FIDM.....FIDM DEBUT 2015 Los Angeles Fashion Black Tie Gala

FIDM DEBUT 2015 L.A. Fashion Gala: Collage--Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photos courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

To finish my FIDM DEBUT 2015 blog recaps, it's time for last Saturday night's fabulous FIDM DEBUT 2015 Los Angeles Fashion Gala, a black tie fundraiser befitting the FIDM Scholarship Foundation. Both myself and my better half--David Paul--were invited to attend this wonderful runway show. The FIDM DEBUT Runway Show showcases designs by graduating students in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM's Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Advanced Study Programs as well as work from Interior Design and Textile Design Students. The show is the culmination of over 50 weeks of mentorship and thousands of studio hours featuring the "creme de la creme" of FIDM. 

Dinner Jacket Nick: Nick Verreos at the FIDM DEBUT 2015 L.A. Fashion Gala Benefiting the FIDM Scholarship Foundation--Barker Hangar Santa Monica

NIKOLAKI Couple: David Paul and Nick Verreos, designers of NIKOLAKI attending the FIDM DEBUT 2015 L.A Fashion Gala befitting the FIDM Scholarship Foundation

Cuff Link Chic: I decided to wear these cuff links that my mom sent me that were a gift to my dad (from her) when they lived in Caracas Venezuela while my dad was a U.S. Diplomat residing in Venezuela. The cuff links are jade and pearl and are from the Orinoco Joyeria (Jeweler) in Caracas and from the late 60's.

Fancy Place Setting: For the FIDM DEBUT 2015 L.A. Fashion Gala, Barker Hangar is transformed into more "ballroom"-like setting, with tables and gilded chairs more fit for the black tie-and-cocktail dressed guests. The tables surround the super-long runway stage. There is a delicious dinner served prior to the FIDM DEBUT Runway Show followed by dessert and coffee.

Nick Verreos and FIDM Fashion Design Program Director Mary Stephens: Before the FIDM runway Show--and while guests are having their dinner--I had the honor--along with FIDM Fashion Design Program Director Mary Stephens--of presenting the FIDM Scholarships to next year's group of DEBUT graduates. Mary Stephens guided and mentored me back when I was a FIDM DEBUT student so like I said, it's always an honor to be invited by her to co-present these important scholarships.

NIKOLAKI Trophy Gals: When handing out the FIDM DEBUT Scholarships, Mary and I had our very own "Trophy Models" a la The Academy Awards. These models all wore gowns from my NIKOLAKI line--Photo above: Nick Verreos th models Thais, Lisa and Katrina in NIKOLAKI gowns (L to R: rhasberry colored silk satin organza one shoulder ball gown; teal green silk duchesse satin gown with jeweled trim; grape colored silk chiffon beaded column gown).

Pics from the FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show:

Stephen Sondheim's "Follies"-inspired designs from Theatre Costume graduates Erica Rae Williams (left) and Taylor Decker (right)--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

"Hello, Dolly!"-inspired designs from Theatre Costume graduate Erica Rae Willliams--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

"The Will Rogers Follies" -inspired designs from Theatre Costume Graduates--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Designs from Chairing Styles Graduates--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Anthony Herrera--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Daniel Henson--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Designs from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Dustin Morgan--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photos courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Designs from  FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Jette Kavanagh--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photos courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Leetal Platt--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Designs from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate LUAR--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIFM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Marly Kluge--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Martha Calderon--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show, Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Samantha Sneed--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Vanessa Puccini--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

Design from FIDM DEBUT 2015 Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Willis Park--FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show Barker Hangar Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner

It's a Wrap! The FIDM DEBUT 2015 Runway Show Finale

Photo courtesy of ABImages/Alex J. Berliner