Party Scene: Going Away Party at Petit Ermitage for John Wade and Joey Maalouf!

West Hollywood Bye Bye...Hello NYC!!!

Winky Wink: John Wade and Joey Maalouf, Petit Ermitage West Hollywood

Last night--between all the prepping for my "High Kicking With The Rockettes" FIDM Event, working on my upcoming Nikolaki Spring 2011 Collection, and still unpacking from my Europe work/R&R trip, I found time to venture out to West Hollywood to the very quiet and chic Petit Ermitage Hotel in West Hollywood, to say Ciao to two of the BEST human beings in the world: My VERY GOOD friends John Wade and Joey Maalouf.

Petit Ermitage Entrance

Why? Because they are moving to New York City! John and I met--and officially launched what will be a lifelong friendship--when we were both on Season 2 of Project Runway. He is now at Marc Jacobs and has been there for quite a while. And he is moving (sad face).

Bon Voyage: Erik Moreno, David Paul and Joey Maalouf, Petit Ermitage

He's still with Marc Jacobs darling...don't you worry! And Joey Maalouf, the WUNDERKID hair guru and co-owner of Maalouf Salon and Rachel Zoe's hair-and-make-up guy on the hit show, The Rachel Zoe Project is moving along with him.

Petit Ermitage Rooftop Pool

They held a Going Away Party at the Rooftop Pool area, and invited all their besties. Everyone from the Marc Jacobs Collection and Marc by Marc Jacobs LA stores were out GIVING fashion!
Will Miss You: Magda Berliner, John Wade, Nick Verreos and Joey Maalouf, Petit Ermitage

I even said "hello" to L.A. Designer extraordinaire, Madga Berliner who's a great friend of John's and wanted to stop by and say "Bye". It was a bittersweet party since I love them so much and will miss them terribly...but I am happy that they are both making the move!
Watch out NYC, the BOYS are comin'!

LA Fashion: Nick Verreos Attends the XR Collection Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Show!

Los Feliz Birthdays, Fashion,& Shangela from "RuPaul's Drag Race"?

Two weeks ago (almost) , I was invited to my friend Alejandro Laguette's Birthday Dinner Party at the UBER hip Los Feliz Vermont Restaurant. It was actually a "Shared Birthday" with other fabulous boys, Feruz, Frank and Iffy.Feliz Cumpleaños: Nick Verreos and Birthday Boy Alejandro Laguette, Rockwell VT

In conjunction with the blowing-out-the-candles celebration, Los Angeles designers Xavier Othon and Richard Bowman of XR Collection decided to unveil their Summer 2010 Collection at the "secret" behind-the-Vermont-Restaurant lounge, Rockwell VT. I couldn't make it to the Birthday Dinner but arrived just in time for the fashion show. Los Feliz Boys: John Wade, Joey Maalouf, Erik Moreno, Rockwell VT

Of course, I didn't come alone: I brought one of my best friends, Erik Moreno, John Wade and Joey Maalouf, who was about to leave to NY to do Rachel Zoe's make-up and hair for the Met American Woman Gala. Front Row Benches: Birthday boy Alejandro Laguette, Nick Verreos (far right)

The show began as models walked from the Rockwell VT upstairs balcony and down the stairs and then sauntered through the capacity-filled invitees. Fashions ranged from sexy Menswear for the guy who obviously has no time for work and LOTS of time for the gym (tank tops and very sexy fitted pants) to... slinky cowl neck gowns in jersey for their "girlfriends".I was excited to see one of my DIVA models, Amara Wilson, who actually came with me back in 2005 to the Season 2 Project Runway Castings, model in the show--she brought the nightclub DOWN kiddies: She worked the flashbulbs and the gowns like a Pro! (BTW: She is!) Making a very "special appearance" in the XR Collection Summer 2010 fashion show was Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 2 Contestant Shangela--yes, that's how LA does it: Models and Drag Queens can sometimes share the same DIVA runway stage!

Nick Verreos Hits Up Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party in LA!!

Project SHUT IT DOWN!!!!
I DIIIIEEE: Joey Maalouf and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Season 7 Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

Last Thursday-- as many of you know--was the Finale of Project Runway Season 7. The Angel Mafia and Project Angel Food--along with Finalist Mila Hermanovski, "Big Brother's" Marcellas Reynolds, and Designer Andrew Christian (famous for those sexy underwear) were hosting a Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party at the West Hollywood nightclub, Eleven. I had been in town just one day from my trip to Atlanta and the OC, and of course I decided I had to attend. Underwear Party: Designer Andrew Christian poses with his models, Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party, Eleven West Hollywood

I put on a mask, got a "Disco Nap" in and called my friends, John Wade (of Marc Jacobs and Project Runway Season 2) and Joey Maalouf (Rachel Zoe's Hair and Make-Up Stylist and co-owner of the Maalouf Salon) to be my dates. John had just returned from a ONE DAY/ONE NIGHT trip to Milan Italy (I know, FIERCE!) for the opening of the Marc Jacobs store (how he got through that Icelandic Volcano is beyond me!) and Joey is about to leave for NY for the Met and get Miss Rachel Zoe red carpet ready kiddies!). Blow Out: Hair and Make Up DIVA Joey Maalouf getting ready for the Season 7 Project Runway Finale Viewing Party

So I was happy to have them both for this one night!The party was in full swing as we got there. Soon enough, the Finale Episode was playing on the bar's flat screens and we actually stopped whatever we were doing to watch it (sometimes--OK, MOST TIMES--at these "Finale Viewing Parties" NO ONE gets to see anything!). We actually got to see the Final Episode and you could hear the crowd cheering and jeering for the winners and the finalists. Group Shot: Joey Maalouf, Nick Verreos, Andrew Christian, and John Wade, Eleven West Hollywood

In between, I got to "socialize" and ran into co-co-co-host, my good friend, Designer Andrew Christian, who even showed me sneak-preview photos of his new exclusive Andrew Christian Store (via his IPhone).I also got to chat with Palm Springs-based Designer Michael Costello, who was there with his model, the very blond Tracy Chapman, wearing one of his little cocktail dresses (above).I also ran into one of my fabulous "Muses", the one and only Runway Diva, Amanda Fields (from Project Runway Season 3) (above), who is filming a "secret show" and therefore got there a bit late. Better late than never as they say. Models Of The Runway: Alison Gingerich, Amanda Fields, Nick Verreos and Holly Ridings, Eleven West Hollywood

Speaking of models, there were LOTS of them that night, including Holly Ridings (wearing a long maxi black-and-white print dress, black leather jacket and sneakers--still the TALLEST GIRL in the room!) and Alison Gingerich from Season 7.Semi-Finalist Mila Hermanovski's Model, Brandise Daneswich was also in attendance, enjoying the Viewing Party, along with her designer.There weren't that many other Project Runway Alumn there (and no other Project Runway Season 7 Designers) however, we (John, Joey and I) get to hang out with Season 6 Designer Johnny Sakalis (above).Young Hollywood: Actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, Eleven West Hollywood

One of the nicest moments of the night (besides seeing Seth Aaron Henderson win and his family give him a congratulatory hug) was meeting young actresses Bella Thorne and Stefanie Scott, who confessed their love of Project Runway and how they were "big fans"! Love them! Maybe one of these days, they will wear NIKOLAKI for a big red carpet event--who knows! They were SOOOO SWEET!

Nick Verreos and John Wade Attend Oscar Party at East/West

Oscar Night Partying...
Last Sunday--Oscar Night--I was invited to the Out In Television and Film Oscars Viewing Party and Fundraiser at East West Lounge in West Hollywood, hosted by Linda Simpson and Jesse Archer and it was benefiting the Ali Forney Center. It may not be the Elton John or Madonna-and-Demi Bash--but it was fun nonetheless! Richard Morales invited and of course, i wanted to stop by and support!
Twosome: John Wade and Nick Verreos at the Out In Television and Film Oscars Viewing Fundraiser, East West Lounge

As my date (David had to stay home and do his Who-Wore-What Live Oscars Red Carpet Blogging for my blog here!), I brought my buddy, Marc Jacobs "L.A. Boy-toy" John Wade. We had a blast hanging out and watching all the awards madness. Eduardo Xol from ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

The place was packed with people enjoying all the yummy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. I spotted ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Editon" Landscaping expert Eduardo Xol, who was part of the same Sears Wish-Story Holiday Commercial/Ad Campaign I was a part of. Project Runway Sisters: John Wade (Season Two), Nick Verreos (Season Two) and Johnny Sakalis (Season 6), East West Oscars Viewing Party for Out in Television and Film

I was also excited to finally meet fellow Project Runway Alumn (and FIDM Graduate), Johnny Sakalis, of Season 6. He was extremely sweet, considering all the mean things I said about him back when I was doing my recaps for MyLifetime.com. We bonded over--what else--Project Runway, dish on fellow contestants, being Greek (me half) but not speaking it fluently, amongst other things. All in all, I had a blast hanging out with my Project Runway "sisters"!