Exclusive Interview with Nick Verreos

Exclusive Interview with Nick Verreos

Sep 10, 2014

Style Week OC is finally here and we caught up with celebrity fashion correspondent and designer Nick Verreos to give us the scoop on all things fashion as he prepares to return to Irvine Spectrum Center Sept. 20 to host the Spectrum Collection Runway Show.

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Z: We’re excited that not only will you be returning to host Style Week OC for the sixth year, but that you’ll also be presenting your NIKOLAKI Spring 2015 Collection on the runway. Can you tell us more about your inspiration for your spring collection? What can guests look forward to seeing?

NV: I’m beyond thrilled to be back hosting Style Week OC and for the SIXTH time! I cannot even believe it myself. Hosting Style Week OC is always such a joy: the location of the Irvine Spectrum Center and that gorgeous ferris wheel is AMAZING; the audience is always THE BEST and I love being onstage interacting with everyone and doing my “Nick Runway Walk”! And yes, the “cherry on the “O.C. cake” is the fact that–along with my co-designer David Paul–we will be showing our NIKOLAKI Spring 2015 collection.

My inspiration for the collection involved two things: a 70s Vogue Patterns Magazine editorial featuring Supermodel Jerry Hall in India and photos of Jackie Kennedy and her sister, socialite Lee Radziwill from their 1962 trip to India and Pakistan. I just loved the juxtaposition of the Couture-wearing First Lady and her sister among the beautiful saris, the prints, the camels and Indian architecture. All of that added up to a perfect backdrop for my Spring 2015 NIKOLAKI collection.

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Z: What are your thoughts on this year’s new runway design competition with the FIDM designers? What advice would you give to aspiring designers today?

NV: I think it’s so exciting to have a new design competition at Style Week OC and I’m especially delighted that it involves Celebrity Cruises and designing resort wear inspired by the cruise line’s exotic destinations. It’s a “Project Runway” design challenge waiting to happen! But we’re doing it first.

There are many reasons I love this collaboration: I LOVE to travel. My dad was a former diplomat and so I grew up traveling and with the old-school adage of “Dressing Up to Travel.” I cannot wait to see what these talented FIDM designers do. I would LOVE a design challenge to create a resort look for the Greek Islands of Mykonos and Santorini! My NIKOLAKI “Athena” would be the chicest “Celebrity Cruise” guest EVER!

In terms of advice for aspiring designers today, I always say “No Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve…Just Do It!” In other words, follow your gut instinct. My other advice is to “always get the coffee.” When I say this, I do mean that, literally, get the coffee! But I also mean, do EVERYTHING; show up on Saturday to work even though you’d rather be at home sleeping; pick up the fabric on the floor; cut the fabric swatches, do the mood boards, etc. Finally, make your mistakes on someone else’s dime — in other words, pay your dues, work for different companies and learn as much as you can by that experience before breaking out on your own.

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Z: New York Fashion Week is happening right now. What are you loving for Spring 2015? 

NV: I am loving the bold colors, the metallics. I am really feeling the crop tops with big ball gown skirts as well, it’s a modern way of doing evening. Since it’s spring, there will always be floral prints. I like the abstract ones that aren’t so obviously floral. One of my favorite trends is more structure in shapes; a defined A-line, slouchy or rounded shoulders. There’s a bit of architecture in the silhouettes.

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Z: Speaking of trends, what are you a huge fan of for Fall 2014? 

NV: For Fall 2014, I’m a big fan of the 60s, very “Mad Men” shapes — lots of shift and sheath dresses from Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs. That’s something that will continue into Spring 2015. I also think the trend of wearing dresses over pants is one I’m loving. Tunic dresses worn over skinny ankle-grazing pants is a directional way of ditching the legging and oversized t-shirt and looking very NOW! Also, red, corals and pinks are big for fall. It’s always nice to see some color for fall.

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Z: What are your thoughts on all the stylemakers today, especially celebrities, fashion bloggers/Instagrammers and how they contribute to fashion trends and coverage? Do you have any favorite fashion blogs you follow? 

NV: I think it’s exciting to have a new crop of stylemakers making a huge difference and influencing the world of fashion, style, and what people wear. I remember a decade ago when I began showing my NIKOLAKI collection at LA Fashion Week people were a bit dismissive of these new “bloggers.” And now, they’re all sitting in the front row! I think it’s always important to bring in fresh new voices to this industry and therefore all those fashion bloggers/Instagrammer/YouTubers are vital, especially in getting the word out to a clientele that might not even know you exist. Some of my favorites are @feastfashionfaves (LA) @chiaraferragni and @tommyton.

Thanks, Nick! See YOU on September 20!

Don’t miss out on STYLE WEEK OC! Join us on Saturday, September 20 for the NIKOLAKI Runway Show, Celebrity Cruises Design Competition, AND Spectrum Collection Runway Show! The evening begins at 7:00pm in Giant Wheel Court and is, of course, hosted by the one and only Nick Verreos.

Visit www.styleweekoc.com for a complete schedule of events.

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