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 !! 

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!!!!

Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 2 "Candy Couture"

Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 2 "Candy Couture"

Sweet...or Not So Sweet, Fashion:

Cotton Candy Delicious: Guess What the Project Runway designers are working with this week?

Project Runway is BACK and we are now onto Season 10. It premiered two weeks ago and last week was "Episode 2", it was the iconic UNCONVENTIONAL CHALLENGE that all the fans LOVE. I, often wonder if these are the types of challenges that help discover "Next Great American Fashion Designer". But as we all know...it's all about what makes for fun and great TV.

Tim Gunn and Dylan Lauren, Project Runway Season 10

The contestants/designers meet Tim Gunn and Dylan Lauren (yes, Ralph's lovely daughter), CEO and owner of Dylan's Candy Bar. Soon, it is revealed they must create a look out of candy.

Project Runway has done this before in Season 4, where it was held at the Times Square Hershey's Store and Rami Kashou won , in case you're keeping tabs (Photo of Kashou's winning look above).

After some krazeee candy shopping at Dylan's Candy Bar NYC, some candy Parsons workroom draping, molding and more importantly, GLUEING...it was time for the Runway Show with Judges:

(Right to left) Heidi Klum (in a off-the-shoulder snakeskin printed ensemble), Michael Kors (in his black "uniform"), Nina Garcia (in a FAB black and gold jacket and skinny pants and FIERCE heels!), and Dylan Lauren in purple. Now, the whole point of this challenge was to somehow make a garment from candy BUT...make it look as if it wasn't made out of CANDY. Some succeed beautifully and well, some not so mucheey...



Le Good:

Beaded Candy Ball Superb: LOVED Belarus-born fashion wunderkid Dmitry Sholokhov's twisted halter dress with fitted midriff. He used black, red, and yellow candy balls and WOW!!! This should have been in the Top Three FOR SURE, some would even argue that it should have won. The candy looked like oversized beads. One could NEVER EVER tell that it was candy. Simply Superb. With all that, he just "made it through" to the next round--and somehow only landed "in the middle".

Mini Mermaid Cocktail: The first of the Top Two positions was Sonjia Williams (who is quickly looking like a contender to be in the Finals, if only from these two first challenges). She created a peplum-shaped mini dress using ivory and aqua candy balls, white chocolate covered almonds and shark gummies.

I LOVED how she created the princess seams with the candy, injected the color-blocking trend seamlessly and then finished it off with a "neck-piece" of shark gummies. She was part Sexy Mermaid, part cocktail dress, part "Mini Shark". The hat was a miss, as some of the judges said, but other than that, it was an excellent and very creative creation.

The Winner, however, was Ven Budhu. Just from the "hints" shown by the cameras in the Parsons workroom, I could just see that his design was going to be a STUNNER. And it was. The way he created this vision of serious Haute Couture using crushed colored candy, it was magical.

The perfectly geometric inlaid pieces, the stained glass effect he created with candy--it all added to a beautiful strapless cocktail dress that was reminiscent of something from an Atelier Versace Collection:

Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Now, Le Bad:

Oh Buffi Jashanmal: Her Project Runway fifteen minutes are a ticking. This is so tasteless that Miss Nina is looking as if she's going to get ILL every time one of Buffi's designs come down the runway. She looks like Paris Hilton's REALLY REALLY tacky--and that's a feat!--daughter (OUCH!). I know it's only the second challenge but I am beginning to wonder how the heck she even made it onto the show.

Noodle Twizzler Dress: Also in the bottom was Elena Slivnyak's "Warrior Princess" structured dress made from a muslin base with piña colada twizzlers. The twizzlers began falling off the dress the minute the model came sauntering down the runway.

And then from not-so-far, the twizzlers began looking like a pasta noodle arts and crafts project from a 12 year old. I totally get what Irena was going for and it could have been great but...alas, it just didn't work. Poor thang.



But the Worst Was:

Oh Huney You Didn't Even Try: Just take a look at the model. She was like "Oh Dear! First, I cannot believe I have to wear this tacky creation and, second of all, I just KNOW my designer is going home". Fashion designer Lantie Foster's design was a MESS. She really did not even try. Umbrella fabric and little candy. And she tried to use the excuses of a first year fashion school student. Hashtag FAIL.



Wanna know what I really thought of this past week's Episode 2? Then read on kids....

"Sweet Tooth Couture"

Last
week, Season 10 of "Project Runway" premiered with the "Biggest Fashion
Show" in "Runway" history. This week, our little ol’ show loses not an
ounce of couture steam and keeps the strong momentum going with one of
the most iconic — and beloved by fans — "Project Runway" challenges, the
"Make a dress out of crap you would NEVER use to make a garment
challenge" … in other words, yes kids, it’s the Unconventional
Challenge. I’ve always said that this is a fun challenge to watch by the
fans and TV viewers alike, but in terms of it being a guide rule in
finding the "Next Best American Fashion Designer"… not so much.



 

Candy Re-Run


As "Plaid Heidi" saunters onto the runway congratulating last week’s
winner — cutie Christopher — she tells the designers that this is "no
time for child’s play." Instantly I think, "Oh Dear, they’re making
clothes for bratty Upper East Side kids!" But oh no, I was wrong. Soon,
the designers meet with Monsieur Gunn in front of Dylan’s Candy Store
where he is flanked by it’s owner and CEO, Dylan Lauren (Yes, of Ralph
Lauren fashion blue blood), announcing that their second challenge will
be to create a look out of candy using materials bought from Dylan’s
Candy Store naturally. Now, I remember back in Season 4, the challenge
was done at the Hershey’s Times Square store (Rami won it), so it seemed
like a slight re-run challenge idea to me, but one figures that it’s
difficult to come up with new "Unconventional Challenges" year after
year.




 

Gunnar and Christopher: Please Get a Room


After a mad "Candy Dash," the designers get their sugar tooth couture
fix, buy out half the store and then head to Parsons to #makeitwork!
The workroom quickly begins to resemble a 5-year-old’s birthday party
after a piñata has exploded. Several designers are spending their early
hours doing muslin dresses to build the foundation for their candy
creations. Others are crushing candy, gluing candy … or just eating it!
And then there’s Gunnar Siriano 2.0 and cutie Christopher who spend a
lot of their time being Bitchy Queens (more so Gunnar than Christopher)
talking smack and "throwing shade." It’s only the second week (In real
time, it’s only been like TWO DAYS since they’ve met each other!), but
there’s already this weird tension between them. I have a feeling that
either A) Gunnar feels threatened because he thought he was going to be
the only "twinky gay" or B) They just need to GET A ROOM! But I digress,
let’s move on…






Click HERE to read the rest of my Recap...