'Project Runway' battle coming to Southdale

Move over, Christopher Straub and Katherine Gerdes, another "Project Runway" alum is invading your turf this weekend. Nick Verreos, best known from the show's third season, will host the Macy's Fashion Director Contest at Macy's Southdale.

It's the live show version of the Macy's website -- www.macys.com/fashiondirector -- that allows users to design outfits. During the event, Verreos will select nine shoppers to battle onstage to create the best outfit. After a mini runway show, the audience will choose the best look and the winners will receive $100 gift cards.

Verreos has seemingly endless energy. He presented his spring collection for Nikolaki (with collaborator David Paul) last week during Style Week Orange County, teaches at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and blogs about current "Project Runway" episodes on Lifetime's website (www.mylifetime.com/projectrunway). He called in with the scoop.

Q What's your spring 2011 collection about?

A I started looking at art books months ago and came across a 1911 Boldini portrait of this socialite, Rita Lydig. She's wearing a cowl-neck, bias-draped dress. She was an American of Cuban and Spanish heritage and I'm half Venezuelan, so there's always a little Spanish in my design. She was married twice to millionaires and would take 30 Louis Vuitton trunks with her on trips. I designed for the 2011 version of Rita Lydig.

Q You offer advice during the Macy's event, so what are the key pieces we need for fall?

A You don't have to be trend-driven from head to toe. If you're a style-savvy Minneapolis girl, I would say, above anything, pick out something military-inspired. That doesn't mean you're going to pick out a real military jacket. A nice fitted jacket in khaki with epaulets and gold buttons. The fur vest in faux fur and definitely something metallic, like pumps, a purse or a necklace.

A Do not tell Tim Gunn that Lady Gaga is your inspiration. Every other person we saw in casting said that and Tim wanted to throw a ruler at them. Do your homework and come with a concise grouping of designs. Be ready to sell it. When it comes down to it, it's a TV show.

Macy's Fashion Director Event with Nick Verreos, 2 p.m. Sat., Macy's Southdale, first floor.

Design eye

As one of only five people in the world with a doctorate in Decorative Arts and Design History, Stephanie Lake has developed a keen curator's eye for museum-quality aesthetics.

What's a stylemaker and academic to do next? Design jewelry.

The pieces are standouts -- one-of-a-kind and designed with an aesthetic that stays true to the materials being used. She sources components from all over the world and uses everything from rough and uncut semiprecious stones such as amethyst, coral and malachite to artifacts from the 18th century and repurposed pieces from Chanel and Dior. "Nothing is sacred, in terms of what I'm willing to take apart," said Lake, who also is the creative director for the Bonnie Cashin Foundation.

Although Lake will wear one of her designs anywhere from the grocery store to a black tie affair, her creations are not for the meek. "They're not for dancing," she said. "They're for cocktail parties, dinner parties. They're works of art."

You can take the designer out of academia, but you can't take academia out of the designer. "I hope to expose everyone to a bit of design history."

Stephanie Lake Design trunk show and Guild's Premier Fall Shopping Experience; jewelry ranges from $175 to $1,250, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., Guild, 4414 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, www.stephanielakedesign.com.

Angels and Divas Making a Difference fashion show: The event includes a show, appetizers and shopping, with proceeds benefiting the Angel Foundation.

Arbor Lakes Girls' Night Out: Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, a pink carpet, appetizers and gift bags. All proceeds benefit locally based Hope Chest for Breast Cancer.

4 to 9 p.m., Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove; check in at the former Sharper Image space, $10 per person, hopechest.event brite.com.

W7 Collective pop-up sale: This occasional mart features items from the world of fashion, art, accessories, paper, home and furnishings by local vendors.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thu. and Sat., and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fri. (live music and complimentary tastings in the evening), Pilney Building, 1032 W. 7th St., St. Paul, www.w7collective.com.

SATURDAY

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mall of America, Macy's Court, www.lhj.com/ladieslounge.

Rocco Altobelli Fashion Awards: The 35th annual incarnation of the hair and style extravaganza will feature more than 200 hair and makeup looks with an emphasis on creativity and trends.

6:30 to 10 p.m., with after-party until 2 a.m., Epic Entertainment, 110 N. 5th St., Mpls., $31 for general admission and $45 for VIP, available at Rocco Altobelli Salons, www.roccoaltobelli.com and at Epic.

The Foursome's 75th Anniversary sale: Get 20 percent off entire stock and $75 specials, such as $75 off Austin Reed navy blazers. Customer appreciation party Saturday, with proceeds from $25 tickets going to Interfaith Outreach. Attendees will receive a $25 gift card.

Sale through Sun., 3570 Vicksburg Lane N., Plymouth, 763-473-4667, www.the foursome.com. Party 6-9 p.m. Sat.