Episode 2 of The Nick Fix Goes Live on Look TV

Episode 2 of The Nick Fix just went live on Look TV, a You Tube-based fashion and beauty channel.

As part of Google and YouTube's original programming initiative, each episode in the new fashion series features a student at FIDM or a grad shopping in the FIDM Scholarship Store, as celebrity fashion expert and designer Nick Verreos demonstrates how to turn budget-friendly apparel into a unique design that looks twice the price.

Click here for Episode 1.

New Fashion Series Hosted by Nick Verreos Premieres Today on Look TV

Today, Look TV launched The Nick Fix, a new series of five fashion videos hosted by Project Runway star and FIDM Grad & Instructor Nick Verreos.

In the first episode, Nick demonstrates to FIDM Fashion Design Student Madoka how to transform a plain leather jacket into rockstar glam. Check it out!

New episodes of The Nick Fix will post every other Wednesday on Look TV. Each will feature Nick showing a student shopping in the FIDM Scholarship Store how to turn cute fashion finds into a totally unique design that looks twice the price. Don't miss it!

Look TV is a YouTube-based fashion and beauty channel as part of Google and YouTube’s original programming initiative. With an evolving slate of original programming and a comprehensive collection of glam to practical curated content, the channel serves as the intersection of fashion and pop culture.

FC Member Chigo Participates in Project Style Live Style-Off Event at South Bay Galleria

Chigo Ikeme, Featured Fashion Club Member for the month of April, recently participated in the Project Style Live Style-Off event at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, California.

"I was chosen as the wild card finalist because I had the 2nd highest votes during the online competition. I was then given $200 and an hour to shop for an outfit. The hosts and judges of the live style-off were Celebrity Designer/FIDM Alum Nick Verreos and Style Network's How Do I Look? Host Jeannie Mai.

Each contestant had to walk down the runway and then we were asked questions about our style and outfit. We were competing to win a $1000 shopping spree and a spot in the national competition where one person would be awarded a trip to New York for New York Fashion Week. At the end of the day I didn't win, but I had loads of fun, and Nick Verreos even told me that I was a winner in his style book!"

Congratulations to Chigo. You're a winner in Fashion Club's style book, too!

Read more about the event on Nick's blog.

FC President Blogs About FIDM's Summer Fashion Program

Chigo Ikeme, President of the Long Beach Polytechnic High School FIDM Fashion Club, attended 3 Days of Fashion, FIDM's summer fashion program, earlier this summer AND blogged about it!

On Day 1 of the FIDM summer fashion program, she learned draping, trendspotting, and fashion sketching. On Day 2 she participated in her first workshop, which was about product development, where she created mood/concept boards. She also learned about shoe design and more! And finally, on Day 3, she met Nick Verreos, a celebrity designer and FIDM Grad and Instructor, and shopped the sample sale at the California Market Center.

Read all about Chigo's 3 Days of Fashion experience on her blog Couer de Style. And don't miss Chigo's exclusive interview on FashionClub.com, as our Featured FC Member in spring!

Chigo was recently accepted at FIDM and will be studying Merchandise Product Development!

Winners Announced for Scholarship Competitions!

We are super excited to announce the winners of our two annual scholarship competitions! Special thanks to everyone who entered the competitions!

Prom Advice Scholarship Competition
In our Prom Advice Scholarship Competition, entrants are asked to sketch a prom fashion line or design a prom boutique for their chance to win a full-year scholarship to attend FIDM! This year the entries were judged by Project Runway celeb Nick Verreos! And this year's winners are...

Fashion Design Category:
Chrystal Bella C. from Richmond, California

Fashion Merchandising Category:
Paulyna Garcia A. from Kingston, Washington

My FIDM Fashion Club Scholarship Competition
All members of Official FIDM Fashion Clubs are eligible to enter this exclusive scholarship competition. Each year, one Junior is awarded a full year tuition to attend FIDM and two seniors are awarded $5,000 Scholarships to attend FIDM. And this year's winners are...

Junior Competition:
Madalyn D., Fashion Club President from St. Teresa's Academy in Prairie Village, Kansas

Senior Competition:
Claire F., FIDM Fashion Club President from Broadway H.S. in Linville, Virginia
Lanelle T., FIDM Fashion Club President from Escondido H.S. in Escondido, California

Nick Verreos Answers Your Prom Fashion Questions: What Are the Biggest Prom Fashion Faux Pas?

We are beyond thrilled to have Nick Verreos as our latest guest blogger. We reached out to him with your prom fashion questions. Check it out!

Q: What are the biggest prom fashion faux pas?

A: "Prom" and "fashion faux pas" often go hand in hand, which can be kind of fun as long as it's not YOU! So here, I'd like to highlight a few of those faux pas, and help you try to avoid them.

Now, let's begin with my own history of "prom fashion faux pas" and I have several! However, the one "What Was I Thinking?" Nick Fashion Faux Pas that stands out most involves me dressing like a cross between a member of Duran Duran and George Michael's "Wham!" sidekick, Andrew Ridgeley. (Google him, and then you'll know what I mean!)

Picture me in a white cropped jacket, matching "MC Hammer" Pants, a sash, and (wait for it!) medals!!! Somewhere deep in my closet is this photo, but even if I found it I would NEVER show it!! With that off of my "Nick Prom Chest," here is some Prom Fashion Faux Pas Advice for 2011.

Ladies:

1) No white pumps! First of all, they'll get dirty. Second of all, they're cheap and tacky looking.

2) Choose a style muse that isn't Rihanna or Lady Gaga. PLEASE. If you are going to the MTV Music Awards, yes. But for the prom, NO. Trust me, in ten years when you look at that photo of you with a crazy outfit, crazier heels, and glittery hair extensions, you will go, "What was I thinking???"

3) Instead, think more classic, like Grace Kelly, Angelina Jolie, or Kristen Stewart. Even "dark and moody" Kristen looks feminine and pretty at red carpet events. Take a cue from these famous women.

4) On the same note, try not to dress too trendy. Again, that prom photo will "date" itself so fast that in six months you'll be looking at the picture saying, "Oh, dear. That dress was soooo last year!"

5) Don't do anything drastic with your hair or make-up and don't use this time to experiment. Prom isn't the time for blue hair and bubblegum pink eyeshadow. Trust me. Unless blue hair is a signature look you rock, don't try it for the first time on your big night!

6) Make sure your dress or gown FITS!!! Get it tailored or altered to fit correctly—by a professional seamstress, a local tailor, or your mommy! You don't want to be "sausaged" into a too-tight prom dress or always worried that you'll have a wardrobe malfunction from a loose strapless dress.

7) Avoid feathered boas. Please. Total fashion faux pas.

8) No cut-outs or exposing of the midriff. Please—part two.

9) No piercings and (Oh, dear!) please hide any visible tattoos!! And if you are wearing a strapless dress—no tan lines!!! That's a BIG fashion faux pas!

Men:

1) Don't dress like I did back at my prom (see above).

2) Dirty old shoes are a BIG prom fashion faux pas for guys. Wear new or clean shoes.

3) A tie never hurts.

4) Sloppy = fashion faux pas. Tuck in your dress shirt, press your pants, and try to look "put together."

5) If you have to rent a tuxedo, make sure it FITS correctly. If you think you are a 40" chest in a jacket size, try the 38". You might be surprised. An ill-fitting tuxedo or suit is a major prom fashion faux pas!

6) And finally, for your style icon, think Justin Timberlake and NOT Lil' Wayne.

Hope the above helps you gals and guys in terms of potential prom fashion faux pas—and what could put you on the prom fashion school A-list!!!

Good Luck!

Nick Verreos Answers Prom Fashion Question: Do You Have Any Tips On How To Take a Good Prom Photo?

We are beyond thrilled to have Nick Verreos as our latest guest blogger. We reached out to him with your prom fashion questions. Check it out!

Q: What are some insider tips to make sure I look good in my prom pictures?
 
A: Ahhh!!! The infamous prom photos! These are pictures that everybody takes and are usually kept for a lifetime. Trust me, in 10 years, you’ll be digging through a drawer and BAM, out pops that prom photo!
 
So why not make it the absolute best picture you can take? I know it seems like a lot of pressure, but no worries, I’m here to help!
 
First rule: practice, practice, practice! Get yourself in front of a mirror and see how you look when you smile. It might be kind of weird to do at first, but trust me, even supermodels need practice and after a few sessions, you will definitely see an improvement. Think of things that will make you smile naturally and see how your face changes!! And if you have a cute date, well, this will be a breeze!
 
Second, take a tip from the beauty queens and A-list actresses. Don’t pose straight forward to the camera. Give them the legendary Miss Universe “S-Curve” pose. Turn your hips to the side with one leg turned out and twist your torso to the camera. Even standing with your arm around your date, you can do this pose and look FABULOUS! Trust me, it works every time.
 
And finally, ditch the stiff and stilted “Prom Pose.” Standing hand in hand looking scared and stiff as a board will be a sure way to cringe every time you see those photos. The easiest solution is to relax and have fun with your date. If the photographer is nice enough to take a few photos, mix it up. Try different poses and just have fun. After all, that is what the night is all about anyway, isn’t it?!!

Nick Verreos Answers Prom Fashion Question: What's a Good Place To Shop On a Budget?

We are beyond thrilled to have Nick Verreos as our latest guest blogger. We reached out to him with your prom fashion questions. Check it out!

Q: I have a really tight budget for a prom dress, but still want to look fabulous. Where should I shop?

A: Recessionista Prom Princess? Well, I'm here to help! As a Hollywood Red Carpet Designer who designs expensive dresses and gowns that actresses, supermodels and singers like Katy Perry, Heidi Klum and Carrie Underwood wear, I get TONS of emails from girls who can't afford to pay designer prices, but still want that same look.

Luckily, more than ever, because of all those fast fashion stores like H&M, TopShop, Forever 21, and Zara, there are options for the ladies to find a prom dress look for seriously, under $100!! A fun little "going out" mini dress at H&M can set you back a whopping $40! Those stores even have long maxi-dresses that even shock me at how low-priced they are! So, in other words, if you can't afford that 5-digit gown at Neiman Marcus that you've been longing for, look no further and head on over to H&M, Forever 21 or Zara and you're guaranteed to find something.

Also, for those Angelenos (L.A. residents), here's another helpful on-a-budget prom shopping tip: make a trip to Downtown L.A. and the Fashion District and check out Santee Alley and all the stores in the surrounding area. Bring your mom and both of you will be very happy as you find the perfect prom dress for under $30!!! Not even kidding. Is it polyester? Yes. Will you probably only wear it once? Yes. But, is it chic? Definitely, if you have a good (styling) eye! You might even buy 2 or 3 dresses (at $20 a piece), deconstruct them and reassemble to make one truly unique prom dress!!

Finally, THINK vintage. By that, I mean, scour your local vintage boutique or local Goodwill for some great prom fashion finds. You'll be really surprised at what you can find for, say, $5!!!! You might want to hire a seamstress at your local dry cleaners to fit it to you and make some alterations, but that might just push you back $30 or so. In the end, it is still cheap. And best of all, you will FOR SURE not have a "She Is Wearing My Dress!" moment because A) it's vintage, and B) it's really one-of-a-kind. And that will make a nice story 20 years later when you have to deal with that "What Was I Thinking?" prom photo story.

Nick Verreos Answers Prom Fashion Question: What's an Alternative To a Tux?

We are beyond thrilled to have Nick Verreos as our latest guest blogger. We reached out to him with your prom fashion questions. Check it out!

Q: I don't want to wear a plain boring tux like everyone else. What are some prom fashion alternatives for guys?

A: Boys, boys, boys—the prom is not ALL about the ladies, of course. It's also about YOU!! Yes, the guys! I hear this "I just don't wanna wear a plain boring tuxedo like everyone else...What else can I wear?" question all the time. Well, you've come to the right fashion source for your answers. Consider me your "Dear Abby" for your "Prom 2011" questions!

Here's the good news: ditch the rented tuxedo, like TODAY!!! It's all about "mixing it up" and being an individual when it comes to your look.

Start with some dark skinny jeans (510 and 511s) in black or a color, or even plaid! Levi's has some great ones at Urban Outfitters, for example. Get a white dress shirt and a cool little shrunken jacket with contrast piping on the lapel. H&M and Top Shop have GREAT styles. This is the NEW tuxedo jacket. And you won't be breaking the bank on buying one, by the way. Experiment with color. It doesn't have to be a black jacket but maybe dark navy with white piping. Another option: look for a white H&M jacket. It's very "James Bond."

Now, look for some fun bow ties, like from Marc by Marc Jacobs. They have great variety in prints and different colors. Hugh Simms is an LA Designer that makes the BEST bow ties. I have like TEN of his bow ties. Check out his website. I wish he was around when I had to go to my prom!

Now, if you want to forgo the jacket, tie, and pants look, try going without the jacket and do suspenders instead. Keep the pants, dress shirt, and bow tie, of course! That's a look that's still semi-elegant but says, "Hey, I can go to a prom, and skateboard at the same time!"

Now, finally, NO patent leather rented shoes!! PLEASE! Be creative and maybe opt for some cool Converse Chucks, or some black patent leather high-tops, or maybe, just maybe, some bling-bling Tom's.

I think these are all style options for making you—the unboring guy—the coolest looking date EVER!!!!

If fashion is your passion, consider pursuing a degree from a fashion design college!

Nick Verreos at FIDM Scholarship Store Presenting Prom Dresses For Less

This just in...Nick Verreos is at the FIDM Scholarship Store this morning from 10:00 to 11:30 presenting amazing prom looks from the store!

He'll also be available to help shoppers dress for less and pick out their chic budget-friendly prom dresses. Most of the prom ensembles are under $40!

Where: FIDM Scholarship Store
919 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(Corner of 9th and Grand)

Yesterday, Nick filmed a prom dress segment for NBC's "Today In LA: Weekend Show," with anchor Ted Chen. He presented four Prom 2011 looks featuring styles from the FIDM Scholarship Store.

 

Come check out the FIDM Scholarship Store in person at the Downtown L.A. Fashion College Campus!