Heidi Klum wears Nikolaki on Lifetime Network's "Models of the Runway"

Nick Drapes a German Goddess...
Heidi Klum in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, Models of The Runway, Season 7

On Thursday's episode of Lifetime's Models of The Runway, UBERmodel Heidi Klum, during the all-important Model Elimination, strutted from the Project Runway scrim, in...one of my (and my design partner David Paul's) dresses. It was a NIKOLAKI ivory silk jersey side-cowl draped one-shoulder dress with a contrasting black silk Duchesse strap.Model Dominique in the original long silk jersey and silk Duchesse one shoulder NIKOLAKI gown

The original dress was a long gown we showed at our Spring 2008 "W Hotel Collection" but it was customized for Miss Klum naturally--she loves it short and of course, she was pregnant.
I think she looked GORGEOUS! And stood out amongst all the models in their black slip dresses. I am sure the director and producers (and lighting people) were not so happy that she was wearing white but I am happy it was "approved".

Thank you to Heidi and to her exquisitely talented stylist, Maryam Malakpour for supporting Project Runway Alumn like myself!

She'll wear the dress in the beginning of next week's Project Runway episode, so make sure to catch it!

Nick Verreos Attends Christiane King's Fashion & Cocktail Party at Villa Blanca

Season 7 Project Runway Designer Feted in Beverly Hills...
Cocktail Dresses...Anyone? Nick Verreos and designer Christiane King flanked by her models, Villa Blanca Beverly Hills

As most of you may know, Thursday night was the premiere of Season 7 of Project Runway, or as some have dubbed it, the "It's BAAAACK in New York" season! At the same time, I received an invitation to a fashion show/cocktail reception for designer Christiane King at the paparazzi-central Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills. Christiane happens to be one of the contestants of this new season of Project Runway. I also was a judge--along with Tim Gunn and Marie Claire's Zoe Glasner-- in the Los Angeles Castings where we "put her through to the next round". So of course, I wanted to attend. Watching the first episode of the new season would have to be put "on hold", or at least, until I returned home after the party.Dress Tableaux: Christiane King designs, Villa Blanca Beverly Hills

The reception was in full swing as I arrived with guest enjoying Champagne, wine and mini-pizza hors d'oeuvres. I spotted Lorenzo Llamas and a bevy of beauties (naturally) sitting inside at a booth. As I walked in, I spotted three lovely models doing a mini-trunk show at the front of the nightclub. They were all wearing creations from Christiane King's Spring/Summer 2010 Collection. The first was a baby-blue strapless cocktail dress with silver "ribbons"; the second was an ivory organza mini-"pouf" dress; and finally a long grape-colored georgette gown with beaded waist detail. You Better Work: Models posing for "Uncle Nicky": Christiane King designs, Spring/Summer 2010

Nearby was the designer herself, Christiane, wearing a gorgeous red gazar petal-pleated concoction (my favorite of the bunch!). I said "hello" (she was so sweet!) and we dished (just a little bit) about Project Runway as I naturally gave her some "Uncle Nick" advice. Afterward, I raced home to watch the premiere of Season 7 and wouldn't you just know it, Christiane was the first designer eliminated from the season! From what I saw at the cocktail reception/mini-trunk show, I'm sure she'll be just fine.

Nick Verreos Dishes on Project Runway Season 7 Casting Videos...Continued

Judging Buddies: Nick Verreos, Marie Claire's Zoe Glassner and Tim Gunn, LA Castings Season 7 Project Runway

When I first saw the new batch of Project Runway "kids", I thought I knew NONE of them. Or shall I say, no one looked "familiar". Then I began watching these casting videos and realized that I was actually there when many of them came to the casting in Los Angeles and we ended up moving them to the next level! You see, we did these castings so long ago--almost a year ago. I had to "refresh" my memory by viewing these casting videos to remember who these contestants were. Here, I continue with my "Casting Inside Dish":

Christiane King:
After viewing the casting video, I totally remembered Christiane. She had a lovely presence and nice humble aura (no, I-want-to-be-a-Star-I'm-a-Diva attitude). She had tried for Project Runway several times before and obviously was not giving up! I remember that she was originally from Cote D'Ivoire (misspelled in the MyLifetime site btw). The only question we had with her involved fit and a "taste issue". I foresee the latter as maybe being her Achilles Heel. I liked her royal blue architectural shift dress but the rest were a bit, well, Miss Guyana at the Miss World Pageant gown...


Jay Nicolas Sario:
I remember Jay Nicolas, he was a stand-out FOR SURE! His designs were new, modern, fresh and the fit was spot-on. We all loved it. There was a lot of work and a definite eye for detail. I'm not sure if he can replicate all that work within the restricted Project Runway time frame, but who knows. I am excited to see his creations this season. Definitely a favorite for the final "tableau", at least from what he showed us at the casting.

Stay tuned for more of my Nick Verreos: Inside The Casting dish...

Project Runway Season 7 Casting!!!!

Season 7 Casting Notice:
I just got word from my "peeps" at Project Runway that they are about to hold the castings for the next season of the show. As you may know, two weeks ago--on April Fools, of all days--it was finally announced that Season 6 Project Runway was going to air on Lifetime Networks (mid-August I believe). So, now I guess that also gave the green light to Bunin/Murray, producers of the show, to begin the casting process for the next season---

Here are the Details:
*Minimum Age: 21 years old (sorry underage twinkies)
*The castings will take place in Atlanta , Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and even Seattle. By Appointment Only! (see below)
*You have to submit your applications by April 24TH !!!!
*Casting directors and producers for the show will take a look at all these applications, videos, DVD's, etc. and then THEY will make "the first cut" and pre-select the ones that will be able to go to those castings.
Who's Next? Nick Verreos judges last year's Season 6 Chicago Castings

A lot of people ask me "How should I prepare?". Well, my answer to them is usually explaining to them that I had worked in this crazy fashion industry for 13 years and THAT was my preparation.
Be YOURSELF (but please try not to be the mean one, OK, maybe just for the producers!), bring on the TALENT, show them why the rest of America needs to discover you as America's Next Great Fashion Designer.

For more Information on the Application, click HERE.
Good Luck!