PROJECT RUNWAY.....Season 12 Project Runway Finale!! The Recap: And The Winner Is...

Dom Streater, Winner of Season 12 Project Runway

This past Thursday was the Finale Episode of Season 12 "Project Runway". I've recap'ed the entire season for MyLifetime.com and even did a fun Live Chat for the previous week's "Part 1 Finale". You can click HERE to read all about that. But back to the Finale: this was when the top four designers of the season got to show their collections at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. The actual runway show (and judging) occurred last month on September 6th but it aired this past Thursday.

Heidi Klum--"Project Runway Season 12" Finale Runway Show, Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week

Finale Judges: (left to right) Heidi Klum, Zac Posen, Nina Garcia of Marie Claire and actress Kerry Washington--Season 12 Finale Runway Show, Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week

So lets get to the Finale Collections, beginning with designer Bradon McDonald:

Bradon McDonald: FIDM Debut 2012 Graduate Bradon McDonald was the first one out and I wasn't surprised. His collection was pretty but screamed "older woman", and dated. The combo of the lame with the pick-up organza, plus his print--which looked like hands as opposed to flowers--seemed a little confusing. He was Tim's favorite (as well as the judges) so it was surprising that he went home and created this. It was a slight miss. But hey, he just began his fashion design career so I'm sure he's got lots ahead of him.

Lame Boca: I wasn't a fan of the look that first came out--the lame and organza ensemble (left). But I did like the look on the right. It was still a bit 66 year-old woman in Boca Raton at the Happy Hour...but I still liked it.

Oh No: These were my two least favorite looks from Bradon--the supposed "Unconventional Look" (left) and the "Tide Pods Washable Challenge Look". No and no. Here's a question: who is your woman Bradon? Because these two ladies are very different.

Justin LeBlanc: His Finale Collection was one of my favorites; it was sharp, directional, and very edgy. His 3D prints accessories were definitely a highlight.

Test Tube Couture: Justin's "Unconventional Challenge" look ivory gown made out of test tubes and his 3D prints shoulder accents was my favorite look of his.

Alexandria von Bromssen: I think Alexandria was the surprise of this season. When she came into the Los Angeles Casting that I judged (along with Tim Gunn), she was all things bubbly, Euro-kooky and so much fun. When she was on the show, she was anything but. I'm not sure what happened but the Alexandria who came into the castings wasn't the I-Don't-Like-Anyone Alexandria I watched on the show. But her Finale Collection was fantastic. I loved all her pants and the relaxed-chic look of most of her ensembles. It screamed "Heidi Klum" (no wonder she liked it so much!). Here is my least, and most favorite of her collection looks:

Unconventional Challenge Look (left) and Pant-fab: I thought that when she opened her collection with that "Unconventional Look" of hers, it was a miss; it looked like it didn't belong in her collection and seemed a bit "Fashion School-y". However, this look on the right was so chic, effortless and Paris/Berlin fashionista...If I was sitting next to her in a First Class flight to Frankfurt I definitely would have been like "You Go Girl!".

Dom Streater: Dom's collection was--by far--my favorite. From the first look out, I was like "done and done". The bouffant hair, the fab prints, the overall styling...I got who this woman was. She was hip, stylish, and a Gay Man's Bestie for sure. I LOVED it. If she didn't win this season--just from this Finale Collection--I would have been very pissed.

Resort Goddess: A look from Dom Streater, Project Runway Season 12 Finale, Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center.

My Favorite Look: I loved this printed jersey dress with plunging cowl back; it was effortless and oh-so-chic. If I saw this woman at my next Santorini Greece holiday, I would A) SCREAM, and B) Have her come to my table and have Ouzo!

Washable and Unconventional Fab: Dom's "Washable Look" (left) was EVERYTHING. This look was Oh-So-Fab and need I add, washable! And then, there was her "Unconventional Look" made of door hinges. One word: Wow.

Congratulations Dom!!! And by the way, besides the fact that her collection was great and deserved the win, she is the FIRST African-American Winner of "Project Runway"...You Go Girl!

Here is my RECAP of this past week's Finale Episode of Season 12 "Project Runway":

The End Is Here

The end is here—well, at least for this twelfth season of "Project Runway." Now, before I begin discussing this finale episode and my recap of the collections, I have to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who tuned in and joined me for the FIRST EVER "Part 1 Finale Live Chat" here on myLifetime.com. I had a blast during my "Nick Dishing on the Web" session, answering fan questions about the season and "Project Runway" in general. I really enjoyed it and hope we can do it again next season!



Time to DISH on the Finale

As of last week, there were five remaining designers—with Bradon and Dom having secured spots at Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week and three having to "fight it out" for the coveted third spot. As it turns out, there were going to be four designers showing. Alexandria and Justin were in and Helen (and her "caped crusader" girls) was out.



Washable Redux

Halfway through last week's episode, we had the introduction of a final challenge, the Tide Pods Washable Fabrics Challenge. The designers had to create a look using only washable fabrics. The challenge, however, was derailed as a result of Tim's unfortunate subway accident. During my Live Chat, I talked about how great this challenge was since I think it is so important for "high fashion" designers to think of using washable fabrics in their collections. This was brought to my attention this past Summer while doing events for my NV Nick Verreos dress line; I heard from LOTS of women who told me how important it was for them to have chic garments that they can actually throw in the wash. But during last week's episode, it was only introduced and then...nothing else about it happened.



Step Away From The Bouillonne

The beginning of this episode solved my "Can we get back to the Tide Challenge?" conundrum and immediately showed the Top 4 designers at Mood, picking their washable fabrics and going back to their Parsons Workroom to create their a "washable look that pops" as well as finish whatever they had to do in their collections. Tim checks in. Last week we got a glimpse of what Bradon and Dom were doing through their home visits but this time, Tim got more up close and personal. He LOVED what Bradon's collection was looking like; but I didn't so much. Bradon was mixing prints and while that could have turned out to be good...



Click HERE to read the rest of my RECAP on the "Project Runway Blog" on MyLifetime.com 

PROJECT RUNWAY....."Project Runway" Part 1 Finale MyLifetime.com Live Chat with Nick Verreos: A Photo Recap!

Nick Verreos Hosts "Project Runway Season 12" Part 1 Finale Live Webchat, NYC

Two Thursdays ago, I flew to NYC to host the first ever "Project Runway" Live Finale Web Chat!! My partner David Paul, naturally came with me to NYC since I needed his "support" and well, he just LOVES NYC so he didn't even question joining me on this trip (usually for my work trips, he just stays back in Los Angeles with our little Benny and "holds down the NIKOLAKI fort"). The night we arrived, we checked into our wonderful hotel room at the very hip Royalton Hotel located on 44th Street between 5th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas in Midtown West.

 A Balcony In NYC!!!! Nick Verreos takes in the balcony in his hotel room, Royalton Hotel NYC

I just about had a heart attack when I walked into the room and then noticed that there was a HUGE balcony attached to the room--just for us! Now, if you know NY and know NY hotels, it is a RARE sight indeed to have a balcony--and a good sized one--as part of your NYC hotel.

 David Paul and Nick Verreos, Times Square NYC

After I got my breathing back to normal, we ventured out to Times Square and took some pics (so touristy of us!), and looked for a diner to get a late dinner. The following day was my Live Chat...

I was so excited to host this Live Chat for "Part 1 Finale" of Season 12 "Project Runway". Fans from all over the country logged in to MyLifetime.com and either got the chance to "text" questions or actually "Live Chat" with me via a video cam. The Pre-Finale episode dealt with the Top 5 designers and there would be one elimination and the introduction of the Tide Pods Washable Challenge--in which the designers had to create a look for their Finale Collections entirely made of washable fabrics. The Live Chat occurred in the A&E Networks offices and they had set up a colorful backdrop for the chat--and I was ready! I also made sure to wear something that "pops", keeping with the Tide "theme". Here are some pics from my Live Chat:

 "Project Runway" Finale Live Chat Backdrop

 When Do We Start? Nick Verreos about to Live Chat with "Project Runway" fans across the US

Post Chat: Nick Verreos with clients from Lifetime, A&E, Tide...I had a BLAST doing the Live Chat and enjoyed answering lots of questions from fans--questions ranging from "Do you need a Master's Degree to be a Fashion Designer?", "Who do I think will win?", How to design fabulous garments--besides jeans and t-shirts--that are Washable, and so on. The Live Chat only took a little over an hour but when I was done, it seemed as if I was back on "Project Runway" doing a Challenge! I answered questions NONSTOP for the hour+, back-to-back...it was CRAZY! But let me tell you, I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Oh, and in case you missed my "Project Runway Blog" Recap of the "Part 1 Finale Episode", you can click HERE and read it on MyLifetime.com and see what I thought of the episode.



Since we were in NYC, David and I decided to stay a couple of nights after the Live Chat to get in some "fun/relaxing" time...

We visited the FIT Museum's "A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk" Exhibition. The Exhibit features
approximately 100 ensembles, from 18th-century menswear styles
associated with an emerging gay subculture to 21st-century high fashion.
This is the first museum exhibition to explore in depth the significant
contributions to fashion made by LGBTQ
(lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer) individuals over the past 300
years. We also enjoyed the RetroSpective Exhibition at the FIT Fashion and Textile Gallery, which explored fashion's relationship with its own history. We really loved that particular exhibition as well.

 NV Nick Verreos--Lord & Taylor 5th Avenue

David and I also got a chance to visit Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue to see if there were any of our NV Nick Verreos dresses...and lo and behold there were!! We found this one multicolored apple green and pink printed dress and of course, we had to take some photos!

 Nick Verreos and Damaris Lewis, Nizza Restaurant NYC

Afterward, we had a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Nizza, where I recognized one of my favorite TOP models, the stunning Damaris Lewis, who has appeared in the 2009, 2010, 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues--she happened to be seated next to us. She also recognized me and is a big fan, so of course we had to take a pic! She was having dinner with her friends after doing a Samba Workout! This is what a Supermodel looks like after a Samba workout: flawless. Work It Huney! We finished our last night with our NY friends at a party overlooking the Manhattan skyline:

Nick Verreos and David Paul with their "NY Sistahs", Taylor Schultz and Louie Anchondo

Bye NYC!!! Can't wait to come back! xoxo

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos "Project Runway" Season 12 Recaps Episode 2: Diamonds, Divas and Dumpster Diving

Heidi Klum and her Multimillion Dollar Models--Project
Runway Season 12 Episode 2

This past week's second episode of Lifetime Network's"Project Runway" Season 12 dealt with multimillion dollar jewels
--diamonds and precious stones. Miss Heidi introduced the challenge--to design
a runway look worthy enough to look fabulous with millions of dollars worth of
jewels. Some of the designers did well and some, well, did not. The
episode had some DRAMA (naturally). As long as Russian Diva Sandro is still on
the show, there's going to be DRAMA. And of course, then there's Unicorn-loving
unsustainable Sustainable Milwaukee high-heel wearing Timothy. EVERYWHERE I go,
people stop me and relate to me how he--and Miss Sandro--should be gone! They
(the fans) are over the drama and over Sustainable Timothy (poor thang!). Well,
fans, I have no say in Who's In and Who's Out. But I do agree that those two
are getting on my last little nerve as well. Anyhow...Onward to this week's Challenge and
Episode:

  This Ain't Fun: The Designers on "Project Runway
Season 12" with some sour-puss "I Do Not Wanna Be Here" looks...

 For this Challenge, the Guest Judge was Eric Daman, "Gossip Girl" Costume Designer

The Runway--Good to Best...

Alexander Pope: Alexander created a chiffon Empire-waisted gown with a satin mini underneath (or

are those hot pants?) that was both slightly Mumsy Maternity and somewhat Yves Saint Laurent--especially with those oversized blouson sleeves). I was neither "here nor there" in terms of if I liked it or did not.

Good--Designers Ken Laurence(left) and Bradon McDonald (right) created very good designs (in my eyes) but yet, these two ended up in the "Safe" section. I liked Ken's blue-green strapless pelum gown--it was very red carpet-ready and fab for the jewels. And Bradon--who we all know is THE judges' Pet Boy Toy--did a great job with this silver sequin looking gown. Was it "blah" in terms of its design? Yes, it was pretty safe. Therefore, it ended up in that group.

Dom Streater: Dom was considered one of the Best of the group and was in the Top Two. Her green and ivory printed hi-lo gown was well received by the judges. I liked it but not as much as the judges did; she was two minutes away from being a tacky mistress of a Russian Arms Dealer at a Cannes Yacht Party. Just sayin'. Especially with that head "scarf"/tie.

Kate Pankoke: Little Kate won with this silver-gray taffeta draped gown with corseted top. It was very Vivienne Westwood (photo on the right) meets-Dior. Should she have won? After looking at all the other ones. Probably. It was very well draped, well made and really highlighted those jewels in a Modern Marie Antoinette sort of way.



The UGH!!!

 Helen Castillo: Helen--Miss "I AM the Evening Gown Queen!" could not make a bust cup to save her life. She says she has interned/worked for Special Occasion/Bridal firms and yet, she must have been on a tattoo break when the pattern maker/seamstress wanted to show her how bust cups are made. The whole gown was a mess; too tight (that's why it's lifting and folding up) and those cups:

 Tragic and shameful (is that boning sticking out from the edge?). If I was her instructor, this top would get a "D". Speaking of busts...

Karen Batts: Huney, what in the Fashion God's Name is That? And how did this dress NOT end up on the bottom? It's all things WONKY. First, what is with that center front ripply seam at the crotch? And then...

 These poking side bustline. This is TOTALLY "Amateur Hour". Again, a "D", for sure. Can we start a "Project Ruwnay Class" taught by yours truly by the way? 

Miranda Levy: Miranda loves a pencil skirt. So much so, that's ALL she does. She did THE SAME skirt for the last challenge as well as this one. Next.

Timothy Westbrook: Unicorn-loving Timothy created this blue and ivory velvet gown--very "Downton Abbey"-like. I liked the silhouette but yes, the racer-front neckline: not good to showcase the diamonds darling.

Kahindo Mateene: Kahindo went home for this printed dress above (left). I think the judges were a bit unfairly judgmental toward her design, calling it "off the rack" and "on sale", really? Then why does it look almost THE SAME as the dress I just saw in WWD from Victor Alfaro's new line? (right photo)

 For whatever reasons, it was Kahindo's time to bid Goodbye to "Project Runway"...

Here's my MyLifetime.com "Project Runway Blog" Recap for Episode 2...Enjoy!

Diamonds, Divas and Dumpster Diving

Allow me to get something off my semi-hairy chest: it's only
the second week of Season 12 and I'm already ANNOYED by some of the designers
and my patience is wearing VERY thin on several others. First off, I am SO OVER
Timothy and his sustainable shenanigans. Freddie Mercury-lookalike Sandro, and his
diva-like drama is making all REAL divas look bad. And then there's tattooed
Helen: her crying and, "I've never made bust cups!" but somehow
admits to having interned with various bridal design companies is confusing at
best. And to cap it off, we've got dreadlock-haired Sue and her, "Can
someone thread a bobbin for me?" nonsense. Unless these people prove
themselves to be something other than drama-loving nincompoops, it's auf time
for them in my eyes. With that off my chest, allow me to discuss this second
diamond-loving episode.

Diamond District?

Armored cars pull up at Parsons and big-and-bulky security
guards frame the runway stage inside as the designers await what will be the
next challenge. Out comes Heidi—with the dreaded Button Bag—followed by the
models accessorized in $30 million worth of jewels provided by the Diamond
District. Side bar question: is this an area of Manhattan that somehow I missed going to? I
know Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper East
Side, Soho, Meat Packing, but the Diamond
District? Note to self: must check it out on my next NYC trip!

SOOO Over Diamonds and Money

Heidi announces that for their second challenge, the
designers must create a look "glamorous enough" to walk the runway
with the jewels the models are wearing. It's not really a "red
carpet" challenge but more of "design a look worthy of being
accessorized with these multimillion dollar jewels on a runway stage." The
button bag is there so the designers chose their models—and jewels—with last
week's winner, Bradon, going first. The only highlight of this is how EVERYONE
is beyond-excited to be designing for these glorious jewels, except
un-sustainable Sustainable Timothy. Naturally, he is not amused by the whole
working-with-diamonds challenge; Timothy says that he is not inspired by
diamonds or money, for that matter. Wait 'til he has to figure out a way of
paying rent.  

Mood Dumpster Diving

After getting back to their workrooms, Tim announces to the
designers that...

Click HERE to read the rest of my Recap on the "Project
Runway Blog" on MyLifetime.com