Nick Verreos New Book “A Passion For Fashion”

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Nick Verreos celebrity fashion designer and former Project Runway contestant about his new book “A Passion for Fashion: Achieving Your Fashion Dreams One Thread at a Time” that he co-authored with his business partner David Paul addressing how to break into the fashion industry and more. Behind every fashion label flawless magazine cover and perfectly produced runway show there are thousands of people working behind the scenes in entry level jobs and unpaid internships each one hoping for their own big break. Making a mark in the fashion industry can be a daunting and overwhelming prospect. During their careers Verreos and Paul have created a number of successful fashion ventures. They co-founded NIKOLAKI in 2001 which was sold in over 150 stores and featured in WWD, Lucky, US Weekly and People Magazine. They then launched the signature label, NV Nick Verreos in 2003 that currently appears on EVINE Live, QVC UK and Italy and TSC Canada. In their new book published by Post Hill Press Nick and David have created a must-read for aspiring fashionistas to guide them step by step on how to prepare for or launch their fashion careers. We talked to Nick about the inspiration for his book and his spin on our LGBT issues.

With the school year beginning and LGBTQ teens continuing to face overwhelming bullying incidents, when asked what advise he has for these kids Nick stated, “We need to continue to let our LGBTQ teens know that they are not alone and there is a support system; wonderful non-profits such as Trevor Project do wonderful work. It pains me when I see them in pain meeting teenagers at the events that I do especially kids that are interested in going into the fashion industry. I try not to play favorites when I’m doing meet & greets but when I see one of my own and they’re so cautious thinking how I’m going to react to them because they’re wearing make-up or heels and they begin to cry and I just pull them aside and I give them a 10 or 15 minute it will get better, I love you, I’m here for you, look at me it’s okay, you know it will pass, I understand. I got bullied when I was in high school. I remember the football guys in my high school calling me the f-word as I walked by with my Hermes scarf and Gucci loafers and yes I would go home and cry but I would just draw and revert to my own little world of fashion and reading Vogue. That was my way of coping and it did get better. I went to college. I met other people who were gay and it was okay. Years later I was on Project Runway. I remember going to my high school reunion and several of those guys who called me names came up to me and all of sudden wanted to be my best friend and apologized for some of the things they has said. I try to tell those teens that it does get better. I know it’s hard to hear when you’re in that moment of being bullied. Surround yourself with a support system. I think that’s really important and look for somebody that can guide you to a better path and be positive about it.”

Nick Verreos received worldwide attention after appearing on the television show Project Runway and later became the winning mentor on Under the Gunn. Since then he has dressed celebrities including Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Heidi Klum, Carrie Underwood and Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin under his label NIKOLAKI. He has also enjoyed impressive success with his NV Nick Verreos sportswear line on major TV shopping networks in the U.S. and Europe.
For More Info: nvnickverreos.com