PROJECT RUNWAY....."Project Runway" Part 1 Finale MyLifetime.com Live Chat with Nick Verreos

Nick Verreos Hosts "Project Runway Season 12" Part 1 Finale Live Webchat, NYC

Two Thursdays ago, I flew to NYC to host the first ever "Project Runway" Live Finale Web Chat!! My partner David Paul, naturally came with me to NYC since I needed his "support" and well, he just LOVES NYC so he didn't even question joining me on this trip (usually for my work trips, he just stays back in Los Angeles with our little Benny and "holds down the NIKOLAKI fort"). The night we arrived, we checked into our wonderful hotel room at the very hip Royalton Hotel located on 44th Street between 5th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas in Midtown West.

 A Balcony In NYC!!!! Nick Verreos takes in the balcony in his hotel room, Royalton Hotel NYC

I just about had a heart attack when I walked into the room and then noticed that there was a HUGE balcony attached to the room--just for us! Now, if you know NY and know NY hotels, it is a RARE sight indeed to have a balcony--and a good sized one--as part of your NYC hotel.

 David Paul and Nick Verreos, Times Square NYC

After I got my breathing back to normal, we ventured out to Times Square and took some pics (so touristy of us!), and looked for a diner to get a late dinner. The following day was my Live Chat...

I was so excited to host this Live Chat for "Part 1 Finale" of Season 12 "Project Runway". Fans from all over the country logged in to MyLifetime.com and either got the chance to "text" questions or actually "Live Chat" with me via a video cam. The Pre-Finale episode dealt with the Top 5 designers and there would be one elimination and the introduction of the Tide Pods Washable Challenge--in which the designers had to create a look for their Finale Collections entirely made of washable fabrics. The Live Chat occurred in the A&E Networks offices and they had set up a colorful backdrop for the chat--and I was ready! I also made sure to wear something that "pops", keeping with the Tide "theme". Here are some pics from my Live Chat:

 "Project Runway" Finale Live Chat Backdrop

 When Do We Start? Nick Verreos about to Live Chat with "Project Runway" fans across the US

Post Chat: Nick Verreos with clients from Lifetime, A&E, Tide...I had a BLAST doing the Live Chat and enjoyed answering lots of questions from fans--questions ranging from "Do you need a Master's Degree to be a Fashion Designer?", "Who do I think will win?", How to design fabulous garments--besides jeans and t-shirts--that are Washable, and so on. The Live Chat only took a little over an hour but when I was done, it seemed as if I was back on "Project Runway" doing a Challenge! I answered questions NONSTOP for the hour+, back-to-back...it was CRAZY! But let me tell you, I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Oh, and in case you missed my "Project Runway Blog" Recap of the "Part 1 Finale Episode", you can click HERE and read it on MyLifetime.com and see what I thought of the episode.

Since we were in NYC, David and I decided to stay a couple of nights after the Live Chat to get in some "fun/relaxing" time...

We visited the FIT Museum's "A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk" Exhibition. The Exhibit features approximately 100 ensembles, from 18th-century menswear styles associated with an emerging gay subculture to 21st-century high fashion. This is the first museum exhibition to explore in depth the significant contributions to fashion made by LGBTQ (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer) individuals over the past 300 years. We also enjoyed the RetroSpective Exhibition at the FIT Fashion and Textile Gallery, which explored fashion's relationship with its own history. We really loved that particular exhibition as well.

 NV Nick Verreos--Lord & Taylor 5th Avenue

David and I also got a chance to visit Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue to see if there were any of our NV Nick Verreos dresses...and lo and behold there were!! We found this one multicolored apple green and pink printed dress and of course, we had to take some photos!

 Nick Verreos and Damaris Lewis, Nizza Restaurant NYC

Afterward, we had a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Nizza, where I recognized one of my favorite TOP models, the stunning Damaris Lewis, who has appeared in the 2009, 2010, 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues--she happened to be seated next to us. She also recognized me and is a big fan, so of course we had to take a pic! She was having dinner with her friends after doing a Samba Workout! This is what a Supermodel looks like after a Samba workout: flawless. Work It Huney! We finished our last night with our NY friends at a party overlooking the Manhattan skyline:

Nick Verreos and David Paul with their "NY Sistahs", Taylor Schultz and Louie Anchondo

Bye NYC!!! Can't wait to come back! xoxo