A Royal Hollywood Wedding: Jane Cha and R.J. Cutler in the Hollywood Hills!!!

A Wedding To Remember...

Say "Beautiful Wedding": David Paul, R.J. Cutler, Jane Cutler, Nick Verreos, Jimmy Nguyen and Karen Kwan-Oppegard

Well, following on my "Wedding Fest" (see previous posting), I thought, it would be perfect to write about a FABULOUS wedding I actually attended: Last month, my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul and I attended one of the most elegant--and fun--weddings we've ever been invited to (and very A-List to boot!).

Bridal Gorgeous: Jane Cha in her Monique Lhuillier wedding gown, with her father, walking down the aisle

The Bride: My very good friend, the gorgeous Jane Cha, Founder and Executive Vice President of Full Picture--and one of the executive producers of Project Runway (Yeayyy!!!). She wore a strapless silk organza and hand-embroidered wedding gown from LA-based Fashion Designer (and FIDM-alumni) Monique Lhuillier. Her hair and makeup were done by Uber Glam Squad Linda Hay and Michel Aleman. She even had an "outfit change" and wore a Christian Siriano (Winner of Season 4 Project Runway) gown for the reception.

The Groom: Well, kids, it was none other than R.J. Cutler. Yes, THE R.J. Cutler, Producer of "The War Room", "American High" and Director of "The September Issue", nominated for an Academy Award, won an Emmy as well as a Peabody! (I know, tell me about it!!!). He's also my "bearded brother...from another mother!", but that's another story.

Hollywood Hills Chuppah: The Wedding Ceremony Scene, Jane Cha-R.J. Cutler Wedding

Bridesmaid Boys: Michael Moore and Chad Rothman

Well, kids , they got married! Both David and I almost didn't make it, because we were supposed to show our collection at an event in San Diego--as well as make a special appearance--which was scheduled the same evening but it was suddenly canceled TWO DAYS before, and well, it was time for us to find something to wear...

Dinner Time: Nick Verreos enjoying the dinner service, Jane Cha-R.J. Cutler Wedding

The wedding occurred at R.J.'s beautiful home in the gorgeous Hollywood Hills. There was a Chuppah set up in the beautiful lawn of his home, where the ceremony took place. And the Dinner Reception that followed: On TOP of the sprawling pool! They covered the pool and set up many, many, many tables and transformed it into the most beautiful Wedding Dinner Banquet.

The Guest List: Miss Klum: Heidi wearing a dress from my line, NIKOLAKI *not what she wore at the wedding :)

Well kids, the one and only Heidi Klum (love her!) was there, and walked down the aisle in a very fitted Yves Saint Laurent "Le Smoking" black suit:

Heidi was the Numero Uno Bridesmaid at the Wedding of course! Her husband Seal was there of course, front row taking care of the kids, who were the "Flower Boys and Girls". The "Flower Girl"--Leni (Heidi's gorgeous daughter)--wore a custom dress designed and created by Jewelry Designer Courtney Prince Miller.

Now, speaking of Seal: He sang to the Bride and Groom! It was UNBELIEVABLE to A.) Hear Seal sing live (Hello!) and B.) Just to be there to witness it. My arm-hairs (and I have many, I'm half-Greek remember!) were standing up! All of Jane and RJ's guest were VIP: They included Full Picture Founder and President Desiree Gruber and her husband actor Kyle MacLachlan...

Dancing Queen: Elle Creative Director Joe Zee and the bride, Jane Cutler, wearing Christian Siriano rose-pink strapless gown (her outfit change!)

Elle Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee; Lory Johansson, who designed the interior--and exterior--of R.J.'s (and now Jane's as well!) home; David Kirsch, Victoria's Secret Supermodel celebrity trainer; actress Amy Brenneman and her husband; Director Brad Silberling; and President of Entertainment for Showtime David Nevins.

Posing Kids: David Paul, Nick Verreos, Jimmy Nguyen, Karen Kwan-Oppegard and Peter Oppergard

Also on hand were Karen Kwan-Oppegard and her husband, Peter Oppegard, Figure Skating ROYALS!!! So you know, we spent a lot of time DISHING about them figure skating costumes!!! Karen wore a slinky bias-cut dress. She looked fabulous of course, but I told her that next time, she needs to "Call Me" for a dress from our line if she ever has a "Figure Skating" Red Carpet event (LOL!!).

I wasn't the only Project Runway Alumn invited: The statuesque Laura Bennett (above with moi) Finalist from Season 3 (and my fellow MSN.com Style Studio expert) was also there!

Who Wants Cake: Bride and Groom exchanging cake

It truly was an amazing wedding! The entire night was perfect. From the ceremony to the dinner to the dancing and "midnight" pizza afterward: SUBLIME!!! All the food was by Jon Shook of Animal Restaurant fame. Thank you Jane and R.J. for allowing David and myself into your lives. We were truly honored to have been part of such a wonderful evening!

Congrats, Felicitaciones, Mazel Tov & Ch'u-k'a-dŭ-rim-ni-da! 축하드립니다!

Nick Verreos goes Trick or Treating @ Heidi's Halloween Party!!

Jai Ho! Happy Halloween From Heidi's Halloween Bash!Namaste Modelinia: Nick Verreos covering Heidi Klum's Halloween for Modelinia.com

Oh boy oh boy, last night was Halloween (I'm still trying to remove the black eyeliner from my eyes!). I was asked to do red carpet "coverage" at Heidi Klum's Halloween Party for the model website, Modelinia.com. The party was being held at the newly opened West Hollywood nightclub Voyeur and sponsored by MSN and Sky Vodka. Fun Fact: Voyeur used to be a club called Peanuts as well as Illusions, where you would see the FIERCEST Drag Queens (and some not so fierce). I couldn't believe that Heidi was even hosting this annual bash since, it was just a little over three weeks ago that she gave birth to her second daughter. But, lo and behold, I got the call and the invitation to cover it.
My Costume:Love Child Meets Bollywood: Raymundo Baltazar and Nick Verreos attend Heidi Klum's Halloween Party

Naturally I could not just buy a Halloween costume out of a bag from Hollywood Toys and Costumes: I had to make it! I decided that both my partner David and I would be a cross between a "Gay Bollywood Couple Getting Married" and "Ali Baba Couture". Now, before I get any angry emails/comments here from the entire Indian Subcontinent, I was not trying to be disrespectful to Bollywood, India or the Middle East, but in fact I am playing homage to it. I have always loved the colors, fancifulness and all-out drama of Bollywood and old Hollywood "Ali-Baba" films, and I thought it would be fun and fabulous to re-create it.Where's Aishwarya? Nick Verreos and David Paul in their "Nikolaki" custom costumes

David and I both designed the costumes (David after all has a Master's in Costume Design), I made the patterns, and he SEWED EVERYTHING!!! We could have had one of our seamstresses make them but he wanted to do it. Our costumes consisted of fitted silk brocade jackets with Swarovski crystals, gold silk lurex drop-crotch "Harem Pants", silk waist cummerbunds and turbans (David's turban took over 6 yards!). To finish our Halloween costumes, we went to Artesia's "Little India" and purchased gold brocade slippers and jewelry.
The Red Carpet:Perez GaGa: Perez Hilton as Lady GaGa and Nick Verreos

Halloween in LA is always CRAZY. It took us 1 1/2 hours to drive from Downtown LA to the party location (normally a 20-30 minute hop even in LA traffic). I could have been in Palm Springs in that time! The Santa Monica Blvd traffic was at a complete standstill (and I was already about an hour late) when David just had me get out of the car and I made a mad 7-block dash (yes, in my Harem pants and Turban) to the club. Once there-- and almost a cardiac arrest later--I positioned myself into the reporter's "line" and went to work. The Real Lady GaGa

First up was Mario Lavendeira "Perez Hilton". He showed up as Lady GaGa--all 6 ft 2" of him. His ensemble consisted of black stiletto platforms, fishnets and black fitted strapless corseted dress with "Disco Ball" bust accent. The costume was EXACT to one she has worn on stage before. He actually had the Haus of GaGa replicate the costume for him. It was great to say "hello" to Kelly Osborne who came along with her cutie (and gushingly sweet!) boyfriend, Luke Squirrel. They were dressed as "Sunday Brunch" or eggs (Kelly) and bacon (Luke).Couples was the "Theme of the Night": Project Runway Season 3 Winner, LA designer Jeffrey Sebelia showed up with his girlfriend, Cassandra Church, as Edgar Allen Poe and The Raven. Also on the red carpet were Paris Hilton and her HOT boyfriend, Doug Reinhardt. They were both dressed as the Tooth Fairy, or at least Doug was. Paris was in full DIVA mode, looking fabulous in a very Folies Bergere inspired Costume. Finally at around 11 PM, after much wait (and I'm sure stuck in the HORRIFIC West Hollywood traffic!), Heidi and Seal arrived. The crowd went crazy as they debuted their costumes: Black feathered vultures inspired by a Japanese Anime Cartoon Movie called Howl's Moving Castle by Artist Hayao Miyazaki. Kissing Beaks: Seal and Heidi on the red carpet of their Halloween Party

As I interviewed Heidi on the red carpet, she explained how her mom had to sew Velcro in the costume right before she left so she could use the bathroom! (love that!). She asked me "Why don't you deeeeesigners ever think of these things???". Love her! She also reassured me that the feathers were not real (so PETA keep away!) and actually made of vinyl/plastic.

Inside Heidi's Halloween:This Is Project Runway: Heidi Klum (yes that's her!), Raymundo Baltazar and Nick Verreos

The nightclub was packed and very hard to move through (I guess the LA Fire Marshall must have been on vacation). Once inside, David and I ran into my Project Runway alumn, Raymundo Baltazar, who was dressed as a Hippie Love Child. We proceeded to see if we could A) Get some drinks, B) check out all the costumes at the party and C) find a way to say "helloooooo" to Miss Heidi. We did all three! While making our way through, I spotted one of my favorite singers, Jordin Sparks, who was a "spooky" Dorothy from Wizard of Oz (above photo) and...one guest dressed as Karl Lagerfeld while his friend came as a quilted Chanel Purse. You don't see it but next to them was another person in a red tweed Chanel Suit. I spotted TWO Karl Lagerfeld's but not ONE Michael Kors or Tim Gunn. Maybe I didn't look hard enough.

Parting Shot:
Couple of the Night: Nick Verreos and Steven Cojocaru

As I was about to leave, I had to stop and get a photo of Steven Cojocaru "Cojo" (from Entertainment Tonight), who was HILARIOUS as Khloe Kardashian in her Wedding Gown--BIG ring, BIG hair, tacky polyester gown and garter belt. I finally found the one woMAN who might be my perfect Gay Bollywood Bride! Very SPOOKY--Happy Halloween kiddies!