Nickie Nina
| Company type | Fashion design |
|---|---|
| Industry | High fashion retail |
| Founder | Aliya Ali and Nabila Junaid |
| Headquarters |  Lahore, Pakistan |
Area served | Worldwide; High-end shopping districts in Karachi, Lahore and Dubai. |
| Products | Haute couture; Prêt-à-Porter |
| Owner | Aliya Ali and Nabila Junaid |
| Divisions | Nickie Nina Designer Fabric |
Nickie Nina is a famous, Pakistani fashion label, run by designer duo Aliya Ali (Nickie) and Nabila Junaid (Nina), and recognized as a pioneer of women's fashion in Pakistan.[1]
The label was launched in 2000, and enjoyed immediate success. The duo have since opened a number of outlets in Karachi, Lahore and Dubai; received invites to showcase at the Lakme India Fashion Week, and for Saudi Arabia's royal family; and exhibited at multiple destinations and fashion capitals, including London, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and the United Arab Emirates. [2]
History
2000 - founding and success
Nickie and Nina forged their partnership in 1995, when, in their own words, "there was still a lot to bring into our fashion industry."[1] The Nickie Nina brand debuted in Lahore five years later, in 2000; was critically acclaimed; and had its success bring with it "an unprecedented amount of glitz and glamour."[2] The duo "was invited to attended the year's MTV Awards in Delhi and to showcase at a group show under the aegis of Fashion TV International, in Bombay."[2]
2001-2003 - International success
The label's popularity had spread within and without Pakistan in the short time span of an year, and they staged a number of fashion shows both at home and abroad, including places like Pakistan's cultural capital Lahore, Chicago, Orlando and Washington, D.C..[2]
2004-2006 - Lux Style Awards, second outlet and Saudi Arabia
In 2004, the duo "covered a milestone" by receiving their first nomination at the Lux Style Awards, held in Dubai. The awards, which are also known as 'Pakistan's Oscars,' saw the label compete in the Best Bridal Wear/ Couture category. In the same year, they exhibited in New York, and at the Pakistani High Commission in London; and opened an outlet in Lahore.[2]
In 2005, Nickie Nina showcased at the Presidency of Pakistan, in an event organized for former US President George Bush's visit to Pakistan; held their first Designer's Lounge exhibition in Dubai; and showcased in Houston.[2]
Year 2006 saw the opening of their second outlet in Karachi's high end retail venue, Zamzama. The brand was also invited to Jeddah, where the duo unveiled a collection for the Saudi Arabian royal family. They also returned to Dubai and Chicago.[2]
2007 onwards
2007 marked Nickie Nina's third Dubai exhibition; shows in Orlando and London; and a critically acclaimed presence at the Lakme India Fashion Week.[2]
In 2008, the duo exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dubai and the United Kingdom, and staged a charity fashion show in Pennsylvania, USA. On the national front, they opened a third retail store; exhibited their winter, fusion bridal collection; and launched a sub-label, the Nickie Nina Designer Fabric.[2]
Style
Nickie Nina clothes are not restricted to certain styles but, instead, make use of a variety of fabrics, motifs and designs. They often show a mix of contrasting colouring and, sometimes, gemstones. A source states:
"[They] work with a variety of fabrics and what truly sets them apart is the innovative way they combine two or more textures in a single garment. Similarly, they mix bright and subtle hues in a unique fusion of colour displaying a fine-tuned aesthetic sense. Wasli, karchob, zardozi, silk threads, precious and semi-precious stones are used in fascinating combinations to create unusual and distinctive garments."[2]
According to the duo
The duo, which finds fashion design "an efficient art," believes their label defines "elegance, splendour, comfort and extravagance."[1] Their focus, unlike most other rising designers, is not teens or tweens, but clothes that can cater to all age groups.[1][3]
Nickie Nina outfits are known for their emphasis on colour, and the duo has called the right colouring "extremely significant."[1]
Press and critical reception
Nickie Nina has been generally well-received, with Pakistan's leading fashion magazine, Dawn's Images stating that their "names can be etched alongside the likes of giants Nilofer Shahid and Faiza Samee on the roster of pioneers” and that "It is obvious that, when it comes to fashion, Nickie and Nina belong to the rare breed that sets trends.”[2]
UAE's Khaleej Times has called them "two sisters with an indisputable flair for fashion" and "an impressive team behind ... Eastern haute couture,” while Jyoti Kalsi finds that "Nickie Nina show that sticking to family in fashion is a success."[2]
Commenting on the duo's 2009, Valentine's Collection, FashionCentral has said, "The Nicki Nina Valentines Collection feverishly speaks the language of love and refines the personality of anyone who puts it on. Nicki and Nina do it like non one can. The touch of red could never have looked better."[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e http://www.pakvisit.com/fashion/nickie%20nina.html
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l http://www.fashioncentral.pk/fashion-central/designers/22-nickie-nina/about/
- ^ http://pakmirror.com/pmForum/showthread.php?p=471
- ^ http://www.fashioncentral.pk/fashion-central/ramp/review-30-nicki-nina-valentines-2009/