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.