Europe Summer 2011 Postcard: The Finale--Florence and Rome!!!

EuroStar:

Dress Up Traveler: Nick Verreos--and luggage--arriving in Florence Italy via Eurostar fast train

Last month--as you may know--both David Paul, my NIKOLAKI partner-in-fashion-crime, and I went to Europe. Primarily, I was invited to lecture and show our NIKOLAKI Collection at a first ever "TREDICI 13" Fashion Show sponsored by the Miami University of Ohio Summer School in Florence Italy Program. You can click HERE to read my posting of the Fashion Show, including a favoloso video and tons of photos.



This post here is all about my time in Firenze after the Fashion Show, partaking in a special lecture alongside fellow designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, as well as a tour of the new POLIMODA Institute Campus.



POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design Tour:



The day following our very well-received runway presentation, Althea along with her lovely sister, Maeve (who accompanied Miss Althea on her "Europe Summer 2011" trip), David and I joined students and instructors from the Miami University of Ohio Summer in Italy for a tour and special presentations/lectures at the POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design--the Premier University in Florence, specializing in Fashion and the Marketing of Fashion.

Hands on The Hips: Nick Verreos and Althea Harper lead the Miami University of Ohio Study Abroad students to a Photo Pose-Off--POLIMODA International Institute, Firenze Italia

We had been to POLIMODA on my previous visits to Florence, having been invited to speak & lecture at the Miami U. Summer in Italy Program, but this was a brand new Campus location for POLIMODA. Last year we began the tour by "climbing" up the hill to the Villa Strozzi, once the summer residence of one of the most powerful families of Florence, the Strozzi family. But this year, Institute is undergoing a "location change", to the more centrally-located Villa Favard in one of the toniest sections of Florence. We even got a wonderful and very special lecture from its famed Director, Linda Loppa.

Miami U. Calendar Boys: Althea Harper and Nick Verreos pose with "The Boys" of Miami University Summer In Italy Program, POLIMODA Institute

Lecture Time:

Lecture Hall: Miami University of Ohio Summer Abroad students, The Gould

After a delicious lunch, we all headed back to The Gould--site of last night's Fashion Show, as well as the Campus Headquarters for the Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy Program. There , both Althea and I lectured to a group of the program's Journalism students--all set up with their laptops (Note taking 2011!). The students listened intensely as we spoke of our backgrounds, how we "got to where we got", as well as the importance of social media in the fashion world, strategies for interviewing subjects, and how to create a good story/article--especially if the subject matter might be "foreign" to you.

Ciao Firenze: (Left to right) Maeve (Althea's sister), Nick Verreos, David Paul and Althea Harper

Soon we were off for Goodbye Drinks and hors d'oeuvres at the gorgeous rooftop pool bar of the Grand Hotel Minerva overlooking the Piazza Santa Maria Novella as well as breathtaking views over the Duomo. But before we left, I had to snap a "Miami Vice in Firenze" photo with Jerry Ingram--photographer extraordinaire as well as the Producer of the TREDICI 13 Fashion Show--it's become a tradition. See for yourself:

Jerry Ingram and Nick Verreos 2010

Nick Verreos and Jerry Ingram 2011

Rome:



Soon, we were off to Rome. David and I had one full day in Rome before returning back to the USA and so, we were going to "Make It Work!" and do a Marathon Rome Tour! Of course, we hit up the monumental Colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheater:



David Paul in front of the Flavian Amphitheater/Roman Colosseum (notice his little bag from Gucci!!)



Afterward, we walked (yes, we WALKED EVERYWHERE!) to the Victor Emmanuel Monument (above photo), honoring Italy's first king, Victor Emmanuel II. Then we stumbled--literally--onto the...



Mario Testino Photo Exhibit "Todo O Nada", which had just opened!! This exhibit features 54 photographs of Testino, exploring his two loves, Fashion and the Nude.



Model Stella Tennant by Mario Testino, "Todo O Nada" Exhibition, Rome Italy



It was so GOOD!!!! We bought the book, a full-size poster/print--well, you name it, we bought it!!



We also headed to the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Steps, where yes, there were THRONGS of people (see above photo)--mostly young tourist just chillin' on the steps or walking the chic shopping streets. I also noticed the "V" for Valentino insignia nearby which happened to be Palazzo Mignanelli, which belongs to yes, Valentino. This meant one thing: Photo Time...

Nick Verreos, Palazzo Mignanelli or as it is also known, Palazzo di Valentino

And in case you were wondering, yes we eventually made it to the Fontana del Trevi or Trevi Fountain (above). It was--as usual--PACKED, but somehow, I still got a fun photo of David doing the requisite "Make a Wish and Throw a Coin" toss. I got the pic midway:

Ciao Roma e Ciao Italia!!!

Blog Postcard from Europe 2011--Mykonos Greece!!!

Yasas Mykonos!!!

Paradise Nick: Nick Verreos, Paradise Beach Mykonos Greece (in my Brian Lichtenberg tank top, Andrew Christian swim shorts and Zara sandals)

Continuing with my "Europe Summer 2011" Blog Postcards, after our lightening-speed two day London visit (Click HERE for London)...David and I decided to have some much-deserved R & R in the Greek Island of Mykonos. Two years in a row, we had spent our "Summer Holiday" in the Amalfi Coast in the heavenly cliff-side resort town of Positano but this time, we wanted to try something "different". So, why not Mykonos? My dad is Greek so I thought it would be like going back to my "people's homeland" (kind of) and well, neither David nor I had been there (I'd been to the Greek mainland of course and enjoyed plenty of fun times in Athens-- Kolonaki, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni--and the city of Ioannina in North-West Greece). After a 2 hour flight via EasyJet from London (filled with my UK Gays naturally!!!), we arrived in the tiny Mykonos Airport. The runway is so tiny that the A300 made a very quick landing and Oh Dear-that's-the-end-of-the-Runway stop.

Theoxenia Hotel Mykonons, Lobby area

Quick disembarking and then we were on our way to our FAB Theoxenia Hotel, located right behind those iconic Mykonos Town Windmills. The hotel was AMAZING! So chic, very post-modern Retro and "Boutique-y". We were greeted with a Smoothie and our bags were whisked away until our room was ready.

After checking out our "Deluxe" accommodations, and seeing our very nice "Welcome to Theoxenia Hotel" wine and fruit plate (above photo)...

I went to the balcony of our room, and soaked in the Mykonos ocean air and then I headed straight to the pool:

We had four entire days of relaxation in Mykonos before our NIKOLAKI Florence Italy Fashion Show, so the Theoxenia Hotel pool was a great beginning (photo above). The next day, we promptly headed out into Mykonos Town, sightseeing, and well, enjoying the island.

Mykonos Windmills

The Crowds: Lots. There are LOTS of 19-22 Italian and Australian kids!!!! (Gosh, we felt OLD!) The island was--and I'm not kidding--an Italian "outpost"! Granted it is the Summer and the height of Euro Holidays but seriously, I didn't realize it was such a popular destination with the Italianos--and Australians. They love themselves a vacation as much as we do I guess-- Good for them!

The Scenery: Gorgeous. Of course: What part of Mykonos did you not understand? The chapels, those windmills, the roads, the winding Mykonos Town streets, the ABSOLUTELY stunning orange sunset (there's a "Sunset Show" where people clap when it happens!).

Niko's Wine--Niko's Taverna Mykonos Greece

The Food: Delicious. But again, it was a bit of a challenge finding Greek-food places in that every other restaurant catered to that HUGE Italian influx of visitors and everywhere we looked it was Spaghetti Carbonara, Pizza and Caprese Salads. We were going to be in Italy in less than a week so we wanted to wait to eat Italian food...until we were in Italy.

Pastitsio, Niko's Taverna Mykonos Greece

But... we did find some good Greek places after a process of Italian Restaurant elimination, I had the most DELICIOUS Pastitsio (a Greek baked pasta dish--similar Lasagna--including tubular pasta ground beef, cinnamon, nutmeg and béchamel sauce) and Greek Salad on my final night!

Scooter David: David Paul on scooter, Mykonos Greece

Scooter Nick: Nick Verreos, on a scooter Mykonos Greece

Of course, we also hit the beaches! After all, when in Mykonos...We did Paradise, Super Paradise and Elia...One day we even rented scooters and took a ride to the beach and back (taking side-trips through the island). This was one of my favorite memories for sure. Loved the scooters and seeing the island like this. Now, speaking of the beaches...

Mykonos Beach View

They were beautiful and serene. But, just a warning for anyone over 30: Post 4 PM, Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches (a couple of the beaches we were at) become a 19-22 year-old Italian-Australian drinking-and-Lord-Knows-What-Else Fest with an Italian DJ playing loud thumping music and Champagne-bottle swigging kids. If you think I'm kidding, click HERE.

Welcome To Tropicana: Nick Verreos, Paradise Beach Mykonos

I just wished I would have known this back when I was 22!!!! I missed the "Mykonos Boat" I guess "back in the day". But we still had a BLAST! All in all, David and I had a wonderful time in Mykonos: It was GORGEOUS and a nice way to take a respite from our very hectic lives.

Postcard from Mykonos: Nick Verreos and David Paul pose in front of a HUGE Cruise Ship!, Mykonos Town

*For More Photos, Click HERE on my Facebook Photo Album page and click on "Mykonos Greece Summer 2011"--and yes, go make fun of my shorty-shorts!!!

Blog Postcard From Europe 2011: First Stop--London!!!

London Calling:

I Need To Make a Call: Nick Verreos steps into a London Phone Booth

Two weeks ago, my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul, and I returned from a two-week trip to Europe. It was both for Business and yes, pleasure. The main purpose of the trip was that I was invited to be part of the Miami University Summer In Italy Program once again (third year in a row!!) and bring some of our NIKOLAKI Collection for a very special FIRST EVER Florence Italy Fashion Show (more on that in a later post of course!). But first, we decided to take a couple of Pre-Florence-Fashion Show "pit stops". First up, London:

Uniform Perfection: Queen's Foot Guard, Buckingham Palace London

We flew into London, Capital City of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, via British Airways. Right as the Royals (William and Catherine) decided they wanted to be in Canada and California, we felt that we should be in London! (go figure!). It was quite timely in that, as we arrived from our ten-hour flight, checked into our hotel, turned on the TV, the whole Murdoch/News of The World Scandal had broken out! It was quite CRAZY! Well, since we were only there for two days (yeah, I know, that's it!), we dove right into the city and decided to do the "London Sightseeing" Tour.

Big Nick: Nick Verreos, with "Big Ben" in the background, London UK

We visited "Big Ben", the great bell of the clock in the north end of the Palace of Westminster, as well as passed by Westminster Abbey (it was closed for tours but open for the prayer service--needless to say, we skipped that).

The London Eye (LOVE that second photo above that David took! Such a great photographer!)

Right around the corner was, of course, the Thames River and the now-iconic London Eye Millennium Wheel. We went to it and thought long and hard about riding it but truth be told, it was quite pricey (US Dollars vs. British Pounds= Being Poor!) and the line was longer than a Disneyland ride. I was saving my money for my Topman Retail Spree!!

We also walked to Kensington Palace and stopped by its gates, which were filled with Princess Diana Birthday Tributes and Cards as seen from above photo (It would have been here 50th Birthday on July 1st). There, I overheard--in Spanish--some girls from Colombia (I recognized the accents!), who were whispering something to the effect of "That's the Designer from "Project Runway"..." Well, even in London via Colombia, I can't go "incognito". Thank goodness I wasn't in flip flops and shorts!

Continuing our tour, we walked (yes, we WALKED EVERYWHERE!!) to Buckingham Palace (above), took many photos and even tried to go into the museum but realized that the "Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown Exhibition" was not open yet.

So, we decided to go to the Victoria & Albert Museum--the "world's greatest museum of art and design", because we knew we could see some FASHION there. This Museum is INCREDIBLE...

Victoria & Albert Museum: Dale Chihuly Glass Chandelier

The Entrance/Rotunda is just stunning; I just LOVED the Dale Chihuly Glass Chandelier which hangs right in the center of it. There is so much astounding art at the Victoria & Albert. We visited some of its Galleries--including the European Paintings section, the Sculpture section, as well as the Jewelry Exhibition.

But we also wanted to see the Yohji Yamamoto Exhibition as well because it would close in a few days. It was wonderful to see a Retrospective of his designs--both womenswear and menswear. The exhibit is designed for up close-and-personal viewing and it was wonderful to see all the pieces inches away. There were no blockades keeping you from going right up to the dresses, but there were plenty of Security Guards with watchful eyes! We were bummed to not have bought one of those cute "safety pin" Yohji Yamamoto/Victoria & Albert tote bags. We would be needing them in a couple days on the beaches of Mykonos...

Yohji Yamamoto Menswear Suits, Victoria & Albert Museum London

Yohji Yamamoto Window Display, Victoria & Albert Museum Store, London

After so much sightseeing and culture, we wanted to devote our second and last day to...SHOPPING!!! So, naturally, we hit up Harrods:

Harrods London

David Paul, in front of Harrods London

Harrods was KRAZZEEE!!!! Madness I tell you: So many people, so many shoppers, tourists. And there we were, right "in the mix". Picture Macy's in NYC but ON CRACK!!!! Also, there were SOOOO many of those Gulf States/Dubai/Kuwaiti DIVAS, in their black caftans, all covered up--except for their PERFECT FIERCE Make-up, Chanel Sunglasses, Hermes Birkin Bags and Louboutin 5" Heels!!!! I was OBSESSED with them! Everywhere I turned, there they were; all together, and all FABULOUS! Their male counterparts were not far away, looking a bit "Guido-esque" in their D&G/Versace outfits.

But moving on...At Harrods, we passed by the "Diana and Dodi Memorial" (above photo--kinda tacky if I say so myself) and then made a beeline to the infamous Harrods Food Hall. Well, darlings, I just about DIED and went to CULINARY HEAVEN!!!!

Harrods Food Hall: The Fish Section and the Pies Section (above photos)

The Fish! The Kabobs! The Meat! The Pies! The Chocolates!!! Good Lord! Too Much! (but all good!). Afterward, we went to Topman and did some retail damage. Let's just say Nicky got himself about TWO YEARS-worth of wardrobe! Nice.

Carnaby Queen: Nick Verreos--and his Topman shopping bag, at Carnaby Street London UK

We ended our "Shopping Day" with a walk to Carnaby Street where we checked out all the hip pubs that were filling up post work day. It was a fabulous quick two days and can I just add: London IS THE CLEANEST City IN THE WORLD!!!!! It was almost to the point of obsessively clean! Anyhow, in these two quick days in London, we tried to get in as much as we could...before we left to my Father's homeland: Greece, and the island of Mykonos to be precise to get some Pre-Florence, Italy Fashion Show R & R.
Stay tuned for that little blog posting...

*Click HERE on my Facebook for more Photos from my London 2011 Trip.