Project Runway Season 9--Guess Who Is Blogging the Recaps for MyLifetime.com?

Yep, me...

Returning Blogger: Nick Verreos, to blog Project Runway Season 9

I'm so excited to be joining designers Mychael Knight, Johnathan Kayne Gillespie (both from Season 3) and "Momma Peach" , Peach Carr (from Season 8) as a Recap Blogger for Lifetime's Website--MyLifetime.com. I am honored (sorry, I know, I sound as if I am receiving an award!!) to be a "returning Blogger" for Project Runway.

I will--as always--try to put my "Uncle Nick" twist on things, and see the episodes both as a Designer who owns a company for ten years, a Fashion College Instructor, as well as someone who has "been there/done that", oh and yes, be a little funny and sassy at the same time :) Just a little bit. I can't wait!!!

Click HERE for my BLOG on MyLifetime.com.

Nick Verreos Season 8 Project Runway MyLifetime.com Blog/Recap: Finale-Part 1!!!

Lacroix 2.0, Pattaya Bay, Whole Foods Sales Girls and Mommy-Daddy Therapy...Yep, It's Project Runway, the Almost-last Episode!

Is the Camera On: Andy South consoles Michael Costello during "Finale Part 1", Project Runway Season 8

Oh Dear! Yes, those were basically the only two words I could muster after watching Thursday night's "Finale Part 1" of Project Runway Season 8. The episode began cute enough and pretty typical in terms of previous "Road to NY Fashion Week" Project Runway Episodes...

The remaining 4 Designers get their "Congratulations" from Heidi and Tim and then are sent off to their respective home bases to make their Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week Collections. Tim jets off to Hawaii, Denver, Palm Springs and Portland. After 6 weeks, they return to NY for their last Challenge that will narrow down the Top Three Finalists who will show at NY Fashion Week. The Runway Show at Parsons occurs and then it all heads south from there, concluding in what could have been an advertisement for Mommy-Daddy Therapy sessions.

Highlight: Mondo's Circus

For me, there was one Winner and that's it. When Mondo Guerra's 3-piece mini collection came out, it was like "Done and Done". The judges gave him both positives and negatives, saying he had to somehow learn how to tame the "Print Beast" inside him. Well, he can't do much, because the collection is done kiddies! And I like it , circus prints and all.

It all reminded me of Christian Lacroix (Spring 2009 Haute Couture above), well, the H&M version. After Mondo, in my opinion, any of the other three could have been out. Yes, I might have chosen Andy or Gretchen instead of Michael C. but I KNEW Gretchen wasn't going--she's the "Wendy Pepper" of the Season, so you know they were keeping her!

Lowlights: Andy's Warrior Divas go to Pattaya Bay

What happened to Andy South? I was so looking forward to a whole army of Andy Warrior Goddesses ready for battle in almost all black, fierce, well-fitted dresses. He went from this FIERCE look above...to this below...

Is this what happens when Project Runway Finalists go home. They do great in the pressure cooker of the show's surreal competition environment but then they return home and lose their style? Wassup Andy?

Instead of Warrior Divas, his 3-piece Laos/Buddha-inspired mini-collection was a cross between something Imelda Marcos would wear (Hello Silk Shantung!!??) and...

Something you'd see on the Pattaya Bay Girls in Thailand. Now, mind you those two inspirations sound HOT, but I don't think that's what he had in mind.

Lowlights: Gretchen's Vegetarian Girls Who Don't Want to Get Laid

Her designs were so not exciting, so not NY Fashion Week and so something you might see at some Granola-Crunchy store, as Michael Kors kept alluding to. All that was missing was some Birkenstocks and some incense. Take a look at this lovely example:

Muffin Top Alert: This poor girl is a size 2 or size 4 MAX...AND somehow, Gretchen still gave her a Muffin Top! Seriously.

Lowlights: Housewives of New Jersey Meets Liza Minelli

I really liked (and so did the judges), the one copper silk charmeuse gown he made but the other two choices were not my faves, especially that fringed top (Miss Heidi LOOOVED it!) and lace embroidered pants look: On top, she's a cast member in "Chicago" and on the bottom, she's Liza Minelli!

It looked a little too "Real Housewives of New Jersey" on a night out on the town. Michael Costello was Auf'ed and proceeded to have THE "I'm a Failure To My Parents" meltdown. After he dried his tears, Michael C. actually did get to show at Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week--along with like 44 of the other contestants (yes, I'm exaggerating!). I know it's not the same, but still. In case you missed Michael C.'s NYC Fashion Week Finale Collection...you can click HERE to see it. I liked most of the looks but I wasn't a fan of...

Nipple Alert: This multi, multi, MULTI-layered ruffled gown with a see-through bustier seen on Season 1 Models of The Runway Model Lisa Blades. I love Miss Lisa, she's my friend, muse, and of course, has modeled LOTS of my gowns and dresses. But I, as a designer, would probably have NEVER put her in this. But what a trooper Miss Lisa! So, there you go. I'm betting on Miss Mondo to win. Anyway, to read what I REALLY thought of this last episode:

Here's the Beginning of my MyLifetime.com Blog/Recap for this "Finale Part 1" Episode:

Road To Therapy (I Mean New York Fashion Week!)

I cannot believe it's almost OVER! We are in the last lap of this season's "Project Runway" and it's been a KRAZEE marathon! This episode left me shaken. To be honest, immediately after watching, all I could focus on was that I may need to re-think my recap and instead write an open letter to all parents entitled "How Not to Mess Up Your Children's Lives." But then I wouldn't be able to discuss this last DRAMATIC (and oh-so-fashion-boring) penultimate episode. So here we go…

Click HERE to read my Entire Recap and make sure to leave your "two cents".

Nick Verreos Project Runway Season 8 Recaps on MyLifetime.com: Episode 12: The Big Apple!

The "Dress To A Chic NY Funeral Challenge"?

The Funeral Brigade: Designs by (L-R) Mondo Guerra, Gretchen Jones, Andy South, Michael Costello, and April Johnston

This past Thursday was the 12Th (!) Episode of Season 8 of Project Runway...and the Theme was "The Big Apple". They had 2 days and $500...and all they came up with was a sea of BLACK!

Yes, New York City was the remaining designers' muse and they were "allowed" by the Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Distinguished Tim Gunn to use specific Landmarks: The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and the Lower East Side as their inspiration.

Instead of a celebration of NYC and all its Landmarks, it became a FUNERAL. A very Chic one at that! (I never would have imagined I would have used BOTH a coffin AND a funeral reference when writing about Project Runway). If you had tuned in mid-way through, you probably would have thought that yes, in fact, the Challenge for this week was "Create a Look for a Very Chic Funeral". The designs the contestants created reminded me a lot of...

These looks that very chic and famous women (L-R: Supermodel Naomi Campbell, French actress Ariel Dombasle, Heiress Fashionista Daphne Guinness, and designer Stella McCartney) wore at recent high-profile funerals of Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent. Actually, I like these outfits BETTER than the ones I saw on Thursday night!

Here are some suggestions of what I would have rather seen--as creations inspired by some of those NYC Landmarks:

Central Park:

Andy South did an all BLACK (yep, no surprise) mini dress that was supposed to have been inspired by Central Park. There was NOTHING in it that said Central Park. I would have loved to have seen something with COLOR! Those gorgeous greens, something with texture. How about something along the lines of...

This Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture hand-woven dress from his "Mexico" Collection. I know, maybe take out the leaves on the hair but at least, it's A) Creative, B) Looks like it cost money and took a lot of work, and C) It has COLOR. Or maybe something like...

This colorful printed dress from Diane Von Furstenberg's Spring 2010 Collection. It may not be Andy's "aesthetic" but hey, it might be nice to see the more "softer/feminine" side of him.

Lower East Side:

Not-so-nice "Miss Critique Corner" designer Gretchen Jones picked the Lower East Side and created my LEAST favorite look of the night. It was a mess, looked off-the-rack, and didn't even go together. She was still safe, of course. Reality TV loves a villain, kids...But I wished I would have seen something more along the lines of...

This Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière denim-blue skinny pant and hoodie jacket ensemble with colored tank from his Spring 2010. Hot, edgy, and oh so "fashion girl living in the Lower East Side". But oh well, no such luck.

Statue of Liberty:

Michael Costello chose the fabulous Statue of Liberty and made a BLACK halter gown with a VERY HIGH side-front slit and VERY LOW back. There's a rule in design when it comes to these details: One but NOT both! Unless it's the Miss Universe Pageant! I would have been happier seeing a gown like...

This one above from Stephane Rolland Fall 2010 Haute Couture. It's got the one shoulder silhouette, the draping and even a bit of detail at the hem to suggest a bit of weight the you attribute to such a grand statue. Well, irregardless, Michael C. still won with this design leaving lots of people thinking "Say What??". Speaking of What the H***? , when asked what fabric was his dress, he didn't know. HE DIDN'T KNOW!!! It's not even cute.

Michael, I love ya, but I may have to give you an extensive course on Textiles in my Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM classroom, but first you have to register and enroll!

In the end, it was April Johnston who got the boot this week, with her almost-all BLACK asymmetrical dress with zippered corseted bustier. In my blog for MyLifetime.com, I admitted I kinda liked.
It reminded me of something along the lines of a Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci , dark, Gothic, yet still feminine. However, the judges--and especially Michael Kors--thought it looked more like this:

Yep, a Witch! A pregnant one at that. Oh well, with that, April got on a broom and left the Parsons Workroom, sad but privately happy knowing that she still would show at NY Fashion Week--along with like 22 other "Auf'ed" designers...

Here's a Sneak Peak of my MyLifetime.com Recap of this Episode:

Witchy Vs. Bitchy
Gretchen should have been OUT. There, I said it. But she wasn't. I knew she was going to be in the "Final Four" since … well, since she uttered her first "I think EVERYONE ELSE'S designs SUCK!" critique. PLEASE, I'm too jaded. But still … What the heck did I just witness last night?: An uninspiring, off-the-rack outfit got put through by the judges, on "Project Runway." Do I sound frustrated? Yes. That's because I am. Last night's episode — and challenge — had such potential, yet I was — to quote Michael Kors — underwhelmed (by all the black) and unusually mad! What were the judges thinking? Well, let's find out …

Click HERE to read the ENTIRE Recap!!! And make sure to leave your Thoughts! I love reading them!

Nick Verreos MyLifetime.com Season 8 Project Runway Recaps: Mundo Mondo!!!

Mondo: You Win In My Book!

Stylin' Mondo

Look at you Mondo! You WIN!!!! You win in my heart and you win in this Episode!!!! Of course, everyone and their Project Runway-loving mom knows that, in this episode, my little Latin Urkel, revealed to the Basic Cable viewing audience--as well as Heidi, Nina, Michael and guest judge, Designer Rachel Roy--that he was HIV+. It was a major moment for Project Runway and you just know that it will be the "For Your Consideration Emmy Voters" DVD that will be sent in the mail. On top of that, I was BALLING!!!! But, there was more: For this, Episode 10 of Season 8 Project Runway, the designers got the fabulous HP TouchSmart Technology Computer Challenge where they had the privilege of designing their own custom fabric along with their look. I'm not a fan of re-hashing old challenges, but I do love this one kiddies!

As a "Twist", Daddy Tim Gunn, had "surprise Guests": The Designer's Moms: Mondo, had some bonding time with his lovely Madre (above) and...

Michael Costello, even got a visit from his "Mini Me" son (he's sooooo adorable!).

Christopher's Mom was nowhere to be seen, but...in her absence was his partner/boyfriend. And Kudos for Lifetime for keeping that kiss! Love that in this photo they are just enjoying some Shrimp Cocktail...Go figure: Skinny buffed Up Gays do eat!

Off The Shoulder Barbara Walters

Now let's get to the Runway: Speaking of Cutie Christopher, he just LOVES creating designs for an older customer, bless his heart. That off-the-shoulder printed top and those slacks are SO very Barbra Walters. Like something she would definitely wear on "The View":

My Least Favorite was Andy South's:

He struggled the entire time, saying that he was in a "Memory Bubble" and was not even trying to hide his disdain for his own design. I wouldn't either: It was a MESS! There was NO DESIGN!

She looked like trashy singer Ke$ha after waaaay too many Long Island Ice Tea's from some late-night Hollywood Blvd D-list nightclub. Yep, I said it.

Miss Guatemala Does Cocktail

But, according to the judges, it was Valerie Moyen's aka "Miss Guatemala's" time to go. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't good either. I know how it works now, she was on the bottom last time so the show was "setting it up" for you to not be soooo surprised when she was "Auf'ed". But the Winner:

Where Can I get Those Pants?

Was my dear little Mondo. His design was EXQUISITE! When his model came out on the Runway, I was like "WORK!!!!!". Seriously. That mitering of his great print was flawless, and she looked (I just HATE this word, but it applies) FIERCE. Go on Miss Mondo. Take your Project Runway Crown. This IS your Moment. I just have a feeling about who might win this whole thang...Just sayin' (I really don't know!).

Here's a "Sneak Peak Intro: to my MyLifetime.com recap:

Positive Tears Of Fashion

Hello, "Project Runway" kiddies: I am in the midst of finishing up my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection, which — along with my design partner David Paul — we will debut at tonight's fabulous 3rd Annual Style Week Orange County. But even all the alterations, fittings and last-minute craziness couldn't stop me from watching this week's "Project Runway"!

Get the Kleenex Out
Well, hope you had the box of Kleenex out, because this was a MAJAH tearjerker of an episode. Amongst all the usual "Project Runway" shenanigans: a new challenge, surprise guests and more Gretchen "Two Cents" critiques, we had a HUGE revelation from one of the contestants, my little darling Latin Urkel, Mondo Guerra. So shall we just get started?........

To Read the entire Recap, Click HERE!

Nick Verreos Season 8 Project Runway MyLifetime.com Recaps: The Resort Challenge!!

Couples Resort!

Tim Gunn and Michael Kors Await their Mimosa Brunch

This week was the Finale Fashion Show of Project Runway Season 8 in NYC Spring 2011Fashion Week. If you are reading this blog, you're probably already a fan of the show and know this of course. So, by now, all the "insiders" know who won the show...but in "TV Time", we're still on Episode 7 and there are lots of designers left on the show to weed out before we get to that (already happened) Finale NYC Fashion Week Fashion Show.

Resort Fashion Photo Shoot in Mykonos

So...this week (in "TV Time"), the designers met up with Father Tim and Diva Kors in front of (I presume) Heidi Klum's yacht where they were told of the new Challenge: To design a Resort Look, worthy to pack on a trip to say Mykonos, or the Amalfi Coast.

However, some of the designers thought they were going to either a tacky Las Vegas Pool Party hosted by Jon Gosselin...or a Pot Luck Picnic with Barbara Walters. It seemed as if some of these kids didn't know what "Resort" meant...They also were thrown a "Twist", to pair up and construct each other's designs...So you know there was lots of You-Can't-Make-Patterns-Michael C. DRAMA!!

Now, let's begin with showing you How Uncle Nicky Does Resort:

Last Month in Positano, the Amalfi Coast: Nick Verreos ready for dinner and some Limoncello...

And now...let me show you how some designers DO Resort:

Ready For the Yacht to Capri: Gucci by Frida Giannini, Resort 2011

St. Tropez Boho Caftan Chic: Chanel Resort 2011 by Karl Lagerfeld

And from one of our esteemed Project Runway Judges, Designer Michael Kors: Aspen Lodge Aperitif Hour from Michael Kors Resort 2011 (this one MIGHT have ended up on the bottom if one of the contestants would have made it, I ASSURE YOU!!!!)

I loved Andy South's bi-colored halter swimsuit with matching pareo/overkirt. This was VERY Resort and soooo chic.

It reminded me of Pucci Spring 2010 from Norwegian Designer Peter Dundas. But it was "too saleable" for the judges. And you don't want to be "Saleable" on Project Runway I guess...

"Latin Urkel" Mondo, designed a little ensemble that only a Gay Man's Best Girlfriend at the Roller Disco would wear. That or some Hostess at Jon Gosselin's Vegas Pool Party

(see top of this blog!). Cute but so not "High Rent" Resort Mondo...

Speaking of High Rent: Casanova went to the other extreme. The judges kept saying it looked too much like something a 70 year old would wear.

Well, Barbara Walters, here's your next Resort Ensemble, courtesy of Cuchi-Cuchi Casanova!

Here's a "Sneak Peak" at my Recap for this week:

You Want Me to Wear THAT to the Maui Hilton???

Oh these kids … these Season 8 "Project Runway" kids … More and more, as I watch, I feel like an old fogey designer/instructor, wanting to slap them all upside their coiffed heads with my pattern ruler for not really having a clue as to what the heck Resort Wear really is and for the "I-just-don't-do-patterns" excuses … But, I digress. Let's get to the matter at hand: This week's episode involves going on a fashionable vacation, more of the Michael C. He-Can't-Sew-fest (I am SOOO OVER that!) and a sad adios.

Mimosas With Michael Kors
The remaining designers were instructed — by drop-crotch, silk-charmeuse-pant-wearing Heidi — to meet Tim Gunn and "a very special guest" at the marina (didn't realize Manhattan had a marina!) for a mimosa-filled brunch. Once they arrived, Tim and Michael Kors were waiting for them, flanked by a fabulous yacht. The designers' Challenge: to create a Resort Wear look that captures their point of view, and is interesting, eye-catching and, of course, super fashionable. Kors also reminded the designers that Resort Wear could be anything from a swimsuit to a gown. Oh, what fun, I thought! I just recently returned from three weeks in Europe, where I spent some R&R time on the Amalfi Coast, so I KNOW what these resort divas wear; I was READY! But it seemed that some of the contestants were not......

To Read The Entire Recap...Click HERE on the MyLifetime.com Site.