UNDER THE GUNN.....Nick's Take: Episode 10 "Crossing Teams", My Inside Dish!

In The Mall: Designers and Mentors in front of Francesca's Collections store in the Manhattan Village Mall: Manhattan Beach, CA--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

This week on Lifetime Network's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn", each Mentor has two designers left on our "teams". Therefore the producers decided to do another "Team Challenge" in which each team would consist of two designers, each of the designers from different mentors.

The challenge was to design a three-look group for Francesca's Collections,
the retail partner/sponsor of "Project Runway: Under The Gunn". The
location for the "Challenge Introduction" was the Manhattan Beach
location of Francesca's in the Manhattan Village Mall near Los Angeles.



So, let's get to my weekly "Nick's Take"/Inside Dish on this episode...

 "Nick's Team": Designers Natalia Fedner and Oscar Gracia-Lopez--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

My designers Natalia Fedner and Oscar Garcia-Lopez were paired with a designer from another mentor. When Tim got that dreaded black velvet button bag out, I knew EXACTLY what was happening. In last week's episode, Asha was not very nice to Natalia (along with most of the other designers and two other mentors) unofficially becoming the leader of the "Under The Gunn Mean Girls" group. Therefore, it didn't take a brain surgeon to know that these two were definitely going to be paired up.

Cross Mentoring Caucusing: Mentors Mondo Guerra and Nick Verreos with deisgners Asha Daniels and Natalia Fedner--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

There was never a direct statement that we, as mentors, could "cross-breed" in terms of offering mentoring
advice to the designers who were not ours. I guess that was all depending on the mentor. I was very
careful with this --remember, I have already been labeled by Tim Gunn as being "too hands-on!" and since Mondo has a very strong personality and we had just come off of his ranting about Natalia the previous evening, I decided to try and stay calm and level-headed. In other words, I was more of a "quiet" mentor here and
frankly, just afraid that Mondo might come at me again and blame me if
anything bad was going to occur with this pairing of designers.

 Think Young and Cool: Oscar
Gracia-Lopez, Shan Keith Oliver and Nick Verreos at Francesca's
Collections, Manhattan Village Mall--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

  

Oscar Garcia-Lopez was paired with Shan Keith Oliver
and I was much more comfortable with this pairing. I still had
hesitancy in how to give my mentoring advice to Shan--not because of him
but because, just like with Mondo, I didn't want Anya coming at me as
well. My only concern with Oscar was that I had heard "rumblings" from
Tim that his looks were possibly "Too Couture" and maybe verging on looking  too sophisticated for the market, so I wanted to
make sure to give him direction to THINK YOUNG, cool and hip.

Oscar/Shan Critique: Back in the FIDM Workroom, the Critique went well with Oscar and Shan and I was happy that they were working quite harmoniously, almost finishing each others sentences in a great Ying & Yang sort of way. I let Anya do most of the talking but also added my "Nick Two Cents" while being cautious and "Socratic".

Nervous Smile: The Critique session for Asha and Natalia was a little different; the smile you see on my face in the photo above betrays how cautious and nervous I was. I knew that Natalia was still being smack-talked by the other mentors and designers; I knew she felt horrible, belittled and her self-esteem was at a low point. Frankly, I wasn't feeling too cute myself .

Unhappy Pairing: Mondo immediately took over the critique, pointing out Asha's discomfort with the pairing and you could definitely feel that Mondo thought Natalia was the "Weakest Link" here and the reason for any doom that might occur in the pairing. Mondo's very direct demeanor made Asha more nervous and naturally did not help Natalia.

I do remember asking Asha during this critique, if
Natalia's "nervous behavior" was spilling over onto her and making her tense and edgy. This was not in the final edit of the critique session one saw in the episode but trust me, I remember asking her. It was my way of subliminally telling Natalia to try and relax and not get shaky and nervous.

I did not want to step on Mondo's toes and offer any of my advice on Asha's designs other than suggestions on making the three looks be more cohesive. At one point, Mondo (and Tim) just LOVED this rust-red trim Asha was using on the top she was making. But to me, it looked "whickety-wack" and "too-mucheey". I definitely knew that I hadn't seen anything like that at the Francesca's store and it was for a good reason. But since Mondo and Tim adored it, I just kept my mouth shut. I don't remember a "What do you think Nick?" question coming from Asha. So, that was my overt sign to leave her alone...with Mondo. It must be said, however, that Asha was always very cordial with me during all of this.

I Believe In You: Because I could tell that Natalia was struggling with confidence after her recent experiences with her fellow designers, I tried to turn my attention to being a support system for her. I tried to give her the strength to survive this challenge and be mentally and physically strong. I wanted her to know that I was THERE to support her 110%, and as I said in the episode, be her "Biggest Cheerleader". On the same note, I was not coddling her in terms of her design and construction. I liked the pink dress she was making--it was cute, young and very Francesca's, but I pressed her on making the garment look FINISHED and not to overwhelm herself with too much, especially with all the "noise" around her. She was also making a pair of shorts to go with Asha's dashiki-like top, so for her, she already had a lot on her plate.

Day of Runway:

Doing Good: The Oscar/Shan pairing was all good. The day of the runway, they were all but done, and in addition my designer, Oscar, took Shan's jacket and completely self lined it, HAND-SEWING (!) the lining into Shan's jacket. Originally it was lined in muslin and Oscar was like "NO!", and decided to take it upon himself to make Shan's look more finished and better...for the team!

Still Stressed: The day of the runway, Asha and Natalia were still at odds and frazzled. I continued to encourage Natalia to make sure her pink dress was complete (it was, except for a few fit issues) and that she finished the pair of blue shorts she was also making. I remember saying "Just finish those shorts!!"



Runway Time:

Oscar Garcia-Lopez and Shan Keith Oliver's Looks--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Overall Chic: Shan did these fabulous overall/shorts worn by Meredith (left) as well as the coral crochet shorts on Janica (right); Oscar made the blue cropped mock-neck top on Meredith (under the overalls), as well as the zip-up coral crochet vest on Janica. These looks were young, cute and very Spring.

Going to Capri: Oscar designed and created this gorgeous easy-breezy cotton printed maxi halter dress. Aleksandra worked the runway beautifully. The dress was finished impeccably (of course). Oscar was especially proud to point out to me his "special" baby hem; after he sews this perfect 1/8" baby hem, he then does something with his hands to "flutter" it. Notice on the photo on the right above how the hem has these pretty fluttery waves.

 Oh, and yes, he WON with this dress which was put into production and sold at Francesca's

And yes, I was soooo proud of Oscar that I started crying like a little baby! I was so overcome with emotions (especially after just losing Natalia--see below) that well, I lost it (sorry!)

Asha Daniels and Natalia Fedner's Looks--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Flirty and Strappy: Natalia made this dress which was in a printed and textured heavier cotton. I thought the design was flirty, young and cute. Originally, Natalia wanted to use her "weaving" technique (similar to what she did in the "Unconventional Beach Party" challenge for the back straps, but I suggested that she should make it simple and not overwhelm herself with more work; I told her "How 'bout just doing self spaghetti bias straps" in the back instead. She did and I think the back turned out beautifully! She did have problems with the torso and bust part of the dress, and every pucker showed.

Dashiki Superhero: Natalia also made the light blue shorts worn with Asha's  top. I thought Asha's top was not good and worse than Natalia's dress. While Asha's dashiki would NEVER be sold at Francesca's (trust me!), at least Natalia's pink dress (and cute shorts) would.

Over It All: Sitting onstage, watching all the looks come down and knowing that both Asha and Natalia were on the bottom, my view was that Asha should have gone home, and was probably going to. But the minute she was asked by Tim why she should still be there, and began sobbing, I immediately looked at the judges and they were all crying as well. I knew that Natalia was done. And Natalia knew it as well. I truly believe she was "over it" and had reached her limit. She was respectful and had grace under pressure. I commend her for it.

So proud of you Natalia! xoxo

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!