WHO WORE WHAT?.....Rachel Roy Wears Gown Designed by Under The Gunn Winning Designer Oscar Lopez to Met Gala: EXCLUSIVE Pics + Sketch!

The Met Gala 2014 Gown for Rachel Roy: Gown designed by Oscar Garcia-Lopez, Winner of "Project Runway: Under The Gunn"

Photo Courtesy of Oscar Garcia-Lopez

This Monday, I had the opportunity to shoot the "Photo Spread" for Marie Claire Magazine as one of the prizes I won as the Winning Mentor on Project Runway: Under The Gunn. The photo shoot was actually for Oscar Garcia-Lopez and the beautiful finale collection he created (I don't actually get my own editorial), but I was THRILLED to be part of his big winning editorial moment, hang out with Oscar again and see all the beautiful clothing he made in a short 3 days for the big finale show!

Winning Designer and Mentor--Marie Claire Photoshoot (Left to right) Oscar Lopez and Nick Verreos

Oscar flew out to LA for one day for the shoot (I'll do a full BLOG RECAP of the day with lots of Behind-the-Scenes pics soon!). Anyhow, while we were DISHING about this-and-that, he told me that Project Runway: Under The Gunn judge--and fashion designer Diva--Rachel Roy had commissioned him to design and create the gown she would wearing to the 2014 Met Gala. Oscar allowed me to show you guys some EXCLUSIVE pics of the gown, the fabric, sketch plus how it all happened...

Here's the DISH:

Lace Met Goddess: Fashion sketch by Oscar Lopez of Rachel Roy's gown for the 2014 Met Gala

Sketch Courtesy of Oscar Garcia-Lopez

Rachel Roy contacted Oscar with less than two week's notice to design and create a gown for her that she would wear for the Met Gala. PS: what an honor! He quickly did some sketches, she approved the first one and after getting her measurements, within a couple of days, he already had a muslin sample done which he FedEx'ed to Rachel for approval. She loved it. Then it was time to make the final gown...

Gorgeous Lace: The fabric consisted of French sequined lace (very expensive!) plus English netting and silk ziberline. The design was a high-neck gown featuring a sequined lace fitted skirt and long sleeves--backed with silk organza--plus a ziberline bustier with top stitching.

Finished Gown: The neckline was created using parts of sequined lace hand-sewn in a jigsaw puzzle form. Also, the back featured a large godet--from the sequined lace--forming a train. Oscar and his staff also hand-sewed scalloped edges at the hem from the sequined lace fabric.



Here's Rachel in NYC getting ready for the 2014 Met Gala, putting on the gown:

Photo Courtesy of Rachel Roy Instagram

I heard that when Rachel received the gown, she was FLOORED at how perfect it fit her and how amazing of job he did!  Congrats Oscar! Felicitaciones and Beautiful gown! 

UNDER THE GUNN.....;Trouble in the Lounge My Inside Dish!

Team Nick: (L to R) Designers Natalia Oscar Gracia-Lopez and Nick Verreos--Episode 9 "'Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

This week's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" was DRAMA-filled. As I like to say, it was a DOOZY. I will get to the Natalia Getting Bullied/Mentor Lounge Drama--as well as the Fashion--but first, let's discuss the actual challenge. This week there was a sponsor tie-in with Glade® Customizables™  and therefore this was the Glade Customizable Challenge: to create a Day-to-Night look...

Smelling Good: This Glade product is all about alternating between two fragrances daily in ONE holder, therefore the "tie-in" of making TWO fashion looks...in one.

Now time for my "Inside Dish" on the episode:

Hours after filming the "Challenge Introduction" and the designers trip to Mood, Tim comes into the Mentor's Lounge, after seeing how the designers did at the fabric store and recommends a "Socratic" approach to me. He tells me that Oscar and Natalia were a mess and feels that they might be possibly too reliant on my advice and style suggestions. I'm sick to my stomach that yet again, Tim has bad news for me and am rapidly trying to process the whole thing. When Tim suggested the "Socratic" Method in this episode to me, it
finally clicked (maybe it was the Greek Analogy that worked on me!). I
went into the workroom with a new method and it was a success...

Nick Verreos, Fashion Designer NIKOLAKI, with models in his designs

I think that one of the hardest things for an audience to grasp, is that while this is week 9 for the viewer, we have only been filming for about 16 days. Things move FAST! While I make no excuses, I came into this project as a Fashion Designer (as did Mondo and Anya). While I have been a Teacher in the past, my main profession is as a Designer. That is very different than being a Mentor or Teacher. My whole life has been about putting pencil to paper and sketching. I draw constantly. So when I arrived to the set of "Under The Gunn", I wanted to try to help my designers in the best way I knew how, and that was through my vocabulary of sketching and patternmaking. I, in no way wanted to dictate to them what I thought they should be doing, but only wanted to communicate my suggestions in the best way I knew how. Obviously, as we have all seen by now, this was the wrong approach. But with the advice from Tim, I was ready to get into the workroom and embrace a new approach:

Tell Me What's Wrong: Nick Verreos and Natalia Fedner--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Ever since last week's challenge--the "Unconventional Beach Party Challenge", I sensed that the rest of the designers were not  happy that Natalia had stayed and was deemed safe; I heard rumblings that they felt Natalia's straw beach look was not to their liking. I also got the same sense from my fellow mentors, Anya and Mondo. I correct myself... it wasn't a sense, they told me outright. I was sad that one of my designers went home (Stephanie), but happy to still have Natalia and Oscar. But unfortunately, the negative energy was in the air, and Natalia was the target.

Shake It Off Natalia: Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos with Natalia Fedner--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Knowing that, I wanted to make sure to nip all that negative stuff in the bud, confronting Natalia before beginning my "Mentor Critique" with Tim. Natalia was feeling very down--and yes, bullied by the "you shouldn't be here " feeling she got from her fellow designers. I tried to tell her that the judges kept her because they liked her originality and to try and suppress all the "Mean Girls" environment around her and rise above it.



Runway Day:

 How You Doin' Oscar: Nick Verreos and Oscar Garcia-Lopez--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

By the way, this whole time, Oscar was doing really well. I was happy with his Day-to-Evening concept and excited at the prospect of this multimillionaire heiress going from a board meeting to a fundraising gala. He was basically done THE NIGHT BEFORE and when I got to the FIDM workroom on Runway Day, part of his look...

was covered and hidden with dotted pattern paper (photo above). It was always really funny to come into the workroom and see that (he did  that almost EVERY time!). Oscar hid his design (or part of it) by covering it with pattern paper. He wanted to do a "reveal" later.

Benefit Cosmetics and Blow Pro "Pretty Room": (Left) Model Ivana lounging in the Benefit Cosmetics "Pretty Room" and a behind-the-scenes look at filming at the Blow Pro area as models get ready for the runway--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Mentor Waitin': Mentors Nick Verreos, Anya Ayoung-Chee and Mondo Guerra waiting in a bench in Grand Hope Park outside of the FIDM campus, while Runway Judging Filming is all set--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Natalia Fedner: Natalia rocked it out!!! She created a fun, sporty and young Day-to-Evening look consisting of a gray ribbed knit sweater front and top/sleeve panel and cowl neck that when removed, folded up into a purse, and underneath, was a black/silver color-blocked knee-length dress perfect for going out. I loved it and was very proud of Natalia for pulling it off.

Oscar Garcia-Lopez: Oscar's design was SUPERB. It was chic, perfectly made, doubled (lined) and he used very luxe fabrics. I LOVED the whole transition, with the flip-up of the peplum and flip-down of the neckline. And, of course, the turn over of the cape. His model did look like a Euro Heiress ready to go from a boardroom meeting to a Fundraiser Gala. Perfection. Oh, and I'm not sure if you noticed that the sequined boutonniere that accented his day look, turned into a Fascinator in the Model's hair:

Fab! Oscar Garcia-Lopez' look--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Oscar Won! I was so happy for him. He deserved it--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

I was also very happy that Natalia was on top as well. Once back in the Mentor's Lounge, I thought it would be a "celebratory" feeling and I would get "Hey! Congrats!" from my fellow mentors. But nope, Mondo and Anya came at me; they told me that Natalia shouldn't have stayed and so on and so forth. To be delicate: I was shocked at their feelings and I was especially surprised that Anya was part of it, since none of what occurred had anything to do with her designers, in terms of who went home. I also felt like a "Mother Lioness" protecting her babies when they were being so negative toward Natalia. I just couldn't believe it.



That's it for now! Don't miss next week's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" and make sure to RSVP to the Special "Under The Gunn" Screening Party I am hosting at FIDM on Thursday March 27...Join me in watching a brand new episode of "Under The Gunn"!

UNDER THE GUNN.....Nick's Take: Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge", My Inside Dish!

Nick Verreos, Getty Villa/J. Paul Getty Museum, Pacific Palisades California--Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

This past week's episode of Lifetime's "Project Runway: Under the Gunn" was the dreaded TEAM CHALLENGE. We're almost halfway through the season and it made sense since each mentor's team of designers were now "even-steven", i.e. three in each. The Challenge was to create a 3-look "mini collection" inspired by the new film...

  "Pompeii" 

...and the surroundings of the Getty Villa/J. Paul Getty Museum in Pacific Palisades:

Gorgeous Pool: Mentors (left to right) Mondo Guerra, Nick Verreos and Anya Ayoung-Chee--Getty Villa/J. Paul Getty Museum--Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

This was my first time ever at the Getty Villa and I was enchanted by the surroundings, and trying to take pictures while we had a break from filming:

Courtyard, Getty Villa/J. Paul Getty Museum

Marbled floors and columns, Getty Villa/J. Paul Getty Museum

Detailed Ceiling: Getty Villa/J. Paul Getty Museum entrance

And now, onto my "Nick's Take"/Inside Dish of the Episode:

-Coming off of last week's episode (it had actually occurred the day before),
and all the Isabelle DRAMA, the first thing I wanted to do was make sure to
"clear the air" and apologize to Isabelle, direct to camera, for adding
my "two cents" when Tim Gunn asked if I had anything to say. At the
time, I was in such a hurricane of emotions (as I stated in my last
"Nick's Take" HERE) that I just wanted to add a period, as it were, to it all.
In hindsight, it wasn't necessary. 

-Secondly,
in the beginning of this new challenge, I wanted to make sure to tell
my designers before they even began sketching that I apologized to them
for having to see their mentor do that to Isabelle and hoped that they
wouldn't come to any conclusions that I would do the same to them.
Isabelle was a "very special" case and luckily for me--and them--there
weren't any more "Isabelle's" on our team. All this occurred off-camera.

Team Nick: (L to R) Designers Stephanie Ohnmacht, Natalia Fedner, Oscar Garcia-Lopez and mentor Nick Verreos--Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

-After we got that out of the way, we had a group hug and began caucusing. To inspire them, I tried to tell them about the city of Pompeii (which I had visited years ago) as well as the glorious surroundings of the Amalfi Coast nearby. I suggested they focus on the beauty before the destruction (of Pompeii). I could tell from the start that all the designers were feeling down and defeated after the whole Isabelle situation. 

-There was also a feeling in the air that we--Team Nick and the designers--were the "Bad News Bears"/the weakest of "Under The Gunn". It made me depressed as well, so I could understand  how Oscar felt. But I figured, now that Isabelle is gone, it's a BRAND NEW DAY. However, the morale was low. 

--It also didn't help that almost EVERY challenge--after Mood trips--Tim always came to the Mentors Lounge--and said "Anya, Mondo, your designers are doing GRRRREAT!"...and "Nick....well, Good Luck Darling! Your designers are a MESS!". This didn't help matters, for sure. It made Anya and Mondo smile but I felt nervous and challenged.

Troubled Threesome: (L to R) Oscar Garcia-Lopez, Stephanie Ohnmacht and Natalia Fedner--Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

-Oscar sensed that both Natalia and Stephanie were not on their "A" game and decided to take charge. It was obvious that he would do the "last" look since Oscar is about drama and if anyone could do a "wow" it would be him. But then where would Stephanie and Natalia fit in? 

-What you saw during my Workroom Visit was the tension of them not coming together and I think their fear of failure. After a bit of "Workroom Therapy", They finally realized that they needed to unite and solve their design problems in order to create a cohesive collection. Instead of isolating himself from the group, Oscar took control and became the "Big Daddy" and wisely so.

 Oscar The Helper: Oscar Garcia-Lopez and Natalia Fedner--Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Naturally, Oscar was already done with his stunning "Gladiator Princess" look very early on, and so he began helping Natalia, making sure the team was on track to being a success.



Runway Time:

Judges (L to R) stylist Jen Rade, Marie Claire editor Zanna Roberts Rassi, designer Rachel Roy and "Pompeii" Costume Designer Wendy Partridge--Episode 6 "Pompeii Team Challenge" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Oscar Garcia-Lopez: Simply stunning and oh-so-chic. This was a perfect modern interpretation of an upper class aristocratic, fashion-savvy woman living in Pompeii. I especially loved the back cape that hinted at the Gladiator's capes of the time. Oscar doubled the ENTIRE ensemble, which was a creme colored crepe, and finished it to perfection.

Braid Fab: And by the way, Gregory Patterson (above) and his Blow Pro team did a FABULOUS job on the hairstyles and those braids! Love ya Gregory and Blow Pro!

Natalia Fedner: Originally, Natalia wanted to hand-weave some silk chiffon and create some sort of a mini dress. I didn't agree with her weaving since it came out of nowhere and looked a bit wonky and unfinished. It took some time to convince her to "save her weaving technique for another day and challenge" but she did. I commend her for being a team player and I think the end product was a stunner! This floaty and ethereal dress was gorgeous.

Stephanie Ohnmacht: Originally Stephanie wanted to do big, wide palazzo pants in that printed chiffon. But after everyone decided that Natalia's design would be long and floaty, we all figured that having too long floaty styles would be repetitive so that's how the romper came to fruition. Here's another "Inside Dish": Stephanie wanted to sew that back "mini cape" onto the waist of the shorts; in other words, this wasn't going to be a cape at all, just an over piece in the back. I suggested that in order to give a "hint" of Oscar's Gladiator Princess cape in his final look, she should leave it out, loose. I'm glad she did.

Amalfi Coast Girls: A perfect mini-collection, inspired by Getty Villa and "Pompeii"--and the Winner Is...

Nick's Team!

OMG!!! Look at our reactions--I think our screams of joy almost gave Tim Gunn--and the judges--a heart attack! And I felt as if I just gave birth to a baby after 24 hours of labor!

Congratulations to my designers, well done! After so many weeks of feeling like the "Bad News Bears", this was a welcomed nice feeling.

And...Congratulations to Oscar who was the challenge winner for that gorgeous creme caped pant ensemble. Felicitaciones!

UNDER THE GUNN.....Nick's Take: Episode 5 "Hit The Stage", My Inside Dish!

Praying to the Couture Gods of Christian Dior, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent that we can get through it: Mentor Nick Verreos, designer Oscar Garcia-Lopez and Isabelle Donola's model Ashleigh--Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

Mentor Nick and his designers--Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Opening Credits

This week's episode of Lifetime Network's Project Runway "Under The Gunn" was another DOOZY. It seems that the "Nick-is-a-Bad-Mentor Train" has seen no end--to my surprise(!) since I LIVED it. Anyhow--I'll get to that, my shock and disappointment at the "story arc" and the "Throwing Isabelle Under the Bus" stuff--later in this blog. After all, this is my "Nick's Take"/Inside Dish...

 Tim Gunn and Judges: stylist Jen Rade, Marie Claire editor Zanna Roberts Rassi, Zendaya--Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

This week's episode was to design a stage outfit for the one-and-only Zendaya, the beautiful 17 year-old sensation of music, dance and acting. Oh and yes, did I mention she has a 5' 10" model-like figure? First off: Zendaya is GORGEOUS and she was extremely sweet. On the show, while judging, she wore a red dress from Project Runway Season 4 Winner Christian Siriano. She looked fabulous. And I really LOVED her shoes: that girl's got STYLE! OK, so now, let's get to the "elephant in the room", Miss Isabelle:

Isabelle World: designer Isabelle Donola, Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

Last week I alluded to the fact that something would "go down" with one of my designers--Isabelle Donola. Since the previous challenge I felt uneasy about her; I got a strong sense that:

A) she didn't want to be mentored;

B) she didn't want to be mentored by ME; and

C) she was a bit, well, "kooky" and not in a good way. EVERYONE involved with filming--the mentors, the rest of the designers, the production team, even Tim, we all knew it--and frankly, they told me so. And of course, I had to deal with her since she was my designer. But I didn't want to be a bad mentor and therefore I kept to my job at hand and tried to mentor and help her.

Shut Up Nick: Nick Verreos and Isabelle Donola, Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

During the "Sketching Time", like the other two mentors, I was giving my "two cents" in terms of offering suggestions, ideas, etc. on how to design a stage outfit for the beautiful Zendaya. While I was doing that, Isabelle--one of my designers--turned to me and whispered for me to shut up. I was so taken aback, stunned and hurt--all at the same time, that I got up and moved away from ALL my designers. I felt a moment of sweetness when soon after that, Oscar (one of my other designers) then called on me to help him with ideas and style suggestions. Anyhow, this was the moment I felt that "I'm (almost) done" with Isabelle but for the sake of not looking like a fool mentor and not giving up, I (hesitantly) kept to my job at hand, to no avail, of course. I tried, and I still looked bad. During the model fitting--when every designer gets 30 minutes with their models--Isabelle fiddled and fuddled with trying to drape the top right on her model--but did nothing else; I knew it was going to be trouble the following day.

 Why Aren't You Almost Done: Nick Verreos with designer Isabelle Donola--Day of Runway Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

Day of Runway: I had received word from Tim that Isabelle was a mess. And this, naturally, worried me. I didn't want her to fail and I also didn't want the cameras/producers to make it look as if I failed as a mentor. So I continued on with Isabelle. After the makeup and hair time, the designers had thirty minutes to get it all done and Isabelle was still trying to put together her look--while most of the designers were done. Oscar, in fact, had finished his fabulous red sequined look THE NIGHT BEFORE.

Hurry Up Isabelle: Nick Verreos, model Ashleigh and designer Isabelle Donola on Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

I really think that Isabelle lives in "Isabelle World" and when we say that there's only fifteen minutes left, she thinks it's "TV Time" fifteen minutes; thinking it's all a "TV Lie" and they really give the designers TWO MORE DAYS; who knows, but this is the sense I got from her. Lots of designers who come to the "Project Runway" auditions say to us "Is it really six hours to make a dress?...that's 'TV Time' , you really give us THREE days...". Nope, not so mucheey. I think that Isabelle may have felt the same way. Tim had called "time is up" and Isabelle was still half-sewing her look while I stood there, with her model Ashleigh only wearing a white t-shirt and pink thong. She was stressed that she cut her finger. And naturally she blamed it on me for "stressing her out". She wouldn't be so stressed if she had utilized her time better.

Come On Ashleigh: Tim Gunn finally came in--as we quickly hurried to get Ashleigh dressed--even though the outfit was not even finished--but I did not want poor Ashleigh to actually walk down the runway naked. She almost did.

Tim Gunn and the Judges: (left to right) Jen Rade, Zanna Ronberts Rassi and Zendaya--Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

Nick's Group: Looks from my designers (left to right) Natalia Fedner, Oscar Garcia-Lopez, Stephanie Ohnmacht and Isabelle Donola--Lifetime's "Under The Gunn" Episode 5

My Designers' Looks:

Natalia Fedner: I really liked Natalia's "Football"-inspired look. It was very "J. Lo 'In Living Color' Fly Girl". I loved that she added the "Z" in the back. But stylist Jen Rade was correct when she said that she looked like one of Zendaya's backup dancers as opposed to this being a look for THE STAR--Zendaya.

Oscar Garcia-Lopez: Oscar went for it--with no abandon and I was all for it! I thought the look was a bit too "Liza Minnelli-Meets-Cheerleader" but heck, I love those two references. He finished EVERYTHING and then made the stiff tulle bootie "chaps" with perfectly finished red bias binding.

Stephanie Ohnmacht: I was really supportive of Stephanie stepping out of her "pretty dress" box and creating a modern pant ensemble. Her Achilles Heel was the fabric. She chose a waxed "denim" that acted like pleather and was not easily mold-able. This was the first time she's ever made pants and I wanted to help her with the pant pattern but I learned my lesson a couple of challenges before; I almost went there to help her but I could just hear the cameras running to catch me helping and Tim chastising me. So, alas, I didn't go there.

Isabelle Donola: Isabelle's white satin jumpsuit was obviously the worst of the bunch. I was so embarrassed for her and mad that she had let it get to this point because of her "Isabelle World" behavior, not realizing the time she had, wasting time when she could have been actually working, her excuse of cutting her finger, and then eventually trying to throw me under the bus saying that I was the reason her look wasn't good or finished...

BAD: Isabelle's look was a mess. She was lucky that somehow her model didn't slip out of it. In fact, Ashleigh (her model) was crying the entire time she modeled it.

In the end, I have to say that I realized that Isabelle did not respect me, so therefore, how can I respect her. So when Tim Gunn asked ALL of the mentors for our thoughts after the judges gave their critiques, I was honest when I said that I'd rather spend my mentor energy on my other designers than on a designer that did not want my mentoring and did not want to be civil and respectful.

I definitely felt respect from all 3 of my other designers and I showed them admiration and support in return. At the moment, I never really thought my other 3 designers would think I would react to them like I reacted to Isabelle (but there is more on that in the next episode).



In retrospect, I realize that I should have been the bigger person and I let my emotions and the emotional crescendo that had occurred with Isabelle boil over. I now regret adding insult to injury when asked if I had anything to add. Hopefully Isabelle learned something positive from this experience and as a mentor I did too.



Onward and upward! Looking forward to a fun Team Challenge next week!