherine) decided they wanted to be in Canada and California, we felt that we should be in London! (go figure!). It was quite timely in that, as we arrived from our ten-hour flight, checked into our hotel, turned on the TV, the whole Murdoch/News of The World Scandal had broken out! It was quite CRAZY! Well, since we were only there for two days (yeah, I know, that's it!), we dove right into the city and decided to do the "London Sightseeing" Tour.

Big Nick: Nick Verreos, with "Big Ben" in the background, London UK

We visited "Big Ben", the great bell of the clock in the north end of the Palace of Westminster, as well as passed by Westminster Abbey (it was closed for tours but open for the prayer service--needless to say, we skipped that).

The London Eye (LOVE that second photo above that David took! Such a great photographer!)

Right around the corner was, of course, the Thames River and the now-iconic London Eye Millennium Wheel. We went to it and thought long and hard about riding it but truth be told, it was quite pricey (US Dollars vs. British Pounds= Being Poor!) and the line was longer than a Disneyland ride. I was saving my money for my Topman Retail Spree!!

We also walked to Kensington Palace and stopped by its gates, which were filled with Princess Diana Birthday Tributes and Cards as seen from above photo (It would have been here 50th Birthday on July 1st). There, I overheard--in Spanish--some girls from Colombia (I recognized the accents!), who were whispering something to the effect of "That's the Designer from "Project Runway"..." Well, even in London via Colombia, I can't go "incognito". Thank goodness I wasn't in flip flops and shorts!

Continuing our tour, we walked (yes, we WALKED EVERYWHERE!!) to Buckingham Palace (above), took many photos and even tried to go into the museum but realized that the "Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown Exhibition" was not open yet.

So, we decided to go to the Victoria & Albert Museum--the "world's greatest museum of art and design", because we knew we could see some FASHION there. This Museum is INCREDIBLE...

Victoria & Albert Museum: Dale Chihuly Glass Chandelier

The Entrance/Rotunda is just stunning; I just LOVED the Dale Chihuly Glass Chandelier which hangs right in the center of it. There is so much astounding art at the Victoria & Albert. We visited some of its Galleries--including the European Paintings section, the Sculpture section, as well as the Jewelry Exhibition.

But we also wanted to see the Yohji Yamamoto Exhibition as well because it would close in a few days. It was wonderful to see a Retrospective of his designs--both womenswear and menswear. The exhibit is designed for up close-and-personal viewing and it was wonderful to see all the pieces inches away. There were no blockades keeping you from going right up to the dresses, but there were plenty of Security Guards with watchful eyes! We were bummed to not have bought one of those cute "safety pin" Yohji Yamamoto/Victoria & Albert tote bags. We would be needing them in a couple days on the beaches of Mykonos...

Yohji Yamamoto Menswear Suits, Victoria & Albert Museum London

Yohji Yamamoto Window Display, Victoria & Albert Museum Store, London

After so much sightseeing and culture, we wanted to devote our second and last day to...SHOPPING!!! So, naturally, we hit up Harrods:

Harrods London

David Paul, in front of Harrods London

Harrods was KRAZZEEE!!!! Madness I tell you: So many people, so many shoppers, tourists. And there we were, right "in the mix". Picture Macy's in NYC but ON CRACK!!!! Also, there were SOOOO many of those Gulf States/Dubai/Kuwaiti DIVAS, in their black caftans, all covered up--except for their PERFECT FIERCE Make-up, Chanel Sunglasses, Hermes Birkin Bags and Louboutin 5" Heels!!!! I was OBSESSED with them! Everywhere I turned, there they were; all together, and all FABULOUS! Their male counterparts were not far away, looking a bit "Guido-esque" in their D&G/Versace outfits.

But moving on...At Harrods, we passed by the "Diana and Dodi Memorial" (above photo--kinda tacky if I say so myself) and then made a beeline to the infamous Harrods Food Hall. Well, darlings, I just about DIED and went to CULINARY HEAVEN!!!!

Harrods Food Hall: The Fish Section and the Pies Section (above photos)

The Fish! The Kabobs! The Meat! The Pies! The Chocolates!!! Good Lord! Too Much! (but all good!). Afterward, we went to Topman and did some retail damage. Let's just say Nicky got himself about TWO YEARS-worth of wardrobe! Nice.

Carnaby Queen: Nick Verreos--and his Topman shopping bag, at Carnaby Street London UK

We ended our "Shopping Day" with a walk to Carnaby Street where we checked out all the hip pubs that were filling up post work day. It was a fabulous quick two days and can I just add: London IS THE CLEANEST City IN THE WORLD!!!!! It was almost to the point of obsessively clean! Anyhow, in these two quick days in London, we tried to get in as much as we could...before we left to my Father's homeland: Greece, and the island of Mykonos to be precise to get some Pre-Florence, Italy Fashion Show R & R.
Stay tuned for that little blog posting...

*Click HERE on my Facebook for more Photos from my London 2011 Trip.