Nickie Nina

Nickie Nina is a famous Pakistani fashion label, run by designer duo Aliya Nazir (Nickie) and Nabila Junaid (Nina), and recognized as a pioneer of women's fashion in Pakistan.

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.^[1]

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."^[2] 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."^[1] The duo "was invited to attend the year's MTV Awards in Delhi and to showcase at a group show under the aegis of Fashion TV International, in Bombay."^[1]

2001–2003: International success

The label's popularity had spread within and without Pakistan in the short time span of a 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..^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

2007–2009

2007 marked Nickie Nina's third Dubai exhibition; shows in Orlando and London; and a critically acclaimed presence at the Lakme India Fashion Week.^[1]

In 2008, the duo exhibited in New York City, 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.^[1]

Each piece of Nickie Nina 2009 Designs has complexity of style and is solely designed for special events like mehndi or wedding day. Deep colored sheer fabrics fully ornamented with intricate embellishment on borders, sleeves and neck are basic ingredients while neck area emphasized with glittery and glowing threads. These royal attires drive femininity in women proving them a must occasional wear. The creative work could not remain devoid of the huge admiration and appreciation it deserved. Organized by the very talented Qasim Yar Tiwana (QYT), who added his own magic to the event, making it a huge success, overall.

Nickie Nina also showcased their designed philosophies at the 'Meena Bazaar Monday Masti Awards 2009.

Also in 2009, Nickie Nina and the Swiss Pakistan Society collaborated to stage an exclusive Nickie Nina fashion show fundraiser in Geneva, at the prestigious Kempinski hotel, on 16 May. Choreographed by Asimyar Tiwana with the event managed by QYT events, the Nickie Nina team also included Pakistani stylist Babloo, anchor Ayesha Sana, models Mehreen Syed, Sunita Marshall, Tooba Siddiqui and Nadia Ali, joined by London-based model Sadia Siddiqui, Shrina, Gina and Hajra Ahmed. Nickie Nina also teamed up with Pakistani music icon Ali Zafar, who staged an acclaimed performance at the show. All funds raised were donated to the Pine Hill Academy School for the deaf & hearing impaired children.

2010–present

In 2010, the designers featured their collection at the Veet Show 2010. Along with this, PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2010 was opened by Nickie Nina featuring a dervish whirling to a spiritual beat which was later followed by the label's Couture collection. The Couture collection which was inspired by Kösem Sultan, mother to the Ottoman Emperor and later to become one of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire and Muslim history. Nickie Nina's dynamic Fashion Week Couture collection took a cue from this classy and powerful feminist, illustrating her bravery and legendary poise through a series of elegant and vibrant designs. The collection used flowing lines and rich hues merged with extravagant embroidery and traditional embellishments that brought to mind the regal days of yore. Speaking about their participation and their collection at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week, the duo has said, "Hailing from a family of formidable women, the iconic design house of Nickie Nina has always sought to represent strong feminine ideals in its collections". Renowned musician Hadiqa Kiyani walked the ramp for Nickie Nina.

Titled "The Poetry of Colours", Nickie Nina's PFDC fashion week 2011 couture collection was inspired by the women of Swat and their bravery in the face of terror and occupation. Their fashion showcase includes a merger of traditional Swati designs and embroidery with Nickie Nina's contemporary embellishment in a diversity of vibrant hues combined with their signature black and white focus. The huge success of the collection led to the duo putting this collection at fashion store L'atelier in Islamabad.

The duo also participated at the Pakistan Fashion extravaganza Fashion Show on 21 May 2011 at Royal Garden Hotel Kensington, and were in Dubai with the PFDC Sunsilk fashion week collection on 6–8 June 2011.

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."^[1]

According to the duo

The duo, which finds fashion design "an efficient art", believes their label defines "elegance, splendour, comfort and extravagance".^[2] Their focus, unlike most other rising designers, is not teens or tweens, but clothes that can cater to all age groups.^[2][3]

Nickie Nina outfits are known for their emphasis on colour, and the duo has called the right colouring "extremely significant".^[2] All designs can be seen in http://nickienina.com.pk/# .

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."^[1]

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."^[1]

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

External links

• A Nickie Nina Fashion Show (Text and Photos)
• An interview with Nickie and Nina