Hot Style:


This past weekend, I hosted--and judged--the MOST FABULOUS "Project Style 2012" Live Style Off Competition at Promenade Temecula. As you may know--if you've been following me here on my BLOG (and elsewhere), I am the Official Co-Spokesperson for "Project Style 2012" (along with Style Network's Jeannie Mai).


Project Style is a fun contest created by Forest City Shopping Centers, giving future Trendsetters and Stylistas across the USA a chance to shop, style and show...their looks in a video--and then, have a chance to win $1,000 Shopping Spree. And this year, there's even a BIGGER Grand Prize for the Winner of all the Regional competitions: a trip to NYC and to attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2013 with me and to go shopping and much more.
Now let's get to the Temecula Live Style Off:
 


This year's Promenade Temecula Live Style Off occurred outdoors right in front of the Edwards Cinemas. It was about 100 degrees HOT but I was thankful to have a shaded stage. I immediately introduced the Four Finalists and the "Wildcard"--(left to right, above photo) Ashley Barre, April Yang, Blake Keif, Dana Menard, and Kristina Horlock to a WILD audience...



I think that EACH Finalist brought a fan club of family/friends of 10+ people--with big poster-sized photos and signs supporting their favorite. It was like being at a Miss USA Pageant when one looks out in the audience and there are big signs saying "We LUV U Miss Minnesota", or "Go Miss Texas!". It was the CUTEST thing! Needless to say, the 100 degree weather did not stop the crowd at Promenade Temecula from being "pumped" with excitement!


I began the contest with doing my traditional "Nick Catwalk Blessing"--doing a "Runway" walk onstage so the Finalist would A) Know what to do, and B) Show off my runway walk LOL!


The judges for the contest included last year's Project Style Promenade Temecula Winner, Lexie Laura; FIDM Rep Barbara Contreras; Marketing Director of Promenade Temecula Kym Espinosa; David Paul (my NIKOLAKI Design and Business Partner) and me!

Here are the FIVE Finalists:

An hour prior to the Live Style Off, each Finalist was given a $200 Promenade Mall Gift Card to shop and put together an outfit of their choice and now, it was their chance to SHOW IT OFF--in front of this HUGE audience of family, friends, shoppers plus of course, the judges...


After one last "Who's Your Favorite Hoot and Holler" from the audience, I joined the rest of the judges to deliberate and then...it was time to announce the WINNER....(drum roll!):


April wore a coral-colored jacket with gold details, white blouse, black knit skirt, apple green-colored thin belt, bright blue pumps and clutch purse. The judges loved her sense of style, pops of color and how she looked ready for a job as a assistant at a fancy fashion magazine!

April Yang Fan Club: afterward, I posed with the Winner and her Fan Club--as seen from the photo above---I absolutely LOVE that she brought them all out to support her! Check out her little brother holding up a big ol' photo of his sister April! Soooo CUTE!



Congrats to the Winner--and all the Finalists--EVERYONE did a fantastic job and trust me, it was difficult to chose a Top Trendsetter since, I personally thought that they were ALL Top Trendsetters! I had such a BLAST in Temecula and I especially thank the audience, friends and family members for BRINGING IT ON, when it came to the level of excitement!!! It made my job so much easier--and more fun!

Temecula Gives FASHION!!!

The Promenade has stores like J. C. Penney, Macy's, Sears, plus Apple, Aeropostale, Victoria's Secret, Williams-Sonoma and a newly-revamped Charlotte Russe, among others. For the upcoming Holiday Season, in fact new stores will be opening including (wait for it!) H & M (yeayyy!), G by Guess, and MAC Makeup.
Now, back to "Project Style": Since May, through a series of monthly style competitions, budding fashionistas went on shoptopia.com, applied and then won spots to be here! Now, the four Finalists were at The Promenade in Temecula for the LIVE Style Off, hosted by MOI! After introducing the finalists, I gave them $200 Promenade Gift Cards and they each had only ONE HOUR to shop for an entire new look for themselves, change and get ready for the runway!
While the Finalists were out shopping and using their hour wisely, I entertained the crowd by doing my own little runway walk, having a fun "Project Runway Fan Q & A", and hosting a great "Charming Charlie" accessory Fashion Show. I also demonstrated to some "lucky" guests from the audience how to use the FAB Swivel Virtual Dressing Room and showed them how my Red Carpet NIKOLAKI Gowns would look like...on them!
Once, the shopping-and-styling hour was up, the finalists were back and then it was up to the three very esteemed judges of Barbara Contreras of FIDM, Rita Griggs of Palomar Community College and last year's "Project Style" Winner Sinead Copely, to pick the 2011 Winner, who, by the way, would win a $1,000 Promenade Gift Card! And the Winner Is... Lexi Lorah (above) The judges (and I) loved her use of color, prints, her styling (of course) and how directional the entire look was. She also was ON TREND when it came to Fall 2011. Congrats Lexi! (she was very excited--and surprised). Afterward, everyone wanted to take photos...And as in "Everyone", I mean ME!

Come Meet Me and See Temecula's Most FAB Trendsetters!!! TOMORROW, Saturday September 17th, I will be in Temecula (about 85 miles Southeast of LA) at the Promenade Shopping Center from 1-3PM--Why? To host the LIVE Project Style Style Off of course! Promenade Temecula is the shopping and dining destination in Temecula. The shopping center features 140 national retailers, quick and fine dining, and entertainment options such as Edwards Cinemas, a food court, and an entertainment plaza — in a unique indoor/outdoor setting.
I am so excited to meet the Five Finalists of the Promenade's Project Style 2011 Contest and see what styles they will come up with to have the "ultimate bragging rights" as Temecula's Top Trendsetter AND win the $1,000 Gift Card Prize! What is Project Style, you may ask? Well, darlings, Project Style is the ultimate fashion competition for guys & girls ages 13 and up. Budding stylistas put their sense of style & fashion to the test by creating the ultimate outfits. They create a video and post photos of their ensemble. Live voting by Shoptopia.com members determine the winner for the each round. And then the Top Five have the LIVE Style Off TOMORROW!!!

Come and see all the FASHION FUN, cheer on the "Project Style" Finalists and even get to try the FAB Swivel Virtual Dressing Room--where anyone can "virtually" try on clothes, accessories--and even my NIKOLAKI Red Carpet Gowns! Oh and if you come, you might just make it into my BLOG PHOTO Recap of the event! You'll for sure get a BIG "Nick Hug", a Facebook Pic and an autograph--and maybe some "DISH" on Project Runway :)
When :1-3PM
See ya TOMORROW!!!!!!