Nick Verreos "Puts It All Together" in the Windy Cindy at Macy's State Street Chicago: The Recap!

Chicago Gets Fashionably Windy!!!

Trench Coat Diva: Nick Verreos in front of Macy's on State Street Chicago

Last weekend I had the FABULOUS opportunity--and pleasure--of flying to Chicago to host a Macy's "Putting It All Together" fashion event at the historic--and iconic--Macy's on State Street, the second largest department store IN THE WORLD, in the historic Marshall Fields building!

Flower Display: Nick Verreos poses outside a Macy's State Street Window Display

After checking into the wonderfully chic theWit Downtown Chicago Boutique Hotel, I got some dinner at the hotel's "State and Lake" Restaurant (I had one of the most DELICIOUS Steak Frites I have EVER had btw!), and even met up with a friend in "Boys Town" (naturally) for some "Welcome To Chicago" cocktails. Soon, it was time for me to head back to the hotel and get some rest for my event the following day.

I had been to Chicago many times--to judge several seasons of that city's Castings of Project Runway and even last year, hosted a Macy's in-store event at the Woodfield location in the outskirts of Chicago in Schaumburg...but NEVER had I stepped foot in the AMAZING Macy's on State! And WOW!!! As I walked in and was told to look up, I witnessed the beyond-incredible Tiffany Dome Ceiling which immediately took my breath away.

Tiffany Dome Ceiling, Macy's State Street

The immensity and elegance of it all. The architecture of the building was incredible. It reminded me of a combination between Galleries Lafayette as well as maybe the Paris Opera House! I almost forgot it was a department store. In addition, they were having their annual Macy's Flower Show, which goes on until April 10th so I was excited to be there just in time to see it!

Spring was definitely in BLOOM at the store with gorgeous displays of flowers of all kinds. My favorite was, of course, the soaring "Tower of Flowers" (see photo above) which was ASTOUNDING to see!!! I felt like Alice in Wonderland...at Macy's!

Spring Flowers at the Walnut Room Restaurant, Macy's on State, 7th Floor

I capped off my quick tour by going to the historic Walnut Room on the 7th Floor (just above that aforementioned Tiffany Dome Ceiling). But then, it was time to get ready to host my "Putting It All Together" event. I asked the Special Event Directors and the Store Manager if they'd mind if I did a little "Shout Out and Mention" on the intercom about the event, in order to remind shoppers to come! And for the FIRST TIME EVER--or so they told me--they allowed someone other than their official intercom event announcer to yes, go ahead and speak! And so I did!!! (Love you Macy's on State!).

The Macy's Accessories Table, "Putting It All Together" Event, Macy's State Street Impulse Department

Well, I guess, that helped a little bit, because upon arriving, the entire Macy's Impulse Department was FILLED with shoppers, tourists, lots of Mommies and their daughters--some sons too!--as well as some Project Runway fans (I "Heart" you!). I was SOOOO excited to do my event!

Cinch The Waist Girls: Nick Verreos on stage, Macy's State Street "Putting It All Together" event

As you may know, "Putting It Together" is an in-store event/fashion show/contest where I chose people from the audience, they get two minutes to style models--using Macy's Spring fashion & accessories that are on nearby racks and tables--for special "challenges" which I pre-selected; such as "Having brunch with your girlfriends" or "Dressing for a Night Out", etc.

A Night Out Outfit: Model shows off a look styled by one of our contestants, Macy's State Street "Putting It All Together" event

The models then change and are brought back out and the audience votes (by hootin' and hollerin') whose outfit was best. The winner gets a $100 Macy's Gift Card while the Runner-Up got a $25 Card. I had such a BLAST doing the event. The entire audience got really into it, which was great!

Who Will I Pick Next? Nick Verreos scans the audience for the next contestant, Macy's State Street "Putting It All Together" event

There were so many cute little girls--all fashion'ed out--that at one point, I called them all up on stage and did an impromptu "Macy's 'Putting It Together' Walk Off"! I think the young ladies--and their mommies--LOVED that! And for a rare moment---I chose A BOY!!! Yes, a boy...to be one of the "contestant/stylists" for one of the challenges. Usually, since the challenges run in the vain of "How would you dress for a Girls Night Out" , (and it's only women's clothing and accessories to chose from) I usually pick women to be the contestants...but I wanted to change it up a bit.

And he WON! (Our male contestant/fashionista above with me) Yeayyyyy for the Boys!!!! We all had a fun time and yes, I can't wait to come back to Chicago and Macy's State Street and "Put It All Together" once again!!!

Bye Windy City...for now!

Click HERE for a fun video and clips for the entire event from Chicago3Media.com

Nick Verreos Will Be In Chicago this Saturday at Macy's State Street!!

Hello Windy City Fashionistas!!!

I'm excited to announce that I will be flying to Chicago this weekend to host a very special "Putting It All Together" Event and Fashion Show at Macy's State Street! EVERYONE is invited--no RSVP needed: ALL of you are VIP! Hello!

I will host a fun event where:
*I will ask members of the audience to style our models in the latest for Spring 2011 for "very special" scenarios--like "How To Dress For A Night Out" to "How To Dress For Your First Date".

*Then, the rest of the audience (make sure to bring your friends and families for applause back-up!) will chose the winners and they will get $100 Macy's Gift Cards!!! (Love that!).

*I'll be giving tips on the "do's" and "maybe not's" for Spring 2011 Fashion as well as What's On Trend.
*If you come out, I'll be taking all the Facebook, Twitter, MySpace pics you want afterward and you might also (an added bonus) end up on my "Macy's Chicago Photo Recap" RIGHT HERE on my BLOG in an upcoming post!!! See you Saturday!

Here Are The Details:
What: Macy's "Putting It All Together" Fashion Event & Contest Hosted by Nick Verreos

Where: Macy's: 111 North State Street Chicago, IL

When: 2pm

RSVP: Just show up!!!

Nick Verreos Hosts Swim Fashion Show at Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara!!!

Vintage Swimsuit Beauties, Chocolates and a Birthday Girl...I Forgot My Speedo: Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Valley Fair Swimsuit Event

Last Saturday, following my very successful Macy's Union Square "Sex And The City 2" Shopping Event, I drove down to Santa Clara (about an hour south of San Francisco), to host the Macy's Valley Fair Swim Event. My Bodyguard: My driver, Sam from Pacific Heights Limousine Service

Now, I actually didn't drive but my ever-so-gracious clients outfitted me with a SUPER-DUPER Hybrid Chevy Tahoe SUV from Pacific Heights Limousine and my very own driver, a very dapper Sam, who was of Egyptian descent and taught me a few Egyptian-Arabic words and phrases, on my drive down. Sold Out: The Scene at the Macy's Valley Fair Swimsuit Nick Verreos Event

As the Macy's "Host With The Most", I was asked to be the Master of Ceremonies of a fun fashion show highlighting all the new and latest in Swimsuit styles for the ladies (no boys, sorry!) for Spring/Summer 2010. Macy's Swimsuit Pageant: Nick Verreos and his "bathing beauties", Macy's Valley Fair

The entire Macy's Valley Fair Swim Department was set up with a runway stage, audience chairs, a DJ and even a Snow Cone Table. As I peeked outside the stage's curtains, I was excited to see that the floor was Standing Room Only with over 150 attendees!Turquoise Beauty: Nick Verreos points out how to wrap a sarong, Macy's Valley Fair

In case you want to know here's the List of What's In For Swimsuits This Summer:
Swimsuits with Ruffle Details, Colors like Canary Yellow and Turquoise, Tankinis will be VERY BIG as well as Animal prints. I was also there to celebrate Jantzen's 100Th Anniversary in designing and making women look beautiful. To honor this occasion, they have designed their Heritage Collection, with iconic 1930s, 40s and 50s styles that are fabulous for 2010, which were also shown on the Macy's runway.
Pool Diva: Model featuring stylist's Liz Baca's vintage Jantzen Swimsuit circa 1940s

The entire fashion show was styled by Liz Baca, who styled a Macy's Sacramento event I hosted back in March. Besides being a FAB stylist, she also runs the Gotta Get the Goods site, where she "Treasure Hunts" for Vintage goodies. On that note, she brought a Vintage Jantzen swimsuit from her own archives, a woolen jersey two-piece number dating back to the 1940s.And The Winner Is: Nick Verreos picks from the bowl, Macy's Valley Fair

After the fashion show, the event was capped with several giveaways, including a Shiseido Basket (stocked with many of their sun-protection products) worth over $350 and a pair of Burberry Sunglasses to perfectly compliment the new swimsuit you were going to get---after seeing my Macy's fashion show!
Among the audience I was so happy to see my cousin Christopher Verreos (above), who lives in San Francisco, and his lovely wife Regina, both of whom I haven't seen in years. Regina, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Paris as a Pastry and Chocolate Chef, hand-made the most delicious batch of chocolate bonbons--just for moi--and brought them as a gift! Merci Regina!
Nick Verreos Fan Club: Nick Verreos poses with Raquel (second from right), the Birthday Girl, and her friends, Macy's Valley Fair

Finally, I noticed a group of very excited young ladies in the audience and as it turned out, they were "big fans" and wanted photos (which of course I obliged!). In addition, one of them was having a Birthday, so I gave her a special "Uncle Nicky" hug and made the entire audience give her a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out! I think she really enjoyed that! And hopefully everyone enjoyed another great Macy's Event!

Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Valley Fair Swim Event in San Jose!

I Love Me Some Macy's!!!
As you may know, I will be in the San Francisco Bay Area soon! First I will be hosting a FAB Sex And The City 2 fashion event at the Macy's Union Square on Thursday May 20Th--and then, I will be in the "South Bay", in San Jose, at the Macy's Valley Fair for an afternoon of Hot Trends, Beach Body Tips and Timeless Swimwear and a FAB fashion show worthy of a Miss Universe Swimsuit Competition!We will look back into decades of design as bathing beauties model the Heritage Collection, modern recreations of classic swimsuits by Jantzen over the past 100 years. I usually design red carpet gowns but last year, I was asked to design a Nick Verreos/Nikolaki Swimsuit for Equality CA (my sketch above) and their Equality Awards Gala in Palm Springs. So even, I have had my share of "experience" with swimsuits--and designing them (not easy by the way!).

Please come say "Hi" and join me at the Macy's Valley Fair in San Jose next Saturday afternoon and celebrate Jantzen's 100 years of making women look beautiful!

Here's the Info:
Macy's Valley Fair Swim Department, Level 2
Saturday, May 22 2pm
Call (4o8) 248-3333 for more info.