Nica at London Fashion Week

As London Fashion Week is over for yet another season, there’s no denying that the Nica team are feeling a little sleepy after all of the fun that we've had but that's not going to stop us from sharing all of our LFW highlights with you!

 On the FROW 

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We've loved watching Fashion Editor Bonnie Rakhit style up some of our new A/W 15 pieces during LFW, and we hope that you've also enjoyed getting a sneak peek of what’s to come by watching our coverage on Instagram. If not, why not go behind the scenes and catch up now? 

Outfit Inspiration

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The lovely blogger Lily Kitten kicked off our LFW fun with some outfit inspiration featuring the ultimate companion for the event, our Venice tote, which is perfect for storing everything you need whilst running from show to show.

At the Shows

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If we’re not attending the shows during LFW, then we’re watching the live stream online as we love watching the new trends emerge as soon as we can. This time around, Nica managed to attend one of her favourite designer’s presentations, Orla Kiely. It was a beautiful collection and she even managed to get a cheeky snap with the designer. 

Nica Street Style

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As Fashion Week ends, we always love taking a look back at our favourite street style moments too, and this time around, Stylist Lucinda Anderson caught our eye with her Nica Venice clutch at Somerset House. Opting for a head to toe white ensemble, the black clutch made a great contrast. What do you think about her #NicaHandbags style? 

Now we want to hear about your Fashion Weeks! Did you have any favourite shows or see any trends that you just can’t wait to wear this A/W15? Then, why not drop us a comment below or tweet us @Nica_Handbags? 

Go Inside the Park Chan-kyong & Lina Selander Exhibition with Nica

This week, I went along to London’s Rivington place to explore another exhibition that I've had my eye on. This one being a curation of two solo exhibitions featuring work by the Swedish artist Lina Selander and the Korean artist and film-maker Park Chan-kyong.

The exhibition looks at how film and photography in hand with political trauma have helped to shape modern society, and features the perfect combination of shorts alongside still pieces of art.   

Earlier this week, we were talking about creating the perfect workspace, and looking back at my snap inside the exhibition above had me dreaming about such a minimal desk. Especially one that with a direct view of such beautiful pieces of art. 

My desk is never this organised and I’ve got to admit that there’s something about the above that makes me want to sit down and start sketching. Sometimes it’s the finer details that transform something from ordinary into extra-ordinary, and that’s exactly what I thought when I spotted this little stool at the table.

The stencil artwork makes the piece, and reminds me of my own watercolour paintings which I love to create so much. I could imagine myself continuing the pattern onto the table and other surrounding chairs if I’d have got the chance.

I like going to exhibitions that involve more than just looking at the paintings, so I really enjoyed that this one was complemented by short video clips and projections. It’s a great way to keep you both informed and engaged throughout. 

I like going to exhibitions that involve more than just looking at the paintings, so I really enjoyed that this one was complemented by short video clips and projections. It’s a great way to keep you both informed and engaged throughout. 

I popped on the headphones and immersed myself in a beautiful piece of art, and sometimes you just never know how such great work will inspire your own future designs. 

I’m set on visiting plenty more exhibitions this year, so if you have any tips please drop me a comment below or tweet me @nica_handbags. 

How To Create the Ultimate Workspace

We’re not all blessed with mansion living, so for lots of us creating a workspace that’s both functional yet aesthetically pleasing can become quite the challenge.

So, whether you're a freelancer, a blogger or a student follow our crafty design tips for some workspace inspiration, and create yourself an amazing place to do your work. 

The Student

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If you’re a student who’s still living in a tiny bedroom at your parent’s, then there’s no doubt that your workspace is something that you use for more than just doing your homework on. Everybody needs a place to do their make-up before a big night out, right?

The key is to optimise the little space that you have. Try adding in a bunk bed and using the new found space below it as your office come make-up room! 

The Blogger 

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A tidy desk is a tidy mind and keeping organised is the key to optimum productivity, and as lots of Bloggers also work full-time alongside their hobby, time is of the essence.

Devise a place for all of your essentials. Invest in drawer tidies and storage boxes for underneath your desk so that everything has a home and you’ll never waste time rummaging through random piles again. 

The Freelancer 

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In turn with freelancing comes the freedom which many of us strapped to our 9-5 office desks desire, but the downside of course, is that your home then also becomes your office. If you’re at the beginning of your freelancing career, then you’re probably living in a dingy one bed with no spare cash to even consider desk surfing at a co-working space.

So, make the most of the space you have and section up your flat into separate areas. If you’re blessed with a built in wardrobe, set up your office inside, and at the end of your working hours, simply close its doors and reclaim your home space.

What are your thrifty tips for creating the perfect workspace? Drop us a comment below. 

Nica's Favourite Things: Inside the Hem Yard Hotel

If you want to be a designer, then you need to keep up with the industry’s trends, which means that I often find myself visiting plenty of trade fayres like the Lineapelle leather exhibition that I visited last week.

This time around, it was held at London’s Him Yard hotel and as I was perusing the rows of leathers, I absolutely fell in love with the venue! The Hem Yard hotel is based in Soho, just yards from Mayfair and boasts individually designed rooms by its co-owner and interior designer Kit Kemp.    

Everything from the bar to the hallways are completed with a quirky finish which is something that I can really relate to as a designer, and it's definitely one of the most fun hotels that I've ever visited. 

I loved its interior so much that I had to explore as many rooms as possible after leaving the exhibition, and discovered a room that featured the perfect combination of vintage feeling posters and contemporary lighting. Now, if only I could make my showroom look a little bit like this.  

My own apartment is filled with an eclectic mix of furniture and fun bits and bobs that I’ve collected from all around the world. So, I immediately fell in love when I walked into their tea room with its fun mix of different chairs and exuberantly painted walls. It’s one cool place to enjoy a cup of tea.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I found the perfect place to enjoy a drink too. Lavishly decorated in lustrous red and complemented with eye popping neon lights, it’s a room with a definite Nica style twist! 

I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering a new place in London with me, and if you unearth a must see location, then why not share it with me by dropping a comment below?   

Alternative Valentine's Day Ideas

It’s easy to sweep Valentine ’s Day under the table when you've been in a relationship for a while but we can’t think of anything better than a day that celebrates love. So, why not forget the standard pizza and dvd combo and celebrate the occasion this year with one of our alternative Valentine’s Day ideas?

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Drink gin cocktails at a speakeasy

Valentine’s Day isn't all about expensive fancy dining for two, instead it should be viewed as a fun evening to spend with somebody that you love. So, what could be more fun than heading out for a few gin cocktails? If you’re London based there’s a whole new wave of secret prohibition-style cocktail dens to discover. 

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One of our favourites and one of the first to hit London is the Marylebone based Purl which boasts a great range of multi-sensory cocktails complete with aroma, fogs and even foams! It makes cocktail drinking that little more fun and lavish for a special occasion. 

Dine in the dark

If you can’t resist venturing out for a meal then mark the occasion with something a little more exciting by opting for a culinary experience completely in the dark. Restaurants like London’s Dans Le Noir make a great evening out, as you are treated to delicious food in the pitch black.

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There’s no denying that things could possibly get a bit messy whilst trying to eat in the dark, which wouldn’t be ideal for a first date but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Eating in the dark will heighten your taste buds and you’ll experience a meal like never before.

Go to a gig

Now, we have a suggestion that you’d definitely never consider as your typical Valentine’s date location, - but you really should! Choose a gig by an artist that you both like and soak up the fun atmosphere with a few drinks. If you opt for a cool venue like Camden’s Koko club, be quick and you can watch the show from the comfort of a sofa on one of the balconies.

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Do you have any alternative Valentine’s Day ideas? Why not get in touch and let us know by tweeting us @Nica_Handbags?