Oscar.com Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress-Episode 5 and 6!

EPISODE 5

EPISODE 6

As I say in the webisodes..."The votes have been tabulated and the results are in!" Check out the final two episodes of Behind the Dress where we find out which designer wins and which model is chosen to grace the Oscar Stage announced LIVE by Tim Gunn!!

All the dresses were gorgeous but the winning design and model really capture the essence of the grand event. In Episode 6, check out exclusive backstage coverage with interviews of the very excited winning model and designer.

I thought last nights Academy Awards was great and I, of course, have my opinions on all the gowns! But more on that later...

I had such a blast hosting this official Oscar Challenge and was honored to be part of such a important night in Hollywood. You can check out all the action from yesterdays festivities with exclusive coverage on Oscar.com including all the episodes of Behind the Dress.

And The Winner Is.....The Oscars Design Trophy Goes to...

I just want to congratulate the Winner of Oscars Designer Challenge: Chicago designer Sam Kori George and his gorgeous model, Lauren Gish. It was definitely one of my favorite of all the seven designs in contention. It just "screamed" Oscars Trophy Girl/1950's Hollywood Actress.

Model Lauren Gish in Sam Kori George's winning gown

His gown was a stunning technical feat of dressmaking featuring yards and yards of silk, cut on the bias , pleated and draped to envelop the model's body perfectly. I even noticed that there were no side seams to the gown. I was also told (by the designer himself) that the bodice had about twenty coiled boning sewn inside the gown so there was no chance of the strapless gown slipping down. This also made sure to create that defined hourglass figure.
Lauren looked very "Old School Hollywood Glamour" on stage at the Academy Awards as she escorted the actors and actresses when they received their trophies and awards. Congratulations to both!

Oscar.com Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress-Episode 4!

Ready Designers? Ready Models? It's time to hit The Oscars Red Carpet! Epidose 4 of Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress

Nick Behind The Scenes:

Models Getting Ready: Nick Verreos interviews models as they get ready for their "close-up"

We are almost down to the wire--the Oscars Red Carpet wire, that is. Gowns have been designed, the designers have been chosen, they have picked their models and subsequently had their fittings, and Oscars Day is (almost) upon us...

Make-Up Chairs: A view from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Theater stage

First, the Designers and their gowns were "debuted" to the international press at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences headquarters on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. Everyone was there, from Entertainment Tonight to E! News and anybody in between with an interest in seeing who the Designers were that were hand-picked to take up the task of designing a gown for the Oscars Escort/Trophy Model.
Model Pose: Nick Verreos poses with model Gerren Taylor before she puts on her gown

I was allowed exclusive access backstage as the models were getting ready and filmed it all for Oscar.com and you will finally get to see it here in the fourth installment of the Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress. First, I met the hand-picked models as they were getting their hair and make-up done.
Glamour Board: Make-Up and Hair Story Board for Oscars Designer Challenge

The theme was "1950's Glamour, Rita Hayworth meets Eva Gardner". No one would have realized it was 9 AM when the fabulous Dior make-up artists and hair experts transformed the models as if they were going to the Oscars--at 8 PM!!
Michelle Obama at the Oscars: Chicago Designer Maria Pinto with her model, Gerren Taylor

Then, the models were whisked into their gowns and diamonds and off for the big press reveal!
Watch the exclusive interviews with all the designers, including Michelle Obama's favorite designer, Chicago native Maria Pinto, as well as establised NY designer Robert Rodriguez, LA-based designer Alan Del Rosario, Chicago-based designer Sam Kori George and NY theater-costume designer Nicolas Putvinski, among others.
Designer Alan Del Rosario with his model, about to make their "debut"

Designer Sam Kori George with his beautiful model, Lauren Gish, posing before their "red carpet" press moment

Good Luck to all of them! Tune in tomorrow Sunday to the Oscars Live, when the winning "team" is announced!

Oscar.com Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress-Episode 3!

In Episode 3 of Behind The Dress watch the designers meet their models and do their initial fittings where they make sure everything is JUST RIGHT!! Every last stitch, pull, tuck, or hem adjustment is noted and then fixed. I love when it is NY Designer Robert Rodriguez' time, he instantly calls out to his seamstress to do the fixin'--Diva!!!
I know from experience what a relief it can be to finally get that dress on the Model and see that all your hard work has paid off!! Your creation finally comes to life.

Check back tomorrow as we take you Backstage at the Oscar Fashion Show Preview!

And make sure to visit Oscar.com for frequent updates on all things OSCAR!

Oscar.com Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress-Episode 2!

Click Above to watch Episode Two of the Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress from the official Academy Award Website, Oscar.com. Now, that the designers have been chosen, it's time for the Model Castings. Watch as we go behind the scenes (like a "Nick" fly on the wall!) and see Patty Fox, Fashion Coordinator for the Academy Awards, as well as the producers of the live telecast, choose which 7 models will go on to compete for the Oscar Designer (and Escort) Challenge.

Mercedes in Vintage NIKOLAKI

I was so excited to find out that two of the 7 models that were chosen have modeled for me and my collection, NIKOLAKI, at various fashion shows, including Smashbox Los Angeles Fashion Week. The first one is the gorgeous Mercedes, whom I have known for AGES!! In fact, she was one of my first 'muses" when I began my line back in 2003. She modeled in my very first LA Fashion Week show and it's always like "good ol' times" when we see each other! She is, as they say "good people".Fanning the Model Flame: Oscar Model Hopeful Gerren

And the other girl is a fabulous model named Gerren Taylor. Gerren modeled for me years ago for another fashion show I did where I showed my collection. I remember it vividly because she was THIRTEEN YEARS OLD, had braces, but was over 6 feet tall, and walked like a gazelle! The agency had sent her because she was a "new Face" and I immediately said to myself (and to her and her over 6 foot tall Mommie!) that she was going to go far! Of course, soon after that, she left LA and went on to model all over the world: At Paris , Milan and New York Fashion Weeks!
Good luck to all the Models ...ooops , I mean Oscar Escort Hopefuls.

Oscar Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress with Nick Verreos

I am happy to announce that I was asked to be the Host of the Oscars Designer Challenge for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Seven designers from across the US were chosen to design a gown for the Oscars Escort/Trophy Model for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. The public was allowed to vote online for the winning Designer and model.

I will host a series of episodes leading up to Oscar night when the winner will be announced LIVE on the Red Carpet.

Watch above or go to Oscar.com to see the fabulous, new web series "Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress" with Nick Verreos!