Miss Universe 2011 Official Viewing Party: True Beauty Rocks The Universe In Hollywood

Fiesta de Miss UNIVERSOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Designer and Muse: Nick Verreos and former Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee (wearing NIKOLAKI), True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Last night was the Finale of Miss Universe 2011. Of course, the actual pageant was in São Paulo, Brazil. Needless to say, I wasn't invited to go and therefore, did not. However, there was a BETTER Party I was invited to: The "True Beauty Rocks The Universe in Hollywood Official Miss Universe 2011 Viewing Party at the W Hollywood Hotel. It was sponsored by the Miss Universe Organization, The Atwell Group, True Beauty Special Events, LCH/La Casa Hermosa, and Telemundo.

A Suited Threesome: Actor/Comedian (and friend!) Alec Mapa, Nick Verreos and David Paul, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood Miss Universe 2011 Viewing Party W Hollywood Hotel

My good friend Brook Lee--who happens to be a former Miss Universe (and the last Miss USA to win that title!)--invited both my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul and myself to this festive BASH! And naturally, I couldn't say "No"! A) I LOVE Beauty Pageants; B) I Love Miss Universes and C) I Love Parties!! Once we arrived, the party was in full swing on the street-level "courtyard" of the very happening W Hollywood Hotel. The place was PACKED with many, many gorgeous ladies wearing sashes (lots of Miss California USA contestants) and many well-dressed men following them!!

LOVE HER: Nick Verreos, Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006 and her cutie boyfriend, Brandon Belsky from their band Jamestown Avenue, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

A HUGE screen floated from one of the walls as Telemundo Network projected the Miss Universe "Pre-Show" that had begun at 8PM "Camino a la Corona", which highlights all the Latin American contestants in the Miss Universe Pageant. Hors d'oeuvres were passed around (I saw them but never got to try any--and I surely did not see any of those girls with sashes attempt to even reach for those plates!). There was a fully-stocked Open Bar as well. In addition to viewing the Telecast (it was like one of those "Oscar Viewing Parties", but with more gorgeous women around), this was also a Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Miss Universe. As a result there were some "Special Guests" in attendance.

Universal Announcer: Nick Verreos announcing the past Miss Universe Titleholders--flanked by (L to R) Chelsi Smith Miss Universe 1995, Brook Lee (in NIKOLAKI gown) Miss Universe 1997, Justine Pasek Miss Universe 2002, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

As the time got closer and closer to the start of the Live Telecast at 9PM, I was asked to announce who these Special Guests were: TEN Former Miss Universe Titleholders, who were invited to Hollywood for this unprecedented celebration!

Look at My Face: Nick Verreos, as he greets Miss Universe 1964 from Greece (my father's parents' homeland!) Corinna Fields, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

I introduced la bellisima Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002 from Panama, my "Hawaiian Sister" Brook Lee Miss Universe 1997 (USA), the vivacious Chelsi (Those incredible legs!!) Smith Miss Universe 1995 (USA), the elegant Michelle McLean Miss Universe 1992 (Namibia), Mona (Face of a Supermodel) Grudt Miss Universe 1990 (Norway), the statuesque Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 (South Africa), the beautiful Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago), the elegant Sylvia Hitchcock Miss Universe 1967 (USA), my "Greek sister" Corinna Fields, née Tsopei Miss Universe 1964 (Greece)...

And the MOST Special Guest, the FIRST EVER Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela, who was Miss Universe 1952, seen above being handed a special presentation by a Miss Universe Organization representative.

Las Misses: Nick Verreos with all the past Miss Universe Titleholders, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Colors of The Universe: (L to R) Justine Pasek Miss Universe 2002 (Panama), Janelle Commissiong Miss Universe 1977 (Trinidad and Tobago), Nick Verreos, Margaret Gardiner Miss Universe 1978 (South Africa), and Mona Grudt Miss Universe 1990 (Norway), True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

Pageant Squeeze: Shanna Moakler and Nick Verreos, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

My Girl: Actress ("Unstoppable") and former Miss California USA 2007 (she wore one of my NIKOLAKI gowns to the Miss USA 2007 Pageant!!), and Nick Verreos, True Beauty Rocks the Universe in Hollywood W Hollywood Hotel

I can't even begin to tell you what an honor it was to have introduced them at this amazing event! I felt like I was a little boy, back in Caracas Venezuela watching the Miss Universe Pageant and being all excited to see all the gorgeous girls in their gorgeous dresses! I had such a blast at the party that I almost forgot that there was a Pageant to watch on the big ol' screen!!!!

Nick Verreos Attends "Compassion In Fashion" APAIT/FIDM Fashion Show: LA Fashion Week

Compassion IS Fashionable...

Project Runway Model Sandwich: Nick Verreos poses with Brandise Danesewich (Season 7), Amanda Fields (Season 3) and Lauren (Season 4), Backstage "Compassion In Fashion" fashion show

Last Thursday night, I was invited by my very good friend--and NIKOLAKI client--the absolutely gorgeous Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee--to attend "Compassion In Fashion" Fashion Show for Los Angeles Fashion Week. She was emceeing the entire event and she--of course--was going to wear one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses.

Gorgeous Beauties: Model Amanda Fields and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 and Emcee of Compassion In Fashion (wearing NIKOLAKI)

"Compassion In Fashion" was a fabulous benefit event presented by the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team/APAIT and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM at the amazing Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles. APAIT does wonderful work providing HIV/AIDS prevention and care especially for the Asian and Pacific Islander Community. The event was also co-sponsored by one of MY favorite retail department stores--Macy's (Love them!). Upon arriving--and checking in with Brook--I made sure her NIKOLAKI Couture dress was "just right".

Brook Lee, Compassion In Fashion (Photo courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

She chose a salmon-pink silk/linen Lurex strapless very "Mad Men" number from our collection. She looked AMAZING! Hello, she was a Miss USA AND Miss Universe! The line up for the wonderful night included a dance performance by Ek Do Teen/NDM Bollywood Dance Troupe (which was SO good!)

Model Amanda Fields wearing a Red carpet Gown design by FIDM Grad Clay Sadler, Compassion In Fashion (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

A FIDM "Red Carpet Gown" fashion show featuring designs by FIDM Grads( Gorgeous!) as well as...

Model in Andrew Christian Fashion Show (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Sidney, BarTabz.com)

An Andrew Christian Fashion Show (HOT!). Also there was a very special T-shirt Design Contest, where FIDM Student Activities partnered with APAIT to have students design t-shirts for the organization.

There was a panel of very special--and distinguished--judges, including my good friend Alec Mapa, star of "Ugly Betty" and LogoTV's "The Gossip Queens", Greg Matsunami, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Metropark Stores, Karla Ferreira, 2009 Quest Woman Of The Year, and Melissa Magsaysay, style writer and editor for the LA Times.

The winning t-shirt designer was FIDM Fashion Design student Larry Le (modeled above by Zdenka). It was an amazing night of great fashion, gorgeous models and more importantly for a very-worthwhile cause and organization of which I wholeheartedly support.

Below are some great Videos I shot of Compassion In Fashion...and for more photos, click HERE.

Compassion In Fashion Fashion Show--Model Amanda Fields in a Clay Sadler Design:

Intro Dance Performance by NDM Bollywood Dance Troupe:

Final Walk of Andrew Christian Fashion Show, Compassion In Fashion:

Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee Announces The Winner of APAIT/FIDM T-shirt Design Contest:

Nick Verreos To Be A Celebrity Judge on Miss UNIBARSE 2010 Fantasy Doll Pageant!

Doll-Icious!!!!!
Recently, I was asked to be one of the esteemed panel of "celebrity" judges for the most unique International Fantasy Doll Web-Pageant, Miss Unibarse. Now, this is not a misspelling on my part, but you read correct: MISS UNIBARSE NOT Miss Universe. Past judges for this pageant "phenomenon" have included former Miss Universes, fashion designers, photographers, and celebrity stylists from all over the globe. Nick Verreos and Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997, in Nikolaki by Nick Verreos David Paul

Last year, my good friend, Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 was also one of the celebrity judges and now, I guess it was my time to be asked. And I'm very happy for it. As you may know, besides fashion, I also love pageants and have dressed several beauty queens myself. Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, in Nick Verreos for Orbit Gum Custom Gown

Here's a little background on Miss Unibarse (in case you may still be saying "Say What?"): Miss Unibarse is the Miss Universe Pageant but for DOLLS (therefore the "BAR" for "Barbie"). Its originators began this as a creative project that would marry their love of pageants, dolls and photography. Dolls are transformed into one-of-a-kind beauties representing nations from all over the world, and given the whole "Miss Universe" treatment, and then judges get to vote--just like in the Miss Universe Pageant. There are all the usual categories including Presentation, Swimsuit, Evening Gown as well as National Costume. Last Year's Miss Japan Unibarse, in Traditional Costume
Last Year's Miss Korea Unibarse (and the 2009 winner!), in Evening Gown
There are even "Fadil-esque" (very similar to the Fadil Berisha photos for Miss Universe and Miss USA) photos like the one above from last year's contest. Last year's winner: Miss Korea getting crowned (looks just like a real Miss Universe crowning moment!)

I have begun my judging and cast my first votes for the contestants and found myself--as I was clicking on all the photos--saying things like :"Oh I love HER hair!", or "Oh, she is working her pose and outfit!", and "Oooooh, she is SASSY!!!", as if they were REAL! I can't wait to see who the winner will be this year, there are LOTS of contenders. Here's a sample of this year's girls: Miss Colombia Unibarse 2010: Red hot Latina...and (almost) a wardrobe "malfunction"!
Miss Angola Unibarse 2010: Work it huney, now that's an expensive WEAVE!!!Miss USA Unibarse 2010: Love the "flip" of her hair and "sultry" stare...Miss Czech Republic Unibarse 2010: She is SOOO Ivana Trump-meets-Zsa Zsa Gabor, I just know she will end up on the arm of a Russian Billionaire in a hot minute!

To see the rest of the International Dollegates, click HERE.