And Yet Somehow They'll Survive

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Wesleyan University has made some waves by announcing it is abandoning need-blind admission. In effect, this means it will give some amount of preference towards wealthier applicants (how much is probably indeterminate). In other words, affirmative action for rich kids.

Now a lot of you will be up in arms about how unfair this is to students of lower socio-economic backgrounds. But I think we need to look to another set of victims: the wealthy students themselves. As beneficiaries of affirmative action, we have to ask -- are they mismatched above their level? Does giving them special preferences stigmatize them, creating the soft bigotry of low expectations? I mean, even wealthy students who could get in without the "boost" are tainted by the policy -- everyone will be left wondering if they got in on the strength of their merit or their bank account.

These are the questions precisely no one will be asking, because the students are not racial minorities and thus there is no need to control troll about them. But since I'm guessing that, given the resources and knowledge base available to these applicants, they don't see attending Wesleyan as an exercise in self-sabotage -- well, maybe it isn't so bad for other people who benefit from affirmative action but aren't already advantaged?

Nick Appearance Minute: Macy's San Francisco and San Jose "Brasil" Events Thursday May 17, Saturday May 19th!

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San Francisco and San Jose..."Macy's Presents Brasil: A Magical Journey" with ME!!!!

Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Events
Next week, it's ALL ABOUT MACY'S and Brazil!! As in "Brasil: A Magical Journey"--As you may know, I host a bunch of Macy's in-store events throughout the year and well, it is 2012 and Macy's is having a BIG "Brazil" bash this spring:

From Sao Paulo to Rio, and the Amazon to Bahia, Macy’s tribute campaign aims to capture the spirit of this rich and intriguing culture through specially curated in-store shops, collaborations with well-known Brazilian fashion designers, Brazil-themed events in stores and a fundraising program to benefit the Amazon Rainforest. Macy’s "Brasil" campaign will officially kick-off on May 16, next week...

Nick Verreos and Macy's
I am SOOO excited to be hosting not one--but TWO--Macy's Brazil-themed events/fashion shows next week. These will be in-store fashion shows highlighting  fashions from various manufacturers/designers carried at Macy's stores that speak to the designer's unique aesthetic with Brazilian-inspired colors, prints, and silhouettes. You may know that I was raised in the South American nation of Venezuela--not far from Brazil--I speak Spanish fluently but depending on how many Caipirinha's I have...my Portuguese can be good :)
  
From fashion to entertainment, take a journey with Macy’s this spring and uncover the magic of Brasil--with my FABULOUS & FASHIONABLE assistance:


Here are the DETAILS:


MACY'S SAN FRANCISCO UNION SQUARE--
WHAT: Join us for a Runway show hosted by Project Runway Alum Nick Verreos. Featuring  “Brazilian-inspired trends" show will feature Calvin Klein and Rachel Roy. Also, enjoy informal modeling art and refreshments as well as a musical performance by Sambada and BRAZA!

WHEN: Thursday May 17, 2012 6-8 PM

WHERE: Macy's San Francisco Union Square
170 O'Farrell Street  San Francisco, CA 94102
Fashion Show on Level 3
Informal modeling on 2 and 4

RSVP: Nope, just come!!! Call  415-753-4000 for more info.

MACY'S VALLEY FAIR SAN JOSE--

WHAT: Nick Verreos Hosts "Brasil-inspired" Runway Show Presentation--Join us for an informal modeling presentation hosted by Project Runway Alum Nick Verreos. Featuring "Brasilian-inspired trends" featuring Calvin Klein and Rachel Rachel Roy. Enjoy informal modeling as well as Brasilian music, art and refreshments. Celebrate Brazilian cuisine with a cooking demonstration with Nicole Baverso from Palo Alto's Pam

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 2-4 PM

 

WHERE: Macy's Valley Fair Mall, 2801 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose, CA 95050

Level 2 Mens Store, Lower Level Cellar Kitchen

 

RSVP: None, just show up! Call (408) 248-3333 for more info.

Nick Appearance Minute: Macy's Union Square San Francisco "Brasil: A Magical Journey" Fashion Show Event--The Blog Recap!

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Obrigado SF!!! 
SF Smiles: Nick Verreos poses with SF Blogger and Stylist Lindsey (left) of the Complacency Kills Blog and her beautiful friend Cynthia Riddell (right), "Brasil: A Magical Journey" Runway Show/Event, Macy's Union Square San Francisco
Last Thursday, I flew to San Francisco to host two Macy's in-store events celebrating the new Macy's  "Brasil: A Magical Journey" Campaign. My first stop was Macy's Union Square San Francisco! If you know a little bit about me, you may know that I spent much of my adolescence and high school years in the SF Bay Area even though many, many years ago, I "defected" and moved to Southern California. That doesn't mean that I didn't leave my HEART in SF...because I did, and I still LOVE IT! 
I was especially excited because my NIKOLAKI design partner and partner-for-life--David Paul--decided to also come with me for support (and to be my "official BLOG photographer") and as a bonus, his mom, Conchita (in above photo enjoying a Brasil-inspired cocktail) also decided to join in on the fun, flying in from San Diego!
I want to be at that Beach: Macy's Union Square San Francisco "Brasil: A Magical Journey" five-stories high poster
I've had the fabulous pleasure of hosting various in-store events at the iconic Macy's Union Square so it's always a joy to return. For Spring/Summer 2012, Macy's is "Going Brazilian"...with a campaign that captures the spirit of this rich and intriguing culture through specially curated in-store shops, Brazil-themed events in stores and a fundraising program to benefit the Amazon Rainforest. 
The Macy’s "Brasil" campaign also collaborated with various designers and clothing manufacturers to create Brasil-inspired designs to be sold exclusively at Macy's. Designers like Trina Turk, BCBG Generation, Neon for Impulse, and even Francisco Costa, Women's Creative Director of Calvin Klein, who created a mini-collection just for this Macy's "Brasil" campaign.
All Seats Taken: the Scene at "Brasil: A Magical Journey" Macy's Union Square San Francisco, 2nd Floor Impulse Department
My job for the night was to host a very special runway fashion show with "Brasil"-inspired looks, themes and trends, as well as join in on the party fun, and mingle with the guests and enjoy the Brazilian-themed festivities. There were delicious hors d'oeuvres ( several Brazilian shoppers were GUSHING about the Pao De Qeuijo/Brazilian Cheese Bread that was being passed around the party so Kudos to the catering chefs!) and cocktails being passed around as guests mingled, shopped and sat down for the runway show. DJ Antonio of Braza! kept the mood very "Brazilian Beach Lounge House" with his tunes in the background. Guests also received special "Gifts with Purchases" including a colorful make-up bag, Braza! CD's and if they bought Nike merchandise, and actual soccer ball!!
Coral Nick: Nick Verreos hosting "Brasil: A Magical Journey" Runway Show Event, Macy's Union Square San Francisco
I had a blast showing all these fashions to the packed house on the second floor Impulse Department of Macy's Union Square. The models were GREAT and such good sports when I made them stop mid-runway (without letting them know I would do that beforehand) to point out the bright colors and prints, shirring and/or sequined detail on a specific garment.
Color Fabulous: Nick Verreos (center) with all the "Brasil: A Magical Journey" models and stylist Katie Porter (second from left), Macy's Union Square San Francisco
They were all pros and looked fabulous in their colorful, Brasil-inspired designs styled by the gorgeous--and very pregnant Katie Porter as seen from the photo above.
Post runway show, it was all about meetin'-and-greetin' (how do you say that in Brazilian-Portuguese??), posing with attendees while some of the models posed on stands set up throughout the store...

 Nick Verreos and DJ Antonio Guedes "Brasil: A Magical Journey" runway show event, Macy's Union Square San Francisco
SambaDa, "Brasil: A Magical Journey" Runway Show Event, Macy's Union Square San Francisco
All attendees then finished off the night's events listening and dancing to SambaDa. I also encouraged and helped everyone to SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!!!! And trust me, they did! Lots of the guests kept stopping me asking me "Where can I find that dress I saw during the runway show?" or "Where's that printed tunic that one of the models wore onstage?". I was happy to help naturally!

Ready for Dinner: Conchita Encinas Hansen, David Paul and Nick Verreos , Scala's Bistro San Francisco
Following the event, David and his mommie Conchita and I headed to Scala's Bistro for a DELICIOUS post-event dinner to end my first very successful Macy's SF Bay Area event last weekend. I had the halibut and it was DIVINE! No pics here but if you go to my Twitter page, you'll see the photo of that aforementioned dish!

Next Up: A Tour of "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to Catwalk"  Exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco AND my Macy's San Jose Valley Fair "Brasil" event last Saturday! Stay tuned kids...

Nick Appearance Minute: Hosting Macy's Valley Fair San Jose "Brasil" Event--The Recap!

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San Jose Goes Brazilian!

Apresentando...Nick: Nick Verreos Hosts "Brasil" Fashion Presentation Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose
To wrap up my fun San Fransisco Bay Area Macy's "Brasil" hosting appearances last week/weekend, here's my RECAP of the last event I hosted at the Macy's Valley Fair in Santa Clara/San Jose last Saturday. If you've been keeping up with my blog here, last Thursday I hosted a very fun event at the Macy's San Francisco "flagship" in Union Square.. So, now, I was ready to  "Go South" and make sure the San Jose area got a little Brazilian!

Macy's, as you know, just introduced a fabulous new "Spring/Summer 2012" campaign promoting the South American nation of Brasil, it's beauty, culture, fashions, music...so I was happy when they called and asked me to help out with a couple of the "Brasil" events...

I put on my turquoise-colored TopMan jacket (one of my faves!), skinny black jeans, skinny coral-colored TopMan tie, Gucci boots and well, I was ready! I arrived at the Macy's Valley Fair to a bright and sunny day as the second floor Macy's Impulse Department was preparing for today's fashion presentation.

  Macy's Valley Fair "Brasil" Event: DJ Antonio Guedes
 The Scene at Macy's Valley Fair "Brasil" Event: Flower display/table onstage (right)
There was a mini catwalk stage set up, with gorgeous flower displays, seats set up like a Fashion Week runway show my new bestie DJ--DJ Antonio of Braza!--was already spinning some samba lounge tunes getting all the shoppers in the mood.

Nick Verreos, Purple Plant Smoothies stand, Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose "Brasil" event

Purple Plant was also on hand giving out free samples of their DELICIOUS smoothies while shoppers and runway show attendees were getting ready for the show.

Macy's Brasil Accessories Table, Macy's "Brasil" Fashion Presentation Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose
I headed backstage to check out the fashions, accessories and models...and then it was "Show Time"!!! The "Brasil" Macy's Valley Fair Fashion Presentation consisted of many, many looks, showing trends, silhouettes and styles, that were Brasil-inspired and all (of course) available at Macy's.

Purse Happy: Nick Verreos with models--and purses--Macy's "Brasil" Fashion Presentation Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose
 I don't know why but I was OBSESSED with purses today while hosting the Macy's Valley Fair "Brasil" presentation. Several times when the models came out in front of the audience, I had to point out the fun colorful purses...(I think it was because I wanted them!).
Carlos Falchi handbags for Macy's, Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose
Now speaking of purses, as part of the afternoon's Macy's Valley Fair "Brasil" event, Accessories/handbag designer extraordinaire Carlos Falchi--who happens to be from Brazil-- was THERE! (I know, SHUT the Brazilian Front Door!)
Purse Boys: Nick Verreos and Carlos Falchi, Macy's Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose "Brasil" event
After I did my Fashion Presentation hosting duties, I RAN downstairs to Level One, so I could meet the one-and-only Carlos Falchi. He was AMAZING: so sweet, affable, forthcoming and well, let's say he's my new Brazilian "Poppa Bear" (I didn't really have one before so, it's just him!). Meeting him really made my day and capped off a FABULOUS Macy's "Brasil" hosting weekend! Until next time San Francisco Bay Area...Thanks for always being so fabulous!!!

British Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot 2012: The Fashion Hits and Misses

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Over The Top Hats, Colorful Ensembles, Kooky Costumes...no it's not RuPaul's Drag Race, it's Royal Ascot!

Team England: A Royal Ascot guest showing how much she loves sports, Royal Ascot, Ascot England
Every June, for five days, Great Britain celebrates Royal Ascot. Dating back to (wait for it) 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne, the Royal Ascot is one of Europe's most famous race meetings. it has become a national institution all these years, THE centerpiece of the British social calendar. What people wear to the Royal Ascot has become almost more important than the races themselves. First, it's all about the HATS. Then the ensembles; the more colorful, the better. This is not the place to be a "wallflower", it about getting noticed and standing out.  Let's take a look...

British Music and "Hollywood" Royalty: (Left to right) Dame Shirley Bassey decided to don a coral-orange hat with left-and-right over-sized organza flowers. I wished her outfit was just a teeny bit more COUTURE though (to match the over-the-top hat!)--a short-sleeved macrame sweater/cardigan over a dress? Not so much. But...Miss Helen Mirren looked AMAZING in this dark blue and white ensemble and blue wide-brimmed hat. Très Elegant!

The Royals:
 
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II LOVES her pastels, we know that. Take a look at this coat and dress ensemble in a pale pink color with matching hat she wore on Day Two of Royal Ascot. It looks "Queen"-appropriate enough--in terms of its non-fashion dowdiness. However, take a look at that sleeve--it's a sign of whimsy and yes, Elizabeth might still have some Fashionista in her!

Princess Anne and Princess Beatrice: On Day Three, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal and her niece Princess Beatrice, arrives via Royal Carriage (naturally). Both looked great in their contrasting color flower-printed ensembles. Beatrice has become quite a Royal Fashion Icon of sorts (lest we forget that infamous Philip Treacy hat and Valentino ensemble she wore at Kate and William's Wedding.

Red and Gray: (Left to right) Carole Middleton, mother of Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in a red suit and matching colored hat and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward's wife) who chose a slate gray coat-dress and yes--a matching wide brimmed hat, of course.

Top Hat Chic: (Left to right) Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall arriving on Day One looking like the Picture Perfect Royal Ascot couple. Prince Charles made GQ's Best Dressed Men List for 2012 recently and he is living up to that title in his impeccable Morning Dress suit and black top hat. Camilla looks quite elegant in her vanilla coat-and-dress ensemble and hat. Recently hospitalized Prince Phillip--the Queen's husband of course--also could take "Best Dressed Man at Royal Ascot 2012" in his black Morning Dress suit with a grey top hat and waistcoat. Traditionally, the waistcoat is supposed to be matching the Morning Coat, but here, Prince Phillip dares to be a "Dandy" by bucking tradition and wearing a contrasting colored yellow-creme waistcoat.

The Hats:

Pearls and Lips: Royal Ascot racegoer shoes off her colorful over-the-top hat
Like I said in the beginning of the post, Royal Ascot is ALL about the HATS--here are some of the Standouts--in Themes:

Food:

Breakfast and Tea & Crumpets: I absolutely LOVE the racegoer with her "Breakfast is Served" hat consisting of a fried egg, sausages, beans...she definitely should get the "gays LOVES Brunch" prize! The ladies above went with the "Tea and Crumpets" food theme. very, very British.

A Blueberry Custard Pie: I also love this hat--why? Because I wanna EAT it. She gets a "YUMMY" Prize for sure!
UK Love:

Of course, it would not be Royal Ascot without some hats featuring a LOVE for Great Britain. Here are two good ones: A King's Crown with feathers and yes, the "Union Jack" flag over-sized bow-on-a-headband headdress. These should be the hats the British Airways Flight Attendants should wear--well--if I designed their next uniforms!

Ornithology Hat Chic:

Flamingo and Swan Ladies: I really hope none of these hats are "dropping" eggs! Here are two Royal Ascot racegoers giving you some "Bird Hat Style", Ascot England
At Royal Ascot, the dress code is strictly enforced. For women, only a day dress with a hat is acceptable, with rules applying to the length and style of the dress. In addition: strapless, off the shoulder, halter-style, spaghetti straps and dresses with straps that are less than 1" are NOT permitted in the Royal Ascot. There are even "Dress Code Assistants" walking around making sure that your ensemble is a "Royal Ascot Yes"; in other words, within their rules.

What do you guys think of these Royal Ascot looks: Yeay or Nay???


And here is a definite Royal Ascot DON'T:
UK Hoochie: Ladies, if you are planning to attend next year's Royal Ascot, look above for the ensembles you should NOT be wearing! These tacky, hoochie iridescent blue jumpsuits are courtesy of the Tantric Blue Strip Club Girls. Needless to say, they were NOT allowed into the Royal Ascot since well, they did not really meet the "Dress Requirements" so they remained outside the grounds and handed out promotional material for the club. Bless their Hearts. Their parents should be so proud. This is a definite Royal Ascot Fashion DON'T.