Golden Globes 2011 Red Carpet Trends--Predictions from Nick Verreos

Red Carpet Weekend!

Eva Mermaid: Actress Eva Longoria at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet

Well kids, Awards Season is upon us and the Red Carpet Parade is going to get CRAZY! I'm so excited that I will be doing my post-Golden Golden Globes 2011 Awards Red Carpet Fashion Wrap once again on Monday night (make sure to watch!) with my TV Guide Network team, headed off by our host-with-the-most, Lawrence Zarian as well as Über Stylist , Miss Jen Rade (of course!) and some special guest star experts.

The question on everyone's minds (well, fashion watchers, at least), is what will be the Trends for the 2011 Awards Season and for the first "biggie", the Golden Globes. In terms of designers, you will most likely see the "usual subjects"--Designers such as Reem Acra, Elie Saab, Marchesa as well as biggies like Valentino and Dior.

"Black Swan" actress Natalie Portman is sure to chose Christian Dior (she is the House's Perfume Spokesmodel for Miss Dior Cherie Perfume, after all--and it's probably is in her contract) or Rodarte (the Pasadena sisters who costumed the film). We'll probably see some Versace Atelier and Armani Prive but usually those two are "reserved" for the BIG night, the Academy Awards.

So many people have been asking me about what trends we might see, that I decided to post my "Nick Two Cents" Predictions here on my little ol' blog--and of course, I'm including some of my own NIKOLAKI dresses/gowns as examples:

1) Short & Sexy:

Actress Hailee Steinfeld from "True Grit" in short & sexy cocktail dress

Short cocktail dresses are soooo 2011! Younger--more ingenue--actresses, as well as singers--are opting for the shorter, sexier, more "cocktail" numbers. I know this firsthand from the stylists who are pulling from our NIKOLAKI Studio as of late.

Short & Sexy Black: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul--strapless black cocktail dress in silk and "twisted" organza

They're not just dresses you can wear to your "Winter Jr. Prom", no darling--these short dresses can sometimes cost as much as the long gowns and feature architectural draping and sequin detail that makes them unique and true "mini" red carpet gems.

Beaded, Short & Sexy: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul mint-colored sequin paillete mini dress with cowl detail and silk inner corset

If it's any indicator, we saw a lot of short at the 2011 Critic's Choice Awards as well as the People's Choice. Yes, the Golden Globes is the first "biggie"--and therefore the long GOWNS come out--but don't be surprised if some ladies opt to go Short & Sexy.

2) Architectural:

Aristocratic Architecture: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul mint silk Zibeline column one-shoulder gown with back cascades

Looks that may define "Fashion Gravity" in terms of their draping, structure and sharp silhouette = Architectural Gowns. Draping is no longer just for liquid jerseys and sensuous charmeuse silks (although those two do drape FABULOUSLY!!).

Another example of Architectural Couture: Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive at the Academy Awards last year

3) The Ball:

Ball Gowns might be big--literally--this year, for Awards Show Red Carpets. Tons of designers, from Oscar de la Renta (above) to Marchesa, did the Ball Gown silhouette for their latest Spring 2011 Collections so you might see these on the top nominated actresses. This is a nice silhouette for taller girls or girls who have wider hips yet smaller bosoms.

4) Chiffon:

A Natalie Portman Option: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul strapless silk chiffon printed gown with gathered front

Another 2011 Awards Show Red Carpet Trend, I suspect, is lots of light-and-airy chiffon. Printed, solid or Ombre (shaded). Strapless or one-shouldered. It might be January but it's still a balmy 75 Degrees in Los Angeles darling. It's comfy, elegant and oh-so-deliciously light.

5) Sequin Frenzy:

Ever since most of us (I did!) crowned actress Claire Daines as one of last year's Best Dressed on the Red Carpet (seen above in Armani Prive at the 2010 Emmy Awards), sequins and sequined gowns have made a "comeback" of sorts. These gowns have simple figure-hugging silhouettes and little detail--other than the fabulously hand-beaded sequins of course! Naturally, we had some Sequin Stunners for our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection and here...

I offer an example from a previous season as well:

One Shoulder Goddess: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul one-shoulder black matte sequin paillette gown

6) High-Low:

Actress Michelle Williams in a High-low gown, Critics Choice Movie Awards 2011

Yes, the "Mullet Dress" is here to stay--and I actually LOVE IT! (sorry Kelly Osbourne). I rather like calling it the "High-low" dress however. I realize that the other term is more "catchy" for those "pundit fashionistas". Nevertheless, I think its rather a good look for a lot of actresses on the red carpet. It's dramatic, statement-making and hey, it might get those aforementioned fashion pundits talking (like moi).

The more petite actresses (most of them!) can get away with making a "GOWN Statement" but not be completely covered up and show some leg as well; a slit is not the only option for ladies to do that. Finally:

7) Mermaids On The Red Carpet:

Va-Va-Boom: Kim Kardashian at the 2011 Critics Choice Movie Awards

Last year, actress Eva Longoria looked stunning in a Mermaid-shaped gown (as witnessed from the beginning of this blog) and as in past seasons, this is a Red Carpet staple and definitely here to stay. Just last night, Reality Show star Kim Kardashian worked the runway at the Critics Choice 2011 Movie Awards--in (surprise!) a red Mermaid-shaped gown.

Blue Mermaid: NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul silk Zibeline strapless Mermaid-shaped gown with asymmetrical detailing

I LOVE this shape as long as it's done correctly and does not overwhelm the wearer. It's the "happy Medium" for the actress who wants the "Ball Gown feeling" and at the same time, show some figure-hugging curves. It's also very "Old Hollywood Glamour" (and we know how much fashionistas LOVE that phrase) in terms of its 50's inspired silhouette.

So there you go! Now you have my "Nick Predictions" for the upcoming 68Th Annual Golden Globes Red Carpet Fashions and what we might see in terms of silhouettes and designs and color (BLACK!, ivory, prints, blue, corals, green and yellow). I'll be watching--like the rest of you--on Sunday--to see what the stars really wore...

*And don't forget to watch what I thought of their ensembles--this upcoming Monday Night on the TV Guide Network's 2011 Golden Globes Fashion Wrap.