Nick Verreos Reviews the Miss Universe 2010 Preliminary Evening Gowns

Gownfabulous!


The Miss Universe 2010 Pageant is happening, as I type, in Las Vegas. With 83 contestants arriving last Monday from all over the World, joining in on the two-week festivities, photo op's, parties, and competitions, that lead up to the Final Live Telecast Monday August 23rd. As a beauty pageant fan (there, I "came out'!), this is a fun time for me. It is like Awards Season! Last week, I took a look at some proposed National Costumes that the international beauties might be wearing for the competition and finals. Now it is time for some Evening Gown Watchin'!
The photos are up on the web of the gorgeous ladies in their evening gowns and you just KNOW that I have my "Nick Verreos Two Cents" to give. Now, realize that these might not be the actual gowns they will wear on the final night (most of the beauties bring SEVERAL gown choices and wear a different one on the final night), but still it gives us a chance to:
A) See their taste level in evening gowns and more importantly,
B) See the Good and the "Oh Dear, What Was She Thinking?!"

Let's Begin With The Good:

Miss Albania and Miss Canada

*Miss Albania's dress is my favorite dress from all the preview photos. It has everything you would want in a gown: Elegance, sexiness and it looks expensive!! The color and beading is perfect for the Miss Universe Pageant and everything about it looks very modern. She looks gorgeous and her sexy come-hither pose is just right in the photo.
*Miss Canada also gets it right in this strapless creme and gold gown. Of course it wouldn't be a pageant without a slit up to your waist, but the the rest of the gown is elegant enough to carry it off. The beaded/print detail at the hem looks unique and intriguing. This gown in a shocking PINK or Turquoise might not look as elegant, and in fact would look more "Mrs. Tennessee" and less Miss Canada Universe.

Miss India and Miss Spain

Miss India is giving you Grecian Goddess DIVA!! I even love the beaded shoulder detail. The color is an interesting choice but I could probably do without the headband, although she definitely is "serving it up"!!! She gets a good 9.10 from me!

I give Miss Spain "Nick Points" for keeping it elegant and wearing a gown that you might see on Spanish Royalty--very Princess Letizia of Asturias. Although the color might not be my favorite choice the gown is beautifully made and I love the Spanish Lace detailing on the bust.

Runner Ups:

Miss Kosovo and Miss Turkey

*Miss Kosovo and Miss Turkey both chose "all over" beaded gowns which is a HOT TREND in Evening Gowns. Miss Kosovo looks amazing from the back (although I am not too sure about the backwards necklace) but I will have to reserve my complete opinion until I am able to see the front of the dress.
*I like the slithering silhouette of Miss Turkey's fire-red sequined gown, just not sure about the crushed velvet high-cowl neckline. It should have been silk charmeuse or maybe the same red sequin material. Also, bring that neckline down huney, she's too covered up!

The "Giving You FASHION!" Award goes to:

Miss Thailand and Miss Georgia

*COUTURE darlings!! Miss Thailand's gown is VERY Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2010. It's VERY close to one of the gowns from that collection. It is either an Elie Saab or a very good Knock-Off. I am sure that "traditional" pageant fans might HATE this gown but as a Designer, I love it's voracity, intricate detail and again, that obvious nob to Paris Haute Couture. Go on Miss Thailand! Work it OUT!
*Miss Georgia gets my "Fashion Points" because of her choice for this BOLD metallic heavily sequined shoulder-covering gown. If you follow the runway trends from both Pret-a-Porter and Haute Couture, it is all about strong defined--even Exaggerated--shoulders. So, she is on-point with that. But then of course, she's gotta add the "Pageant Slit"!

Worst Dresses:

Miss Belgium and Miss Aruba

*Miss Belgium: Two words: Oh Dear! The color is awful, that side opening is awful, the styling is awful. Well, you get it. It just looks cheap. she's like a Mail Order Bride from some obscure Eastern European country. Hope she doesn't wear this on the final night, she's too pretty!
*Miss Aruba: Really Aruba? I want to know what "red carpet" event she's going to in this, where she is not going to be ripped to shreds by the "fashion police". I understand that she represents Aruba, a Caribbean island so there's a little bit of Island Spirit in this gown (if you would call it A GOWN!). Did the designer run out of floral-printed chiffon and therefore the BIG missing space?

Miss Peru and Miss Denmark

These two ladies are giving you Transparent. And I'm not sure that's such a good idea...
*Miss Peru: She's GORGEOUS!! But all I can focus on is her you-know-what--and if it is showing! Who made this gown decision?! I actually like the silver/white almost "Space-age" fabric but why not a lining Miss Peru?
*Miss Denmark: OK, this is NOT a gown but a negligee! I'm waiting for her to have a box of Godiva Chocolates and a glass of red wine and she's calling it a night! And BLACK PUMPS??? Really? No.

Miss Ireland and Miss Panama

*Miss Ireland: One of the prettiest contestants at this year's Miss Universe 2010 and actually a favorite to take the crown. But not in this gown! The organza over-sized rosette right on her bust looks like a target. I love it when Marchesa does it, but not here darling. But let's just talk about her PANTIES!!! Seriously, she took the "Pageant Slit" to a whole other level. Why? Why? Why? Is the skirt detachable and then she's going to do a dance number only in her leotard/panties?
*Miss Panama: Oh darling. Blessed is the 19 year old "fashion student" who made this for you (I'm assuming since that is what it looks like!). Either that or now we know what Cassanova has been up to since Project Runway. The color, the cheap-looking flower petal details, the cha-cha silhouette. Oh what would Nina Garcia and Michael Kors say about this one?

Miss Romania and Miss Norway

These two ladies have themes going on with their gowns and well, I'm not sure I am enjoying the themes.
*Miss Romania is giving you animal print...as a LINING!!! Contrast Animal Print Lining are Four Words I don't EVER wanna see used in one sentence!
*And then the exotic Miss Norway (who's stunning!) looks like she's going to The Renaissance Faire! Or playing Lady Macbeth at the Oslo Dinner Theater. Now, I spoke of girls who might be showing too much (Miss Ireland, Miss Peru) but here's a case where she's too covered up!

Finally, Most Disappointing:

Miss Venezuela and Miss USA

I LOVE these two ladies. Since I grew up in Venezuela, I have--and will always have a personal affinity to the Venezuelan beauties and I am a big fan of Miss USA 2010, Rima Fakih but I was, as Michael Kors would say "underwhelmed" by their choices for these "Preview Gowns". *I do like the contrast of the black and the ivory-creme in Miss Venezuela's gown , and the fit (especially at the bust and torso is exquisite) but it just doesn't scream "Miss Venezuela" the way that I would expect (you know she is "busting out" with a completely different gown for the Finals!).
*And finally, I was disappointed with Miss USA's slinky black gown in this photo. Rima is such an exotic beauty that I think I would have chosen a lighter color. It's just too strong for her and it ages her. It looks as if it fits beautifully and shows her amazing figure, I am just hoping she wears something a bit more dynamic for the finals. We'll just have to wait and see.....

Stay tuned for the Miss Universe Pageant on Monday August 23rd! You know I'll be watching and have much more to say!!!!

Nick Verreos comments on the Gowns of the Miss Universe Pageant in the Bahamas--Part One!

Pageant Gown TV: It's time for a Fashion Report!!! A la Nick Verreos....Arepas Anyone? Miss Universe 2008, the beautiful Dayana Mendoza, from Venezuela and designer Nick Verreos

Yes, kids, it's that time again: Miss Universe! Pageant fans and fashionistas rejoice! The Miss Universe 2009 Pageant is just starting in the gorgeous island nation of The Bahamas! At the Atlantis Resort no less. As many of you may remember, I was one of the privileged designers to have been invited to show at the first ever Islands of The World Fashion Week last November in the Bahamas. And in fact, I got to stay at the Atlantis (out of control by the way!). Well, I guess, it's "all about the Bahamas", because they are now hosting the Miss Universe Pageant, which will air live on NBC, on August 23rd.That's a Big Microphone: Nick Verreos "Unofficially" reporting from LA on the Miss Universe Pageant Gowns

Of course, it would have been a "pageant ball" for me to have been down there giving my "Nick Fashion Commentary" on the gowns and some of the misses and "messes". But somehow, I missed that phone call (I must have been in Europe in the Amalfi Coast). It would have been fun to give reportage with a former Miss Universe, for example (hello, how about my NIKOLAKI-client, the fabulous Brook Lee?). That would have been fabuloso! But for now, someone missed a great chance. But I will still "hold the pageant gown commenting fashion torch" and do what I can do (it would have SOOOOO much better on camera!) but... Miss Universe Fantasy Fashion Reportage from Los Angeles: Nick Verreos and former Miss Universe, Brook Lee (in NIKOLAKI dress)

Over the weekend, the 84 Miss Universe contestants have been arriving in Nassau and "checking in". The first Evening Gown Photos are out and I just HAD to put in my "two cents"--unfortunately, it's a lot of "misses" within our Misses. Pun definitely intended.Case in point: Miss Hungary, Zsuzsa Budai . What fresh out of Hungarian Fashion School design student made this for her for $500 and convinced her--after way too many shots of vodka--to wear it? Is it a Hooker Convention? Or the Miss Universe Contest? Even the pose seems a bit "Hello, would you like me to be your Mistress?" Uhhh. How about "No!". Polyester satin and nylon tulle should NEVER mix. Poor thing. Miss Cayman Islands, Nicosia Lawson, and her strapless gown choice is better suited for a "Housewives of Atlanta" Junior Prom. One of my BIGGEST PAGEANT PEEVES are those damn clear Lucite Stripper Heels. And guess what she's wearing? Yep. And showing them with pride.Miss Guyana, Jenel Cox, is next on my "Chopping Block". Just because your lovely Grandmother made this, does not mean you have to wear it! Pink. Polyester. Satin. Really? Oh wait, there's a purple "peek-a-boo". I'd rather not. I like a deep neckline, however: That neckline is a bit too plunging.Finally (for now), Miss Netherlands. Four letters: DIVA. Silver Sequined Caftan. What fabulous gay man made this happen, is what I have to say? Does she look like Transgender Fierceness Miss Candis Cayne? Yes. Is it too over the top--even for Miss Universe? Maybe. But I am LIVING for it! At least, in these photos, Avalon-Chanel Weyzig, Miss Netherlands Universe is OWNING it!
It's a mess, but in a FIERCE Drag Queen sort of way. If I was doing my Fantasy Miss Universe Pageant Fashion Commentary for Bahamian TV or NBC, me and my fellow fashion co-host Brook Lee, would have DIED over her! I just know it. This is just the beginning...the pageant isn't for another three weeks! I am sure there is a lot more high slits, clear Stripper heels and polyester where this came from! And surely, some fabulous gowns as well. I will be waiting for those images. Check back here. Live ....from Los Angeles. Nick Verreos. Reporting for my "Fantasy Pageant Fashion TV".

Miss California USA "I Believe" Public Service Announcement

I Believe in the Diversity of California Too!

Here is the just-released Public Service Announcement/PSA featuring several past Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss California USA and Miss Universe title holders expressing how much they "Believe". I think its fantastic and I give all of them a big Nick "Go On Girls!" high five--albeit a fashionable high five, thank you very much!Former Miss Universe, Brook Lee, in NIKOLAKI silk dress at "Speed Racer" Premiere

I was excited to see Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997 (and recent model for the NO H8 Campaign) and Meagan Tandy, Miss California 2007, featured in this PSA. And I can proudly say, both have worn my designs and therefore consider them two of my favorite NIKOLAKI muses! Miss California USA 2007, Meagan Tandy, in NIKOLAKI silk Swarovski-crystal beaded gown for the Miss USA Pageant

Miss Japan Becomes Miss Universe!

Congratulations Miss Japan!
Congratulations to Riyo Mori for winning the title of Miss Universe 2007. She looked chic and stylish in her Gucci Spring 2007 gown. I'm sure Nina Garcia approved of this dress! Nina looked stylish and elegant herself.

This video was very unfortunate. Rachael Smith never looked comfortable from the start of the contest. I think that the weeks of feeling unwelcome by the Mexican population was weighing on her and our sources tell us that besides being booed at the National Costume Parade and preliminary judging, the booing started from the moment she was introduced at the National Auditorium and reached it's climax when she answered her final question. The fall was unfortunate but what was even more regrettable was the unsportsmanlike attitude of the audience.

Live From Mexico City: Miss Universe 2007!

It's Pageant Time Again!!

Tomorrow (Monday) is the "Miss Universe 2007" pageant and besides being Memorial Day it also means one thing: Get out the Guacamole and chips and Margaritas, it's time to get your score card out and rate those gowns!!!!
But really, because of my sister's involvement in beauty pageants and having designed many "Miss USA" and "Miss Universe" gowns, as well as the gown Nancy O'Dell wore to host last year's telecast, this is my other "Academy Awards"! As you may remember, I went to last year's telecast, which was held in Los Angeles, at the famed Shrine Auditorium. This year, the pageant, is being held in Mexico City, Mexico featuring almost 80 girls from all over the world.

I was going to go for the weekend to "El D.F.", but I was called in for a job assignment over the weekend which ended up being a lot more lucrative. I was hoping to return to Mexico City and visit some family and friends (my sister's ex-husband's family is from there and my nephew and niece were born in Mexico City), but alas, I could not. I was even more disappointed when I found out Olympic Ladies Figure Skater, Michelle Kwan, would be one of the judges for the event. This would have been my chance to "slip in" one of my dresses to her, amongst all her Vera Wang's (Wang is her one and only designer).

Just recently, I had a "double" run-in with Miss Universe, when I attended my friend, Brook Lee's wonderful Baby Shower, thrown by her best friend, comedian Alec Mapa. At the party, all of sudden, out of the corner of my eye, I recognized another guest, former "Miss Universe", the beautiful Justine Pasek , from Panama. Well, I just about died! But of course, I could not show it. I was calm, cool and collected (as much as "Uncle Nick" can be!) We ended up talking for a long time, like old Panamanian girlfriends! Brook almost had to pull us away! She was like "Excuse me! This is MY Baby Shower!" She did tell me that she was on her way to the Mexican capital to judge the preliminaries of the Miss Universe Pageant. I just kept thinking of what my Missologist (pageant experts) friends would think of this moment: Brook Lee, Justine Pasek, and myself; I had to capture it with a photo.

The contestants have been in Mexico City for about a month and last week were the "National Costume" and "Preliminary" Contests. There was a bit of a scandal during the open air Parade of Costumes show, when the gorgeous "Miss USA", donned up as a sexy "Elvis" impersonator(she hails from Tennessee), was booed and jeered by the Mexican audience. Poor girl is getting the brunt of a whole country's feelings towards the US Government and especially its immigration policies. It reminded pageant-watchers of an incident that occurred the last time the "Miss Universe" pageant was held in Mexico City, when the Mexican audience also booed --for an hour--the contestant from the United States. She was continually booed when she made it into the Final 10, during her presentation on bathing suit and evening gown, as well as when she made the Final 5. An entire country looked tacky and "unsportsmanlike". History repeated itself.

Amongst other minor gossip, Jessica Simpson-hairstylist Ken Paves, has declined to appear as a final telecast judge, and was replaced by a Mexican soap-opera actor. Also, former "Miss Universe" Cecilia Boloco from Chile has declined an invitation to Monday night's show. This would have been the year celebrating the 20Th Anniversary of her crowning. Instead she opted to "lay low" as a result of recent scandalous topless photos of her that have appeared in the media showing her having an affair (she is married to the former President of Argentina, Carlos Menem).

But on to more fun stuff: Who are my favorites? Miss Venezuela (of course), Ly Jonaitis. She really is beautiful and will wear a stunning Angel Sanchez gown, designed especially for her. Some say she can "take it all". As long as she shows a "real, more down to earth" side of herself. Miss Venezuela's are known to always be perfect; from the hair to the gown to the surgically-enhanced body. Miss Venezuela is perfect from almost any angle but she can come off as rather robotic and rehearsed. Those savvy international panel of non-pageant watcher judges are looking for "realness"and personality, not necessarily a "pageant Betty". My other favorites include, Miss Korea, Miss Thailand, Miss Guatemala, Miss India, Miss Spain, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Greece and Miss Japan (she will be wearing Gucci directly from the Milan runways!) Lastly, I am certain that Miss Mexico and Miss USA will also duke it out for that coveted crown. You can go to one of my favorite sites Global Beauties and check out all the contestants and their swimsuits and especially, their gowns. Some are absolutely a mess, and you wonder "what were they thinking?" with slits going up to their cha cha's and way too much whickety wack! While many of the "Top Tier" girls that I mentioned above chose beautiful, elegant and sexy dresses. May the best gown, I mean girl, win!

Year in Review

Year In Review: 2006
...And what a year it was. Everywhere I read, people are writing "End of Year Lists" so I have decided to do a list of my own for this blog. I have always used this blogsite more like a non-private diary/journal of my life during and post-Project Runway, so when I get old and retire to Palm Springs with my hand-picked pool boy, I can look back at these crazy and exciting times with a huge "Uncle Nick" smile.
Everywhere I go, the NUMBER ONE QUESTION people ask me, whether it is at an airport, at a hotel lobby, while shopping, or waiting for the bathroom at a bar, is always "What have you been up to?" Now, I can tell them to go to this blogsite and read my "Year In Review".

JANUARY: I returned to designing my line, Nikolaki, in Los Angeles as well as teaching at FIDM, just as it was before I did the show. My season was in full swing and featured my favorite episode, "All Dolled Up". Much to the delight of my unsuspecting friends and family, I win this challenge which concludes with having a "My Scene Barbie" with my name, sold at Toys 'R' Us across the nation as well as on EBay! My second favorite episode, the "Nicky Hilton Challenge", also was shown during this time, and soon afterwards, I am designing a red carpet gown for "Desperate Housewives" actress, Brenda Strong for the Screen Actor's Guild Awards (SAG). The violet-colored bias-cut silk charmeuese gown subsequently ends up in several "Best Dresses of 2006 Awards Season", much to my delight.

FEBRUARY: A sad, yet exciting month for me. I was "Auf'ed" from Season Two of "Project Runway". I remember it as if it was yesterday: I was actually filming the "Reunion Episode" in New York the night my final episode aired. My cell phone was vibrating non-stop as I sat patiently answering questions from the unflappable Tim Gunn and the gorgeous Heidi Klum. All I wanted to do was hide under a Manhattan rock and go hibernate.

All that changed when I received a phone call from NBC and Bravo executives, asking me if I would like to fly to Torino, Italy to do a "fashion segment" on the Olympic Figure Skating Costumes. Needless to say, after I hung up, I ran around my studio like a "chicken with its head cut off", from the excitement. I flew to Italy and spent two weeks filming 2 seperate segments for NBC and USA Networks as well as enjoyed some "down time" visiting cities such as Milan for some shopping, of course.

Towards the latter part of this month, I was also asked to participate in the Chicago Casting/Judging for Season 3 of "Project Runway". From that casting, we picked Kayne Gillespie, who went on to become a "fan favorite".

MARCH: The highlight of this month was when I was asked to design the "Awareness Green Ribbon/Pin" for the Latin Billboard Awards , and its sponsor, Heineken for the Celia Cruz Foundation. And I got a trip to Miami and South Beach, to boot. Last year, Cuban-American designer, Narciso Rodriguez designed the ribbons . I designed two separate ribbons: A "Bling-Bling" one, featuring a sterling silver pin, with emerald-colored Swarovski crystals, which was worn by Latin-fusion band, Ozomatli. The simpler one, which was worn by all the artists attending the award show, was made of green satin with a red star, simulating the Heineken logo.

JUNE: Frontier's Magazine, a Southern California publication geared to the LGBT community signed me on as their "Style Guy". I began writing bi-monthly articles "for the gay guy", on everything from "Femme Is In", to "Why You Should Not Wear Black To A Commitment Ceremony". I would soon be writing a lot more.

JULY: Season 3 of "Project Runway" had just debuted and I got a call from People Magazine to write a weekly blog for their sister website, People.com. I began giving my funny yet insightful take on each week's episodes in a blog titled, "The Inside Dish With Nick Verreos". Soon afterward, Bravotv.com asked me to have these recaps be featured in their site as well. They were so well received that I consequently signed on to do a bi-monthly blog on their "Fashion Forward" section. I was glad to discover that I loved writing but at the same time, was surprised at the amount of time (HOURS!) a seemingly simple 500-word article can take. Needless to say, I have newfound respect for writers and bloggers alike.

July was also "Pageant Month" for me. I designed the gown that "Access Hollywood's" Nancy O'Dell wore to host the "Miss Universe Pageant" in Los Angeles. The gown was a black paillete-embroidered lace over baby-blue silk, in a "High-low" silhouette, featuring that one detail everyone makes fun of me for: The Fishtail Hem. I also designed the canary-yellow silk charmeuse dress that Tamiko Nash, "Miss California" and Tara Conner's ("Miss USA") First Runner Up, as well as a navy-and-white flower print gown for Brook Lee who was "Miss Universe 1997". I dubbed it my "Miss Universe" coup of dresses.

To cap this busy month, I debuted my line, Nikolaki, at Emmett McCarthy's fabulous Nolita boutique, EMc2, along with Season 2 alumni designers, winner Chloe Dao and Kara Janx and made a trip to Seattle, Washington to attend and host the Student Finale Show for that city's International Academy of Design and Technology(IADT).

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER: I attended the GLAAD(Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards at the Kodak Theater, along with Santino Rice, Andrae Gonzalo, and Tim Gunn. Soon afterwards, I flew to San Francisco to actually present the "Outstanding Spanish-Language Newspaper Article" Award at that city's GLAAD Media Awards, hosted by Meghan Mullally and Carson Kressley. I also flew to Chicago to host a wonderful and successful fundraiser and fashion show for the ALMA Foundation. Since then, I have also made appearances and presentations for various other worthwhile foundations such as the Trevor Project and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, hopefully bringing attention and showcasing the positive work they do.

In September, I went back to New York City for NY Olympus Fashion Week, to attend the "Project Runway" Finale Fashion Show as well as Jay McCarroll's debut at the tents. I took advantage of my time in NY by joining Emmett, Chloe, Tim and other "Project Runway" designers in another successful Trunk Show and shopping event at Nolita's EMc2.


OCTOBER: Bravo's Top Chef Season2 premiered and I was contacted to design the "Top Chef Apron" that was to be sold on Bravo's website, Bravotv.com.

October was also the month of Los Angeles Fashion Week and in lieu of showing my line(I had previously three years ago had my fashion show at the Smashbox Fashion Week tents), I co-hosted(along with actress Garcelle Beauvais) the "GenArt Fresh Faces In Fashion" at the Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hanger. I also received the honor to present the West Coast Director of GenArt an award for excellence at the second annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards.

I also received an exciting opportunity from one of the nation's top dress and sportswear manufacturer, Windsor Fashions. They asked me to design a capsule "Nick Verreos for Windsor Fashions" collection of cocktail and prom dresses . Finally, I thought, every 16-18 year-old girl all over the country can get a piece of "Uncle Nick" at a fraction of my typical $2000 Red Carpet Gown price. The exclusive collection will be launched in early 2007 and sold in all their 50+ stores as well as on their windsorstore.com website.

During this time, I also made a return visit to Seattle, for an appearance that coincided with the Season Finale of "Project Runway".

To cap this crazy month of October, I also did a "Live From The Red Carpet" at Heidi Klum's Annual Halloween Party, that was held in Hollywood for the very first time.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER: I filmed some segments for several TV shows, including E!Entertainment's "30 Most Outrageous Celebrity Feuds of 2006". I also got back on an airplane and flew to the heart of the Midwest, to attend, host and judge their first ever "Project Runway" event and fashion show at the University of Kansas.

Subsequently, I ended the year with a spiritual and runway-Diva zenith by filming a funny "Behind The Scenes" segment titled "Panty Raid with Nick Verreos" at the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Kodak Theater. I still cannot decide what was better: Dancing with Supermodel Karolina Kurkova, or getting a whole choir to do an impromptu accapella rendition of the final song of the fashion show in the elevator with me. You guys can view the video and decide for yourself. Happy New Year and thanks for being such an inspirational part of 2006.

Miss USA--Almost

Along with the rest of the nation, I was absolutely enthralled by all the recent drama involving the rumored de-throning of the beautiful Tara Conner, "Miss USA 2006". All those fabulous TMZ.com articles and the headlines "MESS USA" and "Tara: The new Paris Hilton" had me and my pageant-loving friends hanging by the last rhinestone-studded thread! Remembering how pretty she looked in Kayne Gillespie's "Project Runway"-winning gown in the "Miss Universe" contest earlier this year, made me think if somehow if she was stripped of her title, would they take Kayne's gown too? Or would Kayne get to keep it and have it in a glass-encased window in his boutique.

News is that Donald Trump has given her a second chance and she will undergo "rehab". I wish only the best to Tara in these trying times. Maybe Kayne will design her "comeback" gown when she gives up her crown in a few months. I will be tuning in to see the drama conclude.

It was also nail-biting for another reason. It just happens to be that my sister, Rita Verreos, (on the left, in a red top) herself a former "Miss Venezuela" contestant, is a pageant coach, who actually trained Tamiko Nash, "Miss California " to prepare for the "Miss USA" contest. Tamiko went on to become First Runner Up, and two days ago was awaiting word of whether or not she would have to get on a plane to New York City.

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I met Tamiko through my sister, when we were all invited to attend the "Miss Universe" contest , held at the Shrine Auditorium here in Los Angeles. Here is a photo of myself and Tamiko, wearing one of my original designs, a canary yellow silk asymmetrical dress. Tamiko was an absolute dream when she came to my studio and tried on all these gowns and dresses, finally choosing this one. She already has starred in some programs and was one of the models in "Deal or No Deal" . It looks like Tamiko is doing great things despite the fact that she is not on a plane to New York to finish out the year as "Miss USA".

Miss Universe 2006 Gowns On Display at FIDM

Miss Universe 2006 Gowns On Display at FIDM

I am honored to announce that last week, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles unveiled the display of the two custom gowns I designed for last month's Miss Universe telecast seen around the world. Since I am both an alumni and an instructor at the school, they approached me with the request of showcasing the gowns at the campus.
The first gown on display is the paillette-beaded lace with aqua silk charmeuse underlining that hostess Nancy O'Dell (from "Access Hollywood") wore to open the program. The other gown is the one I designed for former "Miss Universe 1997", Brook Lee. It was created using a dark navy and creme flower-print silk charmuese. Brook was kind enough to also loan FIDM, for the first time ever, the actual "Miss Universe" crown she was given as well as the crystal and satin sash she received. These two items alone are valued at more than $2o,ooo! They will be showcased at the Los Angeles campus through October and then , they will make the move to the Orange County campus.
If you ever get a chance to be in Los Angeles, please check the display out on the Third Floor, Main campus. Contact Shirley Wilson or Michael Black at 213.624.1200 for more information. They will be more than happy to help you and give you a tour, especially to fans of "Project Runway"!