Anokhi Fashion Lifestyle Entertaiment

Nickie Nina brings romance to the runway

BY TAMARA BALUJA

*published Spring 2009

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NICKIE NINA

With an indisputable flair for fashion, sisters Aliya Ali (Nickie) and Nabila Junaid (Nina) have been bringing out the latest trends in South Asian fashion since they launched their luxury brand Nickie Nina in 2000.

These ladies are the “it” designers of the Lahore fashion circuit. Nickie Nina focuses on the modern cut, but with a gentle mix of practicality in their design, to complement the feminine figure. Since their launch in 2000, they have tapped into a market that thirsts for such haute couture sensibilities. Working with a variety of fabrics, including wasli, karchob, zardozi, silk threads, precious and semi-precious stones, they deliberately set themselves apart by their innovative use of fabrics in one single garment. Their knack for mixing it up is clearly reflected in their unique fusion of colour, which best exemplifies their fine-tuned aesthetic sense. Continually recognizing the overall needs of the stylista, they also have expanded into an accessories line with a collection of clutch purses and are currently working on an exclusive jewellery line.

It all began with a simple desire to create. Constantly designing clothes for each other, their talent was quickly recognized by their family and peers. Soon they were taking requests for one-of-a-kind creations, and they have never looked back. Proper fashion school beckoned, and that gave them a forum to learn about the business of fashion. The sisters explained, “Not only did we learn about fashion, but we also acquired a lot of education about marketing, styling and the grooming of personalities. It widened our concept of fashion, and it gave us an understanding of the influence of fashion in each and every aspect of one’s life”.

And it definitely paid off.

Nickie and Nina have been invited to present their collections at various exclusive fashion shows around the world including Washington, Chicago, New York, the UK, Dubai and Bahrain. They were also extended an invitation by MTV Awards to showcase at a group show under the aegis of Fashion TV International in Bombay in 2000.

The label had a landmark year in 2004 when Nickie Nina received its first nomination for the prestigious Pakistani Lux Style Awards, held in Dubai, in the best Bridal Wear/Couture category. They were also invited to showcase their work at the Pakistani High Commission in London.

Upon returning home to Pakistan, Nickie Nina opened its ready-to-wear flagship store in Lahore’s trendiest spot, M.M. Alam, followed by expanding to Karachi in 2006 and making their presence known rather quickly with the fashion set at the Port City’s high end retail venue, Zamzama.

As word quickly spread among the stylish set, that a Nickie Nina needs to be had, respective heads of state had also started extending requests for private showings. In 2005, they were invited to present their work at the Presidency in Pakistan in an event to honour then US President George W. Bush’s visit to the country. The following year, they were asked to make a similar presentation to the Saudi Royal Family in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Lakme Fashion Week in India was the place for Nickie Nina’s first catwalk debut in 2008 to critical acclaim. That same year was a year of purpose: to make couture more affordable understanding the current economic condition. Therefore the inspiration was to create a simple fabric that could be cut to an affordable size and be fitted and styled to an individual's personal tastes.

Their design philosophy as for all timeless pieces is simple: emphasis on the use of modern silhouettes with eastern flair. “Our main emphasis is to use modern western silhouettes in eastern dress to create a blend of both eastern and western style, “ Nickie Nina explains, “The look that we create for a client always remains classic yet contemporary.”

Their Spring/Summer 2009 Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture collection entitled Romance and Fantasy is all about silks and breathy chiffons. This collection celebrates classic silhouettes with detailing in French lace, gathers, pleats, ruffles and ruches coupled with intricate stitching detail that add both volume and structure to their ensemble pieces. Expect a generous touch of elaborate stone work, luxe embroidery and fantastic bright colours. Nickie Nina’s declaration of colour is refreshing: who says fantasy and romance are conceived in pinks and lilacs? Nickie Nina’s Spring/Summer 2009 designer fabric collection will introduce exciting new embroideries and block prints patterns as well.

Nickie Nina is currently available In Lahore at MM Alam Outlet and at The Boulevard 10 Q and in Karachi at the Nickie Nina Zamzama Outlet. Overseas clients can purchase their exclusive collection online. For more information, please visit www.NickieNina.com.