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.

Shoe Fetish: Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Honors Manolo Blahnik

Manolo, Lucy, Hillary, Nicky Hilton (and bad Season 2 Memories), plus the always FABULOUS Jennifer Coolidge...Nick Verreos Goes on a night out in Beverly Hills!

Shoes In A Box: Manolo Blahnik Shoe Couture at Rodeo 2 Event

This past week, I was invited to attend the 2008 Rodeo Drive Walk of Style honoring the one and only Manolo Blahnik. I asked my buddy, John Wade (from Season 2 and current Head of Merchandising at Marc Jacobs-West Coast) to be my date--he obliged of course.
We arrived at the event, and quickly walked through the red carpet step-and-repeat (when Lucy Liu AND Manolo Blahnik are standing right next to us on the carpet, there's nothing to do but sprint right along since no one wants a photo of us....).
However, as soon as we began walking up those Rodeo 2 Collection steps and found ourselves right behind Lucy--and her agent, Stephen Huvane. We knew this was A-List instantly! Once we braved the fully stocked bar and hors d'oeuvres lining the stylish cobblestone pavement of 2 Rodeo, we settled ourselves in to do some "fashion spotting" as well as ogled the stunning Manolo Blahnik shoes displayed throughout the party in enclosed glass cases (bullet proof I assume!). We eyed a fun mixture of old school Beverly Hills-Ladies-Who-Lunch-at-the-Beverly-Wilshire Hotel, young Hollywood girls, with a fashionista gay or two strewn in for good measure (oh, that would be John and I, sorry!). John instantly spotted Hillary Duff making a bee-line to the bar, looking pretty in a blouse and skirt ensemble and carrying a fabulous clutch.
I ran into my UBER- friend, the gorgeous Lily Collins (daughter of rock star genius Phil), in a black fitted skinny trouser suit and Pucci scarf. I met her mom for the first time and had her take a photo of us! I also spotted Nicky Hilton-- there with her mom and dad--wearing a red satin dress cinched with a wide belt. At John's behest, I approached her and said "Hello". I hadn't seen her since that fateful Project Runway Make-A-Dress-For-Nicky Hilton Challenge years ago when I was on Season 2 and thought it would be nice to say "Hello". She was shy and almost uncomfortable, thereby making me ill-at-ease. Noticing the awkward silence, she then proceeded to tell me how her and Paris had "hung out" with my Season 2 alumnus, Santino, recently at a party. Right about this time, my trusty confidante, John, grabbed my arm and I barely got to say Goodbye...
The night ended with a fun BANG, however, as we ran into one of my favorite actresses, Jennifer Coolidge--of Legally Blonde and Best In Show fame. John knows her because she's a loyal Marc Jacobs shopper and they discussed, amongst other things their LOVE for MJ. She was there with the dapper Michael Patrick King, executive producer of Sex And The City. It was a fun night overall.

Crusin' For Bruiser-BOW WOW BEVERLY HILLS

On December 1st, I was honored to be asked to participate in the First Annual Bow Wow Beverly Hills Event. Two Rodeo and Tiffany & Co launched this event to promote and help support pet adoption during the Holiday Season in Beverly Hills.

It was dubbed "Breakfast at Tiffany's", because there was an elegant "Continental Breakfast" in the cobblestone streets of Via Rodeo and a doggie fashion show which immediately followed it. I only knew that I was to arrive at this ultra chic location and that I would get to walk a very special dog down the "doggie runway". Once I got there, I was introduced to my dog-walk partner--the cutest puppy named Bruiser. I just about died! I have seen a lot of dogs in my days, but Bruiser had to be the cutest puppy I had ever seen. I just wanted to grab him, squeeze him and never let go. The adoption volunteers informed me that he was a mix of some kind, possibly pit bull and a lab. He was styling in a silk Ermenegildo Zegna bow tie. Not only was he cute but he was a Metrosexual! He belonged on the cover of "Details, the Dog Issue" Not sure but I don't know if it was the Mimosas they were serving me or the smell of puppy chow, but I started screaming to my partner, David , who came with me, about how I was going to be Bruiser's daddy" and was ready to sign the adoption papers. I finally came back to consciousness when I realized how big his paws were and how large a dog he may eventually become. I just wanted him to be THAT puppy size forever!

Besides myself, I was excited to be joined by other runway doggie-walkers Jane Wiedlin, from The Go-Go's. I just kept thinking to myself that I couldn't believe that I was in a doggie fashion show with one of my favorite musicians of all time! I embarassed myself by telling her what a big fan of hers I was and how The Go-Go's were one of the first bands I ever jumped up and down for at a High School dance to. She then expressed to me what a huge fan of "Project Runway" she was and how she was excited to meet me as well! Jane's puppy was this large excited dog that kept trying to cause trouble with all the other puppies.

We did calm him down long enough to take photos with Celina Bojorquez of The Beverly Hills Mutt Club and "The Pink Lady", as I called her. Jane and I thought we were colorfully dressed for the event--until we saw her! Note: Her poodle is also pink! Actor Dick Van Patten from "Eight Is Enough", one of the bachelorettes from "The Bachelor" plus others, including a very HOT Fireman from the Beverly Hills Fire Department, joined us in the doggie fashion show. His puppy was featuring a mini-fireman's hat and bright yellow costume. Double cute!

Before we all could even take our final bow, I got word that MY Brusier had already found a home, and a new Daddy. The handsome and equally stylish, Craig Donahue, director of PR for the event fell in love with Bruiser just as quickly as I did, but he put his money where his heart was! Craig has now asked David and I to be his Godparents. Uh oh, does that mean I have to buy him some Zegna silk bow ties every year on his Birthday?