Nick Drapes a German Goddess... Heidi Klum in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, Models of The Runway, Season 7 On Thursday's episode of Lifetime's Models of The Runway, UBERmodel Heidi Klum, during the all-important Model Elimination, strutted from the Project Runway scrim, in...one of my (and my design partner David Paul's) dresses. It was a NIKOLAKI ivory silk jersey side-cowl draped one-shoulder dress with a contrasting black silk Duchesse strap.Model Dominique in the original long silk jersey and silk Duchesse one shoulder NIKOLAKI gown The original dress was a long gown we showed at our Spring 2008 "W Hotel Collection" but it was customized for Miss Klum naturally--she loves it short and of course, she was pregnant. I think she looked GORGEOUS! And stood out amongst all the models in their black slip dresses. I am sure the director and producers (and lighting people) were not so happy that she was wearing white but I am happy it was "approved". Thank you to Heidi and to her exquisitely talented stylist, Maryam Malakpour for supporting Project Runway Alumn like myself! She'll wear the dress in the beginning of next week's Project Runway episode, so make sure to catch it!

Class is in Session Cute Couple: Nick Verreos with model Lisa Blades in one of his FIDM classes This Fall Quarter, I taught a class called Elements of Fit at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM LA Campus, where I instruct students in fit, sizing and the importance of fit models. And of course, as a highlight of the class, I bring in a real live fit model. I wanted to surprise my students and I brought the fabulous six-foot stunner Lisa Blades (she'll demurely tell you she's ONLY 5'11"). Bryant Park Lisa: Lisa Blades models Carol Hannah Whitfield's gown at the NY Fashion Week Project Runway Season 6 Finale You might recognize Lisa from the Lifetime show Models of The Runway as well as being one of two model "Muses" on my website, NIKOLAKI.com. I just love Lisa and I am happy to consider her a friend. She is a perfect size 4 and I D-I-E (sorry Rachel Zoe) over her 50" outseam (waist to floor) measurement. DIE!!!!Take Notes Kids: Lisa Blades in a NIKOLAKI muslin strapless gown, and Instructor Nick I had her model various garments from my line NIKOLAKI, some that fit good and some, not so good, to show the students the difference. I also brought some of my Muslins/Toiles, samples made in unbleached cotton made for fittings, for Lisa to try on to show my students "the process" one has to go through in making a collection.We Love Lisa: Elements of Fit Class Fit Model session, Instructor Nick Verreos, Lisa Blades and student Earl Alcantara The students were so excited and got all into the "Fit Model" session. They especially loved seeing Lisa and as a result, took lots of photos. Lisa was a gem, naturally, with all the attention and a perfect fit model for my class. All Photos (except Bryant Park runway photo) taken by Eimi Akamura

Just Another Sunday Night In Downtown LA...Housewives Meets Baywatch Meets Project Runway: Traci Bingham, designer Michael Costello, Tamra Barney and Nick Verreos at BOXeight Fashion:Refocus event This last weekend, BOXeight, in conjunction with Flaunt Magazine and l.a. models, presented Fashion : Refocus, a weekend of designer installations, live Spring/Summer 2010 look book photo shoots and overall, nightly fashion "partying". Janica and Her Mohawk: Model Janica in Jerell Scott's Perter Gurnz photo installation I was busy all weekend working (no rest for the "designer-wicked") but on Sunday, I opened a little window in my schedule when Alison Nieder, Executive Editor of California Apparel News, emailed and said "You wanna come with me and be my date?" Of course! The Next Chanel Iman: Model at BOXeight Fashion:Refocus event On Sunday, four designers, Kucoon, Jerell Scott (Project Runway Alumn), Linda Antico and Michael Costello were having photo shoots in various sets within the BOXeight Downtown Los Angeles "compound". Jerell Post Apocalyptic: Jerell Scott and model We walked in and immediately, I was taken aback by these post-apocalyptic exaggerated Mohawk hairstyles on a few of the models walking around. I soon discovered these were designer Jerell Scott's "girls". BOXeight poster boy, the hot Peter Gurnz was photographing Jerell's line and the stage as well as the fashions were, "Giving You!". Peter asked me "Why am I not shooting YOUR line?" I wondered why he didn't call me also? Maybe next time. I guarantee that my gowns and his photos would produce "SHUT THE FRONT DOOR" G-L-A-M-O-U-R kiddies!Costello Pose: Michael Costello photo installation, BOXeight Fashion:Refocus event Alison and I soon made our way from set to set and stumbled upon Michael Costello, a Palm Springs-based designer whom I met the week before at a Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week event. A fellow Greek, cute and such a sweet guy, I was "done and done". His set was styled to parallel his Palm Springs Boutique. Give A Look: Lifetime's Models of The Runway Tanisha Harper and designer Michael Costello All of a sudden I spotted a familiar face--and body--the one and only Tanisha Harper, model from Lifetime Network's Model's Of The Runway. She was one of the models in Michael's BOXeight photo shoot. After a bit of "little girl screaming" (OK, from me!), I let her do her job and pose for the photographer's camera! A couple of Michael's clients were on hand to support: Actress Traci Bingham as well as one of the Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra Barney. Both were looking VERY bust-a-licious in their Michael Costello cocktail dresses. Yep, this was my Sunday night in Downtown LA! See you next time kiddies!

Nick's Getaway..to Universal Studios!Tardy For The Party: Nick Verreos on the red carpet at Kevan Hall's Spring 2010 Runway Show Last Saturday night was a busy one: I was invited to the very A-List black tie Opening Gala for the Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture Exhibit (as you may have read in my previous post) at FIDM Downtown and then I had to attend the Kevan Hall Spring 2010 Runway Show at Universal Studios. After spending two amazing hours enjoying the party and the wonderful Couture gowns at the museum, I realized that David and I only had fifteen minutes to somehow get to Universal Studios! We quickly got in our car and sat in: STOPPED TRAFFIC! I don't know what part of "It's a Saturday Night in Los Angeles" we did not understand? It eventually took us FORTY-FIVE minutes to get to our fashion show destination!Spanish Steps a la Kevan Hall: Designer Kevan Hall strikes a pose The Kevan Hall show, which was co-sponsored by Ruznak Auto Group as well as Universal Studios, was being held at the Universal Studio's backlot and the invitation warned that there would be over 1000 guests and security would be very "tight". Gay Fashionsita Terrorists can be so harmful to runway shows. One never knows if Sacha Baron Cohen might be showing up as his over-the-top Austrian Bruno. PR Extraordinaire: Nick Verreos and Kevan Hall's pr DIVA, Margaret Schell Running up the cobblestone streets of the studio's backlot (note to self: YSL Johnny Boots are not conducive to running!), we passed stunning automobiles: Audis, Bentleys, BMWs, Jaguars, Maybachs, Rolls Royces ...Yep, no recession happening here darlings! When we finally arrived at the location of the runway show, we were happy to see that the show had not begun yet, but it was about to and all the guests were already in their seats! Work It: A one-shouldered cocktail dress, Kevan Hall Spring 2010 In our standing-room-only section of "Tardy for the Party" late-comers, we ran into California Apparel News Publisher, Molly Rhodes, Executive Editor Alison Nieder and Fashion Editor Jayne Seward, so yes, David and I were not alone! I also said "hello" to Kevan's wife, Debbie, and dished on our memories of last year's Islands of The World Fashion Week in the Bahamas, where both Kevan and myself had shown our collections.My Fave: A strapless organza gown from Kevan Hall Spring 2010 The runway was set up below an enormous stage reminiscent of Rome's Spanish Steps. The show, entitled "The Getaway", featured lovely satin cocktail dresses and flowing gowns, which Kevan Hall is famous for. One of my favorites gowns being a peach strapless number with a Diamante waist brooch. These were dresses to perfectly compliment those stunning--and very expensive--cars that lined the walkway. Runway Close-Up: Lifetime's Models of the Runway model Tanisha Harper On the runway, I spotted not one but TWO Project Runway Season 6: Models of The Runway: Lisa Blades and Tanisha Harper. They did a great job maneuvering what seemed like over 100 steps coming down! These girls are pros; no "Model Down" accidents here kiddies! It was a great show in a fabulous location--if only I could have put one of those Jaguars in my tuxedo jacket pocket, I would really be set to go on MY Getaway!

The NIKOLAKI Muse Shut It Down Lisa: Nikolaki Designers David Paul and Nick Verreos, with their muse, model Lisa Blades (look how short we look next to her!) It's the official start of LA Fashion Week and specifically Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week and to commemorate it, Fashion Group International/FGI Los Angeles had a very chic reception, The Designer and the Muse, on the rooftop of The Standard Downtown LA. Along with over thirty LA designers, David Paul and myself, were invited to partake in the festivities. David and I are the designers of our 8-year old line, Nikolaki, and we chose the stunning Lisa Blades as our muse. I can't say this enough, but we LOVE Lisa!! We met Lisa a while back (before she became a model on Lifetime's Models of The Runway). She has shot my Spring 2009 Look Book as well as posed for my website, nikolakidesign.com but she's also been our Fit Model. Not only does she have "The Body" (six feet tall and legs that go on for DAYS!!!), but she is the sweetest most down-to-Earth girl. Project Runway Ga-Ga: Model Lisa Blades (in Nikolaki), Gordana Gehlhausen, and Nick Verreos We are in the process of finishing our 2010 Spring Collection and both David and I decided we would have Lisa wear something from the new collection. For this night's event, she wore a silk-wool Zibeline asymmetrical strapless dress in a luscious raspberry color. She looked AMAZING!!!! When she put on the dress--with her 5" platform heels, flawless smokey-eye make-up and chignon, she was a 2010 version of the Robert Palmer Girl. I could barely breathe as I saw how she looked! Model Crazy: Lisa Blades (in Nikolaki) and CariDee English After arriving at the event, I spotted Season 6 Project Runway designer, Gordana Gehlhausen. She was wearing one of her own designs and told me that she LOVES my Lifetime.com Recaps as well as those video blogs I shoot with my dear Andrae. She has moved to San Diego and runs a boutique there. She also told me that she was actually having a presentation of her new collection as part of Los Angeles Fashion Week, and that's why she was in town. I also met the lovely CariDee English, winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 7, who was the muse of Michele Bohbot of Bisou Bisou. CariDee (who was so sweet!) was sporting a platinum faux-hawk mullet hairstyle that I was LIVING for! Smile, You're On LA Fashion Candid Camera: Nikolaki designer Nick Verreos, Alison Nieder of California Apparel News and designer Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia The rooftop of The Standard was filled with a "Who's Who Of LA Fashion" and I was so excited to see my fellow "Emerging Designer" judge, Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia who was there with her daughter (her muse) as well as the always stylish Alison Nieder, editor of the California Apparel News. Jersey Mommie: Nick Verreos with designer Rachel Pally (right) and her mom (left) I also got to say "hello" to LA designer Rachel Pally, the "Queen of jersey", who was there with her muse: Her mom! (who was wearing one of her daughters silky cowl-draped jersey dresses). The last time I saw Rachel was last year at her LA Fashion Week show where I got the honor to interview her for a style show. Diplomatic Muse: Nick Verreos' mom, Raquel (far left) with other Ambassador's wives Speaking of interviews, at the event, I was approached by a local news reporter (from Fox11 News) who was covering the party to give my thoughts on who my original muse was. Of course, I said my mother, Raquel. To me, she was JLo before Jlo! So in homage to her, I've included a photo from her "Diplomat's Wife" days--looking so "Mad Men Chic" in her bouffant, fitted-and-pouffy "day dress", along with the wives of the Ambassadors of Japan and China. Click Below for a segment Fox 11 News did about the event, and what I said about my dear Mommie.

Glorious Models!Find the NIKOLAKI: Model Lisa Blades (center, in fuchsia pink) wearing NIKOLAKI on the "Inglourious Basterds" Red Carpet Hollywood Premiere First things first: As we all know (or should know by now!), Project Runway premieres on Lifetime August 20Th (that's just a little over a week from now and I can't wait!). Secondly, we also now know that not only are the designer contestants going to be the "stars", but for the first time ever, so will the models. Last night was the Red Carpet Hollywood Premiere of the much-awaited Quentin Tarantino film, Inglourious Basterds. And guess who was invited: The Models of the Runway!Six of the models, Fatma, Ebony, Kojii, Katie, Tanisha and Lisa attended--most of which reside in LA, since that is where the premiere was occurring. One of them, the gorgeous (and very tall) Lisa Blades wore a dress from my NIKOLAKI collection, a fuchsia and black silk duchesse mini- dress with puffy sleeves. You can see her in the center of the above photo. I happen to think she looked STUNNING! But, of course, I'm a bit biased. Her hair and make up was very Balenciaga Paris runway show!Statuesque Beauty: Model Lisa Blades in NIKOLAKI celadon silk crepe and turquoise silk shantung gown with vintage Swarovski brooch If you want to check out more of Lisa--and the rest of the models--you can go to the great Lifetime Network Project Runway/Models website and see Lisa's "photo portfolio", some of which include her wearing more of my NIKOLAKI dresses and gowns. She was one of the models featured in my Spring 2009 Look Book and website, along with Season 3 Project Runway Model Amanda Fields. I guess I can pick them well!