Happy 10th Anniversary Project Runway!What do the Teletubbies: Dumpster Diving:
And Mosquito Netting:
Have In Common with Project Runway? Well, read on kids...This past Thursday night was the PREMIERE of
Season 10 of Project Runway on Lifetime. Yes, kids, it's the Tenth Anniversary. The show began in 2004 so it's actually been only 8 years but TEN SEASONS. I was part of Season 2, which we shot in the Summer of 2005 and debuted in December of that year. So, in case you're countin', I am part of "Vintage Project Runway". Now, back to the new season, the show has a new set of sixteen designers; lots of talent and LOTS of "characters" and a BIG Flashy First Challenge Runway Show (The BIGGEST in Project Runway history!!) that took place in
Times Square. For many, many seasons now, I've had the honor of being asked to Recap the Episodes of my "little ol' show" and once again, I'm back at it!! Hope you guys enjoy Season 10 and yes, also enjoy my Recaps with a "Nick twist".
So...let's get to the
Haute and Not-So-Haute of Episode One of Season 10: The Judges: (left to right) Costume Designer/Stylist Patricia Field, actress Lauren Graham, Marie Clair Fashion Director Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum--For the first Challenge, the producers brought in actress
Lauren Graham and the first ever Project Runway "Guest Judge",
Patricia Field. She was a hoot with her throaty I-smoke-two-packs-of-Marlboro-Reds-a-day voice, great insight and at
71 years old (yes, SEVENTY ONE kids, Thanks Wikipedia!), dresses like a woman who's 29--and looks good! (No Oscar de la Renta Barbara Walters suits for her, thank you very much!).
The Teletubbies Connection:
Domo arigato: For the first episode challenge, the designers had to bring one look from home that best exemplified their design aesthetic. Once at Parsons--on the show--they then had to create a "companion look" with only $100 and one day. One of the designers--and more "Kooky" characters of the season,
Kooan Kosuke (above) from Japan, made these two looks above.
Kooky: His first look from home, included this jumper with oversized teal blue polka dot applique, laminated shoulder strap detail and printed long sleeve top. I thought it was kinda fun and quirky. He definitely had a point of view and his style--even in just one look, reminded me a lot of Spanish fashion designer
Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (her fried egg dress with baguette hat design on the right photo above).
Tubbie: However, for his second made-at-Parsons look, judge
Michael Kors criticized it as being a little too Teletubbies-esque in its shape. He's right. Kooan was also criticized by
Nina Garcia and Kors as well for possibly being too much of a "Character" and less of a Designer per se. We'll see how serious he is and if he'll annoy Miss Nina more throughout the season with his
"Harajuku JapFro" antics. I have a feeling, however that the fans--and viewers of the show--will just LOOOOVE him!
The Freegan Hipster:
What's for Breakfast: A First for Project Runway is the fact that one of the designers, a 29-year-old bearded chap, originally from Brazil, named
Fabio Costa, is a
FREEGAN. I didn't even know what that even meant until A) he described it and B) I looked it up (Thanks Wiki again!). In case you don't know, a Freegan is someone who "reclaims and eats food that has been discarded". Yep, you go "Dumpster Diving' for your daily meals.
I wonder how difficult it was for him to eat from what the P.A.'s got for the designers every day during their filming from nearby restaurants. Or did he specifically instruct the producers that they had to send someone out Dumpster Diving for his breakfast, lunch and dinner? I wanna know.
So now, let's get to who ended up on the Top and the Bottom of the first challenge:The Top:
South American Pleating and Folding: Project Runway Season 10 contestant Ven Budhu (left) with his designs and a design by Angel Sanchez on Miss World 1995 Jacqueline Aquilera of Venezuela
The designers on top in the first episode were Guyana-born
Ven Budhu (left) who showed two stunning looks included an ivory crepe palazzo pant and jacket ensemble with a folded-and-draped "Flower" bustier and a bubblegum pink high neck sleeveless dress with diagonal pleats.His designs remind me of another South American designer, famous for designing for Miss Venezuelas, Miss Worlds and Miss Universes--as well as beautiful wedding gowns--
Angel Sanchez. To me, Ven should have won this first challenge. However...
Pretty Gown, Wonky LBD: The winner was
Christopher Palu. The judges "Oohed" and "Ahhed" at his first look--a gown constructed in strips of satin. And basically they gave him the win because of it. It was very pretty, but I'm not sure how fair this was since this was the look he brought from home and did not make at Parsons with a limited budget and time. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the LBD he did for his second companion look. The fit was wonky and the back zipper was buckling (see right photo above). It was a little amateur hour for me. But he won, nonetheless.
The Bottom:
Mosquito Netting Prom Girl Goes Shopping: The bottom two included the looks from designer
Lantie Foster. She "re-worked" vintage-like fabrics but achieving results that the judges did not like. In fact, Miss Nina (never one to hold back) said that the one dress above was "Horrible". Ouch. Miss Lantie likes to do these center front bib things that well, she shouldn't be doing. And then on top of it she makes this dress in a muddy-colored tulle that looked like mosquito netting as Kors pointed out. It was all wrong, poor thing (and I didn't even begin to talk about WHY OH WHY did she style it with a big ol' I'm-going-shopping-on-a-Sunday-at-2pm bag!!??). Hashtag Styling Fail.
Knit Girl Bye-Bye: But deemed the worst were the knit designs from oh-so-pretty
Beatrice Guapo (
she should be an anchor--or at least the weather girl for Good Day LA Fox Morning Show--if the designing thing fails). She had trouble throughout this challenge with her sewing which I just didn't understand being that she grew up in the industry. And then her final designs were called sad (they were). That maroon/terracotta-colored top on the left photo looked as if she just got some fabric remnant and slopped it on the model and tied it with a belt. It had little design quality or originality. During the show, Guapo said that she loves designing/making scarves. She should probably stick to that.
Anyhow, without further ado, here's my Recap of the 1st Episode for MyLifetime.com:
"A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"
Eight Years, Ten SeasonsHappy 10th Anniversary "Project Runway"! As a member of the "Runway
Club" (it's like the Mickey Mouse Club, but more fashionable), it's not
surprising that the show has survived this long. Back in 2005, when I
did Season 2, I knew that I was going to be part of something that was
iconic in TV History. The show premiered almost 8 years ago and well, as
we now know, it has become the "Grand-Daddy" of all Fashion Reality
Competition Shows. In fact, last week, while on a trip to Mykonos,
Greece, I was switching channels and stumbled on Greek TV and guess what
was on my hotel TV? Season 6 of "Project Runway"! In Greece! Say no
more. 2012 marks the Tenth Season of the show and last night's premiere
was a doozy so let's get to the Recap'ing shall we.Center of the Universe Fashion BangIt is quickly revealed that the first challenge and runway show is
taking place in the HEART of NYC, "Center of the Universe": Times
Square, for the first time EVAH! Models are under a tent squeezing into
their clothes; designers are putting the last minute touches on their
garments and the Stars of the show — Heidi, Tim, Nina and Michael — are
greeting the crowd with a Champagne toast. Cut to the previous day...The Who, What and Where Are You FromSince Season 3, I have had the privilege to judge the castings and
this past Spring, I took part in the LA Castings for Season 10. I,
obviously, had no idea who would make the Final 16, so it was with great
delight to see several of the designers I saw during those castings,
actually make it onto the show. This included Elena (Miss Futuristic
Thierry Mugler-meets-Claude Montana-meets Lady Gaga), the lovely
Beatrice "jersey knit" and blonde-haired Melissa, who loves black and
edgy. Click
HERE to read the rest...
And make sure to let me know YOUR thoughts!! I always LOVE reading them!!!
Good Morning Prom Girls: Nick Verreos poses in front of the FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown LA 9th & Grand
The FIDM Scholarship Store is THE shopping destination for Bargain Shopping Fashionistas--As the sign above says: "75% of our store is BELOW $10". MAJAH deals kids! Designers and Manufacturers donate clothing, jewelry, fabric. In fact, I recently donated many many yards of fabric from my NIKOLAKI design company--and all purchases go straight to FIDM Scholarships for the students.
FIDM Scholarship Store: Gowns, gowns and more gowns
NBC-LA Boys: "Today In LA: Weekend" anchor Ted Chen and Nick Verreos
Prom Poppa: Nick Verreos with models Martha (left) and Kaela(right), FIDM Scholarship Store
Kaela and Martha, Prom Princesses, wearing styles from the FIDM Scholarship Store
Where's Nick: Nick Verreos pops his head with a group of visitors from Tennessee, FIDM Scholarship Store
Happy Shoppers: Mommie and daughter, FIDM Scholarship Store
It was a baby blue and white strapless satin Designer "Princess Gown" that retailed for about $250 and was at the FIDM Scholarship Store for under $30! Prom Princess Fashionista Happy Customer!
**BONUS: Also...Don't forget to Check out my "Nick Verreos Prom Advice" on FIDM's FashionClub.com Daily Blog. I've written about many different subjects like:
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