Post Project Runway Finale Brunch and Wrap Party-New York

Hours After being Crowned the Winner: Leanne and Nick Verreos at Official Wrap party (I did not know she had won of course!)

Finale Wrap-Ups....Since last week was the final episode of Season 5 Project Runway, I thought it would be fitting to do some "Season 5 Wrap Ups". During my trip to New York City last month to attend the Bryant Park Show, I was lucky enough to have been invited (along with David, of course) to a Post Finale Brunch as well as to the Wrap Party that occurred the same day of the Finale Show, and hours after the last "And the Winner Is'" episode was shot. I saved these fun photos and my recap of the day (and night) until now....Hope you enjoy!

Bloody Mary or Mimosa?Brunch Dishing: Saturn's Lisa Gilpin, Nick Verreos, and friend Taylor Schultz

Every season, after the Project Runway Finale Bryant Park Show, it has been the tradition for Bravo to throw a fabulous "Post-Show Brunch" at Bryant Park Grill next to the tents. It was a great way for clients, producers and former Project Runway alum, to mingle, dish on the show and grab some delicious omelets and Mimosas...However, for some reason, this season, this Bryant Park Grill Brunch was not occurring. David and I were ready to head back to our hotel and have our own intimate post-show dishing brunch---until my good friend, Lisa Gilpin, of Saturn (and my Front Row seat-mate at the show), invited us to a "hush-hush" brunch at the stylish Royalton Hotel, being thrown for clients and sponsors of the show, including L'Oreal, Tre Semme, Bravo and of course, Saturn. David and I also brought our NY friend, Taylor Schultz, who attended the finale show with us (he was tickled of course!)Royalton Post Show Brunch: David Paul, Laura K, and Molly, smiling after a couple of Mimosas

Once there, we were so happy to see the entire Blogging Project Runway "crew", Miss Laura K., "TBone" and "The Scarlett". Between all of us, we set up our own Project Runway booth at the restaurant and proceeded to have a delicious brunch and one too many Mimosas and Bloody Mary's. We discussed who our favorites were, who we thought should win, whose collection was the best (and the worst) and so on. It may not have been like the traditional Bryant Park Grille Brunch, but we had a great time nonetheless.

The Official Wrap Party:
White Pants After Labor Day? John Wade and Nick Verreos Break the Rules, New York City, September '08
After the wonderful Royalton Hotel Brunch, David and I returned back to our hotel, The Hudson, to grab a "Disco Nap" so we would be ready for what the evening had in store for us. Well, because of the early morning "call time" for the Finale Bryant Park Show, our supposed brief nap, turned into a full-blown 4 HOUR SIESTA!!!! Once up, I checked my Blackberry and got messages, inviting me to the Official Wrap Party being given by the producers of the show. On our way out of the hotel, guess who we ran into? Season 2 Designer and Marc Jacobs West Coast Manager, John Wade! He was in New York to attend his boss' New York Fashion Week Spring '09 Collection, as well as for the Marc Jacobs "Buys"-- when all the stores' managers survey the collection and decide what they will order for their boutiques. By coincidence, he happened to be staying at The Hudson and was returning after a 14-hour workday. I begged him to come with us to the Wrap Party, but he could barely keep his eyes open. He did just for the two seconds it took to take a photo(see above).Wrap Party Sandwich: Saturn's Lisa Gilpin, Nick Verreos and Season 5 Finalist, Korto (looking REALLY HAPPY!)

Once at the Wrap Party, I was happy to say "Hi" to all the Season 5 Designers and "feel out" the ones who showed at Bryant Park (to see if I could take a good guess who had been crowned the winner of Season 5). I immediately greeted Leanne Marshall, and met her boyfriend and friends, who came out from Portland. I assumed she had won, since I thought her collection was the best. I even congratulated her (even though, of course, I did not know who had really won) but her and friends had major "poker faces" on: Her demeanor seemed solemn, sad and to be honest, not one of a "winner". Maybe she was just so tired from it all, which is totally understandable. I then made a bee-line to Korto. Maybe I could see if she was acting like a "winner". She was. If she could have, she would have been dancing on top of the bar's tables! She was dancing, singing, having a Gay Ol' time! So, that left me thinking: Did Korto win? Because she sure was acting like it.
Leanne's Muse: Nick Verreos with Leanne Marshall's model, Tia, at Season 5 Wrap Party, New York City, September '08

I also recognized some of Season 5 Models, including Leanne's (Tia), as well as Korto's, the Latinalicious (my tribute to Blayne!), Katrina Munez. Of course, I also made a point to say Hello to the great Magical Elves producers, cameramen, and sound guys present. I tried to get something out of them, in terms of who won. But no one was telling. I left the party thinking that Korto had won, BUT with a little bit of doubt on my mind...Little did I know!!
Make Me A Project Runway Supermodel: Nick Verreos hangs out with Season 5 Models at the Season 5 Wrap Party in New York City, September '08

Nick Verreos Attends Project Runway Season 5 Finale Episode Party

Los Angeles Celebrates End of Season 5

Three Hours Of Sleep, No Food, and a Fourteen Hour Workday: Nick on the red carpet

Wednesday evening, I was invited to the Finale Project Runway Bash at paparazzi-central West Hollywood hotpot STK. I had never been to STK, so I was eager to see what it was all about. I only know of it from all those TMZ videos of celebs and not-so-A-list celebs coming in and out of it. I love me some TMZ--it's Entertainment Tonight--but without the "filter". My day began at 8 AM (I swear, cameras should have really been following me on this particular day!) doing patterns and finishing the muslins for the collection I am working on . Then I rushed over to teach my noon-6 PM class. Without missing a beat, I then drove across town to my seamstress to check on gowns she was sewing and somehow, made it back to my home to change and "hijack" David to come with with me to an event I could not miss. Not only was it the Finale of Season 5 Viewing Party, but it was also a "Goodbye and Thank You" Finale Party, being given by the shows' producers, Magical Elves. I have such respect and dare I say, LOVE, for Magical Elves, that I almost consider them like family. From the top producers to the p.a. who gets your Starbucks, there is an understanding, endearment and respect, that you rarely find in a production team. Trust me, I've worked with a few.
Party Central: Producer Michael Rucker, Season 5 Runner-Up Korto, Nick Verreos, and John Wade (looking serious and sexy)

The Party:
After throwing my white "dinner jacket" on, David and I swung by and picked up my friend, Season 2 Designer (and Marc Jacobs merchandising Guru) John Wade and we headed for STK. I immediately ran into Magical Elves' sexy "centerfold", Michael Rucker--looking very "old school" Dean Martin in his tuxedo (between him and I, we could have been a Las Vegas act!). On the "Step and Repeat" red carpet (yes, there was a red carpet!), I said "hello" (in other words PUSHED) Korto, whom I was excited to see. I was not sure that she would make it to this LA party, but I am glad she did! Korto was GIVING YOU BOOTIE, in her black stretch band-collared mini-dress. Her eye make-up matched her pedicure by the way! (Fabulous!)
This Spells Trouble: Nick Verreos, Raymundo Batazar and John Wade

Soon-- after receiving my Cosmo and Mini Burger hors d'oeuvres (I had not eaten in ten hours!)--I saw my buddy, Season 2 Designer, Raymundo Baltazar, working a bow-tie and distressed denim vest ensemble. You know I had to get him and my other Season 2 buddy, John, to take a photo with me! We also posed with Season 3 Model--and Blogging Project Runway blogger, Amanda Fields--who has been quite busy herself, working the New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week runways.
Posing Divas: Season 2 Designer and LA stylist/designer, Raymundo Baltazar, Nick Verreos and model Amanda Fields

Speaking of models, I just about DIED when I saw Leanne's winning model (Yes, kiddies, as I predicted, Leanne won, by the way) Tia. I had never met her but seriously, I ran to her the way my niece runs to me when she sees me at the airport! Yes, I love me some models--especially FIERCE ones, such as Tia. Congratulations Miss Tia--see you in Elle Magazine!Winning Tia: Nick Verreos with Leanne's gorgeous model, Tia

After making it inside the restaurant/club, I saw Kit and complimented her on her great graphic printed black and white dress--and her boyfriend! We also discussed the show she styles, Dancing With The Stars ( I love me some DWTS!).Girlfriends: Sweet P and Nick Verreos

I also saw Sweet P, and almost hurt an innocent guest at the party in order to get to her. She looked GORGEOUS in a one-shoulder ruffled confection of prettiness that she told me she designed herself (of course!!). Let me just declare this now and forever: I . Love. Sweet P. There I said it!Smiley Pants: Season 5 Token Straight Guy, Designer Joe Faris, and Nick Verreos

Of course, since the party was a "Viewing Party", there were huge flat screen TV monitors showing the Final Episode, but not many people were paying attention (except for a lot of the Season 5 Designers present of course!) Speaking of Season 5 Designers, I spotted some of their "All Stars" who either flew out to Los Angeles, especially for the party, or were "on their way" somwhere else. I ran into Joe Faris, who was sporting a new haircut and his own studded leather jacket. He was unbelievably nice. I think I drank the "Joe Kool-Aid". I can't believe I am saying this, but: Joe Rocks! He was leaving to Hong Kong the next day for business and wanted to party one last time in LA.Bravo Threesome: Theodore from Sheer Genius, Nick Verreos, and Suede from Project Runway Season 5

I also spotted Suede, who was there... wait for it... with his MOMMY! I almost DIED!!! In case anyone is wondering, he did not refer to himself in Third Person at all, and he did not have a faux hawk (neither did I , thank you very much!).Tan-O-Rama: Nick Verreos and Blayne, from Season 5

Finally, Season 5 Finale would not be complete if I had not seen (how could you miss him in neon yellow?) Blayne. True to form, Blayne was both Tanorexic and Girlicious. The party was fun: I got to see my old friends at Magical Elves, as well as hang out with Raymundo, John Wade, and Miss Sweet P, meet designers from this last season and had my own "TMZ Moment", hanging out at STK. David and I did not get home until about ONE AM and yes, we first, walked our dog and then fell asleep watching the actual Finale Episode, in the comfort of our own flat screen....

Project Runway Season 5 Nick Verreos Recap--The Fugly Edition

The Not-So Fantastic Four:
We are coming to the end of Season 5 of Project Runway, and to be honest, it has been a disappointing season, overall. Talk on the street (and webosphere) is that characters overruled talent, and the quality of the work--especially coming on the heels of the Christian's and Rami's of the previous season-- has been less than stellar. With that, there was much at stake for this last episode where the designers who would make it to New York Fashion Week would be chosen. And now, my "Uncle Nick" recap...

First...a Nick Verreos "Model Shout Out" Moment:

I have been thinking about this for a while, so let me just get this off my hairy Greek-Venezuelan chest: It is so sad for the models to be kicked out for NOT DOING ANYTHING!!! I know it is NOT A MODEL SHOW, so people may argue and respond with a "Who Cares?". Well, the agencies who send these girls for the casting, the models who go, and so on. Why even do it, when there's always that chance you will be "auf'ed" for not even actually modeling. It's a bit ridiculous and there has to be a better way.

The Challenge:

After taking a drive outside Manhattan, the remaining designers, Jerell, Korto, Leanne, and Kenley, arrive at the New York Botanical Gardens, where they are met by Tim Gunn, and another one of his "pocket gays", this time it was Collier Strong, Consulting Make-Up Artist for L'Oreal Paris. The four designers are asked to create a gown inspired by nature. This challenge, also dubbed the L'Oreal Paris Challenge (is it in the Vendor Contracts to have at least one challenge named after them? You may remember "the Saturn Challenge" and others) was their last moment to prove to the judges who definitely needed to be at Bryant Park.

Mood Shopping:

When the camera began showing what these kids were choosing in terms of fabric, I knew we were going to have trouble. There was a lot of FUGLY fabrics being displayed on the tables and FUGLY fabrics=FUGLIER creations. I was frightened for Korto's orange satin and quinciniera lace. But I just kept thinking "Oh, Miss Korto will Make it Work!" In case you want a defintion of Fugly. Click HERE.

The Workroom:

Kenley vs. Everyone Else:

From the beginning of the episode, the scenes and interaction between the remaining designers at the Atlas Apartments hinted to us that this would be the Nail-In-the Kenley-Is-A-Bitch coffin. This was continued to the workroom. Jerell, Korto and Leanne all got along swimmingly, but Miss Cut-and-Cry Kenley was the "odd (wo)man out". Now, a lot of people will again, cry "Oh, that's just editing...I'm sure she is so sweet..." But, listen people: THREE people do not like her. Not just one. All THREE!!! It's one thing if one person has a problem with you, that's expected. But THREE? (that we know off) It is painfully obvious that someone "done did Kenley wrong" in the past, and she needed to work that out prior to arriving on set for Project Runway

Kenley: The Santino of Season 5?

Like I suggested last week in my recap, who knew that Kenley was going to be the Santino of this season. Never. The flower in her hair, the I-Love-Vintage style, the almost folksy demeanor. As a viewer, I never saw "Bitch" coming. I do feel sorry for her, in terms of being in that workroom and knowing and feeling that no one likes you. But child, you dug your own fashion grave on that one.

Kenley vs. Tulle

This was best exemplified when she needed tulle and all the designers had extra that they were not using in their gowns. Yet, not one gave her their unused tulle. Madness. I'm all about helping people out, but in this instance, I also might have gone along with the rest of the designers. Luckily, a Mood Fairy Godmother came to her aid. Kenley left a bag of tulle she had already purchased at Mood Fabrics and was allowed to return to the store and retrieve it, much to the rest of the designers' snickering chagrins.

Kenley vs. Tim:

Oh kids, if you thought there would be an Andrae-Loves-Tim Saga played out during this season with Tim and one of the designers, you were clearly mistaken. Just the opposite. It's the Kenley Disrespects Tim Love Story on Season 5. When Tim makes his rounds to see what the designers are working on, he comments on the designers, and most take it with respect and aplomb. Not Miss Kenley. She has to bite back, roll her eyes, and make some snide remark about "What does Tim Know?" Sit down girl, get some red wine, and I will tell you... Tim is a bigger man than me, because (like I said in one of my previous recaps), I really would have bitch slapped her from here to Timbuktu by now.

The Runway:

Harvey's Girl

Heidi walks in, in funeral black (is this how she really feels?), and introduces the judges, as well as the Guest Judge for this all-important Going-To-Bryant-Park episode, and it is the beautiful Georgina Chapman, designer of Marchesa. Her gorgeous gowns make it on the bodies of every A-list "It Girl"-from Jennifer Lopez, to Anne Hathaway. One look at Wikipedia also enlightens us that Georgina is the daughter of Brian Chapman, British Millionaire businessman and owner of coffee empire, Percol and as most of us already know, happens to be married to Harvey Weinstein.

The Good Nature
Well, where do I begin? There was a lack of pretty this week, unfortunately. I was dismayed and disappointed at their gowns. Maybe they were tired, maybe they do not like creating gowns, who knows. But this wasn't their week. As a gown designer, I always get perturbed when these kids can't design a gown. And it also frustrates me when people (sometimes those judges) think it is so easy. It is not. As it was evidently proven in this episode. If I had to pick, I would have agreed with the judges and chosen Jerell. Yes, the hems were unfinished (an omen of what was to come for Bryant Park?) and it was, as my good friend always says,"a little JANKY". But it was the Best of The Worst, and since the judges had to pick a winner, then the prize reluctantly went to Jerell---for the THIRD Time!

The FUGLY Nature

The look on the judges faces spoke VOLUMES of how they really felt. My dear Nina Garcia

looked as if she was angry that someone had wasted her time and she could have been having a manicure instead of sitting for hours watching these "Nature Gowns" pass before her well-eye shadowed eyes. The judges expressed disappointment in the designers' creations--echoing the "Oh No They Didn't " sentiment which I am sure a lot of viewers were thinking as well.

Leanne's gown was very "Hello Dolly", as biting Michael Kors commented. Carol Channing and Barbra Streisand would have been proud! The unintentional back bustle, the bland color, the hand-pleated "Leanne-esque" detail-- none of it screamed Beautiful Flower. It was more like a sad petal floating in a pond, unfortunately.

Korto's Orange Hot Quinciniera Mess was well constructed (I mean, really take a look at those mitered corners in the top portion of the gown: Flawless!), but the color, silhouette and fabric choices were all cheap and tacky, which put her in the bottom (or so we thought).

Personally, I thought Kenley's was the worst. It was such a predictable, uncreative gown. The supposed petals at the bottom of the gown looked like fish scales and the fabric jacquard-like print didn't help. What was more painful was that it just looked like a Student Project (and I can say that--after all, I am an Instructor at FIDM, and I've seen many in my years of teaching).

If someone had to go home, it should be her. However, I still had that gut feeling that the judges would keep Kenley because the show needed "a Bitch" in the Final three, for good viewing, so I was afraid Korto would be crying her way back to pack her belongings.

In the end, all four remained of course (now Nina is REALLY PISSED she wasted her time "judging" instead of having that mani-pedi!).

Jerell, Leanne, Korto, and yes, even Miss Kenley were allowed to create a collection for Bryant Park, unfortunately one of them will be cut before the Finale. Hopefully, NONE of them, will try and do evening gowns. Leave that to Rami and me!

See you next week kiddies!

Project Runway Season 5 Nick Verreos Recaps!!!!

Make Me OVER!!!!! MTV Style

Soon after this episode aired on Wednesday, a very good friend emailed me and the "Subject" line of the email read "Things I Learned From Watching This Episode of Project Runway". I was intrigued. I scrolled down. There was only one sentence:
Jerell's Junk-In-The-Trunk, and Kenley Should Have Been Gone.
Well, there was more to this episode, but...I will make sure to include something about those two saucy things...

The Challenge:
In a season filled with "Strolling-Down-Project-Runway-Memory-Lane", it would be fitting that this episode (the same episode where yours truly was eliminated), would re-hash my season's "Make Over Challenge". But of course, there was a 2008 Season 5 twist: The remaining five designers had to make over themselves but they had to be inspired by various musical genres. And I'm not talking about "Musical", as in Judy Garland/Chorus Line/Bob Fosse Jazz Hands Musical--if only it could be!!!

The Workroom:
It's Suede's time to go... I think...
I am not sure why-- maybe because I had attended the Project Runway Finale Fashion Show several weeks ago and
A) even a 2 year old could figure out who were the Top Four and who was not (it was THAT kind of season unfortunately)
and
B) since Joe was "auf'ed" last week, I had this instinctive "feeling" that it was Third Person Suede's time to say "Ciao"...
With that in mind, I wondered how the editors and producers would construct this episode to, well, let's just say, not make it so obvious.
Kudos to them because they did not. It was all about Miss Kenley....

Kenley: Hip Hop Confusion
The Workroom environment seem to be productive for all the designers save Miss Cut-and-Cry-Kenley. Her challenge was to design a "Hip-Hop" ensemble for "Geeks Rule" mousy Leanne, From the beginning, it was obvious, Kenley had slept through Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Jazzy Jeff , and Run DMC---like all at once!
I may not be a "Hip-Hop afficionado", but HUNEY, I know what a girl from that genre should look like---and it AIN'T high waisted fitted skinny jeans!!! See Lil' Mamma below.
I love that the other designers were allowing her to "dig her own design grave" when she kept asking them for their opinion on what she was working on. I would have LOVED to have been right there-- in between Jerell and Korto-- because the camera would have caught me giving a "She CRAZYYYYYY" look......but telling her "Oh, yeah Kenley...that looks REALLY GOOD!!!!" (cut to my face grimacing "Not So Much")

Kenley and Tim: Bitch Slap!
OK, that's it: It's ON! I have had students like Miss Kenley (rarely)...who think that "they are all that" and that no one else knows any better. The result: Let's just say that "Instructor Nick" gave them a classy, if not restrained, VERBAL BITCH SLAP. I am glad Tim did the same to Kenley during their workroom exchange.
Who do you think you are Kenley? It's called respect. You are not John Galliano...or Tom Ford...or Hubert de Givenchy...you are not a fashion design genius. So, be humble and listen to constructive criticsm. Tim is not trying to fail you or be in competition with you. Who would have THUNK it? Kenley is Season 5's Santino!!! I would have never guessed. I, for one, did not see it coming.

The Runway:
The Good: Fashion Rocks! Kenley as a Rejected Pussycat Doll
Most of the Designer Make-Overs were exceptional. The best being Jerell's "Britney Is Making A Comeback" ensemble for Bitch-slapped Kenley (that's my new name for her), as well as Korto's Gay Sid Vicious Punk ensemble for Suede. Jerell transformed Kenley into a pop princess--big hair, sequined breast accents and tacky-yet-appropriate stretch mini dress and all. She looked like a rejected Pussycat Doll---which is a good thing! At least in this challenge.

Suede is a Gay Adam Ant
It was all about the extra time Korto took in customizing her total look--from the bleach-dyed skinny jeans to the chains which finished the look off pefectly. Suede looked like the cover of an Adam Ant record--with some Boy George added in for a bit of "gay". Miss Korto correctly became this season's Chloe Dao and won the challenge--even though her model--Suede--didn't fare so well....

The Bad: Junk In The Trunk!
Leanne's cowgirl ensemble for Korto wasn't cute. It was a yawn. I think she could have taken it to another level: Add some gold fringe and maybe make some tight bootie-hugging jeans that would have screamed Tammy Wynette-meets-D Squared fashion show.

The worst for me was (surprise) Kenley's supposed Hip Hop-inspired outfit for Leanne. It was more Alicia Keys, less Lil' Mamma. She missed the mark COMPLETELY. Leanne looked hot though. I loved seeing her in super-tight, albeit bad-fitting skinny high-waisted jeans. And that asymmetrical hair chignon was a vision that would make the Sheer Genius judges BLUSH!

The worst, according to the judges, however, was Suede's tamed rock and roll outfit for Jerell. I have to admit that after I saw that crotch "pouch", I could see nothing else, and neither could my entire Blackberry address book of friends who were texting me with their comments! I guess we can all thank Suede for showing us Jerell's "buzinezzz", but it was not enough for him to slip through. It was Suede's time to go. Like I said, I had a feelin'.
Four more to go...