Nick Verreos Hits Up Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party in LA!!

Project SHUT IT DOWN!!!!
I DIIIIEEE: Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

Last Thursday-- as many of you know--was the Finale of Project Runway Season 7. The Angel Mafia and Project Angel Food--along with Finalist Mila Hermanovski, "Big Brother's" Marcellas Reynolds, and Designer Andrew Christian (famous for those sexy underwear) were hosting a Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party at the West Hollywood nightclub, Eleven. I had been in town just one day from my trip to Atlanta and the OC, and of course I decided I had to attend. Underwear Party: Designer Andrew Christian poses with his models, Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

I put on a mask, got a "Disco Nap" in and called my friends, John Wade (of Marc Jacobs and Project Runway Season 2) and Joey Maalouf (Rachel Zoe's Hair and Make-Up Stylist and co-owner of the Maalouf Salon) to be my dates. John had just returned from a ONE DAY/ONE NIGHT trip to Milan Italy (I know, FIERCE!) for the opening of the Marc Jacobs store (how he got through that Icelandic Volcano is beyond me!) and Joey is about to leave for NY for the Met and get Miss Rachel Zoe red carpet ready kiddies!). Blow Out: Hair and Make Up DIVA Joey Maalouf getting ready for the Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party

So I was happy to have them both for this one night!The party was in full swing as we got there. Soon enough, the Finale Episode was playing on the bar's flat screens and we actually stopped whatever we were doing to watch it (sometimes--OK, MOST TIMES--at these "Finale Viewing Parties" NO ONE gets to see anything!). We actually got to see the Final Episode and you could hear the crowd cheering and jeering for the winners and the finalists. Group Shot: Joey Maalouf, Nick Verreos, Andrew Christian, and John Wade, Eleven West Hollywood

In between, I got to "socialize" and ran into co-co-co-host, my good friend, Designer Andrew Christian, who even showed me sneak-preview photos of his new exclusive Andrew Christian Store (via his IPhone).I also got to chat with Palm Springs-based Designer Michael Costello, who was there with his model, the very blond Tracy Chapman, wearing one of his little cocktail dresses (above).I also ran into one of my fabulous "Muses", the one and only Runway Diva, Amanda Fields (from Project Runway Season 3) (above), who is filming a "secret show" and therefore got there a bit late. Better late than never as they say. Models Of The Runway: Alison Gingerich, Amanda Fields, Nick Verreos and Holly Ridings, Eleven West Hollywood

Speaking of models, there were LOTS of them that night, including Holly Ridings (wearing a long maxi black-and-white print dress, black leather jacket and sneakers--still the TALLEST GIRL in the room!) and Alison Gingerich from Season 7.Semi-Finalist Mila Hermanovski's Model, Brandise Daneswich was also in attendance, enjoying the Viewing Party, along with her designer.There weren't that many other Project Runway Alumn there (and no other Project Runway Season 7 Designers) however, we (John, Joey and I) get to hang out with Season 6 Designer Johnny Sakalis (above).Young Hollywood: Actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, Eleven West Hollywood

One of the nicest moments of the night (besides seeing Seth Aaron Henderson win and his family give him a congratulatory hug) was meeting young actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, who confessed their love of Project Runway and how they were "big fans"! Love them! Maybe one of these days, they will wear NIKOLAKI for a big red carpet event--who knows! They were SOOOO SWEET!

Nick Verreos and His Muse Attend FGILA's "The Designer and The Muse" Fashion Party

Cocktails, Gowns, and a Project Runway Designer-Almost-Without-A-Muse, at the Standard Downtown LA...Helloooooooo?!: Model Lisa Blades and Nick Verreos gossip on the phones at the Standard Downtown LA (Photo Courtesy of Tim Regas for Photomezzo.com)


Last Wednesday, on March 17Th, I was invited to the second annual Fashion Group International of Los Angeles/FGILA's "The Designer & The Muse That Inspires Them" party in celebration of LA fashion Week. This year's party and red carpet parade of Designers and Muses was to be led by the legendary Couturier James Galanos. Well, of course, I couldn't miss it! I was teaching (and giving Finals) that entire day at FIDM and afterward, rushed to my NIKOLAKI design studio to get ready and meet up with my friend--and Muse--the statuesque and oh-so-lovely, Lisa Blades. Lisa was my muse at last year's FGILA Designer and The Muse event and I just LOVE being with her so naturally, I wanted her to be my date again! For this year's event/party, she wore a pale blue and gold silk-wool zibeline, high-neck mini-dress with padded cap sleeves from our NIKOLAKI Fall 2010 Collection. The moment she tried it on, she looked AMAZING and it also made her legs look TEN FEET LONG!! (that's the part I loved).Natalie Cole and designer Lloyd Klein

The moment we arrived, we spotted the stunning Natalie Cole as she was leaving the party and slipping into her very VIP limousine. Inside, the lobby was jam-packed with fashionista guests, designers, and beautiful models mingling and enjoying cocktails. We were then whisked off to the the second level for some red carpet photo ops.
I was happy to run into Palm Springs designer, Michael Costello who was there with his model/muse, the exotic Suwana Perry. I also ran into my really good friend, designer April Mun of Stella & Jamie , who was there with her muse, actress Melissa Ordway .
Model Blocked: Brandise Danesewich, Mila Hermanovski, Nick Verreos and Lisa Blades, FGILA's Designer and The Muse Party

I knew that it would be only a short while before I would run into some Project Runway Alumn. First, Season 7 Model Brandise Denesewich spotted me from afar and we screamed like little girls (OK, I did!). She was there as the Muse of Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski, whom I also had just seen at the Gen Art LA Alumni Party days before!Better Late Than Never: Lisa Blades, Nick Verreos, Althea Harper and Tanisha Harper, the Standard Downtown LA

And then, as Lisa and I were leaving (I had a very early morning flight to Texas the next day!), we bumped into Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, who was in town for Fall 2010 LA Market Week. Althea didn't realize that she was supposed to bring a Muse (somehow she missed the "Muse" part of "Designer and The Muse") so she called her Project Runway Model, the beautiful Tanisha Harper. She left the party, met up with her, gave her one of her gowns to wear and returned to the party! You Go Girl! Althea and Tanisha both get my "Nick At-a-girl Fashion Stars" for the entire week!!!

Nick Verreos Takes The PLUNGE at the Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration at the Hollywood Roosevelt

Well...Welcome To LA FASHIIIIOOOONNNN!!!!!!!!!!Purple Daze: Nick Verreos walks the carpet, Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana

Last week, on March 16Th, my good friend--and Los Angeles Fashion DIVA--Jennifer Egan, Vice President of Gen Art National Development, Marketing and the company's "IT" girl---invited me to attend the Gen Art LA Fashion Alumni Celebration, held at the Tropicana Pool of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Pool Party: Jen Egan of Gen Art holds court at the Tropicana Pool, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

The event/party was designed to give props to the LA fashion alumni who "have helped shape and influence the design community".
T-Zone: Jen Egan grabs Nick Verreos for a Clean & Clear "Prom" Interview, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

Jen was also holding court and doing some fun on-camera interviews for the party and the skincare company CLEAN & CLEAR, who were there promoting their CLEAN & CLEAR Skincare Makes Your Prom Beautiful from Start to Finish-Designer Dress Competition.
Prom Couple: Nick Verreos and Jen Egan of Gen Art, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

She just happened to grab me at one point--after I finally wheedled my little purple Top Shop-pants-wearing-butt into the party--to do one of those "prom interviews". Of course, I talked about how both guys and girls need to be matte-blotted both before and during their "prom fabulous" moments with some of their Oil Absorbing Sheets!
I was really excited to see my good friend--underwear and bathing suit KING--designer Andrew Christian (above) who was working his fitted gray shirt and skinny tie.
Wanted: Nick Verreos and Kit Scarbo, Hollywood Roosevelt Tropicana Pool

As I made it through the Hotel Roosevelt's Tropicana, it soon became evident that it was beginning to look like a Project Runway "Love fest" Reunion of sorts: Besides seeing Jeffrey Sebelia (Winner of Season 3) and Rami Kashou (Finalist from Season 4) briefly, I ran into Project Runway Season 4 Contestant, and Stylist to the Stars, the one and only Kit Scarbo. There aren't words enough I can write here on my blog to tell you how much I love me some Kit!
Color Blocked: Nick Verreos with Project Runway Season 7 Model Brandise Danesewich (left) and Designer Mila Hermanovski (center)

I also saw Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski. The last time I saw Mila was many months ago when she stopped by my NIKOLAKI design studio (I had no idea that she was on this season's Project Runway) looking for gowns to fit on our good friend and client Carrie Ann Inaba--whom she was freelance styling at the time-- for last season's Dancing With The Stars show. She was there with her model, Brandise Danesewich, whom I happened to just see at the FIDM Debut 2010 Fashion Gala.
And speaking of models, I had a "Nick Model Orgasm" when I ran into Lifetime Network's "Models of The Runway Season 2", Alison Gingerich (left) and--one of my personal favorites-- AMAZONIAN Runway DIVA, 6 foot + tall Holly Ridings (right). Don't know what they were doing at the Gen Art Fashion Alumni Celebration party...but I didn't care! Look at the big ol' smile on my face. Nick HEARTS Models, Project Runway...and Gen Art!

Project Runway Season 7 Nick Verreos Recap: Museum Queens

Museum Queens...One Ego is Better Than Two...and a Homeless Statute of Liberty?This week's episode was the dreaded Project Runway "Team Challenge" where two designers are paired up--randomly (or so they say!)--and the producers and fellow Cameramen get some GOOD TV for y'all. For Season 7, the kids headed to the grand Metropolitan Museum of Art where "Couture Curator", Tim Gunn, stood framed by some of the most beautiful Couture garments from the 20th Century from designers like... Balenciaga (1954-55 Cocoon Silk Faille Coat above, a Gift from the Baroness Philippe de Rothschild), as well as... Madame Gres (silk jersey gown above). It would be interesting to have a "Fashion History Test" with the contestants to see how many of them even knew who Madame Gres was. Just sayin'...The Challenge this week was to design a look worthy of a Museum Couture Piece (with $500!) and then (of course there was a twist)-- they later discovered-- they also had to design a "budget H&M-like version (with $50) of another team's design. I know, I was like "Say what?". I'm sure it sounded good in the "pitch meeting" but it lead to a rather confusing episode; too much packed in just an hour episode for the viewer's mental and visual capacity. Of course, there was conflict when it came to the teams, especially with Kooky Ping and Matinee Idol I'm-an-Actor Jesse. He just wanted to do his job and Ping Wu just wanted to be Kooky--and look for her missing shoes! Mila Hermanovski and her partner Jonathan Peters were also an interesting couple. Jonathan--intelligently enough--let her be "The Boss" and boy was she. I would not want to mess with that severe bob either. Not surprisingly, when it finally came to the Runway Show, it was one great garment and one pretty bad outfit.

To begin with, I liked Jesus Estrada and his partner Amy Sarabi's design: You could TOTALLY tell that it was all--or at least mostly-- Amy. That pleated-fan bolero was spectacular and so Amy's style! I also liked Maya Luz' design...
It was edgy, a modern take on Museum-worthy Couture. I concur with Nina Garcia: The open side was very chic. I can see many people saying "I just don't get it...I would never wear that!" But wear-ability was not really the point for this half of the challenge.The winner ended up being Mila's color-blocked kimono coat and skinny pant look which was very 1960s Courreges/Pierre Cardin with a definite nod to Narciso Nodriguez. To be honest, it wasn't my favorite but leave it to Kors and Garcia (Champions of NY-American sportswear and separates) to chose this. But now, onto the messes:This look from Jesse LeNoir, Ping's team "assistant" was so bland, I almost fell asleep as it came down the runway. Cheap "fast fashion" doesn't have to be boring. It was Banana Republic...from 2001! And Jonathan and Mila's design...Based on Anthony Williams' bad ball gown (what was that bustier???).. It was mainly the severe Baby Doll silhouette, and that gathered tulle accent on the halter neckline that bothered me. I just wanted to get my seam-riper and take that black tulle accent off! Jonathan seems to be more talented than this--maybe it was a time restriction. I have been there huney--did you see my crazy design for the Santino-and-Nick Banana Republic Team Challenge? In other words: I understand.

But of course, Ping's "Homage" to a Homeless Statue of Liberty took the Worst Museum Couture Piece this week. As I said previously, I was surprised she wasn't "auf'ed" last week and we were all just counting down the days until her demise. Ping made for great TV but that can only take you so far in a show that is based on talent and craftsmanship--not to mention 10 cameramen and an entire production crew looking over your shoulder. The lace top looked matronly and the side cowl draping was heavy-handed and was neither Museum-worthy or qualified as anything a woman of this Century would want to own. Maybe a character from HBO's "Rome", but even then, she would be the recently-freed Roman Slave--certainly not the Mistress of the house!
Out with Ping...in with the rest...now onto more important matters: When are we going to see Jesse shirtless? Until next time kiddies.

Nick Verreos Casting Dish: Project Runway Season 7 Casting Videos...even more!

Baby Seals and an Ode to Courreges?Heidi and Tim Giving It To You: Season 7 Project Runway

Continuing with my Casting Behind-The-Scenes Blog--here are two more designers that will be part of Season 7 of Project Runway and also came through the day I was lucky enough to have been a judge at the Los Angeles Casting. We did the castings on Memorial Day (back in May '09) at the W Westwood and there was a big ol' pool party occurring. I joked with Tim Gunn that he should have brought his swim trunks. Needless to say, we never made it to the pool. It was work work work, kids...


Mila Hermanovski:
My memory was definitely refreshed when I saw Mila in her casting video. Several months back, I got a call from someone who was styling my friend and client Carrie Ann Inaba with her on-air wardrobe for Dancing With The Stars (in the past we had worked directly with Carrie Ann or her assistant). Mila arrived at our studio and pulled several of my gowns to fit on her and we spent about an hour discussing how to start a design business, all the stuff I am doing and dressing celebs, as well as being in Downtown LA.
Obviously, I did not realize that she was on the show (remember, those castings took place 8 months ago), but she NEVER mentioned anything the entire time (about the fact that she was on the new season or that I was her casting judge) she was at our studio. I assume that she was probably too scared to say anything (Good Job Lifetime Lawyers!). Who knows.
Onto her casting interview: I thought Mila's designs were cute and retro--very Courreges-meets-Pierre Cardin (look them up kiddies) with a touch of Narciso Rodriguez. I liked the seaming and construction. She could be a "quiet storm" on this season.


Jesus Estrada:
Jesus was quite interesting. At first glance he reminded me of one of my fashion design students from my FIDM classes: Young, "fashiony-looking", confident, and a bit bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, as they say. When we asked to have a closer inspection of his garments, we were shocked: One of the collars was BABY SEAL!!!! Well, as you know Tim Gunn is a PETA GOD, so he almost THREW him out of the castings--to be banished to some poor sweat shop. I just couldn't believe he was showing this to us. And when we questioned him on the OH-SO-WRONG choice of using that material, he looked as if we were speaking a foreign language. Crazy. But something in the rest of his non-baby-seal collared garments intrigued us so we led him to the next round--with a warning: NO MORE BABY SEALS!!!!