Nickie Nina
Encyclopedia
Nickie Nina is a famous, Pakistan
i fashion label, run by designer duo Aliya Ali (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
.
and to showcase at a group show under the aegis of Fashion TV International, in Bombay."
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.
.
, 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.
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.
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 Arabia
n royal family. They also returned to Dubai
and Chicago
.
and London
; and a critically acclaimed presence at the Lakme India Fashion Week.
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.
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 the 16th of 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.
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.
Entitled ‘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 succes 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 the 21st May 2011 at Royal Garden Hotel Kensington, and were in Dubai
with the PFDC Sunsilk fashion week collection on the 6th,7th and 8th of June 2011.
Nickie is currently co-designing a dress for singer/songwriter Beyonce.
. A source states:
Nickie Nina outfits are known for their emphasis on colour, and the duo has called the right colouring "extremely significant." All designs can be seen in http://nickienina.com.pk/# .
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."
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."
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i fashion label, run by designer duo Aliya Ali (Nickie) and Nabila Junaid (Nina), and recognized as a pioneer of women's fashion in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
The label was launched in 2000, and enjoyed immediate success. The duo have since opened a number of outlets in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
and Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
; received invites to showcase at the Lakme India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
Fashion Week, and for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
's royal family; and exhibited at multiple destinations and fashion capitals, including London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Houston and the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
.
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." 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." The duo "was invited to attended the year's MTV Awards in DelhiDelhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
and to showcase at a group show under the aegis of Fashion TV International, in Bombay."
2001-2003 - International success
The label's popularity had spread within and without PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in the short time span of a year, and they staged a number of fashion shows both at home
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and abroad, including places like Pakistan's cultural capital Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
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 AwardsLux Style Awards
The Lux Style Awards is an award ceremony held annually in Pakistan since 2002. The awards celebrate "style" in the Pakistani entertainment industry, and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music, and fashion. Around 30 awards are given annually.The Lux Style Awards is considered...
, 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
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and at the Pakistani High Commission in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; and opened an outlet in Lahore.
In 2005, Nickie Nina showcased at the Presidency of Pakistan, in an event organized for former US President George Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
's visit to Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
; held their first Designer's Lounge exhibition in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
; and showcased in Houston.
Year 2006 saw the opening of their second outlet in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
's high end retail venue, Zamzama. The brand was also invited to Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
, where the duo unveiled a collection for the Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
n royal family. They also returned to Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
and Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
2007-2009
2007 marked Nickie Nina's third Dubai exhibition; shows in OrlandoOrlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; and a critically acclaimed presence at the Lakme India Fashion Week.
In 2008, the duo exhibited in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Chicago, Dubai and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and staged a charity fashion show in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, 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.
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 the 16th of May. Choreographed by Asimyar Tiwana with the event managed by QYT events, the Nickie Nina team also included Pakistani stylist Babloo, anchor Ayesha Sana
Ayesha Sana
Ayesha Sana is a Pakistani actress who has appeared in film, television, and theatre performances. She graduated from Convent of Jesus and Mary in Delhi, India and attended Kinnaird College in Lahore, where she studied law. She went on to get an external law degree at the University of London....
, models Mehreen Syed
Mehreen Syed
Mehreen Syed is a Pakistani model. She has won the "International Model of the Year Award in 2007." Syed is the first Pakistani model to have appeared on the cover of the popular Middle East fashion magazine Alamra...
, Sunita Marshall, Tooba Siddiqui
Tooba Siddiqui
Tooba Siddiqui is a Pakistani model.Tooba started her career from a charity show. Soon after her first show she starred in a Music Video for Pakistani pop singer Yasir Akhtar. The video gave Tooba enough exposure to register her as a newcomer. Soon Tooba packed her bags and moved to Karachi from...
and Nadia Ali
Nadia Ali
Nadia Ali is a Pakistani-American singer-songwriter, born in Libya and raised in Queens, New York. She gained attention as the frontwoman and songwriter of the band iiO, after their 2001 hit "Rapture" reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also charted across several countries in Europe...
, joined by London based model Sadia Siddiqui, Shrina, Gina
Gina
Gina may refer to:A person* Gina , multiple individuals* Gina Inviere, fictional character on Battlestar Galactica* Gina, lead member of Irish pop group Gina, Dale Haze and the ChampionsName Meaning: Beautiful star....
and Hajra Ahmed. Nickie Nina also teamed up with Pakistani music icon Ali Zafar
Ali Zafar
Ali Zafar is a Pakistani musician, composer, song writer, singer, actor, painter and model, popular in Pakistan for his music, including his hit songs like "Channo", "Rangeen", "Chal Dil Merey", "Dekha", "Masty" and "Sajania"...
, 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 exquisite 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 EmpireOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
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
Hadiqa Kiyani
Hadiqa Kiani is a Pakistani singer-songwriter, and philanthropist.Kiani rose to fame in 1995 with her debut album Raaz. Kiani received instant fame and was nominated and won numerous awards in Pakistan as well as International awards. Since her debut, she has released five albums, all receiving...
walked the ramp for Nickie Nina.
Entitled ‘The Poetry of Colours’, Nickie Nina’s PFDC fashion week 2011 couture collection was inspired by the women of Swat
Swat
SWAT is the special-weapons-and-tactics unit of a law-enforcement agency. Swat or SWAT may also refer to:In media:* SWAT , a video games series spin-off of Police Quest...
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 succes of the collection led to the duo putting this collection at fashion store L'atelier in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
.
The duo also participated at the Pakistan Fashion extravaganza Fashion Show on the 21st May 2011 at Royal Garden Hotel Kensington, and were in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
with the PFDC Sunsilk fashion week collection on the 6th,7th and 8th of June 2011.
Nickie is currently co-designing a dress for singer/songwriter Beyonce.
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, gemstonesGemstones
Gemstones is the third solo album by Adam Green, released in 2005. The album is characterised by the heavy presence of Wurlitzer piano, whereas its predecessor relied on a string section in its instrumentation.-Track listing:#Gemstones – 2:24...
. 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."
According to the duo
The duo, which finds fashion design "an efficient art," believes their label defines "elegance, splendour, comfort and extravagance." Their focus, unlike most other rising designers, is not teens or tweens, but clothes that can cater to all age groups.Nickie Nina outfits are known for their emphasis on colour, and the duo has called the right colouring "extremely significant." 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.”UAE's
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
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."
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."