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!!!!!!

Los Angeles Fashion Week

LA Fashion Week Spring 2008: Sweats, more Trucker Hats...and BRADLEY!!!!

You might have not known this, but after NY, after Milan, after London, after Paris....comes Los Angeles Fashion Week. For the last couple of weeks, many fashion shows, parties and events have been occurring throughout Los Angeles. Events held in different venues, such as Mercedes Benz Smashbox Fashion Week and BoxEight, showcased the good--and some bad--of what makes Los Angeles such a unique fashion capital. For a long time, we tried to compare ourselves to other style metropolis' such as the aforementioned cities, but I think we are finally getting slightly more comfortable with our "quirky" skin.

For years now, I have been saying "What is the point of showing jeans and t-shirts and sweat pants with models such as adult porn stars like Jenna Jamison on the runway?". It makes us, Angelenos look tacky and cheap, and you wonder why a lot of industry professionals, at times, did not take "Los Angeles Fashion Week" seriously. For a great article on this, which was featured in Los Angeles Magazine's August edition, click HERE.

There was still a lot of that this season, but there was also some wonderful, true Southern California designers doing their thing. I attended only a handful of these, including Single, a line of brightly printed tops and dresses. I absolutely adore its designer, Galina Sobolev and just found out that my buddy, Andrae Gonzalo is designing for them as well. So you know I had to show up to support! I actually attended with my old friend--and best girl-date, former "Miss Universe" , Brook Lee. She just had a baby 4 months ago and looked wonderful (of course she wore something from my line!)

And last Friday, I went to the debut show of Season 3's Bradley Baumkircher, held at the wonderful Besant Lodge in the Hollywood Hills below Beachwood Canyon. Model Amanda Fields(just about walked every damn show--except this one), came with me, wearing one of my Spring 2008 Duchesse backless dresses, as well as my partner David. It was a wonderfl show,I have to admit. All Bradley. Quirky yet lovely dresses, perfect for that oh-so-chic boutique on Third Street or Abbott Kinney. I met Bradley's mom, who was the nicest woman you'd ever meet, dressed very elegantly I might add. And I also ran into Season 3 designer, Vincent Libretti, who could not have been any nicer, saying something to the effect of "You are a great guy Nick, and it's so good that you come and support..."

This Friday Los Angeles Fashion Week will conclude with the LA Fashion Awards, which will honor Project Runway. I will post info on that next!