Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor--My Recap!

Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor--My Recap!

What a Night!!!

Fifth Avenue Boy: Nick Verreos posing in front of the Project Runway/Lord & Taylor Collection Window Display (violet-blue dress design in the background by Nick Verreos)

Last week, I flew to New York City for the NY Fashion Week Project Runway Tenth Anniversary festivities as well as to unveil the ten piece "Project Runway Collection at Lord &Taylor" which, of course, included my dress design. First up was the Project Runway VIP 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship. As you may know, I was asked--along with eight other Project Runway designers plus Christopher Palu who won the "Lord &Taylor Challenge" a couple of weeks back--to design a dress for the exclusive 10th Anniversary Project Runway Collection to be sold at Lord & Taylor exclusively. I was the "Season 2" pick for the line.

 Presenting Project Runway: Nick Verreos--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

I flew to NYC with my NIKOLAKI partner-for-life, David Paul. After settling in, we got ready. I put on my never-worn-before Dolce & Gabbana Collection black and white mini polka dotted tuxedo silk satin jacket, pink dress shirt and pocket scarf, skinny jeans, Gucci boots and was ready to go! (Thank you David for styling me so fabulously!).

Taxi Mates: (Left to right)fashion designer Gordana Gehlhausen of Season 6 Project Runway, David Paul of NIKOLAKI, Nick Verreos--Lord &Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship Window Display

David and I took a cab from the hotel with the ever-so-lovely Gordana Gehlhausen, Project Runway alumna from Season 6 (LOVE HER!). It was a very hot-and-humid NYC early evening and the taxi we took LIED to us--telling us it had air conditioning but really, it was just blowing hot air (in other words, I was SCHVITZING!). After arriving at Lord & Taylor, we posed for photos outside in front of the beautiful window displays featuring our dresses, which I'd never seen before--in person that is.Then, we high-tailed it inside to the party.

Figure Skating Queen Alert: Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and Nick Verreos doing media interviews--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

The party was in full swing on the second floor as we arrived. I knew that this was a very VIP party when I saw a very long "red carpet" step-and-repeat with lots of media, photographers and various press. I did interviews in both English and Spanish for several entertainment shows. At one point--out of the corner of my eye--I spotted Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi whom I would later get to say "Hi" to inside the party. She was in NY for the launch of her new activewear line Tsu.ya by Kristi Yamaguchi.

Best Dressed: Lord & Taylor President Bonnie Brooks and Tim Gunn (left photo); Bonnie Brooks and Marie Claire Fashion Director Nina Garcia (right photo)--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

VIP Guests: Also there was Project Runway Mentor Tim Gunn (he was so sweet when saying "hello" to David and I and asked about our little Benny!!), Lord & Taylor's President Bonnie Brooks (who was a Guest Judge during the "Lord & Taylor Challenge" a couple of weeks back), as well as Marie Claire Fashion Director, the UBER chic Nina Garcia. Tim, Bonnie and Nina were doing a Champagne toast to the Tenth Season of Project Runway with ALL of this season's designers--who were also there at the party. It was all captured by a bunch of cameras who were filming this soiree for a future episode of Project Runway (I assume the Finale one perhaps?).



A Moment of Figure Skating HEAVEN:

Triple Axl Love: Nick Verreos with Olympic Gold Medalists Kristi Yamaguchi and Sarah Hughes, Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

I was BEYOND excited when upon arriving at the party--and after a little bit of mingling--Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hugues saw me and we then began screaming like 15-year-old school girls (OK, I did!!). She then turned and motioned to someone else to come...and would you believe it, it was Miss Kristi Yamaguchi, of course! Well, I almost had a Triple Lutz Heart Attack! If you know anything about me, you might know that I'm a BIG Figure Skating Fan (remember the "Make a Costume for Sasha Cohen Challenge" from my Season of Project Runway?) and I especially love to comment on the costumes. I've had the pleasure of doing Figure Skating Costume commentary for the Torino Winter Olympics (2006), Vancouver Winter Olympics (2010) and many national and international figure skating competitions for NBC, Universal Sports and ICE network.

Fashion Pairs: Nick Verreos and Sarah Hughes--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

It was so wonderful seeing them. We talked fashion, Project Runway and some figure skating DISH. I even teased Kristi about how "HUNKY" her husband is (he was blushing!) Both of them--as you can see from the pictures above--looked AMAZING and PS: Sarah, those fuchsia pumps were DIVINE! Running into these two Goddesses of Figure Skating made my night. Oh, yeah, and David's too: he REALLY REALLY loves Figure Skating!



Who Else Was There...Season 10 Designers:

Season 10 Designer Alicia Hardesty and Nick Verreos--I was one of the Casting Judges for Season 10 in Los Angeles, and Alicia was one of the contestants we advanced to the next round, so I was happy to see her and congratulate her for getting on the show!

Girls Night Out: Nick Verreos with Season 10 Designers Beatrice Guapo (left) and Lantie Foster (right): they were so sweet. Luv them--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

Face Scrub: Nick Verreos and Season 10 Designer Kooan Kosuke: It's pretty obvious that Kooan was having A LOT of fun at this party--he was a HOOT and a half (and I got a surprise and unexpected facial exfoliating treatment from his hair while posing with him!)--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

Project Runway Alumni from Past Seasons:

The party which really was a "celebration" of reaching the ten season mark, was sort of a "reunion" of sorts since there were lots of designers representing all the previous nine seasons. Besides keeping in touch via email or texts, I don't get to really "hang out" much with many of the Project Runway alumn so it was nice seeing so many of them in one room. Here are some that I was very happy to see:

 Social Butterfly: Nick Verreos with Season 7 Winner Seth Aaron Henderson--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

 

 Pastel Perfection: Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

 

 PR Boys: Nick Verreos with designers Michael Costello (Season 8) and Bert Keeter (Season 9) 

 

Three's Company: Nick Verreos with designers with Uli Herzner (Season 3) and Gordana Gehlhausen (Season 6) (right photo)--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

Group Fab: (Left to right) Bert Keeter (Season 9), Uli Herzner (Season 3), Season 9 Winner Anya Ayoung-Chee, Nick Verreos and actress and model Yaya DaCosta--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

Season 2 Duo: Nick Verreos and Andrae Gonzalo--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

Where's Andrae?? Well, kids, as you can see, he was at last week's bash! I had not seen Andrae in AGES-since he left LA to move to NYC--so it was nice to run into him. In case you're wondering he still has NOT gone to Red Lobster with Tim Gunn (if you are a TRUE fan of the show, you'll understand).



TRUE All Stars--Project Runway Winners Snapshot:

Project Runway Season 1 Winner Jay McCarroll, Season 9 Winner Anya Ayoung-Chee, All Stars Season 1 Winner Mondo Guerra, and Season 7 Winner Seth Aaron Henderson--Project Runway 10th Anniversary Party at Lord & Taylor NYC

After much socializing, reuniting, who-are-the-finalists? DISHING and Figure Skating Goddess LOVE...I almost forgot to actually check out my dress at the Lord & Taylor Project Runway Collection section, so...I got this close-up photo:

Nick Verreos for Project Runway 10th Anniversary Collection Dress, available exclusively at Lord & Taylor

Watch a fun video highlighting the night:

***Up Next: The BLOG Recap of my Special Appearance at Lord & Taylor for Fashion's Night Out NYC and Project Runway !! 

Fashion's Night Out NYC: Come Say "Hi" in NYC Thursday September 6, Lord & Taylor 6-11PM !

Fashion's Night Out NYC: Come Say "Hi" in NYC Thursday September 6, Lord & Taylor 6-11PM !

FNO Fab!

This week, as a lot of you fashionistas know, is time to get ready for Fashion's Night Out. For the fourth year in a
row, designers, models, fashion editors, celebrities and, of course,
shoppers will once again flock to their favorite stores for an
extravagant night of shopping, champagne and exclusive FNO events which are happening ALL over the World. In NYC, the celebration
marks the kickoff to New York Fashion Week and the festivities all happen on Thursday, September 6, from 6
to 11pm.

 Nick Verreos hosting Macy's Aventura Mall's Fashion's Night Out 2010 Event

American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York created Fashion's Night Out in 2009 as a
collaboration intended to celebrate fashion, restore consumer
confidence, boost the industry's economy and put the fun back in
shopping. Proceeds from sales of official FNO gear will benefit the New
York Community Trust's New York City AIDS Fund. For the last several years, I have had the pleasure of hosting FNO events in several cities/malls/department stores including Charleston West Virginia in 2011 and Miami in 2010.

 Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue, NYC

This year, I have the extreme pleasure of being part of the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Fashion's Night Out 2012 event occurring yes, at the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue Flagship in NYC!

The night's FNO "headliner" is the ever-so-fabulous Kim Kardashian, who will be exclusively at the store, signing her True Reflection fragrance bottles for fans. She'll be there from 7-9 PM. I had a fun pleasure of working with Kim several years back while doing an Academy Award Pre-Show for E! Entertainment:

Nick Verreos and Kim Kardashian (with then E! Entertainment's Debbie Matenopoulos--my "Greek Sister from Another Mister"!)

But, Miss Kim Kardashian isn't the only highlight of Lord & Taylor's Fashion's Night Out NYC party--we--the Project Runway alumn/designers who created the first ever Project Runway Collection--will also be there--and yes, that means, me too!

 Nick Verreos for Project Runway/Lord & Taylor Collection Dress

 So, when you are done with getting Miss Kim's autograph and photo for your Facebook....come see us---we will be on another floor getting our "Project Runway" fun on, unveiling our dresses--which are exclusively at Lord & Taylor's Fifth Avenue Flagship (as well as on their shopping website). I hear, there will be lots of fun activities that Lord & Taylor has in store---plus the fact that--at least for me--I'll be there to take all the FB and Twitter pics you want! I will be joined by the other first ever Project Runway Collection designers, including:

Season One Winner Jay McCarroll (right)...

All Stars Season One Winner Mondo Guerra (right)...

Season 7 Winner Seth Aaron Henderson and Season 9 designer Bert Keeter, among others

SEE YOU THURSDAY NIGHT!!!



Details:

WHAT: Lord & Taylor NYC Fashion's Night Out



WHERE: Lord & Taylor Flagship

                 424 Fifth Avenue (between 38th and 39th Street)

                 New York NY, 10018



WHEN: September 6, 2012, 6-11 p.m.

NIKOLAKI Minute: Model Amanda Fields wears NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul on AfterBuzz TV's Project Runway After Show

NIKOLAKI Minute: Model Amanda Fields wears NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul on AfterBuzz TV's Project Runway After Show

Peachy Fab!

Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2012 silk ziberline pleated neckline cocktail dress in peach with gold waistband accent.

Last Thursday, one of my favorite Los Angeles models-and NIKOLAKI Website Muse--the SuperFAB Amanda Fields stopped by my Atwater Village/LA NIKOLAKI design studio to pick out a little somethin'-somethin' to wear. Why, you ask...

Well, Amanda was appearing later that evening on AFTERBUZZ TV, "the aftershow network", where everything and anything is discussed--particularity on the subject of Reality TV--after the show. Following "Project Runway" Afterbuzz TV hosts an "after show" for
fans of Lifetime's Project Runway, naturally. In this show, host Alina Akram breaks
down the episode in which the designers get a chance to have their
clothes featured in a special collection at Lord & Taylor stores--the "Lord & Taylor Challenge". Amanda--who was one of the models back during Project Runway Season 3--was the special guest. And naturally, she wanted to wear a dress by a Project Runway designer. 

Girl Power: Model Amanda Fields with the ladies from After Buzz TV Project Runway After Show--host Alina Akram, and co-hosts  Lauren Leonelli, Virginia Reyna, Lauren
Mendoza

 Amanda wore a dress style which singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood wore on The Ellen Show (top photo) from my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection--Amanda's was in a Peachy Coral color for this Season.

And of course, I think Miss Amanda looked FABULOUS in the dress at the AfterBuzz TV Project Runway Aftershow! So Chic.



Click Below to Watch the entire "Oh My Lord & Taylor" AfterBuzz TV Show/Podcast:

Project Runway Capsule Collection--Including My Dress!!--Exclusivley at Lord & Taylor: Buy Now!

Project Runway Capsule Collection--Including My Dress!!--Exclusivley at Lord & Taylor: Buy Now!

It's Shopping Time!!

Grecian Cocktail: Nick Verreos Dress for Project Runway/Lord & Taylor Tenth Anniversary Capsule Collection

Project Runway and Lord & Taylor are partnering--as you may know--to unveil a first ever Project Runway for Lord & Taylor Capsule Collection to honor the Tenth Season Anniversary of the show. Lord & Taylor--the iconic department store is the exclusive retail partner of Project Runway and one designer from each of the last NINE seasons was asked to design a dress for this exclusive collection. As I posted here, I was honored to have been asked to be the designer from my season--Season 2. And on last night's Project Runway, the challenge was to design a dress for Lord & Taylor with the winner joining the rest of our dresses as the tenth, and final one in the capsule collection.

The winning design from last night's challenge was a blush/nude chiffon with black stretch crepe floor-length dress from Season 10 designer Christopher Palu (design seen above).

Mykonos Blue: Nick Verreos Dress--cobalt blue halter-style gathered front and back chiffon cocktail dress with sequined neck and back yoke detail---Lord & Taylor shopping website--Project Runway Tenth Anniversary Capsule Collection

Al the ten dress designs are available for purchase exclusively at the Fifth Avenue Flagship of Lord & Taylor and on the Lord & Taylor website--Click HERE right NOW to BUY!!! (and buy mine!!)

Happy Fashion Friday and Happy Shopping!

Project Runway for Lord & Taylor: My Dress! Original Sketch, Detail Pics + Much More!

Project Runway for Lord & Taylor: My Dress! Original Sketch, Detail Pics + Much More!

Tenth Anniversary Fab:

Grecian Blue: "Nick Verreos for Project Runway/Lord and Taylor" gathered front and back halter-neck cocktail dress in cobalt blue chiffon

Months ago, I was asked to design a dress for the Tenth Anniversary Project Runway Capsule Collection to be sold exclusively at Lord & Taylor. One designer from each of the last nine seasons was asked and I was humbled to be the "Season 2" pick. Now, who's the 10th Season designer for this Lord & Taylor collection, you may ask? Well kids, that will be known tomorrow night when this week's Project Runway episode airs.

The Challenge will be to design a dress for Lord & Taylor (the show's Store Sponsor) and the winner will then join the rest of the nine alumni to complete the ten design tableaux. Immediately following tomorrow night's episode, all the dresses will be available to purchase on LordandTaylor.com--all for under $350...

And next NEXT THURSDAY, September 6th, I (along with the other nine Project Runway alumn/designers) will be in NYC at the iconic Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship to "unveil" all the dresses to the public at a fun Fashion's Night Out event/party from 6-11 PM.

More on My Dress:

Nick Verreos Fashion Illustration of his Lord & Taylor/Project Runway Dress

Original Sketch: Here's the original sketch/design I did for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway when they asked me to be part of this exclusive capsule collection. I originally had envisioned it in a golden color with leather (or faux leather) neck and racer-back "harness" accent. It was inspired by my love of draping, Grecian Goddess and a gown style I did in my high-end NIKOLAKI line. But after some edits and adaptions from the Lord & Taylor design team, it evolved into this:

Nick Verreos for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway cobalt blue gathered front chiffon dress...

...with gathered back and iridescent organza over sequin fabric back yoke

Here's a close-up of the front halter neckline

And here were some of the other designs/sketches I also submitted to them as dress style suggestions. The two themes I was chosen to focus on were "Embellished Body Con" and "Draped"--they eventually chose the halter style as you know by now:

Nick Verreos Fashion Illustrations for Lord & Taylor/Project Runway

Here are the other Project Runway dresses for Lord & Taylor from the Project Runway Capsule Collection:

Left to right: Dresses from Bert Keeter and Chris March

Left to right: Dresses from Gordana Gehlhausen, Jay McCarroll

Left to right: Dresses from Korto Momolu, Mondo Guerra

Left to right: Seth Aaron Anderson, Uli Herzner

So, if you're in NYC next week...See you Next THURSDAY September 6th 6-11 PM, for the UNVEILING of the Tenth Anniversary Project Runway for Lord & Taylor Collection at Fashion's Night Out Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue NYC!!!!