Project Runway Season 9 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Finale Runway Show in NYC!

DEEEEEESIGNERS...

Prom Photo: Heidi Klum and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Show, Mercedes-Benz NYC Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Last Friday, the day after I had to host a FUN Fashion's Night Out and Project Style Event in Charleston West Virginia, I flew to NYC--on a 6AM flight, arriving at 8:00AM--for a very important business meeting I had to attend in Manhattan at noon. Now, I cannot divulge the details of that "very important" meeting but let's just say that the meeting went well, thank you very much! In addition (by coincidence), I had been invited to attend the Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Show at Lincoln Center as part of the Mercedes-Benz NYC Spring 2012 Fashion Week. The show was at 9:30 AM that same morning. I am "Fashion Superman" so time to "Make It Work".

Le Judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, and L'Wren Scott

Like I said, my plane arrived at 8:00AM, then I took a car to NYC where I hit upon trouble: As in TRAFFIC! Not just any traffic, but Manhattan Traffic. It took ALMOST TWO HOURS from the time I arrived in Manhattan to get to Lincoln Center to the Fashion Show! Crazy. Eventually, I got there at 9:45AM. The show had not started yet and so I took my seat--and padded down my I'm-not-going-to-make-it sweaty brow!

Prized Ticket: My Seat Assignment, Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Fashion Show Lincoln Center

I won't divulge any DIRT (you can go check the web-o-sphere for photos of the designer's final collections and/or wait until the Finale Episode airs) other than Heidi Klum looked AMAZING in a Michael Kors black sequined jumpsuit and that the Guest Judge was none other than L'Wren Scott--Mick Jagger's statuesque partner and Go-To Designer for Fabulously Tight red carpet cocktail dress and gowns. Nina Garcia looked FLAWLESS (also in Michael Kors), I may add. Besides saying a quick "Hello" to my favorite blond, Miss Heidi, I also ran into several past Project Runway Alumni, including:

Bag Ladies: Nick Verreos and Project Runway Season 8 Finalist Mondo Guerra--and their respective Man Bags, Mercedes-Benz NYC Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Nick Verreos and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper

The Designers Showing at NYC Fashion Week (Clockwise from top to bottom): Laura Kathleen, Bryce Black, Bert Keeder, Anthony Ryan Auld, Kimberly Goldson, Olivier Green, Anya Ayoung Chee, Joshua McKinley, Viktor Luna

The Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Show consisted of the NINE Designers still on the show--still on TV, that is, even though they have filmed the entire season up to the Top 3, I believe. In other words, if there are THREE Finalists (like usual), we had to see six "Decoy" runway shows. Hope that all makes sense, if not, sorry...you'll figure it out in due time. I have to say that my FAVORITES were (sit down!): Laura Kathleen (she didn't do "Kentucky Derby" Rich Women Doing Lunch!), Anya Ayoung Chee (Very "Korto-meets-Uli" Resortwear for Kim Kardashian!) and Anthony Ryan Auld (liked his deigns, not so sure of those wigs and that one hat!). I have no idea who the Top 3 are, but those are my "Nick Pick's".

Nightcap Reunion: Season 7 Designer Ben Chmura, Season 8 Designer Peach Carr, Nick Verreos, Barracuda NYC nightclub, Chelsea NYC

Later that night--after the show--and my business meetings, I had a delicious dinner with friends and then went to Barracuda NYC for a "nightcap" where (wouldn't you know it!), I ran into a couple Project Runway kids: Season 7 Designer Ben Chmura and Season 8 Designer Peach Carr. We had lots of fun DISHING on the morning's show and who were our faves. But soon, it was time to go: I had to leave to get a little bit of sleep before I caught my 7AM flight back to Los Angeles to host a Project Style event in Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California the following day. I heard there was a fun "Project Reunion HP Party" on Saturday night which I missed (because of the event I was hosting back in CA) and that all the designers in attendance received an HP Computer. Oh well...

PS: Hey HP: Uncle Nick LOVES HP!! :)

Europe Summer 2011 Postcard: The Finale--Florence and Rome!!!

EuroStar:

Dress Up Traveler: Nick Verreos--and luggage--arriving in Florence Italy via Eurostar fast train

Last month--as you may know--both David Paul, my NIKOLAKI partner-in-fashion-crime, and I went to Europe. Primarily, I was invited to lecture and show our NIKOLAKI Collection at a first ever "TREDICI 13" Fashion Show sponsored by the Miami University of Ohio Summer School in Florence Italy Program. You can click HERE to read my posting of the Fashion Show, including a favoloso video and tons of photos.



This post here is all about my time in Firenze after the Fashion Show, partaking in a special lecture alongside fellow designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, as well as a tour of the new POLIMODA Institute Campus.



POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design Tour:



The day following our very well-received runway presentation, Althea along with her lovely sister, Maeve (who accompanied Miss Althea on her "Europe Summer 2011" trip), David and I joined students and instructors from the Miami University of Ohio Summer in Italy for a tour and special presentations/lectures at the POLIMODA International Institute of Fashion Design--the Premier University in Florence, specializing in Fashion and the Marketing of Fashion.

Hands on The Hips: Nick Verreos and Althea Harper lead the Miami University of Ohio Study Abroad students to a Photo Pose-Off--POLIMODA International Institute, Firenze Italia

We had been to POLIMODA on my previous visits to Florence, having been invited to speak & lecture at the Miami U. Summer in Italy Program, but this was a brand new Campus location for POLIMODA. Last year we began the tour by "climbing" up the hill to the Villa Strozzi, once the summer residence of one of the most powerful families of Florence, the Strozzi family. But this year, Institute is undergoing a "location change", to the more centrally-located Villa Favard in one of the toniest sections of Florence. We even got a wonderful and very special lecture from its famed Director, Linda Loppa.

Miami U. Calendar Boys: Althea Harper and Nick Verreos pose with "The Boys" of Miami University Summer In Italy Program, POLIMODA Institute

Lecture Time:

Lecture Hall: Miami University of Ohio Summer Abroad students, The Gould

After a delicious lunch, we all headed back to The Gould--site of last night's Fashion Show, as well as the Campus Headquarters for the Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy Program. There , both Althea and I lectured to a group of the program's Journalism students--all set up with their laptops (Note taking 2011!). The students listened intensely as we spoke of our backgrounds, how we "got to where we got", as well as the importance of social media in the fashion world, strategies for interviewing subjects, and how to create a good story/article--especially if the subject matter might be "foreign" to you.

Ciao Firenze: (Left to right) Maeve (Althea's sister), Nick Verreos, David Paul and Althea Harper

Soon we were off for Goodbye Drinks and hors d'oeuvres at the gorgeous rooftop pool bar of the Grand Hotel Minerva overlooking the Piazza Santa Maria Novella as well as breathtaking views over the Duomo. But before we left, I had to snap a "Miami Vice in Firenze" photo with Jerry Ingram--photographer extraordinaire as well as the Producer of the TREDICI 13 Fashion Show--it's become a tradition. See for yourself:

Jerry Ingram and Nick Verreos 2010

Nick Verreos and Jerry Ingram 2011

Rome:



Soon, we were off to Rome. David and I had one full day in Rome before returning back to the USA and so, we were going to "Make It Work!" and do a Marathon Rome Tour! Of course, we hit up the monumental Colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheater:



David Paul in front of the Flavian Amphitheater/Roman Colosseum (notice his little bag from Gucci!!)



Afterward, we walked (yes, we WALKED EVERYWHERE!) to the Victor Emmanuel Monument (above photo), honoring Italy's first king, Victor Emmanuel II. Then we stumbled--literally--onto the...



Mario Testino Photo Exhibit "Todo O Nada", which had just opened!! This exhibit features 54 photographs of Testino, exploring his two loves, Fashion and the Nude.



Model Stella Tennant by Mario Testino, "Todo O Nada" Exhibition, Rome Italy



It was so GOOD!!!! We bought the book, a full-size poster/print--well, you name it, we bought it!!



We also headed to the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Steps, where yes, there were THRONGS of people (see above photo)--mostly young tourist just chillin' on the steps or walking the chic shopping streets. I also noticed the "V" for Valentino insignia nearby which happened to be Palazzo Mignanelli, which belongs to yes, Valentino. This meant one thing: Photo Time...

Nick Verreos, Palazzo Mignanelli or as it is also known, Palazzo di Valentino

And in case you were wondering, yes we eventually made it to the Fontana del Trevi or Trevi Fountain (above). It was--as usual--PACKED, but somehow, I still got a fun photo of David doing the requisite "Make a Wish and Throw a Coin" toss. I got the pic midway:

Ciao Roma e Ciao Italia!!!

Nick Verreos and NIKOLAKI Collection in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Miami University of Ohio Italy Summer Abroad

Ciao Bellissima!!!

Grazie Firenze: Designers Giulia Bigoli, Althea Harper and Nick Verreos taking their bow, Florence Italy Fashion Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Last month, I was invited--along with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, to showcase our NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses at the first-ever "Florence Italy Fashion Show at the Miami University of Ohio Summer Program" entitled Tredici 13.

Florentine Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul, NIKOLAKI designers, in Florence Italy

For the past two years, I have been part of this FAB Study Abroad Program as a "Special Guest Lecturer", for the Journalism students, speaking about fashion, fashion blogging, trends, as well as of course, giving my unique experience and insight to the students. Oh, and yes, DISHING a little bit on the "behind-the-scenes" of being on Project Runway. But this year, the director of the program wanted to "turn it up a couple fashion notches", and have a fabulous fashion show at the program's historic campus location, the Gould Institute a palazzo built in the mid-1600's originally a residence to the noble Florentine family Del Rosso.

Runway Preparations: The Runway at the Gould Institute garden

They also invited fellow Project Runway alumn, NYC-based fashion designer Althea Harper. This was her second time joining me on the Miami University "Summer In Italy" Program so it was a real treat (for us and for the audience) to show our designs in Italy for the FIRST TIME! The fashion show--"Tredici 13"--which was wonderfully produced and organized by Fashion Photographer Jerry Ingram of Foto-Genique also included the punk-rock-inspired designs of POLIMODA 2011 Fashion Designer Graduate, Giulia Bigioli.

Fashion Designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, Fashion Photographer and Producer/Organizer of the event, Jerry Ingram, Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Runway Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

The fashion show was amazing--from the location, the gorgeous Florence-based models, the production (the lighting and runway!)--it all led to a fantastic backdrop to feature our fashions. Now, speaking of fashions:



NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos David Paul:

Yellow Princess: Canary yellow silk satin crepe NIKOLAKI gown with pleated draped-front cascade detail (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Florentine Red Carpet: One shoulder canary yellow silk satin crepe dress with shirred side, asymmetrical hemline and shoulder detail (Photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Fuchsia Italia: Models featuring NIKOLAKI dresses in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Silk-wool ziberline strapless side pleated asymmetrical dress (Left) and silk jersey cowl tunic dress with "Croq"-embossed leather shoulder accents (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Floating Marchesa: Model in NIKOLAKI one-shoulder silk chiffon "Watercolor"-printed gown with side slit (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Althea Harper:

Three looks from Althea Harper, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Giulia Bigioli:

Three looks from Giulia Bigioli, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Below are a few more photos from the event:

Step and Repeat Italia: Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute

Beard Boys: Nick Verreos (right) with Designer Domenico Strecapede (left), Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Molto Baci: Nick Verreos and one of the Florence Fashion Show "Security Detail", Alessandro Marchi (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Posing Ladies: Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy students with Nick Verreos, Gould Institute

Click Below for a great video of the runway show TREDICI 13 in Firenze Italia: