0 Project Runway Season 8 Finale at NY Fashion Week: My Thoughts Predictions...and Video of Chloe Dao!!!

EVERYONE Gets To Go To NY Fashion Week!!!! (Warning: Spoiler Alert!)

Guess Who The Final Guest Judge Is: Nina Garcia, Jessica Simpson (in Michael Kors), Michael Kors and Heidi Klum

TEN designers from this current season of Project Runway showed last Thursday morning at the new site of Spring 2011 NY Fashion Week--Lincoln Center. Because Project Runway ended last weeks episode with ten contestants, ALL the remaining designers got to show in order not to spoil the "TV Finale Episode"--I was lucky enough to have been invited (I guess procuring tickets could be "a little crazy"!) BUT...alas I was unable to fly to NYC and attend because, as always: Duty Calls! I was flying to Miami to host the Macy's Fashion's Night Out Event and Fashion Show at the fabulous Aventura Mall.

Fashion's Night Out Macy's Miami/Aventura Mall Sneak Peak: Nick Verreos with Papi Underwear Spokesmodel Leonardo Corredor

Now back to the I-gotta-sit-through-TEN-Collections: Really there were only the Top Three left (or four sometimes) but because of the fact that ten were still "on TV", this is why this happened. Same thing as last season. I think it's NOT COOL. Sixteen Designers actually get to make it onto Project Runway, and now it seems that more than half of them (approx. 63 %, yes, I did the math kiddies!), make it to New York Fashion Week! Not only is that crazy, unfair but then it's almost like a surefire thing you'll make it to Fashion Week if you're still among the ten left! Isn't showing at NY Fashion Week one of the "Prizes"? It seems that Project Runway has fallen into current society's unfortunate pattern of giving out "trophies" even to the losers. But I digress.

From the Photos of the Collections, Here is my Fave (just one) and Oh-What-Were-You-Thinking?

Here are two looks from Mondo Guerra's Collection, my favorite. It was VERY "Jay McCarroll" (Winner of Season 1) don't you think?

Fun, quirky, SALEABLE, maybe not so Bergdorf's but more Barney's Co-Op...still love it. Who would have thunk it? Go Latin Urkel!

General Patton Gretchen showed lots of coochie-cuting shorts sportswear. Again, from the photos, I was a little bit bored. I'm sure the fabrics were luxe but nothing to be like "Ooooh Girl, I'm forwarding those photos to my fashionista friends"!

Oh Michael C.! I am so routing for you baby. He did gowns and evening wear but something was amiss. Here's one of my favorite Muses (and besties!), model Lisa Blades, wearing one of his Final Collection gowns and yes, the top IS see-through! I wonder what those little kids in the front row (there are ALWAYS some little kids--children of the sponsors, TV big-wigs, producers, family etc.) were thinking? I know that Jason Wu just showed A LOT of see-through tops but...

And then he also showed this diaphanous pleated chiffon gown...and...are those her panties??? It's called A LINING Michael C.! Well, we will have to wait a few more weeks to see who the actual Top Three are and who really "made it" to Fashion Week. Wait, they ALL did!!!

Click Below to see my good friend, MISS Chloe Dao, Winner of Season 2, commentating after seeing the Finale Fashion Show (I LOVE what she says!!!!):

0 Nick Verreos visits Season 2 Project Runway Winner Chloe Dao in Houston!!!

Miss CHLOEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Season 2 Hug: Chloe Dao and Nick Verreos, Lot 8 Boutique, Houston Texas

The day following my San Antonio IADT Imagine 2010 visit, I flew to Houston Texas to host my first Macy's Fashion Director event at the Houston Galleria Shopping Center! My Macy's event wasn't until 2 PM and unfortunately, I arrived into Houston at 8:30 AM!! In other words, I had about 5 hours to "get to know Houston". Well, I had two options: Spend 4 hours at a local Denny's and give fashion tips to the All American Grand Slam-eating patrons OR... call up my good friend, Chloe Dao, the Winner of Season 2 Project Runway (Our season...THE BEST Season!), who happens to live in Houston and owns a fabulous boutique there, Lot 8 . Guess which one I chose?
Window Shopper: Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

She was so sweet that immediately, she called me back and told me where to get some breakfast (across from her boutique!) and said she would meet me there in less than half an hour! Love her! You should have seen the croissant and coffee-drinking crowds reactions when they saw me stroll in at 9 AM with my big ol' red suitcase in tow trying to order my Omelet breakfast. I'm sure I was the most over-dressed person there (I was dressed in my Macy's Hosting ensemble!)...until Miss Chloe showed up...
Kick Up Your Heels: Chloe Dao poses in her Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

She soon showed up, dazzling in a royal blue jersey dress with neck detail (one of her own of course!) and escorted me to her "palace", the Lot 8 Boutique. It was my first time in Houston and also my first time in her store! Shame on me; we both have been a bit busy in the last 4 years and we have met up in both LA and NY but I was happy to finally be in her hometown!
Golden Dress: Chloe Dao showing off one of her most popular styles, a gold halter dress, similar to...Her "13Th Look" from her Season 2 Bryant Park Collection

She showed me all her gorgeous designs--I loved all the dresses, the suitings, the blouses...EVERYTHING!!!!She even has a special gown section, which has become rather popular as of late with the Prom Girls and the well-heeled Houston Debutantes alike!
Heading To School: Nick Vereos poses with one of Chloe Dao's new backpack designs, Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

I even took a peek at her new printed Backpack and Computer Bag line, which I LOVED!!! I could NEVER have too many "Man-bags", thank you very much! I just wished I would have snapped one up while I was there (I was too busy taking photos and gossiping with Chole!).
Sisterly Love: Sydney Dao, Nick Verreos, and Chloe Dao, Lot 8 Boutique Houston Texas

I had an amazing time meeting with Chloe, her FAB sister Sydney, as well as some of Chloe's interns, sales staff and Houston fashion-friends who just "happened" to stop by while I was there (I have a feeling Miss Chloe told a "little birdie" called Facebook that I was coming!). Of course, I couldn't leave my short visit with Chloe without getting a view of THAT car: Her Season 2 Project Runway Prize, the slate-gray Saturn Sky Roadster she won.
Car Models: Nick Verreos and Chloe Dao pose with her 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster

Thanks Chloe and my new Lot 8 Houston "family" for making me feel right at home and opening your hearts to little old me! I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend my time before heading to my Macy's Fashion Director event. And to put the icing on my "Chloe Visit" cake, she even drove me to the Houston Galleria and proceeded to escort me to the Macy's! Now that's what I call CLASS! Nick HEARTS Chloe!