Born in Ohio, Nanette produced her first couture look at 9, dressing a neighbour in a floral bedspread, beaded choker and face paint. The girl posed in the family’s garden behind a sign declaring “Lepore”, and thus began a lifelong interest in fashion. Today, Lepore designs in New York alongside her husband, who is president of the brand. She has dressed many celebrities, including Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker and Eva Longoria.

Nanette’s tips

Keep accessories simple – hoop or delicate earrings, and bangles. It’s time to move on from from necklaces. Think about length – you need your dress to be long enough for sitting on a blanket. Anyway, long dresses are sweet and have a more romantic feel. Wear something bright. Colour is adorable or crisp white.

1 Mango empire-line dress, £21 (mango.com)

I like bold, bright splashes of colour. This is for the bridal shower, picnic or for a hot summer’s day. It’s the hanging-out, spontaneous picnic dress – perfect for sitting on your cardigan under the trees at Hyde Park with sandwiches from a cute local shop. The print looks like a Moschino dress; it has a density to it that makes the red look almost solid. The print is also limited in terms of the colour palette, which gives it an expensive look.

2 Sarah Arnett print dress, (020-7734 1234)

There is a really bohemian feel to this dress and yet it looks new. The colour story is beautiful – the reds against the greens, which are normally restricted to Christmas. It’s a nicely engineered patchy scarf print. This is for the picnic in Sicily under the beautiful ruins of Agrigento, by the seashore, with red wine, cheese and bread. I would wear it with hoop earrings and thong sandals that were picked up in Capri beforehand.

3 Topshop Giraffe print halterneck dress, £38 (topshop.com)

A dress perfect for the Cotswolds, while sitting at a shady picnic table with a basket packed with roast chicken. It’s the perfect Pimm’s and lemonade dress – glamorous, chic and sexy. I would wear trainers with this dress, but more girly trainers, such as my printed Keds. Our store in Westbourne Grove, London, has a raffia version with a knot on the top, which would look great worn with this print.

4 Nanette Lepore Dancing Machine dress, £437 (020-7221 8889)

This dress is perfect for a glamorous picnic on a late summer afternoon. In sumptuous silk charmeuse with festive beading, it has a flirty, outdoor party feel – ideal for slipping into for a fancy picnic. Imagine sipping champagne on a blanket, surrounded by wild flowers alongside a rushing river. It’s wonderful to be outside in the sunshine and still have an excuse to dress up.

Times recommends

• Jamie Oliver's boiling over
• Family homes for the 21st century
• What makes men commit?