Nick Verreos Hosts OUT Magazine and INC Men's Fall Fashion Show!

Layering, Military and Biker-Chic Bad Boys: Yep, it's Nick and Macy's!
Who's NOT The Model: Nick Verreos hosts Macy's OUT Magazine INC Fall Fashion event, Macy's Beverly Center

Last Thursday--yes, the night of my "Guest Judging" Project Runway appearance--I was invited to host the Macy's OUT Magazine INC Fall Fashion Event at the Macy's Men's Store at the Beverly Center. Cocktails Anyone? 360 Vodka at Macy's OUT Magazine Event

Over 100 guests showed up to enjoy mixed cocktails (yummy I heard!) by 360 Vodka, delicious hors d'oeuvres (yes, the world is OVER as we know it: Some gays do eat!), and a fashion show presenting the newest Fall 2009 Collection from INC/International Concepts. The event was also to benefit one of my most beloved non-profit organizations, the Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Designer Love: Nick Verreos and Single Designer (and contestant on the upcoming "Launch My Line") Galina Sobolev, Macy's OUT Magazine/INC Event

After guests settled in, I introduced the HOT male models decked out in all the three "Themes": Layering and Plaid, Military, and Biker Bad Boy. I had cards to describe the outfits but I quickly went into "Instructor Nick/Red Carpet Mode" , threw them away, and just described in great detail what I saw. The models were great sports when at times, I was getting a bit "saucy" with my descriptions.
NOH8 Couture: Nick Verreos and the No H8 Campaign Creators, Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley

The INC Menswear Collection for Fall 2009 is on trend, with lots of those plaid woven shirts EVERY guy should own RIGHT NOW, as well as of-the-moment Military-inspired Pea Coats and a wide range of jeans to suit every type of guy--from Straight Leg to Boot Cut; from dark to whiskered wash. And may I add, all at great prices! Three' Company: Guests at the Macy's OUT Magazine INC Fall Fashion Event

In fact, my entire ensemble was from INC--I got a great Pea Coat with epaulets, a really cool white dress shirt with silver grommet-like accents and a black vest (you know I love me some vests kiddies!) which I will wear for my Lifetime Networks Project Runway Video Blog.
After the show, I was excited to mingle with all the guests, which included my old friend, the always stunning Galina Sobolev, designer of Single and contestant of the upcoming fashion reality show, Launch My Line. Tie Happy: Designer Hugh Simms and Nick Verreos

Also there to support me--and the event of course-- were the boys from the great NOH8 Campaign, photographer Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley, designer Hugh Simms (love his ties, wear them ALL THE TIME!), and many of my students from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM.
Instructor Nick: Nick Verreos poses with FIDM students at Macy's OUT Magazine/INC Fall Fashion Event

I had so much fun hosting this event and was glad that (at least from what I heard) everyone had a GREAT time! I also heard from several guests--with shopping bags in their hands--that my helpful fashion show descriptions actually assisted them in making some great INC purchases that night (I'm sure the cocktails helped too!).

Nick Verreos attends Single Fashion Show at LA Fashion Week

To Russia With Love...Single Runway: John Wade and Nick Verreos do the step-and-repeat at the Single Fall 2009 Fashion Show

This past Monday, I was invited to another show as part of Los Angeles Fashion Week. As you may (or may not) know, there really isn't an "official" LA Fashion Week or one like there is in NY or other cities. Last season, Fern Mallis' IMG pulled out of doing the Mercedes Benz LA Fashion Week at Smashbox after about four years of producing it. Lack of interest, funding and various other reasons were the cause.
Hello St. Petersburg: Nick Verreos poses with Russian model from Single 2009 Fall presentation

So, for this season, BOXeight decided to stage their own "Downtown LA Fashion Week" and other designers and Southern California-based labels staged their own private shows. Single was one of those. Designer Galina Sobolev and her husband Michael, created the company back in 1994 and have been going strong ever since. Single is known for its brightly printed silk tunics, blouses, tops and silky dresses. Single also has the unique title of being the one LA-based company which employed not one BUT TWO, Project Runway designers. Both Santino Rice and Andrae Gonzalo have passed through the Single doors. Model Casting? Guests await the Single Fall '09 Fashion Show, Maxim Restaurant West Hollywood

For this special Fall 2009/10 "preview" show, Galina decided to go back to her Russian roots and create a collection loosely based on her native country. And to highlight this, she staged it at a Russian restaurant called Maxim. I called upon my partner-in-fashion-crime, the deliciously sexy John Wade--of Project Runway Season 2 and Marc Jacobs--to be my "date". John had gone to Moscow late last year with Marc Jacobs and (Marc Jacobs) President Robert Duffy to celebrate the opening of their Moscow Boutique, and I thought he would enjoy it. When we first walked in, he turned to me and said "Oh My God, I seriously think I'm in Moscow!" It was that authentic--down to the fact that most of the staff barely spoke English (I just kept saying spasibo to them--thank you in Russia). Models Eat! A Single-clad model enjoying the Russian buffet, Maxim Restaurant, West Hollywood

The banquet room/restaurant was split right in the middle to create a runway with round dining tables on each side. Guests mingled and enjoyed the very ample spread of delicious Russian hors d'oeuvres such as beef-stuffed Piroshkis, salmon and lox wrap sandwiches, and red cabbage salad. There was also a fully stocked Open Bar with enough Vodka to make former Russian President Putin smile! Galina knows how to throw an event: Keep the guests well fed and have an open bar.John, Try and Smile Next Time: CA Apparel News Editor Alison Nieder, Nick Verreos and a come-hither pout from John Wade
Speaking of guests, I spotted fashion editors of both the Los Angeles Times and WWD (very impressive) as well as stylist George Blodwell (who famously styled actress Helen Mirren at last year's Academy Awards). I was also excited to see my good friend Alison Nieder, the Executive Editor of The California Apparel News. There was also a gaggle of beautiful Russian women and some skinny LA hipster fashionistas for good measure (they were NOT eating!).Parting Shot: A Guest's FIERCE Louis Vuitton shoes (no , it wasn't John who was wearing these!)

For Fall 2009, Galina decided to design a darker moodier side of Single. She showed black and purple Russian folkloric printed blouses paired with black leather pants, violet and gold mini dresses as well as long printed bohemian-style dresses. It was Russian Boho Chic. And of course, there were a few sequined cocktail dresses in case you might be invited to the Kremlin for a swanky party. Click HERE for a slideshow of the Single Fall 2009 Fashion Show.

Where's Andrae?

Here's a great photo of Andrae and I with Galina Sobolev, the designer of Single, a wonderful contemporary line based out of Los Angeles. JLo, as well as other beauties have worn her fabulous silky printed tops and dresses, which are carried at all the high-end department stores, such as Neiman-Marcus. See below for an example of a Single dress. We were at the Los Angeles Fashion Week Single Fashion Show, sponsored by 944 Magazine.

Oh, and did I tell you Andrae is designing for them? So the next time you ask "Where's Andrae?", he's at Single with Galina!!!!!!