NIKOLAKI.....Make-A-Wish San Diego 2018 "Fashion With A Passion" FIDM San Diego: RECAP!

Pink Pretty--Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish San Diego wish child, Kailey, and models Amanda Lindauer and Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI gowns--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Last Saturday, I had the honor to be part of the 8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Event & Fashion Show benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM San Diego. This is the second consecutive year that I have been invited to be the "featured designer" in such a wonderful event for a GREAT cause.

Ready for a WONDERFUL event--Nick Verreos arrives at FIDM San Diego, 8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Every year, "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" partners with Make-A-Wish San Diego and through its "Fashion Fairies" group, grants wishes to San Diego and Imperial County children battling life-threatening medical conditions.

Barbie Photo Time--Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Child, Kailey, having fun in the "Barbie" Photo Booth--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego Event, FIDM San Diego

This year's Wish Child was Kailey, a BEAUTIFUL young girl of ten years old, whose wish was to be "a fashion designer for my favorite Barbie doll"...

Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Child, Kailey, and her very own Nick Verreos Project Runway My Scene Barbie Doll--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

As a surprise to her, we found one of my "Project Runway" My Scene Barbie's on the web (from the "Project Runway" Challenge I won back in Season 2), bought it and then gave it to her as a gift...and of course, I signed it especially for her! In addition, Kelly Richardson Pudgil--an FIDM Grad who designs children's clothing--created custom-made dresses for her inspired by my "Barbie" as well as a pink gown I designed for the 50th Anniversary of Barbie Fashion Show at FIDM DEBUT 2009....

Runway Kailey--Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Child, Kailey, wearing a dress by Kelly Richardson Pudgil--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Barbie Pink Pretty--Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish Wish Child, Kailey (right) wearing pink dress by Kelly Richardson Pudgil and model Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI pink silk duchesse gown--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

In addition to the "Barbie"-inspired mini-theme of the event, I also MC'ed a very special fashion show showcasing some of my very glamorous NIKOLAKI gowns that I especially brought to San Diego for this event...Oh and yes, there was a FANTASTIC Silent Auction with lots of GREAT goodies...as well as a VERY SPECIAL Meet & Greet/Book Signing with my books "A Passion For Fashion" and "The Pageant Coloring Book" (which I personally autographed for anyone who bought the books).

Here are lots of PHOTOS from the WONDERFUL day:

Silent Auction:

 Lots of Goodies--The Silent Auction Room at the 8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

NIKOLAKI Gowns Fashion Show:

Model Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI Strapless Red Silk Ziberline "mermaid" shaped gown--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Nick Verreos with model Amanda Fields Bennett showing the details on his NIKOLAKI strapless black paillettes sequined silk gown--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Deigo" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Model Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI one shoulder lavender sequined cocktail dress--worn by Katy Perry--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

 Model Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI ivory silk ziberline gown with Swarovski crystal embellishment--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Model Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI sequined silk gown with capelet, cowl neckline and side slit--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

 Model Amanda Fields Bennett in NIKOLAKI coral and pink-colored silk duchesses and ziberline ballgown--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

 Model Amber Lindauer in NIKOLAKI pink colored silk duchesse strapless gown with Swarovski crystal back bow detail--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

 Pink Beauties--Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Child, Kailey (center), and models Amber and Amanda in NIKOLAKI gowns--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Book Signing and Meet & Greet:

Author Happy--David Paul and Nick Verreos, authors of "The Pageant Coloring Book" at the 8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

To Kailey XOXO, Nick Verreos--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

With the FAB FIDM Gals--Nick Verreos poses with current and former FIDM educators/advisors--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

San Diego Familia--I was so honored to have my San Diego familia--David's mom, sister Marisa and niece Emilie--attend the "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" event...and in fact, we were so grateful that Emilie was our WONDERFUL "Sales Director" as people lined up to buy our books...WE LUV You Emilie!--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Meet & Greet Pics--Nick Verreos posing with guests of the 8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

Our "Barbie" Queen Kailey--David Paul and Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Child, Kailey, and her very own signed copy of our "The Pageant Coloring Book" as well as her very own "Project Runway" Nick Verreos My Scene Barbie Doll--8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego

I "Heart" Kailey--Nick Verreos with Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Child, Kailey, and her signed copy of "The Pageant Coloring Book" and very own "Project Runway" Nick Verreos My Scene Barbie Doll 8th Annual "Fashion With A Passion San Diego" Make-A-Wish San Diego, FIDM San Diego