Project Runway 2: An Interview with Fashion Favorite Nick Verreos

Nick Verreos, the much loved designer and fabulous favorite of Project Runway 2, was nice enough to take the time to share with me a bit about the show, what life is like after Runway, as well as what he plans for his future.

RNO: First off, Nick, thank you so much for taking a moment out of what I know is a busy time for you. I have to confess, I’ve been a fan of yours from the get go, certainly saw you being in the final three (along side Chloe and Santino) and as the designer most likely to win Project Runway. I know you have a ton of exciting things going on and I’m sure the readers want the dish on it all. Would you indulge me for a moment so we can put your Project Runway experience to bed before moving on to the present and future?

Nick: First of all, Sandy, I want to thank you for such lovely words. I am still humbled by people’s reaction to my participation in the show. Please, ask away!

The Past: Project Runway 2

RNO: Your huge win during the Barbie challenge was well deserved. (Yes, I am a proud owner of Nick’s “My Scene Barbie”). What other challenges were favorites and did any bring out a new or unexpected side of Nick?

Nick: The first challenge, where we received six yards of muslin and $20 with the instructions to create something that best exemplified our design aesthetics, was one of my favorites, because it showed I could do a “Red Carpet” worthy gown with only those supplies. I also loved the Nicky Hilton challenge because, again, I am used to designing these types of dresses for this type of client. As far as finding an unexpected side of me, the Clothes Off Your Back and Flower Power challenges really made me work from a different or “organic” point of view. I usually know exactly what I am going to create before I begin draping, but with these two, the dresses were created as I was draping the cut-up fabric (or plants!).

RNO: When you viewed the show, did you see any parts of yourself that you didn’t like? Are their moments you wish you had handled differently?

Nick: I was satisfied with how I was portrayed in the show. What the audience saw on TV is how I really am. I did not become a “character” or feel I had to change for the cameras. Most of my friends, after watching the first episodes, remarked, “That’s the Nick we know and love!” During the Inspiration challenge, after Zulema took my model, something else occurred hours after I had begun my Inspiration dress that I am not at liberty to go into depth about. Let’s just say, I was “over it.” This is when you see my conversation with Daniel V. where I tell him, in fact, that I was through and how I just wanted to go home. Now, looking back, I was just being my Greek/Venezuelan “novella” dramatic self. I showed the producers and other designers that, possibly, I might not have had the determination or want to be in the final three. Looking back, I gave them a window that I should not have. This I wish I had handled differently.

RNO: Your Nicky Hilton challenge gown was gorgeous. (Obviously, Brenda Strong from Desperate Housewives thought so too, as you created one like it for her.) Is there anything you could have done differently to secure what many thought should have been your challenge win?

Nick: Thank you! I thought the gown was gorgeous as well. I created a sexy, young, bias-cut aqua-colored dress that would compliment Nicky’s figure and her sky-blue eyes. I heard that the judges had a difficult time trying to decide between me and Santino and it was Nicky who finally picked Santino’s dress. Of course I totally agreed that she should have the final word since she was the client . Regarding doing anything different, I would not have. As you saw, I already felt like a “poor Mexican kid in Tijuana trying to sell his Chicklets to make a living.” I think it’s tacky to be a “car salesman” when it comes to wanting someone to buy (or wear) my designs. A woman either loves them or does not. Period.

RNO: In the Inspiration challenge that you mentioned, you lost your model, Tarah, to fellow designer, Zulema, which dealt you a hard blow. Are you and Tarah still in touch? Have you forgiven Zulema?

Nick: I love Tarah! From the moment I first saw her walk through the doors of the workroom, I said “Please let it be her,” and it was. We were “sewn at the hip” from that moment! She was my muse because she walked so well, had a fabulous body, and was so nice with no “model attitude” whatsoever. She has been doing really well; in fact, she got a huge Maybeline contract and is being featured in their ad and commercial campaigns. When Zulema took Tarah, under the rules of the show, she had every right to do that. Would I have done that? No. But because of the Project Runway “bubble” that we were living under, it was a hard blow for me. In fact, I remember feeling nauseous when it happened. I felt Zulema was just doing it to get camera attention. Consequently, of course, I have forgiven her.

RNO: I loved the Garden Party challenge and gave kudos to all the designers for having to work with so little. Did the producers ever admit that they didn’t supply enough funding to make this work (meaning let you buy the flowers the judges complained were lacking)?

Nick: I do not remember the producers ever admitting that they should have given us more funds to buy more plants and flowers especially. I do recall Tim Gunn suggesting that we should have gotten more money, but this is what we got. In his words, we had to “make it work.”