Nick Verreos Project Runway Season 8 Recaps on MyLifetime.com: Episode 12: The Big Apple!

The "Dress To A Chic NY Funeral Challenge"?

The Funeral Brigade: Designs by (L-R) Mondo Guerra, Gretchen Jones, Andy South, Michael Costello, and April Johnston

This past Thursday was the 12Th (!) Episode of Season 8 of Project Runway...and the Theme was "The Big Apple". They had 2 days and $500...and all they came up with was a sea of BLACK!

Yes, New York City was the remaining designers' muse and they were "allowed" by the Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Distinguished Tim Gunn to use specific Landmarks: The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and the Lower East Side as their inspiration.

Instead of a celebration of NYC and all its Landmarks, it became a FUNERAL. A very Chic one at that! (I never would have imagined I would have used BOTH a coffin AND a funeral reference when writing about Project Runway). If you had tuned in mid-way through, you probably would have thought that yes, in fact, the Challenge for this week was "Create a Look for a Very Chic Funeral". The designs the contestants created reminded me a lot of...

These looks that very chic and famous women (L-R: Supermodel Naomi Campbell, French actress Ariel Dombasle, Heiress Fashionista Daphne Guinness, and designer Stella McCartney) wore at recent high-profile funerals of Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent. Actually, I like these outfits BETTER than the ones I saw on Thursday night!

Here are some suggestions of what I would have rather seen--as creations inspired by some of those NYC Landmarks:

Central Park:

Andy South did an all BLACK (yep, no surprise) mini dress that was supposed to have been inspired by Central Park. There was NOTHING in it that said Central Park. I would have loved to have seen something with COLOR! Those gorgeous greens, something with texture. How about something along the lines of...

This Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture hand-woven dress from his "Mexico" Collection. I know, maybe take out the leaves on the hair but at least, it's A) Creative, B) Looks like it cost money and took a lot of work, and C) It has COLOR. Or maybe something like...

This colorful printed dress from Diane Von Furstenberg's Spring 2010 Collection. It may not be Andy's "aesthetic" but hey, it might be nice to see the more "softer/feminine" side of him.

Lower East Side:

Not-so-nice "Miss Critique Corner" designer Gretchen Jones picked the Lower East Side and created my LEAST favorite look of the night. It was a mess, looked off-the-rack, and didn't even go together. She was still safe, of course. Reality TV loves a villain, kids...But I wished I would have seen something more along the lines of...

This Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière denim-blue skinny pant and hoodie jacket ensemble with colored tank from his Spring 2010. Hot, edgy, and oh so "fashion girl living in the Lower East Side". But oh well, no such luck.

Statue of Liberty:

Michael Costello chose the fabulous Statue of Liberty and made a BLACK halter gown with a VERY HIGH side-front slit and VERY LOW back. There's a rule in design when it comes to these details: One but NOT both! Unless it's the Miss Universe Pageant! I would have been happier seeing a gown like...

This one above from Stephane Rolland Fall 2010 Haute Couture. It's got the one shoulder silhouette, the draping and even a bit of detail at the hem to suggest a bit of weight the you attribute to such a grand statue. Well, irregardless, Michael C. still won with this design leaving lots of people thinking "Say What??". Speaking of What the H***? , when asked what fabric was his dress, he didn't know. HE DIDN'T KNOW!!! It's not even cute.

Michael, I love ya, but I may have to give you an extensive course on Textiles in my Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM classroom, but first you have to register and enroll!

In the end, it was April Johnston who got the boot this week, with her almost-all BLACK asymmetrical dress with zippered corseted bustier. In my blog for MyLifetime.com, I admitted I kinda liked.
It reminded me of something along the lines of a Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci , dark, Gothic, yet still feminine. However, the judges--and especially Michael Kors--thought it looked more like this:

Yep, a Witch! A pregnant one at that. Oh well, with that, April got on a broom and left the Parsons Workroom, sad but privately happy knowing that she still would show at NY Fashion Week--along with like 22 other "Auf'ed" designers...

Here's a Sneak Peak of my MyLifetime.com Recap of this Episode:

Witchy Vs. Bitchy
Gretchen should have been OUT. There, I said it. But she wasn't. I knew she was going to be in the "Final Four" since … well, since she uttered her first "I think EVERYONE ELSE'S designs SUCK!" critique. PLEASE, I'm too jaded. But still … What the heck did I just witness last night?: An uninspiring, off-the-rack outfit got put through by the judges, on "Project Runway." Do I sound frustrated? Yes. That's because I am. Last night's episode — and challenge — had such potential, yet I was — to quote Michael Kors — underwhelmed (by all the black) and unusually mad! What were the judges thinking? Well, let's find out …

Click HERE to read the ENTIRE Recap!!! And make sure to leave your Thoughts! I love reading them!

Nick Verreos Season 8 Mylifetime.com Recaps: High Fashion or Miss Guatemala??

High Fashion Messes, More Kooky Looks from Mondo, and One Angry Central American Nation...On last night's Project Runway Episode 9--the Sponsor Tie-in L'Oreal Make-Up Challenge--the designers got to create a "High Fashion" look worthy of Paris Couture Week (can't wait to see that!!) and an accompanying more "mass market" version (this was yet another Season 8 "Twist" kiddies). There were no "Michael C-can't-sew" hissyfits, Gretchen kept her "Critique Corner" on the D.L., and two of the boys got to move in with designers Andy and Michael, making Andy happy since I guess he also cannot stand being in the same room with Michael (along with the rest of the cast). The show was packed with lots of visual candy--some bad and some good. Here were my highlights:

Mondo's New Look of The Day: Chain-Smoking Slot-Machine Playing "Crazy" Grandma from Boca

Oh Mondo, I have a burning question: How, on Earth, did you pack SOOOO many Looks into your one allotted suitcase? I think when I was on the show, I packed two jeans, one pair of pants, a couple t-shirts and a jacket or too. But huney, these kids now arrive STYLED!!!!! They are far more "TV Ready" than I ever was back in the day! Just sayin'.

For this episode, that kooky top, plus the hot pants plus that headband: He looked like a Grandma Madge getting ready to hit Caesars Palace in Vegas!

Michael Costello's Train Can't Be Stopped

I mean, really...LOOK at the other designer's faces!! There should be "Pop Up bubbles", and if there were, they would say "What the H***??" There was NO POINT for the train to be THAT long! There never is. But it is a sign of younger fresh-out-of-design school designers to always wanna go over the top to prove a point. Point taken, but it didn't work.

A Peak at Nina Garcia's Judging Card for Michael Costello...

Love that! This is for you doubters who think that the judges don't have photos or don't have any info on those cards. I, for one, can tell you, that when I was a Guest Judge back in Season 6, we did!

Now, onto Miss Guatemala...

I actually did not hate Valerie's white one shoulder gown-as much as Miss Nina Garcia. When I saw the "Coming Up" clip of her saying "She looks like Miss Guatemala", I though she was talking about this...

Mondo's cheap-poly satin concoction which actually won! Now, back in Season 6, when I was a Guest Judge, I said a minor little comment about contestant Gordana's outfit, looking like "a Pre-Cold War secretary in Warsaw Poland" and I got LOTS of HATE emails from just about anyone of Polish descent (they're very sensitive!). I am wondering if the ENTIRE country of Guatemala is doing the same to Nina. And just in case you are wondering what an actual Miss Guatemala looks like in a gown, I give you...

Exhibit A:

Miss Guatemala 2009, Lourdes Figueroa at the Miss Universe 2009 Pageant

And Exhibit B:

Miss Guatemala 2010, Jessica Scheel, from the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant

But the lowest in the bunch was Ivy Higa's dresses, both very bright turquoise and both very prom-meets-pageant (was that a theme?). That gown of hers did remind me of...

a Pinata! I wonder if there was Candy under that gown! I guess we'll never know...Bye Ivy.

Here is a Sneak Peak of my mylifetime.com Recap:

Paris High Fashion or the Miss Guatemala Pageant?

OK, let me just get this out of the way: I am still NOT over those nasty pants from I'm-the-new-Alexander-Wang Andy South's "Jackie Kennedy American Sportswear" ensemble. I actually had draping nightmares over it. Before last Thursday, I remembered Jackie O as an oversized-sunglasses-and-Oleg Cassini-wearing DIVA who loved the Greek Isles (and a few other things, thanks to my fellow recap blogger Laura Bennett!). Now, I can only think of BAD-pants-Jackie O: from Camelot to Cameltoe in one hot minute. Darn you, Miss Andy! Oh well, let's progress to nicer thoughts: A New Roommate Situation (no, not that loser with two left feet from "Dancing with the Stars"!) and a New Challenge....

To read my entire mylifetime.com recap click HERE.

Nick Verreos Season 8 Project Runway MyLifetime.com Recaps: Episode 6

Bridesmaids Redo, Tupac Drummond, Goiter Peplums, and much more...

Last night on Season 8 Project Runway, the Challenge was to re-make and re-work semi-NASTY Bridesmaid Dresses into hot, chic, sexy outfits that the women could wear out again...The results were mixed: Some worked and some, not so much. First of all, I hope most of these women aren't friends with the actual Brides anymore. Any Bride who would put you in any of these concoctions IS NOT YOUR FRIEND ladies. Just kidding! We suffer anything for a good friend, right?!? Well, at least none of the original Bridesmaid Dresses looked like this:

The Michael Costello Hating continued and it was PRICELESS to see the rest of the contestant's jaws drop when he actually won this Challenge with...

a very Heidi Klum-esque black cocktail dress, perfect for the Red Carpet, or in this girl's case, a night in Manhattan. Also, loved his "Props to Mood Fabrics" t-shirt! They better give him a LIFETIME SUPPLY of tulle for that free advertising!

Also, on this episode: For some reason "The Other Michael", Michael Drummond decided to bring back the Do Rag. Leave that to Tupac huney, may he rest in peace...

Speaking of Michael D., I kinda liked the dress he made for his "muse" Jacleen. The cheap "Mosquito Netting" was ghastly but she looked wonderful and the fit was nice. Plus, the "sisters" were lookin' good! Now for Miss Peach: Bless her Pink Sweater Heart!

It was a mess! The khaki lace, the dimensions, the silhouette and then she put her in those Booties!!! Oh Momma Peach! Leave it to Michael Kors to come up with one of the best one-liners in AGES to describe a dress. Where in the name of GAWWWWD, does he come up with these things???

Halter+Peplum+ Goiter!

I leave you with that...(sorry for that nasty photo, but TRUST ME, there are WORSE on the web...
And here's a teaser of my MyLifetime.com Project Runway Recap:

Bridesmaid Runway Wars: Pink Poly, Peplum Goiters and more DRAMA!

Well, kids, it took a while to wash off last week's nasty and stressful team challenge episode where designer Gretchen Jones turned into General Patton Runway and all of her teammates drank her "Just-do-as-I-say" and "Boy, Isn't-Michael C.-such-a-bad-designer/patternmaker/draper/sewer" Kool-Aid. Only a slight (and secretly wonderful) residue of Tim Gunn bi***-slapping them at the end of the episode was left! With that, we begin the next challenge, and one filled with more Michael C.- hatin', lots of fire-igniting polyester and plus-size issues. Let's begin, shall we?.....

To Read the entire Recap, click HERE...and make sure to leave me your comments and what YOU thought!

Nick Verreos Project Runway MyLifetime.com Recaps: Episode 4!

Hat Fantastique!!!

On last night's Project Runway Season 8 Episode, the contestants had to create an ensemble inspired by incredible Hat Couture designed by Philip Treacy. Who needs an outfit when you've got those FABULOUS hats??!! The episode was filled with Ambulances, a Designer Down, More of Gretchen Replacing Tim Gunn while he's not there, FOUR designers caught...

The "Handkerchief Hem Bug" and we even got to witness...

The FIRST ever Triple Panty in Project Runway History from...

Separated at Birth?! Figure Skater Nicole Bobek (left) and Project Runway Contestant Nicole Johnston (right)

Designer April Johnston--who bears a striking resemblance to Olympic Figure Skater Nicole Bobek (I know, did I just give you a Figure Skating Reference!?). She designed a Hoochie Indochine ensemble to go with her Asiana-inspired hat. I suggested that maybe she should have referenced...

John Galliano's masterful Spring 2007 Haute Couture Christian Dior Collection...but alas she did not. For all my thoughts, below is the beginning of my MyLifetime.com Recap of this week's Hat-Glorious Episode:

Finally...It is interesting that the winning design was worn with this iconic Isabella Blow hat (below). Maybe the memories for Philip Treacy helped give Michael Costello the win?!

We Will Miss You Isabella Blow xoxo

Below is the beginning of my mylifetime.com recap:

Sad Orchids, Handkerchief Hems and a Triple Panty Party!!

OMG!!! It's Philip friggin' Treacy! God, Genius, Hat Zeus! Seriously, I got the shivers just thinking about what I would design with one of his masterpieces! I was so excited at the prospect of the marvelous creations these designers would make. But then someone slapped me back to life — I think it was the Ghost of Alexis Carrington from "Dynasty" — with the realization that Casanova was still in the show and that there would certainly be some embarrassing messes ahead ... But before we get to all that, plus the Triple Panty Party and how EVERYONE'S drinking the Handkerchief Hem Kool-Aid, let's talk about Designer Down.....

Click HERE to read the entire Recap!

Nick Verreos Season 8 Project Runway MyLifetime.com Recaps: Episode 3!!!

It's a Party!!!

Quinceañera Heaven

Last night's episode of Project Runway was the "Unconventional Challenge"--yes, the Make-a-Dress-Out-of-the-Garbage-You-Find-in-The-Alley Challenge. But this time, it was about creating a look completely made of party store materials--save for the muslin (that's unbleached cotton for you non-fashion folk) backing.

Tim Gunn showed them the way at "Party Glitters" store and then the Quinceañera fiesta was ON!!!

Guest Judge was none other than designer Betsy Johnson and there were some good, and bad, as expected. Loved Andy South's winning design and Oh Miss Cassanova....poor thang!

Oh, and speaking of loving: Contestant A.J. Thouvenot's Look! Olivia Newton-John would be proud!

Here's the beginning of my Recap:

A Quinceañera “Project Runway” Party … After One Too Many Margaritas!

What could be more fun than party dresses, a new Tim Junior in the workroom, Gretchen-hatin' and a transvestite flamenco dancer at a funeral? Oh, and yes, call the ambulances: We have a designer down! Yep, welcome to Episode 3 of "Project Runway" Season 8.

Where's the Party? The day begins with a model elimination and Heidi announcing that Tim is throwing a party. I assume it is to celebrate that Jason "I'm a Straight Designer, Dude!" and his staples and safety pins are gone from the workroom. Nope, no such party. The 13 remaining designers meet up with Tim at the "Party Glitters" store (sounds like a drag club in Brooklyn), where he announces that this week's assignment is the "Unconventional Challenge," where they are to design an outfit using party-store supplies. He tells the designers that they should NOT use materials such as tablecloth or wrapping paper, since those are similar to actual textiles and the judges do not "likey-likey.".....

Click HERE to continue reading my mylifetime.com Recap.

Nick Verreos Project Runway MyLifetime.com Recap: Episode 2

A Motley Crew: Season 8 Designers await their Second Challenge

Ahh yes, my Project Runway Recaps continue.... and making clothes is hard work. And doing a dress for a Marie Claire Times Square Billboard even harder, as well as very emotional, as we saw from last night.

Highlights from the first "official" Season 8 Challenge included:
*Emotion Overload: Mondo crying, AJ crying, Nicholas crying (what's with all the crying so early on???)

*Working Disagreements: Nina's boss saying she never agrees with Nina (Can you say awkward!)
*No Schooling: Casanova asking for pattern help...from all people AJ??? (you KNOW "FIDM Instructor Nick" had a thing or two to say about that)*Safety Pinning is the NEW Stapleling: Oh Miss Jason Troisi...On that note...
*Did I Tell You I am STRAIGHT:

Jason had to remind the entire nation--yet once again--that he was a straight designer AND even used it as a "Awwww shucks give me a break" excuse... (See ya...wouldn't wanna be ya!) and BTW: Why does Jason remind me of Dr. 90210's Robert Rey? Just a little bit...
*And of course, the dreaded DOUBLE ELIMINATION came true!!!

Below is a teaser for MyLifetime.com Project Runway Blog...

“You’re Either IN-finity…Or Your OUT!”

Hi Project Runway kiddies! I am finally back from my trip to Europe. A little bit jet lagged, but back! What better way to snap me out of my “Why am I waking up at 4 AM ready to start my day” time-clock than watching my favorite show. There’s nothing I love more than seeing Straight designers remind me that they are Straight (and that safety pinning is their form of “construction”), watching Tim lower his glasses one more time, see so-called designers ask for pattern and styling help, and seeing judge Nina Garcia have an awkward moment with her boss, Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire. May I begin?.....

Click HERE to continue reading my entire recap of Episode 2!

Project Runway Season 8 Casting Videos: Nick Verreos, Tim Gunn and Zoe Glassner Decide!

Well, kiddies, it is OFFICIAL: Project Runway Season 8 is about to begin (July 29TH!). I will be in Europe on my Florence Lecture but rest assured I will be watching one way or another (Thank Goodness for the INTERNET!!!).
LA Season 8 Casting Buddies: Marie Claire's Zoe Glassner, Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos

Yesterday, the complete list of Season 8 Designers/contestants were announced and boy, is it a "colorful" bunch, to say the least (like, Andrae, Daniel Franco, Santino and I weren't colorful!!??). Those names (Casanova? Peach? Mondo?) are SLAYING me!! It's like the names to the new season of "MTV's The Jersey Shore", not Project Runway! Love it!
Dapper Twosome: Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos

As many of you may know from reading my blog here, I was actually honored enough to be one of the Casting Judges for this season in Los Angeles--along with Tim Gunn and Zoe Glassner of Marie Claire. And we "let through" several talented designers and yesterday, the entire cast was revealed!! Below are four Videos from this new season's contestants and my thoughts on what I saw that day. Enjoy!

Michael Costello

My Thoughts on Michael:
Michael Costello had tried out for several seasons and never made it. Throughout the years, I have actually seen a lot of Michael's designs, befriending him within the "LA Fashion Community" as he kept telling me how much he wanted to be on Project Runway.
Well, he showed up again, and with a model I also know, the lovely Suwana Perry. Of course, from the moment he walked in, he was "on" and we all loved his fun bubbly energy, his funny candor about himself and his "quirky" parents and how his mom doesn't know he is gay and still wants to find a nice Greek bride for him (!). Design-wise, he is a "mini-me" of Elie Saab: He never met a bow, a backless asymmetrical drape with sequins, and an exaggerated train (all in one dress!) that he didn't like. His "Achilles Heel" might be trying to "tone it down" and learning how to edit. We'll see...

Mondo

My Thoughts on Mondo:
Mondo tried out last year at the LA Castings, where I was once again a judge, and I told him to "Eat a Burger!" (he's very skinny) and he remembered that. His designs were creative, fun, very Heatherette (his idols). Our complaint was that they were a little "over-designed" but we were impressed with his own unique "look" (these kids come STYLED huney!) and his sewing skills. Speaking of styled, his models were DONE from head-to-toe! So glad that these contestants who try out are going for it--110%--especially when it counts!

Sarah Trost

My Thoughts on Sarah Trost:
I remember that "kitty dress" and boy was it AWFUL! (as my Casting Judge cohort Zoe Glassner concurs in the video above). To be honest, most of her dresses looked rather "homespun" and more appropriate for an old lady residing in a Boca Raton living community. She said her inspirations are Adrian, Schiaparelli and the original Christian Dior, but yet we didn't see any of that in her designs. But they were kinda fun. As you see from above, she was in the "maybe" pile and then it was up to the casting "Gods" to let her in. And they did. We'll see how she does...

Christopher Collins

My Thoughts on Christopher Collins:
First of all, it was such a nice breath of fresh air for a contestant/designer to come into the castings and NOT SAY, that Lady Gaga was their inspiration!!! His designs were simple, classic and "American Sportswear" elegant. Very Jason Wu meets Banana Republic. Is it "earth shaking"? That's arguable. But we loved how humble he was. In a sea of people who think they are "fierce" and dress like it but have nothing to back it up, Christopher's simple clothes and his simple attitude WAS fierce!

You can see all the Designer's Casting Videos plus much, much more on Lifetime's Project Runway Website.