Nick Verreos Judges 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle: Recap and Photos!!

Seattle Goes Red...for the Third Year!!!You Better Work 2010: Nick Verreos on the Runway, 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle (photo courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt)

This last weekend, I flew to Seattle, to enjoy some "Emerald City" Fashion. I was invited to be a very special guest and judge at the 3rd Annual Project Red Dress, as well as the Third Annual Forbidden Fashion Show; all on the same night!

First Up, Project Red Dress: Project Red Dress Seattle is the brainchild of Monir Zandghoreishi (above) Regional Director of Fashion Group International/FGI Seattle, whom I have had the pleasure of working with on past Project Red Dress Seattle events. As I arrived in Seattle and checked into my Hotel Monaco Suite, there was a gorgeous "Welcome To Seattle Goodie Bag" filled with gifts waiting for me. Who could this be from, I wondered? Of course, it was from an old friend of mine and David; the most gracious Cindy Tsuji, who lives in Seattle and was actually coming to the show--just for me (love her!). Once I arrived at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, site of the 3rd Annual Project Red Dress, I spotted Cindy and her nephew Kyle and niece Eva and thanked her for such a classy "welcome" (photo above).Judges Step-and-Repeat: Nicole Vogel, Rose Dennis, Luly Yang, Nick Verreos, 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle

Project Red Dress Seattle is a fundraiser/fashion show/competition which involves fashion design students from local design colleges--including the Internatonal Academy of Design and Technology/IADT Seattle, The Art Institute of Seattle, Washington State University, and the New York Fashion Academy--in which they have only 16 hours, a budget of $200 for fabric and trim, to design and create a gown/dress in the color red.
Nice Construction: Nick Verreos checks out designer Jason Arrington's silk Shantung dress-coat, 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle (photo courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt)

The annual show benefits the American Heart Association's Go Red Campaign supporting heart health awareness for women. Joining me as part of the esteemed panel of judges, were Seattle's leading Couture Designer, Luly Yang; Nicole Vogel, Founder and Publisher of Seattle Met Magazine; and Rose Dennis, Seattle's ruling taste-maker, pr and fund-raising Doyenne.
Rose Picks: Judge Rose Dennis, 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle Judging Room (photo courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt)

Before the show, we spent over an hour inspecting each and every one of the designer's creations on their respective models, provided by SMG/Seattle Models Guild, and very thoroughly deliberated, over our top picks. The show, produced beautifully by my Venezuelan-born friend Eduardo Khawam, was presided by...Photo courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt

Poison Waters (seen above, right) Portland and Seattle's Diva Hostess with the Mostest, who interviewed me briefly on my thoughts regarding Seattle's "fashion sense", Croqs and Plaid.
Photo Courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt

The Winner of the 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle was International Academy of Design and Technology's/IADT's Rebecca Beesley, who also won the Audience Award. Her design was a strapless iridescent Cabernet-red peplum bustier-top with a fitted "mermaid" gown skirt with train (photo above). Photo Courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt

The entire gown fit the model to perfection and combined a great sense of drama, Couture-like sensibility as well as runway "razzle-dazzle" to gain its rightful place as our unanimous favorite.
Photo Courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt

Second Place went to IADT's (that school is on a roll!) Gingerlyn Bellus's red crepe cocktail halter dress with pleated detail. It was made PERFECTLY, and was both elegant, salable, and right for that Microsoft Millionaire's wife...or her daughter!Photo Courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt

Finally, the 2nd Runner Up was Jason Arrington's design, from the New York Fashion Academy (NYFA). To be honest, this was one of my favorites. It was a deep-red silk Shantung coat-dress featuring boning and wires to shape it into a mini-ball gown. It also featured bell sleeves, an exaggerated "Sailor Collar" and zip-front opening. Photo Courtesy of Danielle Bortone-Holt

The styling--from the funky hairstyle (Gene Suarez Salon and Spas) to the black knee-high stockings--was ON POINT! Very editorial, creative and directional. Trench Diva: Nick Verreos, 3rd Annual Project Red Dress Seattle

The show was a HUGE success and I, for one, was honored to have been part of another Project Red Dress Seattle. And now, it was onto to Seattle "After-Dark Fashion" with The Forbidden Fashion Show...See you next time kiddies!

Brazilian Model Scouting: Looking for the Next Blond, Fair-Skinned Supermodel

Why Can't the Next Naomi Campbell Come From Brazil?Gisele Bundchen

Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Caroline Trentini, all gorgeous Supermodels from Brazil, and all, well, Caucasian. There is a recent NY Times article that explores the "how" and the "why". The South American nation, according to all the latest reliable population and ethnic-makeup statistics, seems to be a pretty racially "mixed" nation: 55% White (Portuguese, German, Italian) , 44% Mixed (White and Black), 1% Japanese, Arab, Amerindian. So why aren't all the latest models coming from that country necessary reflecting this? The article tries to explore the topic.The article, titled "Off Runway Brazilian Beauty Goes Beyond Blond" follows a model scout in search of the next tall, blond, fair-skinned beauty from the State of Rio Grande Do Sul (Brazil's most Southernmost state colonized years ago by a predominance of Germans and Italians) to grace the NY, Paris and Milan catwalks. It's a really fascinating article that tries to ask why a country like Brazil--as one top Sao Paulo fashion consultant laments--can't find the next Naomi Campbell...Read it HERE.

Click Below to Watch a "Behind The Scenes" Video of the Model Scout in Rio Grande Do Sul:

Essie Summer 2010 Collection

Looks nice!

Current Obsessions

It's been a little difficult recently to sit down and blog, but I have finally found a quiet moment to share with you all my latest obsessions. To confess I haven't been doing much shopping lately, mostly because shops are shut when I finish work and the weekends have been pretty hectic with friends/bf and trying to keep the house under control lol (ie. keep the dust/ fur bunnies that Maxie makes at bay). I have said it before, and I shall say it again, internet shopping has become my best friend!


So without any more rambling (well not quite so much), here are the products that I have been absolutely loving recently.

Cleanser: Liz Earle cleanse and polish - since first being sent a bottle to review I have returned to the Liz Earle store multiple times to stock up. This cleanser smells beautiful, is lovely and soothing to use and removes every trace of dirt without irritation. The muslin cloth also exfoliates so my skin feels extra smooth without having to scrub away :).

Toner: LUSH Tea Tree Water -  couldn't live without it (tried and it wasn't pretty). Light, refreshing and gentle this toner is absolutely perfect.

Shower Gel - The Body Shop Neroli Jasmin - Now I am not one to get overly passionate when it comes to bath products, but this one smells so delicious it makes me want to shower 10 times a day. I took advantage of the recent TBS online sale and stocked up! If you haven't tried it you must, the fragrance is beautiful - soft, sweet, refreshing and feminine. The body mist and eau de toilette are definitely on my shopping list!

Hair - Andrew Collinge Heat Defence Spray. Not something to get overly excited about, but I am really enjoying using this. I love the spray nozzle, as it creates a diffused mist that spreads evenly throughout hair, it is super light so doesn't leave that sticky residue some sprays (ahem tre semme!) do and it smells lovely.

Hair - L'Oreal Cream Casting gloss in mahogany. After dying my hair about 6 weeks ago ash brown to take away some of the warmer tones I got tired of my girl next door hair and decided to go back to my red roots (well, my roots aren't really red, but that's beside the point). I missed having auburn hair, there's just something about it that has a little more ooomph than plain chestnut. Warning: as with any non-ammonia based, non-permanent dyes this baby does leak (as I discovered in the rain post colour and in white dress!).

Body - Liz Earle Superskin Body Cream - Pricey, but worth it as a little goes a long way. This cream is rich and indulgent, the fragrance is potent, but soothing (it reminds me of spa treatments and aromatherapy oils and I find it very relaxing when used before bed). This is definitely one for night time use as it does not sink in quickly, but applied on my irritated legs (grrr tights!) I wake up with baby soft skin in the morning that feels revitalised and supple.

Makeup: NARS Sheer Glow - Though it isn't particularly glowing or indeed that sheer I can see what all the hype is about. I bought this foundation 3 weeks ago and have been wearing it every day since. It gives a beautiful, natural finish to the skin, is super easy to apply and blend with fingers (easy does it in the mornings!) and it lasts a decent amount of time on my oily skin. It is also buildable and re-touch friendly and can be reapplied in the evening without looking cakey or heavy. It seems to just sink and merge into the skin. It reminds me a little of Dior Forever foundation, but with less coverage and slightly more sheen (used very loosely here as it just looks a little more natural).

The last and biggest obsession of them all is the fact that I am off on holiday to Egypt next Monday and I couldn't be more excited!! Yay!

What are your recent obsessions? Have you been on any mad shopping sprees or are you shopping your stash like me and finding products you love? xxx

Dear FTC police, all products mentioned (except LE superskin cream) were bought with my own little salary :).

Everything Comes In a Pair!!?

I don't particularly like even number. 
I have 3 adorable children and almost all friends I know would ask me if I'd want one more child, just to make the number EVEN!!! lol


He**, no!! 3 is a crowd!! ^^


So what comes in a pair do I mean by that!!!? Here, I'd love to share a fancy restaurant w/ you. I mean fancy only because it gives not only an architectural aesthetic in its interior design but also the creativity of both the food, and the cocktail they served!! 


DIARY

The cold steel and the wood give it a very urban decay look!

Chicken tight stuffed w/ rice. 
(Pardon me, I can't type Chinese)

Seafood Rocks. (My fave.)



First round of our cocktail!




Our second round of cocktail!! 



I like their hand-written cocktail ingredients coasters!...yes, ah, hand-writting!!



This is the side/bottom look of their home-made pudding....w/ ricotta cheese...so specially yummy!! ^^
I told my cousin that I can only have two round of cocktail .... well, you know... age? Nop, just don't like drink "FAT" into my body. lol

Thanks to my cousin who took me there!!

After one pair of Karen Walker, here comes another...."Rover" in orange!!

Nay, I wish I could have it!! ^^


My ODJ!

Love this Chanel 226 reissue in black..... I don't have to worry about a thing carrying it around!!

Time to do work-out........ 
Stay tuned for more excellent BARS in Taipei!! ^O^
xoxo Rachel