Nica SS16: An Interview with Make-Up Artist Cuneyt

Just in time for Christmas, our SS16 collection is finally here! Inspired by designer Nica Kim’s travels, the collection has been created around the idea of motion and fun. Designed for the girl who’s always on the move, it’s a stylish yet practical collection.

To help you understand the feel of our collection that little bit more, we caught up with our product shot's make-up artist Cuneyt to explain a little further. 

Featuring @cuneytozketen

Describe the make-up look for our SS16 shoot?

For the SS16 collection, we opted for a natural look with extra clean skin and defined eyes which we achieved with a brown smokey effect.

Do you have any tips for girls at home trying to recreate the shoot’s look?
For me, the skin is the most important thing. So, they should use foundations that are the perfect match for their skin tones, and define the cheeks bones with a little  bronzer. If they are going out, they can add easy and simple smokey eyes or eye liner. I prefer to keep lips natural, and often use lip-glosses of the same colour.

Where do you source inspiration for shoots?
I'm always researching - from different colours and fashion trends to different looks that I stumble upon. I used to work with M.A.C, so I still always visit their stores for new ideas and to snap up new products. Then, I usually discuss the model's make up needs with the designer before the shoot begins, and do a few trial runs if time permits.

Bag Featured: Madeline Tote

What’s your favourite kind of look to create?

I absolutely love smokey eyes. If you define the eyes, they speak for themselves.

Why did you become a make-up artist?

It’s my absolute passion. I love colours and seeing how I can totally transform a face by simply mixing them up.

What have been your career highlights to date?

After I finished my accounting degree at University, I realised that it wasn't my dream to pursue a career in this area. After 5 interviews I got offered the job at M.A.C as they believed that I had a talent for make-up. That was around 11 years ago, and their great training has allowed me to go on to become a pro make-up artist, and I decided that London was the place to build my career. I love my job! If I was born again, I would be a make- up artist again... And again and again!

You can view our new collection here and we can’t wait to see which ones you’ll be snapping up! Don’t forget to tag your pics @nicahandbags on Instagram. 

Carry Me Away… To London’s Best Cocktail Making Classes

Got a girl’s weekend away in London planned? - Head to one of our favourite cocktail haunts and learn the art so that you can re-create and show-off for your friends at home.

Callooh Callay 

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A class at Callooh Callay includes canapés upon arrival and a tasting tutorial of 'The Four Cocktail Golden Ages'. Those with a competitive streak will be pleased to know that you fight it out with your classmates to make the best classic. The winner gets a £50 bar tab too - So it's worth rolling up your sleeves and giving it your best shot! The minimum group size is eight, but they can accommodate you any day of the week.

Lucky Voice 

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Cocktails and karaoke go together like Pina and Colada, and this one is a classic girls' night out. At Soho's Lucky Voice you'll get a lesson in basic bar-tending techniques and a turn behind the bar. Cosmo in hand, you can stay on to warble your way through I Will Always Love You in a private karaoke booth after the class!

Lucky Voice Soho.

Harvey Nichols Champagne Bar

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Start the weekend with an Ab Fab-style hair of the dog on a Saturday morning. Harvey Nichols' resident bartender will guide you through balancing different flavours and making classic cocktail combinations, before letting you loose behind the bar to practice. Your ticket to Harvey Nichols Champagne Bar also includes a relaxing lunch at the adjoining Fifth Floor Restaurant.

Have you tried out any cocktail making classes yet? Why not tell us @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or in the comments below as we'd love to hear your tips. 

Carry Me Away... To London’s Coolest Hangouts

From new bars to old markets, London has no shortage of great places to visit on a girly weekend away… Here are a few of our faves.

The Little Yellow Door 

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London's charming Notting Hill is home to an eclectic mix of bars, from the historic Portobello Star to the more recently opened The Little Yellow Door. The latter is like a house party where guests can indulge in top-notch food, games, and great drinks and be rest assured they'll leave with a bundle of fun memories. 

Vico

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There's a new restaurant in town from the people behind Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo, offering low-priced Italian dishes, a pay-by-weight rule, plastic stools, and an ordering system so unconventional it has to be explained to first-timers. Confused? Challenge whole-heartedly accepted, especially when there's pizza involved. 

Book Club

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It doesn’t sound like a place for an exciting night out, but behind the sedate name is one of the most consistently creative bars in London. As well as great drinks and food, visit for the packed timetable of events, which includes bands, DJs, lunchtime discos, film dance-a-longs, alternative dating nights, ping-pong tournaments, informative talks, life drawing and classic video game nights. 

We'd love to hear your suggestions too, so why not tweet us @Nica_Handbags?

Nica at LFW SS16

London Fashion Week is one of our favourite events of the year, not only do we love discovering the fresh catwalk trends but we also love seeing who’s been carrying one of our stylish bags to the events. 

Treating to you a sneak peek of the Nica Style Edit to come, the lovely @bonnierakhit opted for a monochrome clutch that she matched to a monochrome ensemble and a cool distressed leather jacket. 

The stylish fashion blogger @polishingcolours also opted for monochrome with the Amanda chain shoulder but created a statement with her striking print shirt dress. 

Next up was one of our favourite fashion bloggers @beth__norton who chose to carry our sleek Belita clutch in oxblood, teaming it perfectly with some statement suede boots. 

We were also really excited to see Look magazine’s Editor @missalihall sharing her LFW essential, her snake mix Belita clutch which she described as ‘perfect for day to night dressing’. 

Feeling inspired by all of the Fashion Week styling? Why not share how you’re styling up your own Nica bags with #CarriedByNica? We always re-share our faves. 

#NicaInspires: Go Behind the Scenes on our First Ever Insta-Walk

We decided to make the most of the summer sunshine and invite a few of our favourite fashion bloggers along to London’s colourful Notting Hill to evoke upon our first ever Insta-Walk. 

Designer Nica Kim was joined by bloggers @rockonholly @beth_norton @tigerlilyblog and @chloeplumstead for a spot of brunch at the trendy Australian inspired FarmGirl Café. 

Situated just off of Portobello road, it’s a hidden gem for anybody wanting to tuck into some healthy yet hearty food, and its quirky décor is right up Nica’s street! 

Notting Hill is one of Nica Kim’s favourite shops in London, so after finishing our delicious brunch and devouring a few coffees for an extra energy boost, she took us on a little tour around her favourite places. 

From gushing over the area’s brightly coloured buildings to taking that compulsory Selfie where the film Notting Hill was shot, it was a fun filled afternoon in the sunshine. 

Each of the bloggers evoked upon the trip with their favourite pieces from our new trendy Style Edit collection, with items such as the monochrome snake mix Tarybackpack and cool Belita clutch. 

We loved discovering some of Nica Kim’s favourite places in Notting Hill but it was definitely thirsty work in the boiling hot sunshine. So, Nica twisted our arm into ending the walk with a drink at one of her favourite Notting Hill watering holes.

In typical Nica style, the traditional pub was filled with quirky twists and even features mini Alice in Wonderland style mini doors separating each of its rooms around the bar. 

You can still follow our day around Notting Hill on #NicaInspires, and shop our new Style Edit collection here. We hope you enjoy our little social tour, and we’d love to hear where your favourite place to spend a Saturday afternoon is? Simply drop us a comment below.