Project Style Minute: Nick Verreos Summer Style Tips on Shoptopia.com

Summer Style Tips for Summer 2012 c/o ME!!!

 Nick Verreos, Fashion Designer, Red Carpet Expert and "Project Style" Fashion Guru and Judge

As Fashion Guru, Judge and Host of the Project Style 2012, Shoptopia asked me a few questions about what I thought were this Summer's must-have's and trends...and well, I told them!!!

So, Fashionista Ladies, if you are getting ready for Summer 2012--in terms of fashion and how to "give style", then here are my suggestions:

 1) Flapper Gal: 

It's all about that "Flapper Gal"-silhouette--inspired by the Gucci dress above. Think: loose, off-the-body tunic shape.

2) Life Aquatic:

Inspired by the iconic Alexander McQueen Spring 2010 Collection, look for aquatic prints--anything watercolor, "Ocean Graphics", like seashells and corals under the sea. Imagine looking at the sea through your goggles and seeing all that under-the-water vegetation---similar to my NIKOLAKI silk chiffon gown here:

Aquatic Fierce: Model Amanda Fields in a silk chiffon strapless NIKOLAKI Collection aquatic-print gown

3) Mini or Maxi...or High-Low:

High Low Diva: Model Amanda Fields models NIKOLAKI Collection ivory silk organza high-low gown with hand-beaded top section

It's all about the extreme and the most popular choices are Maxi or Mini dresses. If you want to combine BOTH, then get a "high-low" dress--meaning short in the front but longer in the back-like my NIKOLAKI strapless High-Low gown above.

4) Neon Krazee:

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos and David Paul Neon: Model Lauren Gish in NIKOLAKI silk chiffon and silk duchesse satin dress with sequined waist trim

Neon is BIG for summer. Bright pinks, aqua, lime or canary yellow--wear the bright neon's with camel tones for the perfect contrast. Take a look at the photos above for your Neon Summer 2012 Inspiration.

Click HERE for my complete Summer 2012 Style Tips.

Resort 2010 Trend Alert: Bright Colors Are Back!!!

Edie Beale 2010: Terracotta Orange Trench Coat by Yves Saint Laurent Resort 2010

It's All About Color Ladies! Yep, Resort 2010 is looking more like a trip to the Bollywood movie set, as opposed to a trip to the Hampton's . Naturally, Spring and Summer are the seasons when designers add color to their collections (as opposed to Fall/Winter black and browns) . But even so, it is unusually BRIGHT.

Duran Duran Back-up Dancer: Cobalt Blue cowl-draped Mini Dress, from Derek Lam Resort 2010

Strong 80's colors, hearken back to the colorful dresses of Stephen Sprouse and the genius of Patrick Kelly. Pastel tones: OUT. Neon brights: VERY IN! Think Cobalt Blue, Bubblegum Pink, Neon Green. Looks like you'll also be needing a FIERCE pair of sunglasses to block out the glare from the women wearing these bright bold colors.

Garden Party: Blues and greens, according to Alber Elbaz for Lanvin Resort 2010

Bubblegum: "Barbie Pink" as shown at Donna Karan Resort 2010

Some say this renewed use of bold colors might be a direct result of the dire economic woes the world is in. Clothing designers are making things look "Happy Happy Happy", showing bright colorful coats, dresses, sportswear and trying to inject a bit of fun into people's depressed lives (Although I doubt someone who can spend $3,000 on a bright Zac Posen Apple Green mini-dress is having an "economic depression").

Robert Palmer Girl: Apple green satin mini dress with black peek-a-boo bust, Zac Posen Resort 2010

VH1 The 80s Are Back: Electric Blue and shocking printed leggings, Alexander McQueen Resort 2010

In all fairness, when looking at the collections as a whole, there is plenty of Black and the Neutrals are well represented. But BRIGHT COLORS are the real story for Resort--and the coming Spring 2010.

Will you be wearing a pair of neon kaleidoscope leggings from Alexander McQueen next January?