Downtown’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising announced July 31 it has named red carpet designers Nick Verreos and David Paul as new co-chairs of the school’s fashion design program.

Verreos and Paul are the co-founders of the fashion label Nikolaki, established in 2001. They have designed gowns and cocktail dresses for celebrities such as Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, and Carrie Underwood; Nikolaki labels are in more than 100 stores across the U.S. and in other countries. Both Verreos and Paul will continue in their roles with Nikolaki, the institute’s announcement said. Verreos is also known as a contestant in fashion reality show “Project Runway” and for his red carpet commentary for E! Entertainment, CNN International and the TV Guide Network

Verreos – a FIDM graduate and former instructor there – and Paul are assuming the position previously held by Christine Yao, who recently stepped down. The Fashion Institute’s longtime creative director for fashion design, Mary Stephens, continues in that role.

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising was founded in downtown in 1969 and has since grown to nearly 4,800 enrolled students and added campuses in Irvine, San Diego and San Francisco.

Economy, education, energy and transportation reporter Howard Fine can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @howardafine.