Nick Verreos on Logo TV "The Arrangement" : The Recap and Behind-The-Scenes Photos!

Flower Couture!

Three's Company, LOGO TV Style: Designer Nick Verreos joins Eric Buterbaugh and Gigi Levangie-Grazer on "The Arrangement" TV show

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!).

Line Dancin' Judges: Traver Rains and Nick Verreos, Guest Judges on Logo TV's "The Arrangement"

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.

For Your Next Challenge: Model Lisa Blades (in NIKOLAKI), Nick Verreos and host Gigi Levangie Grazer, The Arrangement

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.

Golden Girl: Model Lisa Blades (in NIKOLAKI) and Nick Verreos

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.

Pre-Gowns: Models Amanda Fields and Lisa Blades on location, Downtown LA, "The Arrangement" TV Show

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!!)

Cocktail and Evening Gown Flowers: Models Lisa Blades and Amanda Fields show off designs from "The Arrangement"

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!"

In the end, the Winning Design (above) went to Tara Cottrell, who created a very dramatic design inspired by my black silk taffeta plunging neckline mermaid shaped "Flamenco" gown.

She used Phalaenopsis and Oncidium Orchids as well as Gladiola Pedals; anything with PHALAENOPSIS attached to its name gets my vote! It was the perfect headpiece for such an elegant and striking (if I don't say so myself) gown.

Unfortunately, the very sweet Jenny Barker was eliminated. She designed a crown-like flower headpiece that was supposed to be inspired by my turquoise silk jersey and copper sequin waist "Grecian Goddess" gown. All the contestants did an AMAZING job, but it was a competition and someone had to go. Congrats to Tara and I am sure Jenny has a bright "floral future" ahead of her!

To watch the ENTIRE episode click HERE!

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".

Project Runway Season 8 Finale at NY Fashion Week: My Thoughts Predictions...and Video of Chloe Dao!!!

EVERYONE Gets To Go To NY Fashion Week!!!! (Warning: Spoiler Alert!)

Guess Who The Final Guest Judge Is: Nina Garcia, Jessica Simpson (in Michael Kors), Michael Kors and Heidi Klum

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.

Fashion's Night Out Macy's Miami/Aventura Mall Sneak Peak: Nick Verreos with Papi Underwear Spokesmodel Leonardo Corredor

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?

Here are two looks from Mondo Guerra's Collection, my favorite. It was VERY "Jay McCarroll" (Winner of Season 1) don't you think?

Fun, quirky, SALEABLE, maybe not so Bergdorf's but more Barney's Co-Op...still love it. Who would have thunk it? Go Latin Urkel!

General Patton Gretchen showed lots of coochie-cuting shorts sportswear. Again, from the photos, I was a little bit bored. I'm sure the fabrics were luxe but nothing to be like "Ooooh Girl, I'm forwarding those photos to my fashionista friends"!

Oh Michael C.! I am so routing for you baby. He did gowns and evening wear but something was amiss. Here's one of my favorite Muses (and besties!), model Lisa Blades, wearing one of his Final Collection gowns and yes, the top IS see-through! I wonder what those little kids in the front row (there are ALWAYS some little kids--children of the sponsors, TV big-wigs, producers, family etc.) were thinking? I know that Jason Wu just showed A LOT of see-through tops but...

And then he also showed this diaphanous pleated chiffon gown...and...are those her panties??? It's called A LINING Michael C.! Well, we will have to wait a few more weeks to see who the actual Top Three are and who really "made it" to Fashion Week. Wait, they ALL did!!!

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!!!!):