PROJECT RUNWAY.....Judging the Los Angeles Castings/Auditions of Season 13 Project Runway with Tim Gunn, A BLOG RECAP!

 Mentor Twosome: Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos---Judging the Southern California/Los Angeles Auditions/Castings of Season 13 Project Runway--Bunin-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA

This past week, I had the chance to judge the Season 13 Project Runway Auditions/Castings. This is (wait for it!) the ELEVENTH season I have been asked to be part of the judging pre-final audition/casting process.

Audition Judges: (L to R) Nick Verreos, Tim Gunn and Marie Claire US Fashion Editor-at-Large Alison Edmond--Season 13 Project Runway L.A. Castings/Auditions, Bunim-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA

ELEVEN SEASONS of judging these castings! The show--in case you're wondering is celebrating it's 10-Year Anniversary (Season One began filming in 2004!!) and as you may know I was on Season 2 which we filmed in 2005...

I Have My Own Sign: Nick Verreos, L.A. Castings/Auditions of Season 13 Project Runway

I was asked to judge the castings as of Season 3 and on Season 6...

I was actually invited to be an on-air judge, alongside Nina Garcia, Heidi Klum and actress Kerry Washington (photo above)

Ready for the Auditions: Nick Verreos, L.A. Castings/Auditions Season 13 Project Runway, Bunim-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA--I was very honored to judge the auditions with Marie Claire US Fashion Editor at Large Alison Edmond and the one-and-only Tim Gunn...

Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos: I hadn't seen Tim since I won the "Top Mentor" title on Project Runway: Under The Gunn. I know that he wasn't necessarily a fan of my mentoring style and the winner (as one can see from his "Tim Talks" HERE) but that's all water under the bridge, as they say. He was very sweet to me during the auditions :)

 (L to R) Tim Gunn, Project Runway Executive Producer Jane Cha, and Nick Verreos--Season 13 Project Runway L.A. Castings/Auditions Bunim-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA

 Casting Divas: Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos with "Project Runway" Casting Executives Rebecca Snavely and Alyssa Haight Carlton--Season 13 Project Runway L.A. Castings/Auditions Bunim-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA

 End Of Day: After an entire day of seeing hopeful Project Runway contestants...this was Tim, Alison and I...Who's ready for a Dirty Martini???

Castings Group Shot: Season 13 Project Runway L.A. Castings/Auditions Bunim-Murray Offices Van Nuys CA

UNDER THE GUNN.....Finale Viewing Party at "Casa de Mt. Washington"/Nick and David's House: Photo Recap!

A Perfect Pair: Nick Verreos and Oscar Lopez (on TV)--Project Runway: Finale Viewing Party/Nick & David's

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward www.evansvestalward.com

Last week was the Finale of Lifetime's Project Runway: Under The Gunn and **Spoiler Alert**...my Designer--Oscar Garcia-Lopez--won and therefore, I also won, as the Winning Mentor. I have already blogged about the Finale Episode in my "Nick's Take" blog HERE as well as done a recap of my "Mentor Looks" for the Finale HERE. Now, it's time to blog about my Finale Viewing Party!

Since Lifetime nor the producers were having an official Finale Viewing Party, my partner David Paul (whom literally LIVED through this whole experience with me!) and I went ahead and had a little private one at our "Casa de Mt. Washington"--our home in LA. We had a "Premiere Viewing Party" when the show began months ago so we felt this would be appropriate. And we had the honor of having one of our very good friends, Evans Vestal Ward--an acclaimed professional photographer--take photos of the night...

Ready for the Finale: Nick Verreos and David Paul--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party/Nick & David's

Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward

David and I invited some of our closest and most supportive friends--especially those who religiously  watched the show--and made preparations to make the night a fun, festive success...First up, the Margaritas:

Drinkie Time: For the "Premiere Party", I made a big ol' batch of my "Nick Cadillac Margarita's" and it was a HUGE success, so naturally I did it again! I mixed enough high-end tequila, fresh lime (squeezed by moi), Cointreau and Grand Marnier (and some water of course!), to make a perfect batch for our 20+ guests. I had to do a special appearance at FIDM to surprise them with my Winning the Season...David was left to get the food together with our very good friend, Johnny.

Mexi-Cali Buffet: For food (a Host must always have FOOD right?), we catered Chipotle and got the three-meat "Big Spread". When David and Johnny picked up the food at our local Chipotle and returned to the house, Chipotle forgot to give us the salsas and corresponding condiments (Big Ooopsie!). Needless to say, they were kind enough to drive to our place and bring them to us (Gracias!).

Dinner Time: When the guests arrived, it was time for Hors d'oeuvres (Charcuterie and Cheeses, Shrimp Cocktail , Guacamole and Chips, etc.) and Cocktail Hour. But right after that, it was "Make Your Own Chipotle Meal" time! As you can see from the photo above, our guests were very happy!

Soon it was going to be time to watch the Finale--and subsequently...Dessert time!

Time To Watch The Finale: Nick Verreos and friends gather to watch the Season Finale Viewing Party "Project Runway: Under The Gunn"

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward

For dessert, some of our friends brought some DELICIOUS treats...

Cookies! Our friend Gary brought some homemade cookies.

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

My very good friend Eunice Castañeda--who I've known since my "FIDM school days"--brought some yummy treats from Porto's Bakery (Love the Easter Bunny!) 

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Yummy Cupcakes from The Confection Co-op via our friend Simone

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Finale Friends: (L to R) Johnny Nicoloro, Louie Anchondo, Nick Verreos and David Paul--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party 

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Congrats! Eunice Castaneda (topphoto), Mike Lucas and Spiro Skentzos congratulate Nick Verreos on his win--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party 

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Relaxed Chic: Joey Rose and Simone--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Cute Gals: (L to R) Glenna and Kerri Boyd--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Finale Smiles: (L to R) Ben Kreader, Nick Verreos and Gary Trethaway-- Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward

Beard Brothers: (L to R) John Wade and Erik Moreno--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward 

Tearing Up: Nick Verreos--soon after the Win on "Project Runway: Under The Gunn"--Project Runway: Under The Gunn Finale Viewing Party

Photo Courtesy of Evans Vestal Ward

Yeayyy: Winner! Nick Verreos at the Project Runway: Under The Gunn                                                    Finale Viewing Party

Photo Courtesy of  Evans Vestal Ward

Thanks to EVERYONE who attended and hopefully enjoyed the Finale Viewing Party--and the delicious dinner, drinks and dessert!

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Open House Alumni Panel Discussion

Nick Verreos--FIDM March 2014 Open House, Grand Hope Park FIDM L.A. Campus

This past week was FIDM DEBUT WEEK for the FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, my Alma Mater. As the Spokesperson for FIDM, I had the honor on Thursday to host and MC one the first events surrounding this fabulous DEBUT week: the FIDM L.A. March 2014 Open House and more importantly, the Open House Alumni Panel Discussion. Open House is a uniquely FIDM event where anyone interested in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, visual communications or any of the other majors offered by FIDM, can see for themselves what it's like to be a student, take a tour of the campus, check out the classrooms, library, meet faculty, alumni and much, much more.

A Full House: The "Open House" tent at Grand Hope Park in the FIDM campus was PACKED! Right as I came out to begin my hosting duties, I had to take several pics of the crowd! I have hosted many FIDM Open House's but this one was probably the BIGGEST turnout! Imagine walking out onto a stage and seeing a SEA of hundreds and hundreds of people....and somehow having to get their attention! Well, I tried with some fun pre-Alumni Panel Discussion "entertainment":

Welcome Everyone!!! Nick Verreos MC's the FIDM March 2014 Open House, Grand Hope Park FIDM L.A. Campus

Good Hair: I mingled with attendees and spotted one particular guest who had some FAB hair and naturally I had to make him stand up (yes, in front of 500 people!) to highlight his great pseudo 'fro! He was a good sport as I got all touchey-feely with his hair as you can see from the photo above.



Next was my Nick Open House Catwalk "Blessing":

Open House Supermodel: It's become a bit of a tradition (or at least I am now making it one!), to begin the FIDM Open house with a Runway Walk, only because...

A) I like to do a runway walks and,

B) when you have this long, long "runway" already there, well, what else am I going to do?? LOL!

Dad Catwalk Contest: It's also become an Open House tradition for me to bring some of the attendees up to do an impromptu "Catwalk Contest". Usually I'll get some of the "younger" guests, but sometimes, I feel "cheeky" and get the parents. This time, I chose seven DAD'S--yes, the DAD's!--in the audience and they all did GREAT! Super Great in fact. The crowd went KRAZEE and their sons and daughters in attendance (and their wives or girlfriends) LOVED it! Take a look at some of the Dad's on the Open House "runway":

You Better Work: Dad's on the FIDM Open House "runway"--FIDM March 2014 Open House Catwalk Contest, Grand Hope Park FIDM L.A. Campus

Alumni Panel
Hosting: Nick Verreos with (L to R) Natasha Endrei, Erica Williams and
Jonathan Gitlin--FIDM March 2014 Open House, Grand Hope Park FIDM L.A.
Campus

Following the "Dad Catwalk Contest" (and my other Open House shenanigans), I got to my main duties: to moderate the FIDM Open House Alumni Panel Discussion. My guests were two FIDM graduates and one current student: Natasha Endrei who works for ModCloth, Jonathan Gitlin, who is Creative Director as well as director of Gaming, TV and New Media at Create Advertising Group, and Erica Williams
who was just accepted into FIDM's Advanced Study Program in Theater
Costume Design.

Moderator Nick: This "Alumni Panel Discussion" is always an enlightening way for attendees--both
the students thinking about coming to FIDM and their parents--to get a
feel of what it's like to attend FIDM, get some "Insider Dish" on how to
get the most out of all that FIDM offers and hear from graduates who
are working in the industry.



Afterward, it was Photo-Op/Meet & Greet Time:

Open House Posing: Nick Verreos with some of the attendees of FIDM March 2014 Open House, Grand Hope Park FIDM L.A. Campus

 Nick Verreos with FIDM March 2014 Open House attendee Julia Bacchetti

Group Selfie: Nick Verreos in a "FIDM March 2014 Open House" group selfie with some very pretty attendees

Thanks EVERYONE for a WONDERFUL FIDM Open House! xoxo

NICK APPEARANCES.....Trip to San Francisco & Benefit Cosmetics SF Love!

SF Pretty Room: Nick Verreos at the Benefit Cosmetics San Francisco boutique

Arriving at SFO via Virgin America 

Last week, I flew to San Francisco for business--on Virgin America (love them!) and had the opportunity to take in some of the fabulous SF "sights", including...

Taking a photo of an iconic San Francisco Cable Car--Powell and Market, San Francisco

During my time in SF, I had time to stop by the Benefit Cosmetics San Francisco Headquarters and SF Boutique to say "Hello"! As you may know, Benefit Cosmetics is the makeup sponsor for "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" and I just LOVE them (I cannot live without their POREfessional!)

 Window Display Benefit Cosmetics San Francisco

 Presenting Benefit Cosmetics SF: Nick Verreos, in front of the Benefit Cosmetics San Francisco Boutique

 Nick Verreos at Benefit Cosmetics San Francisco Boutiqu

Makeup Time: Once I arrived at the San Francisco HQ of Benefit Cosmetics, I got the VIP treatment--I got some (light) makeup done and discovered that I am not "Benefit Honey" but rather "Benefit Beige". Thank You Benefit Cosmetics! After the Makeup consultation, it was time for a Brow "fix"...

Nick Verreos and Peaches--After I got "clocked" (luckily) by a Benefit Cosmetics Makeup pro on what choice of makeup I should wear for TV, I got a special treat: I got my eyebrows "fixed" by the wonderful Peaches at the Benefit Cosmetics Boutique San Francisco. She did a fab job on my brows and I LOVE her for it!

Benefit San Francisco

After my "Pretty Time" at the Benefit Cosmetics Boutique San Francisco, I had the pleasure of ending my SF trip having some DELISH wine and charcuterie-and-cheese at Rouge et Blanc right next to the Triton Hotel SF:

Yum: Cheese and Charcuterie Plate at Rouge et Blanc, San Francisco

SF Chinatown: "Rouge et Blanc" Wine Bar is right in front of the entrance of San Francisco's Chinatown so I had to be a "tourist" and get a photo of the entrance gate---LOVE me some San Francisco!