Blingy Barbie Fetes Fashion Week

Before I get consumed with New York Fashion Week craziness, I had to bring your attention to the most important thing you'll read about this week: The Word's Rarest Barbie!

(Who needs an Obama press conference when you've got a Barbie in a right hand ring, people?)

Mattel asked famous jewelry designer, Stefano Canturi, to put our favorite toast to feminism in his Cubism jewelry - and he did them one better by throwing in a real 1-carat Argyle pink diamond for good measure.

All told, her bling includes over three carats of white diamonds set in a signature Canturi necklace with an empowering right-hand diamond ring to boot - which is why her price tag is a record-setting $545,000 (!)

DeBeers Barbie? Eat your heart out.

"I wanted the jewelry design to pay homage to Barbie's modern yet timeless style, this is why I applied my Cubism design concept to her look; it is perfect for her," Canturi said on his webiste of his Mattel collaboration.

Barb makes her debut tonight at Fashion's Night Out in New York and will be auctioned at Christie's prestigious "Magnificent Jewels" sale on October 20th, with 100 percent of the profits donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Who do you think would buy Babs at this price tag? Barbie acolyte, Rachel Zoe? Pink diamond diva, Mariah Carey? Weigh in!

Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Sunglass Hut Grand Opening Event Macy's Union Square

San Francisco Host With The Most: Sunglass Shopping, Hot-Dog Eatin', Manicure Polishing and Much More...Billboard Boy: Nick Verreos at Sunglass Hut Grand Opening, Macy's Union Square

On Saturday, I flew into San Francisco in a flourish. Here's the rundown: Got up at 5AM, packed, showered and got dressed, got to LAX, and boarded my Virgin America 8 AM flight to the City by the Bay. My trusty car and Bob--one of my favorite drivers in SF--picked me up at SFO and whisked me off to Union Square where I was to host the Grand Opening of the Sunglass Hut store at Macy's San Francisco's flagship from noon-4PM.Posing Divas: Nick Verreos and models pose with the Vogue Eyewear/CFDA Sunglasses designed by Devi Kroell, Matt Murphy and Kara Ross

The weather in San Francisco on Saturday was sunny and gorgeous--perfect to be sporting some CHIC new sunglasses. Macy's and Sunglass Hut had set up a whole "Afternoon Soiree" in Level 1 of the store and I was it's "Host with the Most". I brought three of the prettiest Ford models from San Francisco to be my "Nick's Angels" for the event (all styled fabulously by Keylee Sanders, my SF Stylist DIVA from Style Studio).Sunglass Hut Grand Opening Macy's San Francisco Union Square

For the Grand Opening, we had hors d'euvres including mini hot dogs, chili-lemon peppered watermelon and sorbet ice cream sandwiches, as well as lemonade and sparkling water being passed around, to entice shoppers to come see the new shop and get in a "It's Summer and I need some Sunglasses" mood.Greetings Macy's Shoppers: Nick Verreos, Sunglass Hut Grand Opening, Macy's Union Square

There was a "photo booth" by Fotomio where shoppers got to try on the featured Vogue Eyewear/CFDA sunglasses and take their very own photos. Pinkies was there giving manicures to shoppers. Sunglasses On A Plate: Models showcase Vogue Eyewear/CFDA Designer Eyewear, Macy's Union Square

As a bonus--just for that day--with EVERY purchase of a pair of sunglasses, shoppers received a chic little Sunglass Hut cosmetic bag, a Gift Certificate to Pinkies AND a full size bottle of Clarins Self Tanning Gel (Hello!!!!). Between the mini-hot dogs, lemonade, photo-booth taking, the gift-with-purchase and my shouting voice of "Welcome, Come Buy Some Sunglasses!!!, the store was abuzz with shopping madness! OMG! It's Nick: Nick Verreos poses with shoppers, Sunglass Hut Grand Opening, Macy's Union Square

The event was a complete SUCCESS! I had a great time and the fact that hundreds and hundreds of people (shoppers, tourists strolling in, fans of Project Runway--yeayyy!!) were stopping by, kept it all lively and fun!
That's MY Barbie: Siobhan Tuvo, her daughter Sarah and Nick Verreos, Macy's Union Square Grand Opening of Sunglass Hut

A highlight was one of my very best friends, Siobhan Tuvo, stopped by and brought her oh-so-pretty daughter Sarah, whom I had not seen in YEARS!!! Sarah brought me a special somethin'-somethin': The "Project Runway My Scene Nick Verreos Barbie"!!! Well, you just know I began screaming in the microphone like a little girl! She brought it for me to sign and of course, I obliged. It was a perfect ending to a fabulous afternoon at my Sunglass Hut Macy's San Francisco Event!
Now it was time to get some rest before the next day's big event: SF Gay Pride Parade!!! Stay Tuned...

Below is a fun slideshow with LOTS of photos of the entire event. These fantastic photos were provided by Drew Altizer Photography and click HERE for even MORE photos!

FIDM Project Runway Website: Uncle Nicky has fun at school!!!

FIDM Video Tour a la NickWeb Star: Nick Verreos featured in the new FIDM website videos

Well, it's official: The Season 6 Premiere of Project Runway was a HUGE SUCCESS! 4.2 million viewers! Lifetime, Heidi and Tim must be very happy (and Harvey Weinstein too). After a year's absence, the fans were still interested--naturally! In case you didn't watch it, Project Runway has "moved" to Los Angeles and my Alma mater, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM is "Project Runway Central" as the designers will be using their design, pattern and sewing studios to "Make It Work".My Other Barbie: Nick Verreos Malibu Barbie, on display at FIDM

I filmed some fun videos for the official FIDM Project Runway website and the first ones are up!
There's one of me at the Barbie 50Th Anniversary Wall where I give you a sneak peak of my "other" Barbie; one of me with some students at the Media Library/Study Lounge; and one of me at the FIDM Gallery and Museum of the Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design, where FIDM grad Leanne Marshall's winning Project Runway Season 5 Collection is on display!

Click HERE for all the video madness.

Baubles, Bvlgari and Barbie

With all the diamonds, designer duds and dream homes a girl could want, what’s left for Barbie to do but wish Ken’s arms would bend and hope for a better blinking mechanism?

Well, luxury jeweler, Bvlgari, has a plan to get Barbie out of the house by putting her to work for their latest charity campaign, “Rewrite the Future”.

Babs along with other celebrity spokesfolks like Jessica Biel, Mischa Barton, Ben Stiller and Sting are working with Bvlgari to promote Save the Children International’s latest efforts by wearing a special ring designed to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the worthy cause.

Save the Children is one of the largest independent international organizations for the defense and championing of children's rights; they are present in over 100 countries around the world and are committed to providing quality education to 8 million children living in conflict-affected areas by the end of 2010.

The ring retails for $555 and you can nab one for yourself by visitng their website here.

In the meantime, I’m diggin' Barbie’s high fashion makeover for the ad campaign. Cheer up, Barb. Blinking is so last season.

Nick Verreos Debuts his Second Barbie!!!!

Nick Verreos "Hearts" Barbie!
50Th Anniversary Barbie: Nick Verreos' "Malibu Birthday Gala" Barbie Doll

Over the weekend, I had the honor and privilege of unveiling my one-of-a-kind design for Barbie at the fabulous FIDM Debut 2009 Gala in the Santa Monica Barker Hangar. Last year, a friend of mine who designs for Mattel, contacted me to discuss doing something very special for them as part of Barbie's upcoming 50Th Anniversary Celebration.

Final (Pink) Bow: Nick and his Barbie take a Bow
Photo Courtesy of Philip Cuenco

They thought it would be wonderful to partner with a fashion design school and possibly have a selected group of students design an outfit for Barbie and a one-of-a-kind doll would then be made, from the student designers' visions. As an instructor and Official Spokesperson at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM Los Angeles, they thought I would be the perfect conduit to help facilitate this, and naturally I did. Now, of course I also told them that it would not be a complete Barbie Fashion Show, unless I also designed a very special gown for Barbie as part of the celebration.
Ever since I was very young, I loved Barbie for her fabulousness and as many of you may know, during Season 2 of Project Runway, I won the "Design an Outfit for the My Scene Barbie Challenge". My winning Barbie Doll was subsequently produced and eventually sold-out at Toys 'R Us. It is now considered a "Collector's Barbie".
Nick Barbie No. 1: The Project Runway Nick Verreos My Scene Barbie--and dress

So of course, I was "tickled pink" at the thought of designing for Barbie once again. For this very special anniversary, I was to design a gown for Barbie's "Birthday Celebration", basically my vision for how Barbie would dress as she hosted her Birthday Gala at her Malibu Mansion. I was inspired by many things, including 1950's Hollywood Glamour, Haute Couture and even Japanese Anime Characters.
Tokyo Bow: Inspiration for my "Malibu Barbie Gown"

I also wanted to do a variation on the strapless gown that Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin wore at the 2008 Oscars from my NIKOLAKI Spring 2008 Collection but of course add lots of DRAMA, lots of PINK and Barbie-ize it!
Oscars Red Carpet: Actress Marlee Matlin wears NIKOLAKI gown at the 2008 Academy Awards

After I sketched the final illustration, it was handed to the genius "petite mains" at Mattel to create the doll. Even before my gown was finished, I got to see my doll, and can I just tell you: It was AMAZING!!!! (see at the beginning of the posting) It looked just like my sketch! They really can make magic happen at Mattel.

Etch-a-Sketch: My original illustration, for the doll and the actual gown
Photos Courtesy of Philip Cuenco

Now, I had to "step it up" and create a life-size gown worthy of the 12 inch doll--as well as my original illustration. The gown took over 75 hours to make (50 hours for sewing the gown plus about 25 for the hand beading) not counting my draping, fitting and pattern time. It took over 30 yards of light pink "strawberry" and "bubblegum" pink duchesse silk and rayon satin.

In the end, it was certainly a labor of Love for Barbie by everyone who had a hand in creating it. I was also honored to have had Crystallized Swarovski Elements sponsor my "Nick Verreos Barbie" and they provided all the gorgeous Swarovski crystals which envelop the back Obi-Bow detail, as seen below.

The Exit Bow: Hundreds of Swarovski crystals in degrade' style cover the back Obi-Bow
Photo Courtesy of Philip Cuenco

Since Barbie is famous for her love for crystals, sequins and stars, I wanted my gown to have this "surprise" back detail and have the crystals look as if a Star had shattered beautifully and miraculously behind Barbie--and right on her Couture Gown! My design partner David Paul, did a fantastic job of hand-beading all those crystals. The final outcome was exquisite, if don't say so myself (wait, I just did!).America's Next Top Barbie: Model Chantal Jones

And just in case you thought my life size Barbie looked a bit familiar: Well, it was none other than the stunning (and oh so sweet!) Chantal Jones, the six-foot tall runner-up from Cycle 9 of "America's Next Top Model" .

Below is great video of the Barbie Fashion Show:
Part One:

Part Two:

NY Fashion Week--Barbie 50th Aniversary Fashion Show Video!!!

I'm a Barbie Girl In A Barbie World....
Original Barbie: Rachel Roy's striped sequined one-piece

This last Saturday afternoon, NY Fashion Week went PINK! As in Barbie Pink! The Council of Fashion Designers of America--the CFDA--asked 50 of their member designers, to come up with their vision for a "Barbie Dream Wardrobe". From Rachel Roy's sequined Vintage Barbie opening exit bathing suit to House Of Field's futuristic one-leg jumpsuit, these American designers conjured up designs that ran the gamut from wearable and off-the-rack to "OK, Is Barbie a Drag Queen?". Other designers included Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang and Marchesa. The outfits weren't all bubble-gum pink satin and tulle and there was a lot of black and anything in between (since of course, Barbie cannot live in pink ALL THE TIME!).
Boris and Natasha Barbie: Barbie goes mysterious

Savvy fashion-watchers noted that some of the outfits were not "especially created for Barbie" but were rather dresses or pieces from the designer's collections that were "Barbie-ized" for this special tribute. Note the strapless red gown below--worn by Pennsylvania-born supermodel Sessilee--that was suspiciously similar to Eva Longoria's SAG Awards red carpet gown.
Miss Barbie: Sessilee models Apple-Red Satin Strapless Mermaid Gown

One of the standouts was--naturally--Bob Mackie's Cher-inspired "Barbie Does the Flamingo Hilton/Vegas Riviera" gold gown with feathered headdress. God Bless Bob Mackie!
Welcome to Vegas! Bob Mackie's vision for Barbie

The massive backdrop showed kaleidoscopic videos and iconic images of Barbie and the runway was, of course, pink...even Ken made a "special guest star" appearance. It all ended in a massive shower of glitter confetti with the models walking with tulle-clad little fans of Barbie...
After 50 Years, Are They Still Together? Barbie and Ken

Click BELOW for Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Barbie NY Fashion Week Runway Show:

Barbie Baubles - $15,000 For A Barbie Dogtag

If you were (and maybe even still are) one of those Barbie girls - you know, the girl with the full collection including the camper, the sports cars and shoebox full of other plastic accessories you'd better sit down for this next bit of news.

Barbie has as collection of full-on precious jewelry. This means diamonds, sapphires, gold and more in true Barbie fashion. The jewelry collection is currently being sold at the Alan Friedman boutique in Beverly Hills and online at http://www.rockandrollltd.com/. Prices range from $185 to $15,000.

According to a JCK Magazine 'the new collection includes two signature necklaces: the Luxe Barbie pendant and Barbie dog tag, both featuring 18k white, yellow, or rose gold with white or black diamonds, or yellow or pink sapphires; and the Classic necklace in sterling silver.

There may be one redeeming feature in this over-the-top kitsch collection, a portion of the Barbie Rocks proceeds will go to the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.

Well, if Barbie's your thing all I can say is go for it (though therapy may be a better choice).