FIDM 18th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition: Nick Verreos Gets a Sneak Peak!

And The Best Costume Design Award Goes To...

Crinoline Happy: Nick Verreos at the 18Th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit, FIDM Museum and Galleries

Photo courtesy of: Photos(c)Berliner Studio/BEImages

This weekend was Super Bowl Weekend, I know. However, me and football, well, not so much...I stopped watching after Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake had their now-infamous "Wardrobe Malfunction". Boy, those were the days!

Instead of going to some nacho-and-beer filled Super Bowl Pre-Party, I was invited to attend the 18TH Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit Party at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, the very school I teach at.
Where's Fergie? David Paul and Nick Verreos of Nikolaki, stand in front of the "Nine" Costumes

I always look forward to this particular exhibit since I am a big fan of movies and obviously, fashion. Also, my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul--who holds a Masters in Costume Design from UCLA and is a member of the Motion Picture Costumers Union--has educated me A LOT on the art of Costume Design and all its nuances.
Be Italian: Colleen Atwood-designed Costumes from Nine. Costume Tidbit: One Million Swarovski crystals were used on these costumes!

The exhibit, which officially opens Tuesday February 9Th, features the costumes from four of the five Academy Award Best Costume nominated films: Bright Star; Costumes designed by Janet Paterson, Nine; Costumes designed by Colleen Atwood, the Young Victoria; Costumes designed by Sandy Powell, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus; Costumes designed by Monique Prudhomme. The only one not present were the costumes from Coco Before Chanel.Time Traveler: Academy Award nominated Costume Designer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Monique Prudhomme and Nick Verreos

Photo courtesy of: Photos(c)Berliner Studio/BEImages

Canadian designer Monique Prudhomme was actually in attendance at the Gala last night receiving all the much-deserved praise for her Academy Award Best Costume Design Nomination. I introduced myself to her and we spoke at length on such diverse subjects as how she found one of the Corsets in the film to speaking a bit of French when one goes to France and finally we even touched on how incredibly ridiculous the hotel prices at the Vancouver Olympics are ($800 for the Best Western, I checked--trust me!).

Costume Divas: Nick Verreos, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Costume Designer Monique Prudhomme, A Single Man Costume Designer Arianne Phillips, and Andrae Gonzalo

Photo courtesy of: Photos(c)Berliner Studio/BEImages

Also present at the party was the fabulously talented Arianne Phillips, who designed the costumes for Tom Ford's film A Single Man. I was chatting with my Season 2 Project Runway contestant-buddy, Andrae Gonzalo, when I saw Arianne and of course, I had to say "hello" and give praise to her retro-chic designs which also happen to be in the Exhibit. Arianne Retro: Arianne Phillips-designed Costumes for A Single Man

Also represented in the exhibition are costumes from Inglourious Basterds, Sherlock Holmes, Amelia, as well as Pedro Almodovar's Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos) among others. A highlight of this tableaux was the authentic Chanel gold-chain-detail black dress which Almodovar muse Penelope Cruz wore in the film.
A MUST for Trekkies around the World are the Michael Kaplan-designed costumes from Star Trek, which are also in the exhibit.
It was great seeing the furry over-sized creatures from Where The Wild Things Are. Andrae and I were fascinated by the life-like nap in the faux fur.

Victorian Couture: The Young Victoria Costumes

I especially loved seeing the stunning gowns from The Young Victoria. This display is pretty grand--mirroring the costumes. It's so interesting to see Queen Victoria in something other than what we are used to: Black, drab funeral gowns.
DO NOT miss getting up close and personal (as close as you can without a security guard escorting you out!) to these "Young Victoria" gowns. The Duchesse silk satin, the brocades, the embroideries, the cartridge pleating...Absolutely stunning!
Finally: We Are Cooking with...
the Ann Roth-designed costumes for Julie & Julia. I loved this film and couldn't wait to see them. David pulled me aside, as we got in front of these costumes and pointed out the wonderful play on proportion and length which Roth ingeniously devised to make actress Meryl Streep seem as tall as the real Julia Child, who was six foot two, thank you very much!
Check out these wedges: On the left are when she was by herself in the film. The higher and much more stacked ones (right), were the ones Streep wore when she had to stand next to her co-stars. How can I get a pair of those??

*The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition runs from February 9Th to April 17Th at the FIDM Museum and Galleries, FIDM Downtown Los Angeles. And it's FREE and Open To The Public. Click HERE for more info.

Nick Verreos MyLifetime.com Recap and Nick and Andrae Video Blog

Return to The Big Apple...via Tim's Snow Mobile!
Is That Tim on the Snowmobile?

We are nearing at the "End"--the end of Season Six of Project Runway. Three Ladies have made it to the Finals, which is honestly what I predicted WAAAAY back. I pretty much knew Irina Shabayeva would be there since she has been consistently strong and put out some great designs challenge after challenge. I also thought Althea Harper would be there because there was something interesting about her designs which made me "sit up and take notice". I also remembered her when I was one of the judges in the Casting sessions so I was "pulling" for her. The last one was either going to be Gordana Gehlhausen or Carol Hannah Whitfield. And of course, Logan's girlfriend won out. Pant Girls: Althea, Irina and Carol Hannah

Last night's Episode, Tim visited the ladies at their homes--in Ohio, Suburban NY and Manhattan's Upper East Side. Then they made their final trek to Bryant Park via the Grand Hyatt and a makeshift workroom which looked a lot like the one back at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA.

Here are my Highlights and Lowlights:--Tim Dirty Dancing with Heidi (enough said!)
--Tim and his biscuit-making apron. Where was Paula Deen and her food-loving brother-in-law (or one of her cutie sons!) when you really need her?--Too Much Gray Ladies! What is up with all the somber colors? All their collections are looking black and grey. But, I think I did see some color from Carol Hannah (there were some baby blues peeking through the rack) and Althea (a cute raspberry dress on the form above).--Oh, poor Carol Hannah gets sick and is stressing out--until her boyfriend Logan shows up... but to help out Althea (damn you Althea, you're a man-stealer! LOL)--I am loving Irina's gown on the floor and those chunky sweaters. I think this is hers to lose. But I just love how the editors are "setting it all up" for that "It's TOO BLACK Irina" discussion, misleading the viewers to think "well, maybe it won't be Irina...."
--One more week to go and we shall see!

CLICK HERE for my full MyLifetime.com Recap of this episode and click BELOW for my video blog of last week's episode with my Recap Buddy, Andrae Gonzalo. Notice how I paid "homage" to the outfit Chloe Dao made for me when I was "auf'ed". I love that I look like a flight attendant from some fun airline--Welcome to Nick Airways!

Project Runway Nick Verreos Recap on MyLifetime.com

Nina's Stilettos Stayed On!

It's the Last Challenge on Season Six of Project Runway! I cannot believe this season is almost over (insert sad face). But I already heard from a little Birdie that production has already finished for Season Seven (which will be back in NY) and those designers are getting their collections ready for the next NY Fashion Week. But until now, we must discuss the "Top Five". This final challenge involved getting inspired by the J.Paul Getty Museum. Tim told the final 5 to "Blow" the Stilettos off of Nina's feet! Unfortunately, this did not happen. In the end, it was OUT for Christopher Straub and Gordana Gelhausen and IN for Althea Harper, Irina Shabayeva and Carol Hannah Whitfield. It will be an ALL GIRLS Bryant Park Finale, once again on Project Runway.

Here are my Highlights (and lowlights) of this week's episode:

--Gordana's Miss Universe Gown:I loved it! It was so ethereal and romantic and so close to the Monet painting which inspired her. If only it wasn't GRAY!!!!! Gordana will now join the list of designers who have been ROBBED on Project Runway...welcome to the club Gordana!
Natar looked regal. Like...a former Miss Universe from Russia, the gorgeous Oxana Fedorova (who was dethroned unfortunately).

--Road Kill IrinaThank Goodness for Tim Gunn and his wise suggestion to Irina: Keep the rabbit fur AWAY from the silk chiffon. After a closer look at the painting which inspired her, I could see what she was thinking but yes, it was a runway-away from looking like Fashion Road Kill.

--Odd Duck Christopher:Oh Christopher, how much do I just want to hug you and not let go. The "Odd Duck" of this season, yes you are. You love them waist-cinching corsets and you've never met a Gathered Halter Top you did not lik. And don't get me started on the fabulous Prom Dress business he could have in Minnesota after this! Your "Rock Fountain"-inspired look from this week's challenge was not one of your best. Why the stiff skirt? It's a fountain, think liquid-like...charmeuse, jersey...SOMETHING! The skirt almost reminded me of this denim Prom gown. This has Christopher ALL over it!
I just wished he would have done THIS:Andrae Gonzalo's beautiful dress, inspired by the NYC gutter water. It's the NY version of the LA Getty Center/Museum Rock Fountain. Liquid, silky, flowy--all things "fountain" and water-inspired.

For more on what I really thought of this episode, Click HERE for my entire Recap of Episode 12 on MyLifetime.com and be sure to tell me what YOU thought!

Nick and Andrae: Project Runway Coffee Klatching

We Should Have Our Own Show...On The Set: Andrae Gonzalo and Nick Verreos prepare for their video blog close-up

Oh wait, we do! Well, we have our own mini Vlog on MyLifetime.com where Andrae Gonzalo and I discuss our thoughts on some of the last Project Runway episodes. OK, I'm lying, we don't just discuss: We gossip like two DISHY QUEENS at a bar! But we're not at a bar, but instead at the Lifetime Networks Digital headquarters, high above in one of those LUXURIOUS Century City office buildings!

Click BELOW for our latest series in which we talk about the Newspaper Challenge and dear ol' Johnny Sakalis and his purported lie as well as the latest Divorcee Challenge and why it was soooo Oktoberfest!



And you can view all the rest of the videos HERE!!!

"Coffee Talk with Nick Verreos and Andrae Gonzalo" Videos

OMG!!!After Hours with Nick Verreos and Andrae Gonzalo: Project Runway DISHING!

Check out the latest video from my Season 2 "buddy", Andrae Gonzalo of "Where's ANDRAEEE????" fame on the Lifetime Website. We have so much fun shooting these and dishing on what we like, and what we don't like...and lots more. It's a bit hard to find the videos (like hunting for a needle in a haystack!) but here's the direct link: MyLifetime.com.
Or, better yet:
Click below to watch the video:

Nick Verreos and Andrae Gonzalo Video Blogging on Project Runway At Lifetime!

The Nick and Andrae Show
Last week, right after Andrae and I previewed the Premiere Episode of Project Runway Season 6, we were "whisked" into another secret room, to film our immediate "First Impressions" of the episode and the new cast of "characters". We had a lot of fun and Lifetime needs to think of having this be a Nick and Andrae After Hours Post Show! What do you think?

Here are the Highlights, which you can't miss:
-Why Andrae was "Clutching His Pearls".
-Why we think contestant Johnny Sakalis needs his own Lifetime "Movie of the Week" (I'm sure the "Recovering Crystal Meth Organization of America"--is there such a thing?-- already has contacted him to be in next year's Gay Pride Parade).
-Who we think wears a leather Dominatrix jumpsuit and owns a whip.
-And who is MY new boyfriend.

Check Out The fun videos above and below, or go to MyLifetime.com

Nick Verreos' Project Runway Blog on MyLifetime.com

DESIIIIIIGNEEEERS: Meet the Army Wives
Lifetime Prom Date: Andrae Gonzalo and Nick Verreos pose at the Lifetime LA Offices

Well kids, Project Runway is FINALLY BACK!!!! And not a moment too soon, because if I had to be forced to watch that awful "The Fashion Show" one more time, I would have SCREAMED!! Last night was the Premiere of Season 6 on its new "home", the Lifetime Network. For months--over a year now--everyone has been speculating how the new Project Runway would be. Would it change, be more "Lifetime-esque"? The LA-haters saying "I can't believe it's not in NY!!! Boo hoo...." And because its new producers, Bunin-Murray, are known for more tawdry and brain-cell numbing shows such as "The Real World", there were "web rumors" in the bloggersphere that there would be hot tubs for the designers to get drunk in after the challenges. Relax, it's all GOOD!!! The show looks the same, just as fabulous, and with no hot tub (yet!). Just good ol' Tim giving "fatherly" advice and Miss Heidi smiling and as pretty as she could be.
Nick Verreos' Season 6 Project Runway Blog on MyLifetime.com

Lifetime has asked me to write the recaps for this season on their official website, MyLifetime.com. My Season 2 cohort, Andrae Gonzalo and I were invited earlier this week to "preview" the first episode in a secret location with a soundproof conference room (OK, I'm just being dramatic!). We had a blast, as you may imagine. Let's just say there were lots of loud "Oh no they didn't!" comments that could be heard from that secret "Viewing Room".
Hope you enjoy my recap and be sure to leave your comments and thoughts!

Check out my First Episode Recap entitled "For The Love of Bai Ling!" HERE

Turkey Day Recap

Episode 2: Fashion Icon on-a-Budget?

First of all, I hope everyone is having a nice Thanksgiving and you are able to celebrate with good friends and family. While you are enjoying all the turkey, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, here is some "Fashion Gobble Gobble"(sorry, I had to do that!) to hold you stuffed until next week.
Like last time, I will do this week's recap in question form. Ready, set, go...and don't forget to check all my grammatical errors...

1) Was This Episode Boring or Was It Just Me?
Following the footsteps of a not-so-memorable First Episode, I was ready for a really good one. I invited friends over (Andrae stopped by and brought Gelato--Yeaaay!) and served Champagne and cookies. We were ready. And all I got was a "Yawn". Now, don't get me wrong, I am not looking for drama, especially "Created Drama" (think last season's "Mother's Challenge" or my season's "Take Nick's Model"). I am not a fan of that. But it would be nice to see some "Fashion Drama". This episode had the potential, especially, with the amazing "guest star" Sarah Jessica Parker and the teaming up of designers. You know if SJP showed up in my season, I would have screamed so loud and jumped and clapped so much, it would have made my scene with Olympic Figure Skater Sasha Cohen seem like "chopped liver" in comparison. Because of previous season's infamous Team Challenges, one expected more discussion amongst the designers, friendly arguments even, and thoroughly interesting creations as a result. Other than Sweet Pea and Elisa's mulling over hand-rolled hems and spitting on the fabric(I bet the cameramen and sound guys just about died and went to heaven after they saw that!), nothing much occurred. In terms of the designs that won and lost, I liked Victorya's loose tunic of a dress with the cropped vest, but surprisingly, I also liked Elisa and Sweet Pea's "polymorphic" dress and cape. Great color, fashionably styled, yet wearable. Poor thing, "Oliver Twist" twin, Marion's design did look, as Michael Kors stated, like something Pocahontas would have worn. Also, I can't help but think how many of the designers did leggings/tights because they were influenced by what Sarah Jessica Parker was wearing when she met them.
Overall, though, I felt this was a rather uneventful episode with rather unremarkable clothes.

2) Was it Uneventful because of their Budget and the fact that they had to design for BITTEN?
So then I began thinking, could it have been the fact that they only had $15 for fabric and trims and had to design for a "budget" yet fashion-savvy line? First, I don't know how they found enough fabric to create an outfit, especially at Mood, only having $15. The last time I was there, I was hard-pressed to find their "Dollar Bin". Actually, I never saw one. So how did they do it? I guess poly/cotton jersey is cheap, but even at retail prices, these stores can charge up to $8/yard for it. I would need at least 2 yards to make a top and leggings , and that's it. I have spent all my budget. What about a zipper, lining, or another contrast fabric? I have a sneaky feeling somebody somewhere sneaked these designers some extra cash... Just saying.
Now, in regards to designing for Bitten, ponder the following: Would it have been more exciting of an episode if the designers had to create an ensemble for Sarah Jessica Parker, for the Black-tie Gala/Opening of a Metropolitan Museum Costume Exhibit, in which she would have worn the outfit? All I kept thinking of was that photo of her with Alexander McQueen in his "Couture-Tartan" design. I know some people may think that she was a "fashion disaster", but personally, this was GENIUS! Who else would do that? That's one of the many reasons I LOVE Sarah Jessica Parker. she takes fashion risks. I think this "fantasy" challenge would have been possibly more fun to watch. But I do understand the tie-in with SJP and her line.

3) Is the Second Episode of every season going to be an "Ode To Andrae Crying Episode"?
Now, remember, I was watching this episode with the fabulous Mr. Gonzalo, and he noted "Why is the second episode going to be about crying? I think I started a second episode trend " I cannot recall if anyone cried in the second episode of Season 3, but if they did, please let me know. But I could not believe all the tears that flowed in this episode. First Chris, then Ricky crying so early on in the challenge--he barely had met Sarah Jessica Parker for goodness sake--made me skeptically think that this was footage from his "exit interview" questionably interjected in the beginning of the episode. Then even Carmen joined in on the cry fest at elimination. The last straw was watching usually bitchy "I-am-the-fiercest-thing-since- John Galliano" Christian actually tear up. I swear I saw tears behind those Alain Mikli glasses of his!

See you next time, and keep on crying...and sewing!

Ferris State Michigan

Nick & Andrae Road Show:
Next Stop: Ferris State Michigan!
About a month ago, fellow Season 2 designer Andrae Gonzalo and I were invited by Ferris State University in Big Rapids Michigan to speak about (wait for it!) : Proper Business Attire for University Students going into the "work force" as well as about Project Runway. You take a guess what they were most interested in hearing? Yep, if you answered "Project Runway", you were right. After an hour discussion advice on what young men and women should wear when going to an interview, the first question revolved around whether or not Andrae ever got to go to Red Lobster with his (unsuspecting) made-up boyfriend, Tim Gunn!
Unfortunately, I forgot to bring a camera so I asked several of the wonderful students who took photos, to email me the photos they took. Only one took me up on that offer (there were 400 attendees!) and that was Luke Mamo (seen here in his Middle Eastern-by-way-of-Urban-Outfitters- scarf). Him and his friends actually hail from CMU and study fashion there. Andrae and I had a wonderful time with our hosts at Ferris as well as meeting all the people (we signed 'autographs' and took photos afterwards for over an hour) who came out, during Midterms , to see us.
Afterwards, our hosts took us to Applebee's for a great dinner. Andrae and I were Applebee's 'virgins', therefore this was a treat! There was no "Red Lobster" in Big Rapids, but if there was, that's where we would have been. Our Big Rapids Sightseeing Tour culminated with going to a Gun and Liquor Store. I am not kidding: Welcome to Michigan: Here's a Gun and Liquor Store for your one-stop shopping convenience! Andrae and I went CRAZY! We'd never seen anything like that and really had fun, trying on some "huntin" fashion and buying some stuff. Don't worry , neither of us are animal hunters. We just hunt fashion victims!