Brightest Young Things

NV: I am doing good. [I'm] very busy, as usual, which is a good thing. As they say, when the phone stops ringing, that’s when I should be worried.  And so far, it’s hasn’t. 

BYT: What have you been up to lately?

NV: I have been keeping busy doing various TV appearances and red carpet work.  Last week, I was in N.Y.C. to cover the Victoria’s Secret Show “pink carpet” and backstage for Heidi Klum’s Modelinia.com Web site and also went to Miami to shoot a live TV fashion segment for the Spanish-speaking version of Good Morning America.

BYT: Before graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in L.A., you were a political science and international relations major at UCLA. What made you decide to pursue a career in fashion?

NV: I decided to attend UCLA and study political science/international relations, because I thought I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps, but the entire time (well, since I was four!), I was always sketching fashion and dreaming of being a fashion designer. After I graduated from UCLA, I had an epiphany and said, “no should’ve, would’ve, could’ve!” and I decided to follow my dream and study fashion and see where that would take me.  I think I made the right decision.

BYT: You are clearly a fan favorite of Project Runway! What made you want to be on a reality show? Did you realize what you were getting yourself into at the time?

NV: I decided to do Project Runway, because of several things that had been going in my life at the time. I launched my NIKOLAKI line back in 2001 with my partner David Paul, and we were in over 100 stores in the span of 2 years.  We showed at L.A. Fashion Week every season, were in every magazine, and it was great press and sales were good.  It all happened very fast.  At the same time, we began looking for a way to take the business to “another level.” Then, the first season of the show came on TV, and I watched it and loved it.  I never thought, “Oh, I should do this” until all my friends, students and family said that I would be perfect for the show. 

BYT: Did you watch the All-Star Challenge this summer? Why weren’t you there? And who were you hoping would win?

NV: I did watch the All-Star Challenge this summer, of course. I was hoping that Daniel Vosovic would win.  Since he’s young and has a very N.Y.C. design aesthetic. It seemed like the All-Stars special was made for him.  I said to him, in fact, “It’s yours to lose, Daniel." And he won!

In terms of why I wasn’t part of it, everyone always asks me this question.  I was asked to be part of it, and when the executive producers proposed to me to come back and be on this All-Star Challenge, I was very happy and excited to do it.  But unfortunately, I was in the midst of shooting a pilot for another show, and I received a request to go to Florence, Italy to give a lecture at a prestigious university all at the exact same time.  Well, needless to say, I was on that Air France trans-Atlantic flight before you could say, “Make it Work!"  

BYT: Between Irina, Althea and Carol, whom were you personally rooting for during the season 6 finale?

NV: I had my reasons for any of them to win.  I was one of the casting judges, along with Tim Gunn, who actually picked Althea, so I was rooting for her.  I was also rooting for Carol Hannah because her model, Lisa Blades, is a very dear friend of mine and, in fact, is one of the models on my Web site.  And Irina, I just loved her bitchy frankness. She was always right, even though it was harsh to hear, and more importantly, she was probably the most talented and ready to take the Project Runway crown and all the responsibilities that come with that. 

BYT: You share some of your thoughts on the show in your blog. What did you think of its move from N.Y.C. to L.A. and from Bravo to Lifetime? I hear it’s moving back to N.Y.C. for season 7…

NV: Well, I have a lot to say on this subject.  This is by far the number one topic everyone wants to discuss with me. As an Angeleno, I thought it was great to have the show in L.A. It made sense, especially since we are so obsessed with the red carpet, fashion, celebrities, etc. Back in the day, Hollywood costume designers such as Edith Head and Adrian dictated to the world what was most chic and fashionable. Also, when the producers asked for my assistance and suggestions on what would be a good design school, I, of course, recommended FIDM, since I am an instructor there and felt the facilities would be perfect for filming and working. 

Season 6 was filmed a year ago, right when the Lifetime vs. Bravo vs. Weinstein lawsuit was occurring.  So, while they were filming the season, no one knew whether or not the show would even air.  There was a lot of tension in the air as a result.  Also, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia not showing up for the judging hurt the show.  I was more than humbled to have been asked to replace Michael for one of those last challenges, and I had no idea why he couldn’t be there. But the fans want to see the same cast of characters in their favorite show. So it does make a difference, but I don’t think all the hate talk was justified. I think it was a good season that suffered from unforeseen circumstances and a negative air which infiltrated all facets of production. But yes, the new season was shot in N.Y.C. so it’s coming back to N.Y.C., and so are Michael and Nina!

BYT: Tell us about NIKOLAKI. Where do you draw inspiration from for your line?

NV: My NIKOLAKI line is a red carpet gown and dress line, for the most part.  It’s for a confident fashion-savvy woman who wants to be noticed when she walks into a room. She is sure of herself, is educated, travels and loves and respects fashion. My muses run the gamut from Queen Rania of Jordan to Empress Farah Diba of Iran to international beauty queens! I am inspired by my upbringing in Venezuela, my Greek heritage, my travels, my models and actress clients.  I also enjoy visiting museums such as the Met or the Louvre. Last season, I was inspired by remembering my grandmother and when she would watch all these old black-and-white movies from the golden age of Mexican cinema. So, one never knows where I will draw inspiration next.

BYT: As a teacher of the top students at FIDM, what is the best advice that you’ve given to your student designers?

NV: What I always tell my students or kids who want to get into fashion is, "Work your butt off!"  While in design school, always try to go above and beyond what your instructor asks you to do.  Learn the pattern making, draping and construction, but more importantly, learn the business side of it. This is a very difficult industry and you really have to have a passion for it. So many kids now, because of shows like MTV’s "The Hills,” “The City,” and, some would argue, even “Project Runway,” think it is so easy and anyone can do it.  And they go to fashion schools, because they "love to shop and can put together outfits really well.” This is a recipe for disaster. Don’t do it to become famous or because you see how fun it looks on TV. Do it because you love it and you truly cannot see yourself doing anything else!

BYT: Where do you see the general state of the fashion industry heading? 

NV: The general state of fashion is in a transitional mode right now.  The recession, economy, the wars; all of this makes for a sour outlook, on the business end, in terms of fashion.  But I do feel like we are getting out of it.  The industry had to take a step back and restructure and really create a whole new business model. People want to buy quality at a discount and there are more and more options now for them to do so.  Just last week, I went to a Sears in Miami to style outfits for a TV segment I was doing. I found many very fashionable outfits, all for under $100.  You can find fashion at a discount; you just have to look for it, and maybe have me along as your personal shopper!

BYT: You’ve become quite a regular on the carpet. As you said, you were recently at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Who were the best dressed on that pink carpet?

NV: I had so much fun covering the VS pink carpet, but it was a lot of work. If you have ever done those, it’s like a marathon.  Who were the best dressed? Well, Heidi Klum, of course.  She just had a baby one month ago and looked fabulous in a one-shouldered black mini dress. All of the other models, I think, looked great in their Herve Leger bandage dresses.  If you are 5’10” and a size 2, you can’t go wrong with Herve Leger.  But what I found most interesting were the men.  They were the best dressed of the night.  The guys from the Kings of Leon looked so good!  They were styled overtime, but still looked effortless.  

BYT: So, you’ll soon be speaking at the Corcoran. Have you been to D.C. before? What do you think of the city?

NV: I am so honored to be speaking at the Corcoran.  I couldn’t believe it when I got the call to do a lecture there.  I hear I am in good company since Tim Gunn and Project Runway Season 3 Winner Christian Siriano have also spoken at the Corcoran. I have been to D.C. before; in fact I was just there for the Obama Inaugural.  I was invited to host the California Association Gala Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show back in January.  I love D.C., especially in the winter.  I love that I can layer, and wear my coats and scarves and fur hats! It is a great change from shorts-and-flip-flop L.A. I think the city is the East Coast version of Hollywood.  There are so many parallels between the craziness of L.A. and Hollywood and the madness of D.C. politics.  As former political science/international relations major, it fascinates me.

BYT: Here comes the New Year! What are your hopeful plans for 2010? 

NV: The older I get the more relaxed and melancholy I am about the New Year. The year always seem to go by so fast. But I also love it because, to me it’s like closing a door in one room and opening a door to another room that will be full of surprises.  I look forward to all the new surprises for 2010. I actually don’t have any fabulous plans for New Year’s.  I will probably spend it in L.A. with close friends, and my dog Benny, and hopefully lots of champagne! I might even make Venezuelan arepas for the night! For 2010, I am hopeful that the economy will improve, our troops will come home safely and on a lighter note, I hope in 2010 I can make women look even more beautiful and stylish…one NIKOLAKI dress at a time!

Want more? Nick Verreos is talking fashion at the Corcoran tonight at 7 p.m. Get your ticket here.