PROJECT RUNWAY....My TOP 5 OMG MOMENTS and RECAP of "Project Runway" Season 15 Episode 7: Fashion Jungle

 Nick Verreos "Project Runway" Top 5 OMG Moments Video for Episode 7 YouTube

It's Week Seven on this season of Lifetime's "Project Runway" and time for my next installment of my "Top 5 OMG Moments" Video as well as my Recap of the week. This past week's episode involved a fun trip to Universal Resorts Orlando and a Streetwear Challenge...



Click below to watch my Top 5 OMG Moments for "Project Runway" Episode 7 on YouTube:

Here are my Top 5 "OMG Moments" of this past week's "Project Runway":

#1....OMG!  Time For A Trip!  In the Beginning of the episode, Heidi announced that she was sending the designers on a trip! They were all going to Universal Orlando Resorts! While the designers seemed excited, we all know that a Project Runway trip to Universal Orlando would NOT involve Lazy River Rafting, eating Funnel Cake Sundaes or a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Instead...

They were greeted by Tim looking like a SuitSupply.com model, and given their next challenge.  Most likely, the only real R & R the designers got was sitting on their 3-hour flight from New York to Orlando and back--in their uncomfortable Economy Class seats. Hopefully, they got to recline!

#2....OMG! Roller Coaster Reachin'  "Project Runway" REEEEALLY had to twist themselves into a Jumbo-Sized, Theme Park Pretzel to somehow incorporate a Universal Studios ride into a Streetwear Challenge!  But.....I guess we should all be thankful that those poor designers weren't tasked with re-designing the uniforms for the Jurassic Park Cafe! Dinosaur Couture anyone?

#3....OMG!  Erin! Snap Out of It!  After being on the Top 4 times and winning twice, Erin has landed in the bottom, 2 weeks in a row!  After last week's "Lion King" Costume mess, unfortunately, she spent this last week embroidering what looked like a combination of moss and throw-up on a pair of shorts.  From far away, her model looked as if she got sick on a Universal Roller coaster Ride. It's time to "Refresh" and Re-boot" GURL! SNAP OUT OF IT!

#4....OMG!  Ummm, Why is Cornelius Safe?!  I've disagreed many times with the judges, but I've almost always understood them. This time, I was at a complete loss. Cornelius should have gone home. While Brik's was a mixed-print, Cirque Du Soleil-adjacent outfit...it was, at least, well made.  But Cornelius' was Hip-Hop Cheap and constructed so poorly it really did look like a 1st Semester Fashion School Project.  I'm sorry judges, but WHY DIDN'T CORNELIUS GO HOME???

#5....OMG!  Surprise, Surprise, Surprise...SURPRISE!  Just as the judges surprised me with their elimination, they threw me for a bit of a loop with their choice of winner.  I agreed with the Top 2 being Laurence and Nathalia, but... My personal favorite this week was Nathalia's oversized, bat-inspired, dolman sleeve coat-and-pant look.  While I did like Laurence's red leather bomber jacket, her pants admittedly were a bit "droopy drawers"...But with that being said, I still give Laurence a big FELICITACIONS for getting her 2nd WIN of the season! SMILE MISS LAURENCE! YOU WON!



And now, here's my "Project Runway" Season 15 Recap on MyLifetime.com:

Season 15,
Episode 7 Recap: Fashion Jungle

Last week on
“Project Runway,” the designers were tasked with creating cocktail wear, but
now it is time to take a design u-turn and see if the designers can do the opposite:
streetwear. This is an especially ironic twist since last week’s eliminated
designer was Tasha, the self-proclaimed “streetwear designer” who just couldn’t
do cocktail. If she would have just stuck it out for one more week, she would
have gotten a chance to prove herself. But alas, it was not meant to be, and
now it’s time for the 10 remaining designers to show if they’ve got the
know-how to make a woman chic in the Urban Jungle.

The episode
begins with an out of left field montage of the designers riding
the Universal Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster. Right as I am
about to ask, “What is going on?” the episode rewinds to eight hours earlier.
Heidi saunters onto the runway as the designers look on. Miss Klum asks a very
tired group how they are feeling, and they muster a feigned, “Great!” She then
announces that they are all taking a trip to Universal Orlando Resorts where
Tim will meet them for their next challenge.

The
designers have arrived in sunny Florida where...

Click HERE to continue reading!

ICE STYLE.....2016 Skate Canada International Figure Skating Costumes RECAP: ICE DANCE and PAIRS!

Skate Canada International Ice Dancers: Costumes from Ice Dance competitors at 2016 Skate Canada International 

Pairs Couture: Costumes from Pairs figure skating competitors at 2016 Skate Canada International

Finishing off with my 2016 Skate Canada International "Ice Style" blogs--You can read my LADIES and MEN Costumes Recap HERE--now it's time to discuss the costumes from the Ice Dance and Pairs skaters. As usual, there were lots of fun costumes, featuring diverse designs for the "Blues" and "Hip Hop" mix of Ice Dance Short Dances, as well as some interesting creations that ranged from Traditional to "Oh Dear!" for the Pairs. So...let's get started!



ICE DANCE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada Short Dance to Hip Hop: Kiss by Prince, Blues: Five Women by Prince, Blues: Purple Rain by Prince--For their return to the International skating stage at the 2016 Skate Canada International, 2010 Olympic champions and 2014 Olympic silver medalists, Virtue and Moir wore these looks above. Tessa's costume featured a Prince-inspired ruffled and sequined purple (of course) lace top-and-black leggings jumpsuit, and Scott wore a black Revere collared top with black pants outfit. Both looks reflected the 80's theme of the Prince music and I think were effective and not too Halloween Costume tacky. 

Virtue and Moir of Canada Free Dance Pilgrims on a Long Journey by Coeur de Pirate

Latch (Acoustic) by Sam Smith: I cannot say enough words of fashion praise for these gorgeous costumes worn by Virtue and Moir for their Free Skate. They were modern, chic and oh-so fashionable. I LOVED Tessa's putty colored "band" dress; it was very Herve Leger fab. And Scott was the perfect fashion foil to her in his clean and sleek deep blue outfit. They both looked like they should be on the cover of "Vogue: The Figure Skating Edition", if  there ever was such a thing!

Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin of Russia Short Dance to Blues and Hip Hop mix: This very handsome Ice Dance couple of Stepanova and Bukin wore these non-costumes for their Short Dance. He had a white muscle t-shirt, motorcycle jacket and black trousers, and she had a bustier/corset  and low-slung skinny pants. They looked very early 90's retro, yet I'm not sure that might have been the point. To me, they looked like dancers in a Cruise Ship Dinner Show...in 1996.

Stepanova and Bukin of Russia Free Dance to Libertango by Astor Piazzolla, arranged by E. Runge, J. Ammon Verano Porteno, Primavera Portena, Libertango by Astor Piazzolla: For their Free Dance, they went into a Tango-themed territory with the music and the red and black costumes. Alexandra's was a simple red side draped dress which was simple-pretty in its style. Ivan looked as if he was coming in for his morning rehearsals at the Bolshoi Ballet. I admire the simplicity of both looks especially when they're both so good-looking and have such perfect bodies...why distract from that with overly designed costumes. 

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte of Italy Short Dance to Blues: Cry For Me

Boogie Woogie: Choo Choo Boogie--I love this Ice Dance couple from Italy. They always have fun, great character-driven ice dances. For their Short Dance, they donned these bold looks. Anna was very 50's fun in a black and white polka dotted dress and Luca was giving Ballroom Dancer Host in his Shawl-collared red and black tuxedo outfit.

Cappellini and Lanotte of Italy Free Dance Limelight by Charlie Chaplin, Chaplin Medley and

City Lights: Overture by Charlie Chaplin--Another great Costume Look from Italy's Cappellini and Lanotte. The theme was Charlie Chaplin and well, especially for Luca: Nailed it! I also liked her "Charlie Chaplin paramour" powder pink and wine red dress. She looked delicate, lovely and a perfect costume foil for his kooky Chaplin. Bravo!

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of USA Short Dance to Blues: Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood, Hip Hop: Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars--These were interesting, sexy looks from USA's Chock and Bates for their Short Dance. Madison looked punk-tastic in her turtleneck crop top with "ripped" sleeves and sexy low-slung faux leather super-skinny pants. Evan was looking like he went to Zara and bought a jersey knit top, under t-shirt and sleek denim skinny pants. I still liked it.

Chock and Bates of USA Free Dance to Under Pressure by David Bowie, Freddie Mercury: I really liked these costumes worn by Chock and Bates for their Free Dance. The designs were directional and fashion fab and I especially LOVED the delicate crystal beading on Evan's side seam of Evan's shirt--which matched Madison's beading on her dress' shoulder. If there was any critique, it was the dangling "fishtail" hem of her asymmetrical hemline; it was a bit distracting if not downright slightly annoying during the program. I'm hoping they cut some of that off for their future competitions.

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada Short Dance to Blues: Oh What a Night for Dancing by Barry White, Vance Wilson, Disco: Disco Inferno by Leroy Green and Ron Kersey: Seriously, where do I start with these costumes? I think they are so Disco-Kooky that I have no reason but to LOVE THEM! Piper's dress was like a costume straight out of "Blades of Glory" and Paul...WOW! He was from "Boogie Nights"! And can I just add how much I am obsessed with his John Travolta pouffy blow-dried hair and "pornstache" mustache!!?? #Hot

Gilles and Poirier of Canada Free Dance to Con Buena Onda by Daniel Lomuto, Ernesto Baffa, Hector M. Arce: For their Free Dance, Gilles and Poirier went more "Tango Eleganza" with these looks above. Paul was all things Muy Sexy with his double breasted suit and tie ensemble. His gelled hair was perfect and once again, his 'stache works perfectly well! And Piper's lilac dress was very pretty and 1930's/40's retro elegant with its neckline and draped-front detail. 



PAIRS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada Short Program to Killer by Seal: For their Short Program to Seal, Duhamel and Radford went modern, sleek and slightly directional. Meagan wore a black sequined jumpsuit with crystal applique and Eric was the perfect costumed partner with his matching black-and-crystal sequined batteau neckline long sleeved top and pants.

Duhamel and Radford of Canada Free Skate to No, je ne regrette rien performed by Patricia Kaas: When it was time for their Free Skate, Duhamel and Radford went more Traditional with these costumes. Meagan wore this lilac-hued sequined, illusion and chiffon costume that was a bit too Prom-and-Pageant. Not sure if it was the color or the neck-piece or the sweetheart neckline or a combination of all of those. I did, however, like her slicked back top-chignon hair. Eric looked polished and good prom-tastic with his pleated-front lilac shirt and midnight blue pants.  

Nicole Della Monica and Mateo Guarise of Italy Short Program to Carmina Burana by Carl Orff performed by The Piano Guys: Well, well, well...Della Monica and Guarise really went for it when it came to their Short Program costumes to Carmina Burana. It is Carmina Burana, after all so I can understand the slight fire-fab cray-cray aspect of these designs. I must say, part of me loves these and the other--more tasteful part--doesn't. One think I do like is the nude illusion backs with the superimposed writing. While these might be a bit kooky, they still do look Sexy-licious.

Xiaoyu Yu and Hao Zhang of China Short Program to Eternal Flame, Fearless by Brand X Music: I liked these costumes worn by this Chinese Pairs couple. I loved the bold violet color and, especially her draped and sequin embroidered costume. His top was also kind of fabulous for its center front crystal detail. These costumes look expensive and custom-made Figure Skating Couture.

Yu and Zhang Free Skate to Cavatina Larghetto amoroso: Another gorgeous costume pair here on Yu and Zhang. Her sequined applique costume featured flowers, ombre shading and crystal detailing with a Chanel Couture-like design sensibility. His gray outfit was elegant and a nice masculine contrast to her superb femininity. I especially admired the diagonal pleating detail in his shirt.



Finally...

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov of Russia Short Program to All Alone by Joe Satriani: Kavaguti and Smirnov were Feminine Pretty and 90's Male Stripper in their contrasting costumes. These seemed a bit disjointed to say the least. I really didn't get the costume connection. On a good note: Her costume's sequined detail down the center front and sleeve edges was quite Haute. 

ICE STYLE.....2016 Skate Canada International Figure Skating Costumes RECAP: LADIES and MEN!

Ladies Fab: Ladies Figure Skating Costumes from 2016 Skate Canada International

Le Men: Men's Figure Skating Costumes from 2016 Skate Canada International

This past weekend was the second of six events in the 2016-2017 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions, 2016 Skate Canada International. In case you missed my "Ice Style" blog on 2016 Skate America, click HERE and HERE. This year's Skate Canada International occurred at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga Ontario Canada.

I didn't go but...I was excited to see that it was in Mississauga because I had been there before since that is where Canada's "The Shopping Channel" is headquartered and I had the privilege of being there for my "NV Nick Verreos" clothing line. So...Yeayyy for Mississauga! Now, time to discuss the Figure Skating Costumes Highlights. Let's start with the Ladies:



LADIES---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia Short Program River Flows in You by Lorenzo de Luca, The Winter by Balmorhea: Evgenia wore this blue ombre-shaded costume featuring crystal and blue beading in the top section. The design made her look like she was a beautiful sea creature from the Mediterranean but the costume itself looked cheap and almost Junior-like.

Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia Free Skate to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and Piano Lesson with Grandma by Alexandre Desplat: It's not every day one sees a top ladies' singles figure skater wearing a dress this long as her costume. This design had purple-to-lilac ombre shading and an Empire-waist look that featured sequin embroidery. There was almost a Medieval/Game of Thrones look to it and I liked it.

Satoko Miyahara of Japan Short Program Musetta's Waltz Song by Giacomo Puccini: This was a very pretty costume for Miyahara. I liked the powder blue and green colors and beaded applique. This looked like an expensive high-end figure skating costume that was impacting from afar and close up.

Satoko Miyahara of Japan Free Skate to The Planets by Gustav Holst: I LOVED this costume! So far, it is one of my favorites of the season! I absolutely adore the Grecian Goddess draping, the stark ivory color and beautiful sequin detail. I also like her crystal double headband. She looks chic, and Figure Skating Red Carpet Ready!

Kaytlyn Osmond of Canada Short Program Sous le ciel de Paris and Milord performed by Edith Piaf: I thought this design was a nice choice considering her music. The neck-tie purple costume with sequin applique midriff was "Parisian" in its flair (reminded me of the iconic Yves Saint Laurent pussy-bow sheer chiffon blouse) and while, I am normally not a fan of the gloves, I think they were correct in this look.

Mirai Nagasu USA Short Program to Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor by Frederic Chopin: Mirai wore this purple costume for her SP. I liked it! Mirai always wears costumes that I appreciate and admire. The color and beading reminded me of this Gionni Straccia-designed gown worn by...

"Miss Venezuela 2009" Marelisa Gibson

Mirai Nagasu of USA Free Skate to The Winner Takes It All performed by Sarah Dawn Finer: This was another very pretty costume from Mirai. It was very "Ice Queen" with the white color and delicate crystal beading. I especially loved the neckline and asymmetrically-placed sequins.

Rika Hongo of Japan Short Program to O Fortuna (from "Carmina Burana") by Carl Orff: This was a fun and bold costume. Rika is kind of known for her costumes and this was not a disappointment for the 2016-2017 season. I loved the multi-colored jewels at the bust and fire-like detail in the costume. 

Rika Hongo of Japan Free Skate to Lawrence of Arabia (soundtrack) by Maurice Jarre: Rika really made me happy with this "Near East Diva" costume referencing her "Lawrence of Arabia" music. I. Loved. It. She looked like a sexy Sheikha of Arabia! I also appreciated her crystal crown and arm and hand sequined details of the costume.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia Free Skate to Cleopatra (soundtrack) by Alex North: The Middle East was in the "Costume Air" as Russia Elizaveta Tuktamysheva wore this for her "Cleopatra" free skate. I felt all the accessories made the costume a bit too "Halloween-y", but I did LOVE that snake armband! The gold beaded neckline was beautiful and unique and overall the costume was quite sexy with it's sheer and short skirt. 



MEN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patrick Chan of Canada Short Program to Dear Prudence and Blackbird by The Beatles: Patrick Chan is not known for his costumes, and more for his fabulous skating. For his SP, he wore this all-black look skating to The Beatles. Normally, I don't like when male figure skaters just wear the black pant-and-shirt look, and I've referenced it as being a bit too "Ross Dress For Less". I think that here, this ensemble worked. I liked the short sleeved shirt, the suspenders and natural-waist trousers style. Part of me wished the suspenders were sequined--at least in matte black crystals!--but yeah, I know--it's Patrick Chan, sequins are not always his thang.

Patrick Chan of Canada Free Skate to A Journey by Eric Radford: For his FS, Chan skated to music by Pairs figure skater Eric Radford. I loved this costume on Patrick. It was clean, elegant and slightly sexy. My favorite parts were the details: the pants outseam "Tuxedo" stripe and back pants yoke--in faux leather. Those detail really made the costume for me! 

Kevin Reynolds of Canada Short Program to Puutarhautuminen and Muuttosarja by Hohka, 

Kesäillan Tvist by Troka: Canadian Kevin Reynolds skated his SP to Finnish folk-like music and he wore a costume inspired by a traditional Finnish men's outfit--the "Hameen Men's Suit". I liked the bold stripes and red-and-black colors but I was a little annoyed at how wide the shoulders were; the vest seemed to be cut too wide. I wonder if the costume designers did that to make the super-skinny Kevin look a bit more broad shouldered? I have no idea. But, as a fashion designer and someone who worked as a pattern-maker for many years, all I wanted to do was take about  1 1/2" off the shoulder of that vest; it was that annoying to me!

Kevin Reynolds of Canada Free Skate to Grand Piano (soundtrack) by Victor Reyes: Kevin loves a double-breasted vest. He wore one for his SP and now for his Free Skate. This look was a bit "Happy Hands at Home Sewer"-looking and once again, the vest pattern's shoulder measurement was too wide. I understand the costume designers wanting to make him look a bit more muscular through costuming tricks but, my advice would just be to emphasize how lean and super skinny he is.  There is really no avoiding it. 

Alexander Petrov Russia Short Program Ritual Dance of Fire (from "El Amor Brujo") by Manuel de Falla: Fiery, bold and nicely done. I liked this costume worn by Russian Alexander Petrov. He looked very "Gypsy" and Andalusian in this design, especially with the gold embroidered top, red waist sash and black faux leather pants. 

Alexander Petrov of Russia Free Skate to Chicago and I'm Gonna Live Till I Die by Frank Sinatra: If there was a Frank Sinatra-themed show on a cruise ship--or Las Vegas--this would be a costume in the show! I liked the kind of cheesy aspect of the look--with the gold lame jacket, piano-inspired tie and crystal belt. 

Ross Miner of USA Short Program to New York State of Mind by Billy Joel: OK, I know that Ross is skating to Billy Joel and "New York State of Mind" and therefore, there's not much of a costume that can accompany that. But...this was THE DEFINITION of my dreaded "Ross Dress For Less" costume; the bland dress shirt, black pants, off-the-rack department store belt...I am so bored with his costume that I don't even want to visit New York, if this is what that city represents, fashion-wise.

Ross Miner of USA Free Skate to Somebody to Love, Love of my Life, and Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen: For his FS, he slightly redeemed himself--costume-wise. I liked the ombre-shaded red-and-black printed top with the gold sequined neckline. This was Ross Miner really stepping out of his costume zone. And I applaud him for it. But, I still think this could have been better; it is QUEEN after all!

Takahito Mura of Japan Short Program to Zapateado (Flamenco): Takahito skated to a flamenco-inspired program and I was thankful that the costume wasn't black and red. I liked the ruffled cuffs but overall, it was a bit of a Spain mish-mash. I really think what annoyed me the most was the white lace shirt; it was just a tad too cheap-looking. And that fringed front trim looked like an afterthought. 

Misha Ge Uzbekistan Free Skate to The Nutcracker by Petr I. Tchaikovski: Misha gave you "Nutcracker Prince" with this white with gold beaded trimmed top and black pants costume. I think he could have gone a little more Couture with this look; it just seemed a bit "Hollywood Blvd" Costume version. I know that Misha can give me more! 

Daniel Samohin of Israel Free Skate to The Illusionist by Maxime Rodriguez: Daniel skated his FS to this very impacting costume. The black pants-and multi-colored sequined top was two minutes away from looking slightly "Cirque du Soleil" but...I kinda liked it! That top, especially, looked well-made, expensive and made me want MORE!

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan Short Program to Let's Go Crazy by Prince: At first, when Yuzuru came out, I was like "What the Heck!!??" and then, the Prince music came on and I was like "Done and done!". Hanyu wore a jumpsuit that resembled a white shirt and pants outfit with a multi-colored embroidered vest with black, white and purple being the dominant colors. There was also a nice "Prince"-inspired detail on his pants. The whole look was right for the program and 80's cool enough to make fashion fans happy.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan Free Skate to Hope and Legacy by Jo Hisaishi: For his FS, Yuzuru wore this ensemble of black stretch velvet pants with a multicolored green, creme, royal blue and black chiffon top. It was VERY Yuzuru for sure; he does love multicolored ombre-ing and cascading ruffle detail. I'm going to be honest here: If it wasn't Yuzuru Hanyu, I might be critiquing it and saying it's tacky and soooo 80's. But, because it is him, I actually think it works. Somehow with his height and beautiful skating, he is able to pull this off.  What do you guys think? Do you like???

**NEXT: 2016 Skate Canada International ICE DANCE and PAIRS Costumes!!!