Panamanian celebrity fashion designer Nick Verreos is visiting Southern Florida for the launch of his line at Dillard’s in Pembroke Pines on June 1st at 2PM.
Nick Verreos is a highly successful fashion designer, and TV Guide Network’s red carpet host and correspondent. In 2001, Nick co-founded NIKOLAKI, with design and business partner, David Paul. NIKOLAKI sold in over 150 stores in the US, Japan, and Latin America, and was featured in various publications including WWD, Lucky, GenLux, Us Weekly, and People Magazine.
In an effort to help women look and feel their best, Nick has just launched the NV Nick Verreos dress line in Dillard’s department stores. “I’ve incorporated my love of draping and color and also infused my years of knowledge as a fashion designer with details, fit, and shape that will flatter every woman’s figure, says Nick. “Every woman deserves a red carpet moment. For 10 years, I’ve designed a high-end collection that has been worn by everyone from Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria to Beyonce. And now with NV Nick Verreos, I’m excited to bring this contemporary line of dresses to women across America!”
MSM’s Carissa Davis goes One on One with Nick Verreos – The Dress Collection Interview
What makes you most excited about your dress line for Dillards department stores? What makes this line different from any of your previous collections (other than price)?
I’m so excited for the launch of my new “NV Nick Verreos” dress line, more importantly because this is the first time my designs are available across the country, as opposed to only in specific boutiques or only through “special custom order”. With my high end line of “NIKOLAKI” cocktail dresses and gowns, I had a limited reach of customers (especially with the four-digit price points) but with “NV Nick Verreos” available at about 50 Dillard’s PLUS online, it can reach a “national” market of fabulous women who want to look even more fabulous…and yes, at a lower price points since these dresses retail from $108-$168.
What is your inspiration for your dress line for Dillards?
My inspiration for “NV Nick Verreos” collection of dresses comes from my travels and visiting museums (paintings, sculptures), architecture, buildings. For this Spring/Summer collection, I was inspired by the Amalfi Coast of Italy and one of my favorite places to travel to, Positano. In general, however, I’m most inspired by strong confident women who are not afraid to take chances when it comes to fashion and look chic, sexy and powerful, all at the same time. Those women ARE my inspiration for “NV Nick Verreos”.
How do you incorporate your everyday experiences into your designs?
In terms of my “everyday experiences”, I would say those are not necessarily in every dress but instead my dresses definitely have my “DNA”; I’m half Greek and love interpreting the “Grecian Goddess” draping I love to do, in my designs. My other half is Latino, my mom is from Panama and I grew up in Venezuela so these dresses have a little bit of the fiery hot and very confident Latina woman in them! You might see that in the bold colors or more body-con shapes.
Who did you have in mind when you were designing your dress line for Dillards?
When I was designing “NV Nick Verreos” I thought of that confident self-assured woman I spoke of in the beginning. I always say this line is not for the “Wallflower” girl who wants to stand in the corner with your “typical” black sheath dress, but more for that woman who is not afraid to be seen across the room. She wants to be noticed and be complimented and these are dresses that give her power, confidence and as I say “an ego boost”. My “NV” woman reads all the fashion magazines, all the blogs and wants a dress that looks as if it’s $600 but for $108! She also wants to upgrade from those cheaper dresses (from “Fast Fashion” stores) that either don’t fit her right or start coming apart after only being worn twice!
What is the best accessory a woman can pair with the dresses from your dress line for Dillards?
Besides having me next to them as they make their entrance into a dinner/event/party…I think the (next best) accessory and/or accessories for my dresses would include one or two metallic cuffs/bracelets, a great pair of pumps, nude ones or metallic, and a fabulous clutch. Now, she’s ready for a night out in her new “NV Nick Verreos” dress. On the opposite spectrum of styling, a woman can accessorize one of the printed crepe dresses or draped jersey ones with some simple earrings, gold strappy sandals and then they are ready for a Sunday Brunch!
Did your childhood play a role in your pursuit of a career in fashion and design? And if so, how?
I would definitely say that “Yes!” my childhood did play a role in pursuing a career in fashion and design. As a little boy, we traveled a lot and my first memories of women with style were the fabulously uniformed flight attendants from Lufthansa, KLM, Pan Am, from back in the 70’s (yes, I am aging myself!). Also, growing up in Venezuela, I was very influenced by watching the “Miss Venezuela Pageant” and especially when they would have a GLORIOUS Fashion Show during the “evening gown” competition. I remember being 6 or 7 years old thinking “Wow, I want to make those dresses!”.
What three style tips do you have for Fall 2013 trends? What should women keep their eyes out for?
I would say for Fall 2013, women should keep their (style) eyes out for:
Eastern Influences: Look for dresses with Obi waist wraps and Kimono/Batwing Sleeves.
Leather Accents: Whether it is Faux or Real Leather; mix with Jersey and Stretch Woven fabrics for a modern and direction accent.
Color Blocking: This will be one of the biggest trends for Fall 2013. Look for unique contrast colors such as Peacock Blue with Chartreuse Green. Also, bold black and white shapes highlighting strong silhouettes.
How can you keep a flirty outfit from becoming over-the-top flashy? What really makes the difference between flirty and over-the-top flashy?
I think one can keep a flirty outfit from becoming over-the-top flashy by NOT over-accessorizing; this is one of the biggest mistakes women make. If the outfit and/or dress already is “flashy” whether it is already head-to-toe sequins or has some details such as a crystal-encrusted waistband or shoulders, then use that as an accessory and nix the necklace or the long chandelier earrings. Finally, one can go from flirty to flashy in a hot second when there is just too much being revealed. If the dress already has a very high slit, then a covered up neckline would be best (or visa versa); but having both and too much exposed, well, that takes you into “Hoochie”-zone.
What tips do you have for making a day-time outfit into a night out ensemble? What is the simplest way to do it?
The main tip is changing the shoes and the accessories. In other words, for daytime, you might wear a nude peep toe heel with one of my “NV Nick Verreos” dresses but then have a gold strappy heel in your “bag of Style Tricks” to change when you want take your look from 3pm to 8pm. Finally add one or two metallic bangles (one copper, one silver) and now, you are ready for “Cocktail Hour”, as they say.
What advice do you have for an aspiring designer? What are the three most important things an up-and-coming designer must do for success?
The three most important things an up-and-coming designer should always keep in mind are:
1) Always remember that moment when you began to dream of becoming a fashion designer and don’t let that leave your mind; whenever I am feeling like “How long can I go on…” I think of being that 6 year-old boy watching “Miss Venezuela” and wanting to make ALL women look that beautiful in my designs.
2) Always go above-and-beyond when working out in the industry. I always tell fresh out of fashion school kids to DO EVERYTHING and show up on a Saturday (even if it’s not in your Mon-Fri schedule), pick up the fabric swatches from the floor, get the coffee, be there at 7:55 am when you’re supposed to show up at 8am. And do this for the next TEN years if you have to. I did. I always say “You’re not a DIVA until you have a ‘Diva’ resume!” so work, work, work. And this perseverance and going above-and-beyond is what I think helped me be successful.
3) Be nice to everyone you work with…the seamstresses, the patternmakers; you’re not too good for anyone. You never know when you might want to start your own company and need those seamstresses/patternmakers help.
Launched in the spring 2013, the NV Nick Verreos brand is a collection of feminine, flirty, and ethereal dresses for women who are not afraid to take risks. With a variety of styles, colors, sizes, and price points, the NV Nick Verreos line will make any woman look her best, and feel more confident. To view the entire collection, please visit NVNickVerreos.com or Dillards.com. Like us on Facebook.com and join the conversation on Twitter.com