64th Primetime Emmy Awards: Who Wore What? Emily VanCamp in J Mendel Resort 2013

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 Emily VanCamp in J Mendel Resort 2013
Emmys Red Carpet: "Revenge" actress Emily VanCamp wore a slate gray colored tulle gown from J Mendel Resort 2013. It's very Madame Grès old-school Couture in its details and ethereal shape. Usually I'm not a fan of this putty-looking color but the romantic silhouette of the dress overrides the not-so-exciting color. She gets a "B" from me...what do you guys think?

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards: Who Wore What? Hayden Panettiere in Marchesa Spring 2013

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 Hayden Panettiere in Marchesa Spring 2013

Emmys Red Carpet: Actress Hayden Panettiere wears a fresh-off-the-NY Fashion Week-runway gown from Marchesa Spring 2013. The collection was inspired by India and as you can see this gown has aspects of a fabulous sari wrapped around her lovely figure. It's a gold lace column gown wrapped in navy blue tulle netting. I think she looks GREAT! Love the gold clutch and bun hairstyle. What do you guys think?

64th Primetime Emmy Awards: Who Wore What? Heidi Klum in Alexandre Vaulthier

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 Heidi Klum in Alexandre Vauthier
Emmys Red Carpet: Miss Heidi Klum looked BEAUTIFUL in this sea-foam green silk chiffon gown from French fashion designer Alexandre Vauthier. She just wore one of his gowns to the Project Runway Season 10 NY Fashion Week Finale (you can see it HERE). The gown features a plunging neckline and a very high side slit. Vauthier came into the "Red Carpet Spotlight" because Lady Gaga has worn his designs and for a recent collection that has such HUGE shoulder pads that it would make Joan Collins blush! I loved this gown on Heidi because it was sooo "Miss Venezuela" and her hair was so "Old Hollywood Glamour". Elegant and Beauty Pageant Fab!

NIKOLAKI Collection Minute: NIKOLAKI Gowns at Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out!

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Gown Fantastic:

Red Carpet at Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center: NIKOLAKI Couture gowns displayed at the FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center  
Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

A little over two weeks ago was Fashion's Night Out all over the US--and the World, on September 6th. If you've been following my travails, travels and this blog, you may remember that on that date, I was in New York City celebrating Fashion's Night Out at the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship with hundreds of shoppers and "Project Runway" fans who came out to "hang out" with the Project Runway Designers--including moi, of course. I was also there to unveil the dress I designed for the first ever "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection".

It was a blast of course, but all the way on the other side of the country--on the West Coast, my dresses were also been exhibited but without me unfortunately--at the exciting "FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition" at the Beverly Center.

Left to right: Lucy Hale, Lisa Love and Kendall Jenner, Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel Photography

The Beverly Center was the epicenter of LA's FNO events. The night was launched by Vogue West Coast Editor Lisa Love, actress and singer Lucy Hale and reality show lovely Kendall Jenner (of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"). This happened on September 6 and then from Friday September 7th-Sunday September 9th, the Beverly Center had a special tableaux in the Center Court of Level 6, showing designs from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut Designers.

 Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel Photography

FIDM Debut is the Advanced Fashion design program of the college I attended and graduated from. I was a Debut student--back "in the day" (don't EVEN think about finding out the YEAR!)--and so my Alma Mater asked me if I could lend them some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet creations to be displayed as part of this three-day exhibition--alongside other Debut graduates (some of which I was their instructor!).

The Exhibition: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out Weekend
Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
The other FIDM Debut Designers that were featured in the exhibition included Brenda Ahamad, Randy Lee Donato, Justin Green, Paul Hernandez, Michael Pinpin, Natalia Romano, Clay Sadler and Valentina Vardanyan. I never got to see the actual display since I was out of town and it came down before I returned to Los Angeles, but luckily, my "friends" at FIDM took these pics here.

Here are a couple more photos of the exhibition:

View from Above: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 WeekendPhoto Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
FIDM Debut Tableaux: Gowns from FIDM Debut Graduates/Designers, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 Weekend
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

Project Runway Recaps: "Rock-a-Bye Runway"--My "Extended" Recap of this week's episode!

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Oh Baby!

Episode 11 Project Runway Muse: a "Real Care Baby" doll
Last night's Lifetime Network Project Runway Season 10 episode had CRYING fake babies, Diva Moms, and a nice self-contained ad for Heidi's new fabulous--and oh-so-cute line for children called "Truly Scrumptious"--available exclusively at Babies "R" Us. Oh and yeah, and an ending I didn't like...

First, The Babies and Baby Couture:

 Heidi Klum and her "Truly Scrumptious" line of children's clothing for Babies "R" Us
The Challenge was--not surprisingly to anyone with half a brain--to design a look for a toddler. In fact, it was to design a look for Heidi's new line; there would be TWO winning looks (a boy and a girl look) and each would be put into production and sold at Babies "R" Us.

Designers Meet Mommies and Babies---Episode 11 Project Runway Season 10
The designers met their clients--and their mommies. They later found out about a "Twist" (it's Project Runway after all) that, in addition to creating looks for the babies, they also had to make looks for the moms.

 No Mommy Zone: Season 10 designers and their fake babies
As part of some annoying edition to the episode, someone decided that the six remaining designers should also get one of those "Real Care Babies"--that you see on "Dr. Phil" or "16 and Pregnant" that cries and cries and cries--when it needs to be fed, diaper changed or taken care of. The designers spent A LOT of wasted time caring for these babies and not so much time working on their designs. It was, needless to say, annoying (maybe that was the point).

 Boris and Natasha Have Babies
But, my favorite snapshot of all that needless crying baby doll mess, was this pic of Boris and Natasha (i.e. Season 10 contestants/designers Dmitry Sholokhov and Elena Slivnyak), holding their fake babies. They seriously look like a mom and dad who've been "through it"!

 Designer Christopher Palu and his Diva Mom Client, Nanci--Episode 11 Project Runway Season 10
There was a "Diva Mom" of course who made for good TV. Nanci--designer Christopher Palu's mom client--was a DIVA from the get-go, especially when she took one look at Heidi's very cute line of children's clothing, turned her nose up and remarked "Baby Dior has Tulle..." Now, I know "Baby Dior" not because I've bought it but because it's known in the industry as the "Caviar" of Children's Clothing. And yes, I looked up what a red tulle little girl's dress from "Baby Dior" would go for...

 Baby Dior red tulle baby dress
And I came up with (wait for it!), $3680 for this red tulle dress above at Bergdorf Goodman (naturally). What Millionaire's Wife is buying this? I want to meet her and I want her as a CLIENT to buy my NIKOLAKI gowns. Period.

Let's Get to The Runway:

Guest judge actress and new mom, Hilary Duff (above), was on hand to see who was IN and who was OUT this week...

The Runway:

Dmitry Sholokhov: one of my top faves was the look Dmitry designed--a very cute red hooded onsesie jumper that was very "FASHION" and had hints of a Superhero Halloween Costume--or at least, one of a CRAYOLA crayon one:

Crayola and Superman Baby Costumes
Truly Scrumptious Boy and Girl: The Winning Boy and Girl Looks from Episode 11--Project Runway Season 10
Heidi Klum with the Boy and Girl Winning Looks for her "Truly Scrumptious" Childrenswear line at Babies "R" Us
Sonjia Williams designed the winning BOY look which was so cute: a gray jacket and pants with contrast lapel, pockets and waistband. Her baby model, Jude, SOLD IT!!! 50% of her win was because of HIM! Seriously. The GIRL winning look was the one by Christopher Palu (yet again!)--Miss Heidi kind of guided him back in the Parsons Workroom when she suggested he do a skirt out of that white fabric with sewn-on applique....so I am sure lots of you might say "Well, Heidi TOLD him what to do!!". I agree, she kinda did.

The Bottom:

Season 10 Contestants/Designers Elena Slivnyak and Melissa Fleis were the bottom vote-getters. Elena's was TOO MUCHEEY. Michael Kors thought it was very "Sample Sale" (she's right). And Melissa's white too-short/too-tight dress with bland black jacket was...THE WORST. In my eyes. However. Melissa stayed and Elena was OUT.

Season 10 designers Melissa Fleis (top photo)and Elena Slivnyak (bottom)--Project Runway Season 10
Was this a case of the judges looking at the overall designs from the entire season and thinking "Let's keep Melissa" or was Elena's really the worst? I think the former and not the latter...Oh well, viewers rejoice--or take comfort in knowing that...we'll most likely see Elena on Project Runway All Stars Season 3. I am sure of it.

If you want to know how I REALLY FEEL, continue reading...


Rock-a-Bye-Runway

Last night's "Project Runway" was one of those episodes that left me saying "Wh-Wh-What?", mainly because a designer stayed, even though in my eyes they did the worst job. In addition, I think it was one of the first times a designer was NOT eliminated for doing Safe and Boring. The episode left me quite dumbfounded, trying to justify in my mind the outcome. All I could think is that the judges looked at the designers' overall work as opposed to the actual design for THIS challenge at hand. And they always say they do not do that — but it's obvious they do. There's more that irked me — and yes, things that I LOVED — so, allow me to give my "Nick Two Cents" for this week.

Oh Baby!

There are only six designers left on this season and therefore they are feeling the pressure as they get closer to the grand prize. This week, they all go to a Babies"R"Us store, where Heidi and Tim are waiting. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to guess what this challenge will be. Heidi has a new line of affordable baby clothing, "Truly Scrumptious", that sells exclusively at Babies"R"Us. The challenge this week is to create a look for this line that will then, be manufactured and sold at "Babies 'R' Us". Heidi tells the designers that there will be 2 winning looks — one boy and one girl — and they only have one day to do it.

Why Do I Care What The Mommies Like to Wear?
The designers' tepid yet pretending-to-be-excited reactions are priceless. Before they can run out and say "I'm Outta Here!", the dreaded velvet bag comes out and each designer is "assigned" their baby models and respective moms. Each designer confers with the moms as to what their needs and style ideas are for their toddlers. The mom's are also describing their own styles, which makes me wonder, "Why do I care what YOU like to wear..." unless (cue the dramatic music in my brain) there might be a TWIST later and they have to design for the mommies too (not my first time at the "'Project Runway' Rodeo"). The only thing that's memorable from this consultation is when Nanci (Christopher's baby momma) says "Dior uses a lot of tulle" in talking about the children's clothes. In case y'all are not aware, a "Baby Dior" tulle dress — for a BABY — goes for $3,680. I instantly think "Oh no, this one's a DIVA!" Later we find out, she was.

Faux Babies...Why?
The designers head back to Parsons where Ms. Klum left them dossiers, fabric, notions and trims from her "Truly Scrumptious" collection so their creations can coordinate with the rest of her line. There are also toddler body forms and a "special surprise": Lifelike Crying Baby Dolls. Yeah, the kind those "16 and Pregnant" girls use. They cry, cry and cry; when they need to be fed, rocked or diaper changed. Is this really necessary, I wonder? The explanation — from Poppa Tim — was that they are there so the designers know "what goes into creating baby clothes." I don't even think he believed what he said...

Click HERE to continue reading my "Rock-a-Bye-Runway" Blog on mylifetime.com

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards: Who Wore What? Jena Malone in J Mendel Resort 2013

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 Jena Malone in J Mendel Resort 2013

Emmys Red Carpet: Jenna Malone (actress from the upcoming "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire") wore a Cabernet red silk gown from J Mendel Resort 2013. That's now the SECOND J Mendel Resort 2013 gown at the Emmys Red Carpet. Their PR team is working overtime!! Good for them. I like the color on this one more than Emily VanCamp's... and there's that slit. I think it's officially an Emmys Red Carpet TREND. What do you guys think, of the gown, the color and the slit?

NIKOLAKI Collection Minute: NIKOLAKI Gowns at Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out!

To contact us Click HERE

Gown Fantastic:

Red Carpet at Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center: NIKOLAKI Couture gowns displayed at the FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center  
Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

A little over two weeks ago was Fashion's Night Out all over the US--and the World, on September 6th. If you've been following my travails, travels and this blog, you may remember that on that date, I was in New York City celebrating Fashion's Night Out at the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship with hundreds of shoppers and "Project Runway" fans who came out to "hang out" with the Project Runway Designers--including moi, of course. I was also there to unveil the dress I designed for the first ever "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection".

It was a blast of course, but all the way on the other side of the country--on the West Coast, my dresses were also been exhibited but without me unfortunately--at the exciting "FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition" at the Beverly Center.

Left to right: Lucy Hale, Lisa Love and Kendall Jenner, Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel Photography

The Beverly Center was the epicenter of LA's FNO events. The night was launched by Vogue West Coast Editor Lisa Love, actress and singer Lucy Hale and reality show lovely Kendall Jenner (of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"). This happened on September 6 and then from Friday September 7th-Sunday September 9th, the Beverly Center had a special tableaux in the Center Court of Level 6, showing designs from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut Designers.

 Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel Photography

FIDM Debut is the Advanced Fashion design program of the college I attended and graduated from. I was a Debut student--back "in the day" (don't EVEN think about finding out the YEAR!)--and so my Alma Mater asked me if I could lend them some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet creations to be displayed as part of this three-day exhibition--alongside other Debut graduates (some of which I was their instructor!).

The Exhibition: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out Weekend
Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
The other FIDM Debut Designers that were featured in the exhibition included Brenda Ahamad, Randy Lee Donato, Justin Green, Paul Hernandez, Michael Pinpin, Natalia Romano, Clay Sadler and Valentina Vardanyan. I never got to see the actual display since I was out of town and it came down before I returned to Los Angeles, but luckily, my "friends" at FIDM took these pics here.

Here are a couple more photos of the exhibition:

View from Above: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 WeekendPhoto Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
FIDM Debut Tableaux: Gowns from FIDM Debut Graduates/Designers, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 Weekend
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography

Nick TV Minute: NBC-LA TV Emmy Awards 2012, FIDM Scholarship Store Red Carpet Finds, and Much More!

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Emmy TV Minute:

Today in Fashion Fab: (Left to right) Carl Bell (Weathercaster for the weekend editions for "Today In LA NBC"), "Today In LA Weekend" Anchors Ted Chen, Michelle Valles, and Nick Verreos
Last weekend was Emmy Awards time and as it has become a tradition, I was asked to go to visit my NBC-LA friends as the Fashion and Museum Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--to give my "Nick Two Cents" on what I thought the "Red Carpet Trends for the Emmys 2012" would be before the actual Emmy Awards and then I returned the day after to give my Emmys Fashion Round Up.

Speaking of the Emmy Awards and Costumes and FIDM--just so you know--the winning designs for this year's Emmy Awards "Outstanding Costumes for a Series" was HBO's "Game of Thrones" (above photo) and yes...

They are featured at this year's "6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design" Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries. And don't forget, they are open (Tuesday through Saturday) until October 20th and best of all, it's FREE. Go check it out (if you haven't!).

Now, let's discuss my predictions: last Saturday prior to the Emmy Awards 2012 Live Telecast, I went on NBC-LA Channel 4 "Today in LA" weekend news program with anchors Ted Chen and Michelle Valles to discuss what I thought would be the Red Carpet Trends using gowns from my very own NIKOLAKI Collection. I mentioned "The High Low Hem":

 NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul "high-low hem" gowns
And that came true in various forms, including the black Zac Posen gown "Mad Men" actress January Jones wore:


I also talked about COLOR--particularly corals, reds, etc. being a possible big trend--and lo and behold, they were:

Left to right: (my example) NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul coral colored gown and Ginnifer Goodwin in a Monique Lhullier coral and nude gown (also High-Low Hem BTW!)
Finally, I told Ted and Michelle on NBC-LA "Today in LA" weekend show that full-on sequins would be a presence on Emmy Awards 2012 red carpet...and it was:

Left to right: (my example) NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, and Sofia Vergara in Zuhair Murad all-over sequin gown
NBC-LA News Anchors Chuck Henry, Colleen Williams and Fashion Designer FIDM Spokesperson Nick Verreos
On Monday after the Emmy Awards, I had the pleasure of being invited back to the NBC-LA Burbank Studios to discuss my "Top Picks" and those styles that well, were great but "Needed Improvement!". For the NBC-LA Channel 4 5 o'clock News, I joined my FAVORITE Anchors Colleen Williams and Chuck Henry. In case you were wondering, my Best Dressed was...

Heidi Klum in seafoam green Alexandre Vauthier silk chiffon double-slit gown. Perfect Miss Heidi.
To finish off my NBC-LA appearances over the weekend, I also shot a fun TV segment with Ted Chen showing "How to Dress for Red Carpet Events" on less than $100, featuring looks from the wonderful FIDM Scholarship Store, located in Downtown LA, street level at FIDM LA Campus.

Gown Sale: FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A.
Fashionista Jewelry Options: FIDM Scholarship Store, Downtown L.A.
I was so excited to film a special TV segment with NBC-LA's Ted Chen showing how women can dress for their own "Red Carpet" events but not spend thousands and thousands of dollars. The FIDM Scholarship Store is great for that. It has LOTS and LOTS of gowns, cocktail dresses, for under $100 from BRAND name designers--that would work perfectly at events such as the Emmys.

Strapless Girls: Nick Verreos, with models (left to right) Zdenka Sutton, Amanda Fields and Etirsa--FIDM Scholarship Store
Joining me on the NBC-LA "Red Carpet Under $100" segment were three of my favorite models in Southern California including Amanda Fields, Etirsa, and Zdenka Sutton.

Gown Prom Dates: FIDM Spokesperson and Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and NBC-LA's Ted Chen join models Zdenka Sutton, Amanda Fields and Etirsa--FIDM Scholarship Store
We all had so much fun shooting the segment and hopefully (if you watched it), we were helpful in getting the message out there that you don't have to spend $50,000 to look Red Carpet Fab!