Nick Verreos Special Appearance at DECA Conference Friday, May 1st

Nick in the OC!I am very excited to have been asked to make a "special appearance" at DECA's 63rd International Career Development Conference, which takes place April 29-May 2 at the Anaheim Convention Center. DECA, which stands for Delta Epsilon Chi, is an international association of high school and college students who are studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service. It helps improve education and career opportunities for students interested in these fields as well as support the development of their skills in these particular areas.

If you are a DECA member and are attending the Conference, please stop by the FIDM Trade Show, Booth 203, Hall B of the Anaheim Convention Center. I will be there Friday, May 1st, from 11 AM-2 PM !!! Come say "Hi"!

"Out For Work" Snapshot: Nick Verreos

It's All About Flat-Front Pants: Out For Work founder Riley Folds, and Nick Verreos

Last weekend, I had the privilege of giving a lecture/seminar at UCLA as part of the "Closing Day" of the first ever West Coast Conference for Out For Work, a non-profit organization that educates and assists LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) students in making the transition from college to the real working world. My topic was about "Dressing for the Work Place" and all that encompasses--depending on what kind of job or career the students chose to go into, as well as how important that "first impression" is. Group Photo: Nick Verreos poses with "Out For Work" members and students attending the West Coast Conference

And of course, the "How is Heidi (Klum) and how was it going through Project Runway?" questions came up, which I enjoyed answering in my own fun "Nick" manner. I had a great time with all the students and meeting Riley Folds and the Out For Work board members who devote their time for this very helpful organization.

UNIVERSAL SEARCH FOR AN AFRICAN QUEEN

It's been 10 years since Africa experienced it's glory year at Miss Universe. Back in 1999, three delegates from Africa made the Top 10: Botswana, Ghana and South Africa. Miss Botswana went on to the win the title, with South Africa in the Final 5.

The continent had good years in 2000, 2003 and 2007 with 2 African delegates progressing to the Top 10, but in 2001 and 2002 only one delegate made the Top 10, and there were none in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008. I realise that there has been at least one African delegate amongst the semi-finalists every year since 1999, but that was "engineered" to give the illusion of diversity. This does not only apply to Africa, but all continents.

The number of semi-finalists was increased to 15 in 2003 (there were 20 in 2006) and the Miss Universe Organisation reserves the right to replace at least 5 semi-finalists that might not appear on the judge's merit list, but whom they want or need on the list. This allows them to "cast" the semi-finalists so as to achieve diversity, and to avoid situations where suitable girls are excluded from the semi-finals for some inexplicable reason known only to the panel of judges. The glaring disparity between the scores of the leaders and the tail-enders in the semi-finals is proof enough.

Since only four delegates from Africa have been named to date, it appears that whomever progresses to the semi-finals at the pageant in August, at this stage, will most definitely be a "casting" since none of them will get through on merit. As there are usually about 16 delegates from Africa at the pageant, perhaps we will get our gorgeous African Queen from amongst the ranks of the delegates yet to be named.

Whilst surfing the net for information on the other African delegates for Miss Universe this year, I came across the following piece written by Abraham Adegoke for MyNaija News, a Nigerian online publication:

"Quite a number of issues were raised in the responses of the respondents. One of them is the beauty of the winner. Most of our respondents posted that the new queen is not beautiful. One respondent went on to say real beautiful girls don't go for pageants... it was a unanimous conclusion that the whole event was uninspiring and uninteresting, a far cry from what was expected from the organisers of the event. It was dull. The girls were not looking like beauty queens AT ALL!!! The girls were not the type to classify as picture perfect, camera friendly nor stage worthy...the only logical conclusion to arrive at is that the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant is on a decline."

So it appears that the phenomenon is not unique to South Africa, and that another national pageant on the continent is experiencing "pageant rot".

TIE ME KANGAROO DOWN SPORT

I have never been to Australia, but a visit to the land of Crocodile Dundee is definitely on my "bucket list". I suppose that I have always been fascinated with the country since the lifestyle there is supposedly similar to that of South Africa. If I ever had to live in another country, it would most definitely be Australia.

Having said that, those Aussies are a funny lot. Rachael Finch has just been crowned Miss Universe Australia, and instead of concentrating on their international representative who has a realistic chance of doing well at Miss Universe later in the year, the media is up in arms over the a skinny contestant at the pageant.

Quite frankly, the pageant organisers should be held accountable for the controversy. The girl in question should never have been allowed to compete at the pageant in the first place. Having seen photographs of the controversial contestant, I would lock her up in Ward 13 and force-feed her if it was my call. Not a good look.

Last year we witnessed the opposite extreme when the world was in awe of the "Dairy Queen" that competed at Miss England, and praised her for her chutzpah. Whilst she was a pretty girl, I don't think that acceptance of borderline obesity (she was fat, not plus-size) is the message that we should be sending to the impressionable youth. It's not ok to be skinny, but fat is fabulous? But I digress.

It is a well-known "fact" that Australia and South Africa have had their own private "rivalry" in most academic, cultural and sporting arenas for the last few decades. Whilst their rugby and cricket teams are experiencing a slump of sorts at present, the Aussies have, nevertheless, come out on top in most instances.

I am, however, pleased to announce that we do beat the Aussies at something other than cricket and rugby: beauty pageants. For a number of reasons South Africa has not participated at Miss Universe and Miss World as often as the Aussies have, but in terms of "head-to-head" contests, the scores are as follows:

Miss Universe: South Africa 11, Australia 4
Miss World: South Africa 17, Australia 9

Now all we have to do is lower SA's unemployment and crime rates , improve public transport, social welfare and medical, vote relatively competent and honest politicians into power, win a couple of Olympic and World titles more, make a bigger impact on world fashion, music and entertainment, and then we'll have reason to be more arrogant and big-headed than they are.

Ok! I'm being overly optimistic here. It's not going to happen.

Nick Verreos at The Way We Wore Dita Von Teese and Debbie Mazar Event

Braids, Vintage Couture, and not getting the chance to ask Dita to come by my NIKOLAKI Showroom...Pose Off: Dita Von Teese and Debbie Mazar host the "Out of The Ordinary" event and fashion show at "The Way We Wore" Boutique photo by Evans Ward/ BEImages.net

Wednesday was a busy day for me. I began my day at 8 AM and worked a 9 hour day styling and doing a photo shoot for a a fabulous new upcoming book which I was asked to be a part of. Without even a chance to re-apply any eau de toilette spritzer, I then headed to pick up my buddy--former Project Runway Season 2 cast mate and Marc Jacobs Regional Manager and Merchandiser, John Wade.

When I arrived at John's place, I thought I had accidentally arrived at Sean Paul's house! He greeted me with a spankin' new hairdo: Braids! I was like "Did you go on a Princess Cruise with Rihanna in Barbados and did not tell me?" Only John Wade! I absolutely LOVE him but only he can make me feel like a tired old Grandpa.Tanned Topman: Nick Verreos in Topshop photo by Evans Ward/BEImages.net

I thought I was "working it" in my new Topshop suit, HOWEVER, after I saw him in his Bo Derek-meets-Peaches-and-Herb braids and deep armhole jersey tank and acid washed Marc Jacobs jeans I realized that I have lost all my "hip" quotient. I was invited to the "Out Of The Ordinary" event at Doris Raymond's amazing Vintage Couture Boutique The Way We Wore on La Brea. Along with Doris, Couture DIVA Dita Von Teese and the always fabulous Debbie Mazar were the hosts, so of course, both John and I could not resist. Lapel Power Couple: LA Designers Kevan Hall and Nick Verreos at "The Way We Wore" Earth Day event and fashion show

Participating designers--from my Islands of The World cohort Kevan Hall to the always fabulously Magda Berliner--were asked to re-configure vintage garments that would have ended up in the "fashion" trash, and make them "new" again. Power Date: LA Designer Magda Berliner and Marc Jocobs West Coast poster boy, John Wade

I would have LOVED to have been asked to take this challenge! Give me a 60's Boca Raton Pucci Tunic and let me have at it!
The party and fashion show (showcasing the re-worked designs) was a complete success. Doris, Debbie and Dita were the most sublime hostesses (and announcers). All that was missing were the old-school Couture Show number "tags" models used to hold as they sashayed down the Atelier winding staircase..."and next we have Numero Deux...".Fashion Wrap Threesome: John Wade, Nick Verreos and Jennifer Rade photo by Evans Ward/BEImages.net

I was excited to see my fellow TV Guide Fashion Wrap With Lisa Rinna girlfriend, stylist Jennifer Rade (stylist to Angelina Jolie and Lisa Rinna), Dita's make-up artist extraordinaire (who also happened to do the make up for my Spring 2008 W Hotel Fashion Show), Gregory Arlt, and the "Queen of All Media", Perez Hilton. Miss California USA Finalists: Perez Hilton, Nick Verreos and John Wade photo by Evans Ward/BEImages.net

You just know I had to bond with him about the whole Miss California USA I-don't-approve-of-gay-marriage scandal. He was sporting a bright red t-shirt emblazoned with "Legalize Gay"... "Marriage" written with a black marker right after it. Note to self: Must get one of those t-shirts! The event was coming down to it's "midnight hour" as Dita stopped by and began to chat with John (she's a loyal client of Marc Jacobs) and wondered where Gregory--our mutual friend--was. Vintage Divas: Debbie Mazar and Dita Von Teese announce The Way We Wore "Out Of The Ordinary" fashion show

I just kept thinking (to myself) how gorgeous she would look in one of my waist-cinching gowns. Before I could suggest to her to come by the studio for a fitting, she was whisked outside to find her car. Maybe next time.

2002 QC GIRL INTERNATIONAL

Katya Pappalardo

2000 QC GIRL INTERNATIONAL

Irmari Steyl

1995 QUEEN OF CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

Aldine Dallas

1993 QUEEN OF CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

Shelley Pearce (Winner)

1992 QUEEN OF CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

Lara de Klerk

Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee wears NIKOLAKI at Miss USA 2009 Telecast

Grecian Goddess meets Hawaiian Goddess
Miss Universe 1997 and TV presenter, Brook Lee, wears NIKOAKI at Miss USA 2009 Pageant, Las Vegas

Over the weekend--as we all know--the Miss USA 2009 Pageant was held in Las Vegas. I was happy to find out that former Miss USA and Miss Universe 1997, the gorgeous Brook Lee wore one of my NIKOLAKI dresses to attend the live telecast. It was an ivory silk jersey cocktail dress with a shirred bust and black duchesse satin neck detail. I think she looked exquisite (of course). Thank you to my fellow Venezuelan friend (and pageant DIVA!) Husam Abedaker, for capturing her in my dress at the pageant in Las Vegas (see photo above, Husam and Brook Lee).The Last Miss USA to win Miss Universe: Brook Lee

The new Miss USA 2009--whom we forget of course because of the "other girl"--was the stunning and well deserved Kristen Dalton of North Carolina. No Crotch Slit? The new Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton from North Carolina gets crowned in her beautiful turquoise blue gown

She wore a stunning vibrant blue strapless gown with a sequined asymmetrical strap. The interesting fact is that she didn't bring this gown as her evening gown for the pageant but instead, this was a gown in which she was photographed in for their official "Miss USA 2009 Glamour Photos" (see photo below). Somehow she got the "OK" to wear it for the final evening gown televised competition. Whoever gave the OK to do so: Thank You! It was the best gown in the competition: No crotch-high tacky slit, no transparency, and (I can't believe it!) no visible clear stripper platform high heels!!! Bravo Kristen! (or the gay men around her!).

MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

When South Africa was banned from the Miss World pageant in 1978, the organisers of the Miss SA pageant were on the look-out for another international pageant for Miss SA to compete at. When the Miss Hawaiian Tropic International pageant began in 1984, the winner of the Miss SA pageant was sent to represent South Africa.

Miss SA (a runner-up in 1985) competed at Miss Hawaiian Tropic International until 1988 after which the decision was made not to send Miss SA to the pageant any longer since it was in essence a bikini pageant which was deemed unsuitable for the winner of the national pageant.

After 1988, South Africa was represented at Miss Hawaiian Tropic International on a number of occasions, but very few details are available.

1993 MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

Lara de Klerk (Top 10)

1988 MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

Wilma van der Bijl

1987 MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

Sandy McCormack (Fourth)

1986 MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

Andrea Stelzer (Third)

1985 MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

Jacqui de la Cruz

1984 MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC

Lorna Potgieter (Top 5)

Nick Verreos Weighs In on Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean

Much has been discussed about Miss California USA's answer last night at the Miss USA Pageant and being a fan of pageants and having met Miss California USA 2009, Carrie Prejean, I felt that I needed to state my opinion on the issue.

I met Carrie twice, while she competed for the Miss California USA contest two years ago, as Miss San Diego County. The actual winner was incorrectly crowned and we all thought Carrie should have won--she eventually did (this year). And I also worked with Carrie when I appeared, along with Debbie Matenopoulos, in last year's E! Entertainment Academy Awards Pre-Show.

Pageant Girl: Nick Verreos poses with Miss California USA 2007, Meagan Tandy in a NIKOLAKI gown (she placed Third at Miss USA 2007)

First let me start by saying that I am so proud to live in a country where we have the right to free speech. And I applaud the Miss Universe Organization for bringing such hard hitting, politically relevant questions to this years pageant. We live in a world where being beautiful is not mutually exclusive from being intelligent.

I understand someone who has strong beliefs and has the ability to express those beliefs as a Miss USA should be prepared to do. But I do not feel she answered the question with any eloquence (Hello!! Opposite Marriage?) and obviously disagree with what she stated.

I hope that people's anger and outrage is not directed at Carrie speaking her beliefs but at the fact the she feels that Gay men and women do not deserve equal rights. Although I do not agree with Perez Hilton's extreme reaction to Carrie's answer I am thankful that outspoken advocates for same-sex marriage and more importantly equal rights, like Hilton, continue to bring this issue to the forefront of political discussions.

We still have an INCREDIBLY far road to travel and hopefully people will see that even in the pageant world, run mainly by gay men, we have to continue to educate and teach the importance of EQUALITY.

To donate and learn more about the ongoing battle for equality in California please click HERE.

And click HERE for a witty commentary by somebody who has "been there and done that", my friend and former Miss USA and Universe Brook Lee. She pulls no punches!! Love her.

MISS FTV AFRICA 2009

16 year old Durbanite, Priyeshka Lutchman, was crowned Miss FTV Africa 2009 in the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace on Saturday. Eighteen finalists took to the stage in designs created by well-known designers such as David Tlale, Abigail Keats, Earth Child and Heni.

The finale boasted the who’s who of the fashion and entertainment industry, with the likes of Jennifer Su, Tansey Coetzee, Ryan Botha, Big Brother’s Irvan attending. Jan Malan Umzingeli, South Africa’s best known show production company, entertained audiences with an electrifying fashion extravaganza.

One winner, with no runners-up, was selected by an independent group of judges that worked with the finalists during the finale week. A sneak peek at the winners from other national preliminaries has revealed that Miss FTV is a beauty pageant masquerading as a model search, and is not just a model search. Apparently the organisers and panel of judges never received the memo.

MISS USA 2009 REVIEW

Just when I thought there was no place left in the world for beautiful blondes, Donald Trump and the MUO has restored my faith in beauty pageants with the crowning of the gorgeous Miss North Carolina as the new Miss USA. And Miss California, a blonde, was first runner-up!

I strongly doubt that Donald Trump and I would ever be "friends" in the unlikely event that I ever moved in the same circles as he does. To be perfectly honest, I don't even like the man from what I've read, and seen on television.

Be that as it may, I do admire the man for his exceptional business acumen, as well as his ability to spot a beautiful woman in a crowd. Love him or hate him, he knows beauty and doesn't care much for "in" words and phrases like beauty redefined or unique or exotic or different.

Miss California should have handled her response to the judges question with a little more diplomacy. Whilst she is entitled to her opinion, she forgot the "time and place" rule and has probably envoked the ire of all the Hollywood Queens, and has put paid to any hopes of a career in show business.

I was a bit disappointed that my favourite, Miss Texas, only made the Top 10, but I did have North Carolina in my Top 5. It was with great joy that I discovered that the over-hyped, poker-faced Miss Hawaii failed to make the Top 15. Just never saw her doing as well as her vocal fans predicted.

Let's hope Donald applies the "physical beauty before all else" rule at Miss Universe as well. It is a beauty pageant and not a model or personality contest after all.

MISS PORT ELIZABETH 2009

Di-Anne Qoto was crowned Miss Port Elizabeth 2009 last night (April 17) at the Feather Market Centre in the city centre. Her runners-up were Esther Shaidi and Claudia Muniz.

Elda van Vuuren and Maryke Ferreira were the other two contestants in the top five. 20 contestants (only 19 competed) out of more than a 100 entries were selected to compete at the pageant finals.

Di-Anne's prize package, valued at more than a quarter of a million rand, includes the use of a Chevrolet Aveo from General Motors South Africa for a year and a trip to Egypt from Uniglobe Bay Travel.

The Miss Port Elizabeth pageant has been organised by The Herald and Greenacres Shopping Centre since 1990. The full title is The Herald Greenacres Miss Port Elizabeth pageant.

Nick Verreos goes through the Miss USA Evening Gowns!

The Higher the Slit...The Closer to....Um...The Crown?Vintage Nick Verreos: Ali Landry wears a Nick Verreos-designed gown, when she gave up her Miss USA 1996 crown (with a very young Mario Lopez)

OK, let me just start off by saying that I should do a show on pageant gowns and critiquing them---oh wait! I did already, I was on Crowned: The Mother Of All Pageants giving pageant gown advice to Mom's and their daughters. Oh well, continuing...
In 1997--yes, TWELVE YEARS AGO!!!--I designed and created a gown for then Miss USA, the STUNNING Ali Landry, who was giving up her crown. It was a see-through stretch chiffon/mesh with sequined embroidered lace from France. David (yes, he was with me back then too!), hand sewed all that embroidery and strategically placed it to "cover up" areas that obviously, should not be seen on national television. The design/idea was more Ali's but still a collaboration between Designer and Client.Pageant Gown Trend Alert: Lace and See-Through Stretch Chiffon gown, Miss Indiana

Cut to 2009, and the Miss USA 2009 Pageant is in full force in Las Vegas. The final telecast is this Sunday night at 7 PM on NBC, but they have already had the Preliminary Competition, where all 51 contestants battle it out in front of judges in bathing suit and gowns. From this, the Top 15 which you will see on the Live Telecast will be announced. I was surprised to see that this gown, which again let me reiterate, I made 12 YEARS AGO, is now "the rage" in the pageant world. See for yourself:Embroidered Lace and See-Through #2: Miss Florida Embroidered Lace and See-Through #3: Miss Hawaii works it OVERTIME in this red gown

What once was old...is new again, I think the saying goes. After looking at photos of the girls in their evening gowns, it seemed like more than HALF were featuring these transparent mesh over-layed with sequins or embroidered lace. I guess we have not really "evolved" in terms of evening gowns or like everything else in fashion, trends come and go...and some come back--whether good or bad.What started the Trend: Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart in the gown she won in

There is also another theory for the sudden upsurge in this style: Last year, Crystle Stewart, won the Miss USA 2008 title (you might remember her famous slip and fall at the Miss Universe Pageant), in---wait for it---a see-through mesh gown with embroidered sequins. I guess, somehow, every other pageant National Director got a fax saying "Your girl must wear a see-through mesh gown with embroidered lace...or else!" I feel bad for all the other girls who also wore the same type of dress. I bet they thought they were going to be the only ones who got this "secret" evening gown memo!
Cut It Out: Miss Delaware hangs on by a thread

I also noticed a trend for the "Cut-out" gowns, where the bust is covered (barely) and the sides are exposed and the rest of the gown is attached from the bust-cleavage area. There were about 10 of these at this years Miss USA Evening Gown Preliminaries. Some were very dramatic and over-the-top (Miss Arkansas) and some looked as if a strong wind were to blow on them the whole gown would snap in two (Miss Delaware). We did a gown of this silhouette for our NIKOLAKI Spring 2009 Collection, in a canary yellow silk crepe but I think we went for a more "demure" version of what these girls were going for. Somehow I have a feeling that even if a contestant approached me to purchase this gown (or have it custom made), she would have wanted to cut out a lot more fabric from it (I would have declined).That's My Leg...and More: Miss Massachusetts bares it all

A trend, which unfortunately, has NOT DIED is the SLIT. Every other gown had a side slit, a side-front slit or a center front slit, up the wazoo. Most went as high as the crotch level. Who thinks this is elegant, cute, or even worthy of a Miss USA going to Miss Universe? Unfortunately not I.If The High Slit Wasn't Enough: Miss Michigan also had cut-outs on her sleeves

As a person just looking at the photos on the Internet, I was just excited to see a gown that DIDN'T have this not-so-pretty trend of a crotch-high slit. I'm sure as a judge, they would too. It got a little ridiculous as one after another vied for the higher and trashier slit. I understand the girls need movement but...As a "fashion guy", it's so funny to see most of these gowns and how they really do not reflect what one sees on the runways of New York, Milan or Paris. Or even have any resemblance to what a Charlize Theron or Penelope Cruz, for example, might wear to an Awards Show red carpet. This is a whole "evening gown sub-culture" which I now realize goes by its own lovely rules. Also, I have one personal request in regards to contestants and their evening gown ensembles: We must put an end to those Stripper Lucite Heels. Once and for all. Pretty Please? Who, in their right Pageant mind, said these were the accessory of choice, to wear with an EVENING GOWN, no less! Is she performing at Cheetah's? Say "No" to Lucite/Clear Stripper Heels

With so many beautiful shoes out there--nude, gold, silver, that can be worn to enhance the look of the gowns: Why these?
There are some gowns in this years Miss USA 2009 which I did like---mainly because they didn't have any crotch-high slits and had a resemblance to maybe something we might see on an actual red carpet or on the runways of New York and Paris. I was surprised by Miss Kansas' choice of a white gown with a beaded halter neck detail. She was COVERED!!! Hurray! But maybe the judges won't like this. I think she looks very elegant and almost Grace Kelly-like. After looking at the photos, Miss Tennessee (above) became one of my favorites and I liked her gown choice. Again, because she A) Didn't wear Lucite Stripper Heels and B) There was no high-slit! I know that the Mermaid silhouette has its detractors but I'm not one of them. I liked it. It helps that even among the beautiful Miss USA contestants, she still stands out as being extra beautiful and model-like--which seems to be what the Miss USA organizers are going after.Finally, I actually kind of liked Miss Arkansas' gown (above). The color is striking and stands out from all the rest. It's very dramatic (I love that!) and when you watch the video she works it like an experienced Drag Queen had taught her back in her hometown! I know, it's "A Lot Of Look" (as Tim Gunn would say), but she somehow pulls it off.

Tune in to The Miss USA Pageant LIVE Sunday, April 19th at 7pm

MISS SA TO JUDGE MISS PE

Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, will be on the panel of judges at the Miss PE pageant this evening. She will be joined by inter alia Miss PE 1992, Lauren Harper-Rushmere, and current Miss PE, Nono Gali, to choose Port Elizabeth's new beauty queen at the Feather Market Centre.

The tendency at Miss PE in the last few years has been to have alternate white and non-white winners, but with only 5 of the 20 contestants in the line-up being white this year, that pattern appears to be ending.

The pageant is organised by The Herald and Greenacres Shopping Centre.

Nick Verreos at UCLA for OUT FOR WORK this Saturday!!!

Dress For Success....with a little help from Nick Verreos!Nice Tie: Nick Verreos will meet-and-greet the future LGBT leaders of America this Saturday at UCLA

Well it seems that I am going back to my alma mater this weekend. On Saturday, I will be hosting and making a "special appearance" at the University of California, Los Angeles /UCLA at the "Closing Night" events for the Out For Work Organization. I graduated from UCLA and got my Bachelor's Degree in Political Science/International Relations (yes, kids, I got my education!) before I decided to pursue my real love of fashion design and now I will come back to my old Westwood stomping grounds! Out For Work/OFW functions as a complimentary component in the total educational experience of LGBT students, primarily in the development, evaluation, initiation, and implementation of career plans and opportunities. They provide assistance to students in the cultivation and enhancement of skills to explore career options, master job search techniques and strategies, and research employment opportunities. They are holding their 2009 West Coast: The LGBTQA College Student Career Conference at UCLA and having a weekend long event filled with workshops, activities, seminars to help LGBT college students make the transition from Academia into the workforce and help them with such topics as building their resumes, being OUT in the workplace, being OUT and a minority and much more.

I will be speaking this Saturday April at De Neve Building, Plaza A & B from 5:30-7 PM and talking one-on-one with interested students wanting to know how to appropriately dress for interviews and when they finally get that great for job; what's appropriate for a corporate position as opposed to a more "creative" one.

Come by and say Hello; I will be there to meet and greet and maybe even take a Facebook photo or two!

Click HERE for all the details and hope to see you there!!!

MISS USA 2009

I suppose I'd better jump on the band-wagon and try my hand at predicting the winner of Miss USA. To be honest, I have no clear favourite (although I love the big-haired, wide-eyed, pageant patty Miss Texas) and I am copping out by naming only those contestants who I think will make the Top 15.

With any multi-cultural society I suppose one needs to get the correct race/religion/political affiliation ratio when selecting a Top 15 for fear of being accused of racism or discrimination or prejudice. Since I have not really studied the contestant profiles, my selection is based purely on facial and physical appeal, and also includes those whom I believe will be included in the group of semi-finalists.

The only thing I can say with certainty is, that based on physical beauty alone, any one of 40 contestants at Miss USA could have won the Miss SA pageant last year. I also don't understand the Miss Hawaii hype. Apart from the fact that she is tall and lithe (just like another national beauty I know), she is positively hideous.

In any event, my semi-finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

* California (what's with the "eye" thing though)
* DC (are there any white girls in DC?)
* Florida
* Georgia
* Indiana
* Kansas
* Michigan (they have white girls there?)
* New York
* North Carolina
* Oklahoma
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah

Who's That DIVA? Valentino Muse Naty Abascal

The Last Emperor's Spanish Princess...Naty Abascal, on the cover of 1965 Harper's Bazaar

Since I still have "Valentino Fever" from just having seen the fabulous documentary, "Valentino: The Last Emperor", I thought it would be nice to showcase one of it's "stars": Naty Abascal. Naty (short for Natividad, which means "Nativity" in English) is a Spanish socialite, a duchess (by marriage), and Valentino's long time friend. Anybody For Canasta? Naty Abascal, her sister Ana-Maria and Brazilian aristrocat, Helio Guerreiro in a Richard Avedon layout, shot in Ibiza

In her youth, she modeled and in fact made the cover of Harper's Bazaar and shot an editorial with the genius of Richard Avedon back in the 1960's, along with her sister and Brazilian aristocrat, Helio Guerreiro. She is a fixture in the Spanish social pages of magazines such as HOLA! and in fact is the Hola! Magazine Fashion Editor, sometimes modeling in her own fashion layouts. The Genes were Passed on: Naty Abascal and one of her handsome sons

Years ago, she married the Duke of Feria, and had two sons, who look like male models themselves. The marriage ended when their father was caught in a serious scandal involving underage girls. He was convicted and sentenced and soon found dead with an overdose. Yes, a suicide kiddies. Escandalo, as they say. I know, it's a TOTAL NOVELA---Spanish Aristocracy Style! The late father left the boys nothing except a title.
The Muse Wears The Emperor's Clothes: Naty Abascal modeling Valentino

She met Valentino as a 19-year-old model and the two have since been very close friends and in fact , she became one of his muses. In the movie, "Valentino: The Last Emperor", she is shown hanging out with him at his Atelier and in his homes, and musing about her too-tight gown and her protruding bosom. She almost fits into the sample size of his Haute Couture gowns (except for the bust part!) which I am sure by now he either lends to her, sells them to her at a great discount, or gives them as gifts outright. She is only in the film a couple times for a short snap, but they are some of the funniest moments. She's is one of those aristocratic party DIVAS you just KNOW you want to hang out with and a have a couple (or three) Martinis with....
Love her!

2009 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Sam Kelly

2008 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Alyssa Rebelo

2007 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Adeline Mocke

2006 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Zeldi Kok

2005 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Genevieve Duarte (Third)

2004 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Dunay Nortje

2003 WORLD BIKINI MODEL

Carien du Plessis

Valentino: The Last Emperor--Post Viewing Recap!

End of an Era: Beautiful Gowns, Paris Castle, Gstaad Chalet, Private Yacht...and temper tantrums
Last night, after returning from my trips, I FINALLY got to see Valentino: The Last Emperor here in Los Angeles. Of course, I went with my "Giancarlo", David, and our friends. The film opened last week and so of course I had been "dying" to see it. I thought the cinema would be a "gaggle" of my gays and fashionistas, especially on a Friday night in West Hollywood, no less. But alas, it was not. The theater was not even half-full and we actually had some room--and didn't feel like the non-popcorn-eating WeHo Fashion boys would be elbowing us in disgust.
The documentary was AMAZING! It was a behind the scenes look at Valentino and his long-time lover, business partner and one and only confidante, Giancarlo Giammetti and their 45 years together creating the Valentino Empire. It shows the last two years, before he announced his retirement in 2008. It seems a bit "fishy" that they just happened to be filming the culmination of his career leading up to his retirement without consciously knowing they were documenting the final days. I am a little doubtful of this. Maybe "the Master" was a bit clueless but certainly NOT Giammetti.Tanned Twosome: Valentino and Giancarlo Giametti, with Gwyneth Paltrow

The film is especially candid in showing his love and power-play relationship with Giancarlo (they still snap at each other like 24 year old kids at a bar--even at 70+ years old!). They really "live the life": The castle outside of Paris, the private plane and the Warhol-like museum of a private yacht. While the film shows Valentino going on and on about how "hard he works", of course, the film cuts right to him in his Gstaad Chalet skiing and relaxing with his Pugs...Life is ROUGH I tell you! If only we all had it that bad!Add a volant (flounce/ruffle)..no take away a volant...add crystals...NOW! The famous white gown from "The Last Emperor", Spring/Summer '06 Haute Couture

The movie chronicles 2 of his last Haute Couture Collections. It gives you a behind the scenes look at his Atelier. I especially loved the snippy Directrice; you don't want to mess with an irate Italian woman! When you see the film, notice how there are NO sewing machines in an Haute Couture Workroom. Every single suit, gown, skirt is made by hand. This is why an Haute Couture gown by Valentino could cost in the $100,000 range. After using $500/yrd fabric, 200 hours of handwork, countless private fittings and the fact that you are probably THE ONLY woman in the world to own it, this is the result of such an outrageous price tag.
Valentino Red: The other gown featured in the film "Valentino: The Last Emperor"

Valentino was very lucky when he began his career back in the 60's, since there is NO WAY a designer in 2009 could create an Empire on his own, the way he did back in the day--without the help of a multi-million dollar conglomerate/backer. If there was anything to take away from the film it is exactly what the title suggests, that this was the end of an Era.One Time Only: Designer Alessandra Facchinetti watches as her first and only Valentino Haute Couture Collection made its debut in Paris (Heidi Klum wore this gown to host the Emmy Awards)

After Valentino retired, the owners brought in Alessandra Facchinetti, who designed what was considered a fabulous first Haute Couture Collection, and was taking the House of Valentino in a more "modern" direction. But unfortunately, she was dismissed unceremoniously. after just one season, she was replaced by two of Valentino's Accessories Designers (who had worked under him for over a decade). So obviously, even though he is retired, the hand of "The Last Emperor" is still involved--even though it is from his Chalet in Gstaad!
To see the movie check the official Website for added dates and cities HERE.
Here are the two Valentino Haute Couture Runway Shows-- that were featured in the film for your enjoyment:
Spring/Summer 2006: Part One

Part Two:
Fall 2007 45TH Anniversary Show: Part One

Part Two:

Part Three: