I recently had the privilege of doing a little interview/chat with Nadia Izruna, the creative mastermind behind British label Nadinoo. She is such an inspirational woman, truly pursuing what she loves. I hope this leaves you feeling inspired to create. Enjoy!
Me: Tell us a bit more about yourself.
Nadia: My name is Nadia Izruna. I’m a 25 year old British designer currently working out of my East London based studio.
Me: Oh, fun! When/why did you start Nadinoo?
Nadia: I set up Nadinoo early 2009 after leaving my cozy job designing for Puma. I wanted to get back to designing product I truly loved and enjoyed wearing myself. I began the first collection with my final pay packet, sewing small quantities to start with, most of which were custom orders. A year on and I am working on Nadinoo’s fourth collection for the AW10 season.
Me: WOW! You've really accomplished a lot in short amount of time! That's really amazing.
Nadia: Yes, I’m so pleased with the wonderful online following Nadinoo has received through the many kind blog posts and features. It has opened up so many doors and helped Nadinoo get off the ground.
Me: What inspired you to become a designer?
Nadia: I’ve always had a great passion for clothing so it never felt like a conscious decision to go into fashion.
Me: Have any particular designers influenced you?
Nadia: Designers like Hussein Chalayan and Rei Kawakubo definitely drew me towards fashion from an art perspective but I think the love grew mainly while at University getting to create a garment and understand the processes involved.
Me: Very cool. And what's your favorite part of designing?
Nadia: My favourite part is definitely seeing my collections on the beautiful model for the photoshoots, it’s really the first time I get to step back from it and see it all come together. I really enjoy the styling too, it’s like having a life size doll to dress up as I please…
Me: So you do all the styling for your shoots?
Nadia: I used to use stylists for the on location mood shoots but realized I had a good idea of the look after researching for the collection. It's really a great excuse to make use of all the hats, shoes, and accessories I have hoarded over the years at flea markets and vintage stores and even a better excuse to buy more!
Me: Why do you like having an online store vs. a brick and mortar store?
Nadia: I think the practicalities of setting up online were far easier also reaching a wider audience.
Me: Yes, that is the general appeal of an online store. Would you ever like to open up a brick and mortar store?
Nadia: Yes, I still have the dream of setting up my own Nadinoo boutique with adjoining atelier. I daydream about it all the time, imagining my own little Nadinoo world.
Me: That sounds absolutely lovely! What would you enjoy most about opening up a boutique?
Nadia: I think the face to face interaction with customers is something I’m really looking forward to and seeing a customer walk out of the store with a happy Nadinoo purchase.
Me: Where do you find your inspiration?
Nadia: I find lady’s fashion from the early to mid 1900’s incredibly inspiring, I can’t help dipping into era’s and plucking out details and silhouettes that are too good to be forgotten. I chop and change between my favourite eras.
Me: Any eras you're particularly fond of?
Nadia: I’m currently smitten with the 1940’s and all the wonderful accessories a lady must wear: gloves, hats, broaches, petticoats, stockings... the list goes on.
Me: Oohh I LOVE the '40s as well. Do you have a '40s (or any era for that matter) style icon?
Nadia: I love so many it's hard to choose... Kate Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Birkin, Mia Farrow, Audrey Tautou, Zooey Deschanel, all cute, cute cute! Louise Brooks look in the 20's is also one that always stands out for me, it's wonderful to think 100 years on her style is still edgy and relevant.
Me: Any advice to people who want to start their own clothing line?
Nadia: Make sure you are designing something you truly love, it makes the long hours and hard work all worth while.
Me: Well thanks so much, Nadia for that lovely interview!
Nadia: It was such fun! Thanks again for letting Nadinoo be a part of your beautiful blog!
Be sure to visit the Nadinoo shop and blog and be prepared to swoon!
