Flower Couture!
Last night, the Logo Network got a little more fashionable: On last night's Reality Competition Show, The Arrangement, the Challenge was to create FABULOUS Headpieces--completely made of flowers--inspired by my NIKOLAKI gowns!! I introduced the Challenge since I was the "client" and I also got to be one of the special judges as well (of course!).
Also joining me on The Arrangement Judging Panel were hostess-with-the-fiercest-body Gigi Levangie Grazer, Mentor and Flower Designer DIVA Eric Buterbaugh, and... Traver Rains, former designer to Heatherette, TV personality and photographer.
The Contestants vying for the coveted "Next Greatest Flower Designer" title not only had to design floral headpieces for my gowns but an accompanying one for one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses, a gold silk-Lurex one-shoulder number.
When the producers invited me to be part of the show--and challenge--I told them that I HAD to bring my "Muses", no "if's and's or but's"! They obliged and so, of course, I called the gorgeous Lisa Blades, who you may remember from Lifetime's Models of The Runway Season 1, and the incomparable Amanda Fields, to join me and feature NIKOLAKI in the best (TV) light.
I had SO much fun hanging out with "my girls" and they were--to say the least--such troopers throughout the very long shoot day (it's TV kids!). I had my very own trailer (I know, very A-list!) and so we hung out--in between shoots--watching TV, discussing boyfriend gossip, Project Runway dish and eating Twizzlers (Model Diet, Hello!!)
The competition was tough--in terms of what the contestants brought to the table for this challenge. I was excited to see what they had designed. When I initially met them, they all seemed excited to see me. I hoped that even after I had to judge them--and vote one off, that they would still "Like me...really like me!"
To watch the ENTIRE episode click HERE!

Lacroix 2.0, Pattaya Bay, Whole Foods Sales Girls and Mommy-Daddy Therapy...Yep, It's Project Runway, the Almost-last Episode!
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...
Highlight: Mondo's Circus
Lowlights: Andy's Warrior Divas go to Pattaya Bay
Lowlights: Gretchen's Vegetarian Girls Who Don't Want to Get Laid
Lowlights: Housewives of New Jersey Meets Liza Minelli
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".

EVERYONE Gets To Go To NY Fashion Week!!!! (Warning: Spoiler Alert!)
TEN designers from this current season of Project Runway showed last Thursday morning at the new site of Spring 2011 NY Fashion Week--Lincoln Center. Because Project Runway ended last weeks episode with ten contestants, ALL the remaining designers got to show in order not to spoil the "TV Finale Episode"--I was lucky enough to have been invited (I guess procuring tickets could be "a little crazy"!) BUT...alas I was unable to fly to NYC and attend because, as always: Duty Calls! I was flying to Miami to host the Macy's Fashion's Night Out Event and Fashion Show at the fabulous Aventura Mall.
Now back to the I-gotta-sit-through-TEN-Collections: Really there were only the Top Three left (or four sometimes) but because of the fact that ten were still "on TV", this is why this happened. Same thing as last season. I think it's NOT COOL. Sixteen Designers actually get to make it onto Project Runway, and now it seems that more than half of them (approx. 63 %, yes, I did the math kiddies!), make it to New York Fashion Week! Not only is that crazy, unfair but then it's almost like a surefire thing you'll make it to Fashion Week if you're still among the ten left! Isn't showing at NY Fashion Week one of the "Prizes"? It seems that Project Runway has fallen into current society's unfortunate pattern of giving out "trophies" even to the losers. But I digress. From the Photos of the Collections, Here is my Fave (just one) and Oh-What-Were-You-Thinking?

Click Below to see my good friend, MISS Chloe Dao, Winner of Season 2, commentating after seeing the Finale Fashion Show (I LOVE what she says!!!!):

Sexy Sexy... Fireside: Nick Verreos and Suwana Perry, wearing Nikolaki, at the Victoria's Secret "What's Sexy?" Party On Wednesday night, I was invited to the 5Th Annual Victoria's Secret What's Sexy? Event at the gorgeous Drai's W Hollywood. I had never been up to the new Drai's and so of course I wanted to attend. Also anything that has "Victoria's Secret" attached to it, you KNOW I'm there! Ever since I did my backstage behind-the-scenes "Panty Raid" video for Victoria's Secret--and yes, my "connection" to the UBER Beautiful Heidi Klum--I have been a VS fan! Model Sexy: LA Models including Talesha Byrd (in white), Eugena Washington (from Cycle 7 of America's Next Top Model), Tanisha Harper (from Season 1 Models of The Runway) and Suwana Perry (wearing Nikolaki one shoulder dress) I decided to bring a date, one of my gorgeous model friends, the lovely Suwana Perry, who naturally had to be dressed in one of my designs, a (Very Sexy!) raspberry-colored silk charmeuse one shoulder "Disco" concoction. As we made it to the Pink Carpet outside of the W Hollywood, I looked up and there was Paris Hilton waiting to do her step-and-repeat. Paris was so sweet and funny; she forgot who she was wearing and I helped her look at the back of her dress trying to find a label---fun times! Next time, I might have to lend her one of my little cocktail numbers and then she won't forget.Also on the Pink Carpet were the Victoria's Secret Supermodels, Doutzen Kroes (above), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel and of course, Miranda Kerr, who was one of the Hosts of the Event. In keeping with the party's theme, they all looked VERY SEXY of course. Once inside, the place was PACKED with celebs, models, lots of wealthy-looking men and LA/Hollywood A-Listers. I said "Ola" to the Brazilian model Camila Alves, host of Bravo's Shear Genius, sporting a perfect (Brazilian Blow-Out I presume?) mane of chestnut hair and white and silver tunic-dress. Speaking of models, there was a contingency of the prettiest girls from LA Models--lots of whom have modeled for me--including Tanisha Harper and (my Muse and Fit Model) Lisa Blades (both from Lifetime's Models Of The Runway Season 1). Model-and Designer-Posing: Nick Verreos with Models, Victoria's Secreet What's Sexy? Party When they all saw Suwana and I walk into the party, there was lots of model screamin' and impromptu model "walk-offs" let me tell you. I'm sure other guests were like "What the H***???", but we didn't mind!The best part of the night (other than "Queening Out" with all the models!) was a "Surprise" performance by none other that Pharell, Chad Huzo, and Shay Haley of N.E.R.D. They did a three-song set which capped the night and the event. I even got to stop my shaking and dancing long enough to hold my camera and take some photos. Thanks Victoria's Secret. Now I really know What's Sexy!

Cocktails, Gowns, and a Project Runway Designer-Almost-Without-A-Muse, at the Standard Downtown LA...Helloooooooo?!: Model Lisa Blades and Nick Verreos gossip on the phones at the Standard Downtown LA (Photo Courtesy of Tim Regas for Photomezzo.com) Last Wednesday, on March 17Th, I was invited to the second annual Fashion Group International of Los Angeles/FGILA's "The Designer & The Muse That Inspires Them" party in celebration of LA fashion Week. This year's party and red carpet parade of Designers and Muses was to be led by the legendary Couturier James Galanos. Well, of course, I couldn't miss it! I was teaching (and giving Finals) that entire day at FIDM and afterward, rushed to my NIKOLAKI design studio to get ready and meet up with my friend--and Muse--the statuesque and oh-so-lovely, Lisa Blades. Lisa was my muse at last year's FGILA Designer and The Muse event and I just LOVE being with her so naturally, I wanted her to be my date again! For this year's event/party, she wore a pale blue and gold silk-wool zibeline, high-neck mini-dress with padded cap sleeves from our NIKOLAKI Fall 2010 Collection. The moment she tried it on, she looked AMAZING and it also made her legs look TEN FEET LONG!! (that's the part I loved).Natalie Cole and designer Lloyd Klein The moment we arrived, we spotted the stunning Natalie Cole as she was leaving the party and slipping into her very VIP limousine. Inside, the lobby was jam-packed with fashionista guests, designers, and beautiful models mingling and enjoying cocktails. We were then whisked off to the the second level for some red carpet photo ops. I was happy to run into Palm Springs designer, Michael Costello who was there with his model/muse, the exotic Suwana Perry. I also ran into my really good friend, designer April Mun of Stella & Jamie , who was there with her muse, actress Melissa Ordway . Model Blocked: Brandise Danesewich, Mila Hermanovski, Nick Verreos and Lisa Blades, FGILA's Designer and The Muse Party I knew that it would be only a short while before I would run into some Project Runway Alumn. First, Season 7 Model Brandise Denesewich spotted me from afar and we screamed like little girls (OK, I did!). She was there as the Muse of Season 7 Designer, Mila Hermanovski, whom I also had just seen at the Gen Art LA Alumni Party days before!Better Late Than Never: Lisa Blades, Nick Verreos, Althea Harper and Tanisha Harper, the Standard Downtown LA And then, as Lisa and I were leaving (I had a very early morning flight to Texas the next day!), we bumped into Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, who was in town for Fall 2010 LA Market Week. Althea didn't realize that she was supposed to bring a Muse (somehow she missed the "Muse" part of "Designer and The Muse") so she called her Project Runway Model, the beautiful Tanisha Harper. She left the party, met up with her, gave her one of her gowns to wear and returned to the party! You Go Girl! Althea and Tanisha both get my "Nick At-a-girl Fashion Stars" for the entire week!!!

LA Fashion Gala...FIDM Style!Presenting FIDM Debut 2010: Nick Verreos, Debut 2010 (photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com) Continuing with my FIDM Debut 2010 posting, here's THE BIGGIE: Last weekend I attended, made an appearance and even handed out awards at...the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's annual fashion gala, the Debut Fashion Show. Warhol-esque: Debut 2010 Background (photo courtesy of Feliz Salzman and www.lookbookla.com) Held at the MASSIVE Santa Monica Barker Hanger, the Debut Show has grown into an extravagant showcase of the creme de la creme of the school's top graduating students in the Advanced Fashion Design, Theater and Costume as well as Interior and Textile Design.Group Photo: Nick Verreos poses with the Debut 2010 Advanced Fashion Design Graduates The show began with Chairing Styles--a collaboration between the Advanced Fashion Design, Textile Design and Interior Design students and generously supported by the Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated--in which they all design chairs, fabric for the chairs (assisted by Mimaki) plus a corresponding dress. This year's theme was "Garden Party".Somewhere Over The Runway: Judy Garland impersonator Denise Rose, FIDM Debut 2010 (photo courtesy of Feliz Salzman and www.lookbookla.com) Next was the Theater Costume Advanced Design portion of the show. This year, the theme was "Tribute To Judy and Liza". The old-school "sistahs" in the audience were LOVING IT (moi included!). The young kids, however, didn't even know who these women were (shame on them!)--nevertheless, they were about to get SCHOOLED!!! Jazz Hands: Liza Minelli impersonator Suzanne Goulet in the "Cabaret" excerpt, FIDM Debut 2010 (photo courtesy of Felix Salzman, www.lookbookla.com) This portion spanned through all of Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minelli's career in Hollywood and the effect they--and their movies--had on Theater and Motion Picture Costume Design. Students designed costumes for "The Wizard of Oz", "New York, New York", "Cabaret", "Meet Me In St. Louis" among others.Trophy Time: Mary Stephens, Nick Verreos and the Nikolaki Couture models onstage FIDM Debut 2010 (photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com) Afterward, I was honored to have been asked by my esteemed Mentor and Advanced Fashion Design Program Chair, Mary Stephens, to present the Debut Awards for 2010, in which we find out who next year's "best and brightest" are. Nick's Angels: Models Danika, Veronica and Tamara, backstage Debut 2010 As a special treat, I brought three looks from my newest NIKOLAKI Collection to be featured on the "trophy girls". Model Danika Thompson working her NIKOLAKI Couture Fall 2010 Raspberry Silk-wool Zibeline "keyhole" Gown The Awards Show portion was then followed by the Guess Design Challenge. Guess and the Marciano Brothers are HUGE supporters of FIDM and for Debut 2010, the Advanced Fashion Design Students (whom I mentored and guided for a bit), were asked to design a look for Guess, which then would be shown at Debut 2010, and Maurice Marciano was In attendance to chose the winner...GUESS Who Is The Winner: Brittany Vu winning the FIDM Guess Design Challenge Brittany Vu, was the winner and was offered an Assistant Design position with Guess and would be able to oversee her design from conception to retail! (AMAZING!!!). Then it was the time for the Advanced Fashion Design graduates to show their individual collections. The collections ranged from extravagant evening gowns (Juan Carlos Fabian) to Kimono-inspired subdued elegant separates (Dominique David) to even a Little Girls Collection (a crowd favorite from graduate Meghann Fanara). I was excited to see my MUSE (and fit model)--Project Runway Season 6 Model, Lisa Blades (in Juan Carlos Fabian) and... Project Runway Season 7 Model, Brandise Danesewich (in Nick Gaska) who were both modeling in the show. The evening's fund-raising Debut 2010 Fashion Gala (to support the FIDM Scholarship Foundation) was a huge sold-out success! I had the pleasure of doing an interview with Julian Bermudez for KPCC's "Off Ramp". That's my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul with us. (photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com) And did a Prom Photo with The Bachelor Season 14 Runner Up Tenley Molzahn (photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com) Also at Debut 2010, was designer Tadashi Shoji (photo courtesy of FIDM and www.berlinerphotography.com) and... The Mattel Barbie boys, Peter Helenek and James Holmes It's all about COLOR kids!!!!! We look like the LA version of "The Jersey Boys"...or is it "Destiny's Child"? Don't answer that! Click BELOW for a GREAT Debut 2010 Photo Slide Show from LookBookLa.com and photographer Felix Salzman: