#NicaDesignAPrint: Lili Price Takes Over Nica's Notebook

Remember our #NicaDesignAPrint winner who won the chance to have her bag design turned into reality and sold as the Lili Price satchel at Nica.co.uk? For the last few weeks she's been over at Nica HQ doing some work experience, and so, she's written this blog post to tell you all about what she's learnt! Take it away Lili:

I loved the whole experience, especially travelling up to London each day and getting to visit different areas after work with great food and atmospheres. The whole experience was very interesting and everybody was really lovely. It inspired me with my own business too, and I want to make mailers, lookbooks, and generally just run my business more professionally. 

One of my favourite parts of the work experience was working with the Graphics Department and seeing how they work. They had really cool work stations! I learnt a lot of different skills and all of the designers gave me a huge amount of advice regarding graphic design. It was also interesting for me to see exactly what it'd be like to work within a Graphics Department, seeing how they interact with other departments, how they meet deadlines, and learning about the print process. 

I also loved going to the photography department. They had amazing equipment! I had no previous photography experience, so, it taught me a lot from discovering new software to photo retouching, and learning about lighting.

I felt like I was given a lot of creative freedom during my work experience, and I even got the chance to create my own collection of bags as practise. I loved researching and looking at all the different sources which identified fashion trends. I then hand drew all my elements and edited them on Photoshop and Illustrator. 

The perfect ending to my fantastic work experience was when the whole team surprised me on my birthday with a cake, and the Senior Designer Nica Kim gave me a lovely book with such beautiful typography. 

Love Lili! 

- x - 

Nica's Design Inspirations: The Classic Satchel with a Twist

From its origins as part of a Roman legionary’s luggage to the bag that many a school girl was forced to carry as part of their uniforms, there’s no denying that the satchel has done a 360, and gone from solely functional to an on-trend must have.

Fashion Blogger @leannelimwalker styles the Alicia satchel

These days, the most stylish way to wear your satchel is classic with a twist, maintaining the functionality of its traditional design yet transformed with on trend finishings. I love the possibilities presented by re-creating a classic, and so, each season I've taken the classic satchel design and infused it with a seasonal Nica style twist. From my unique watercolour prints adorning handy lightweight canvas satchels to bright pops of neon lemon or hot pink illuminating the classic leather feel satchels. 

*Amy Satchel* Other Image Source

For S/S 14, my small Amy satchel was perhaps one of my favourites to design. The shape of the Amy satchel is an absolute classic satchel shape, and I've brought it up to date with bright summer feeling colour pops, and then, finished with a simple splash of laser cut detailing - another of my favourite finishing details for this season. As always, my travels have helped to influence my designs, from the beautiful colours of flowers in bloom at botanical gardens to the intricate shapes upon buildings that inspired my laser cutting. The Amy satchel is also available in classic bone or tan for those who just can't resist a classic wardrobe staple. 

I've also thoroughly enjoyed seeing just how versatile my satchels are to style up into an outfit too, and we've had many fashion bloggers provide us with some gorgeous satchel style. As you know, I love bohemian style, and so, I thought that this was a great #OOTD by the Fox and Feather fashion blog. 

If you're looking for some satchel style inspiration, why not head over to our Pinterest and check out our fashion blogger gallery. 

Love Nica 

- x - 

Blogged: How To Style Your Satchel Urban with the Fox and Feather Blog

This week, we asked Blogger @LeighTravers of the FoxAndFeatherBlog to show us how she’d style our large Sara satchel. We’re always surprised at just how easily this particular style slips into different outfits, and believe it or not, it’s always a great source of inspiration for our own wardrobes too!

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This time the Sara satchel was styled Boho alongside a pretty floral blouse, skinny jeans, a fashionable furry waistcoat and stylish hat. What do you think of her outfit?

She also took the satchel along on a little shoot in order to review it fully. Find out exactly what she had to say over on her blog.

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If you fancy treating yourself to your very own Sara satchel, you can snap one up here. Or, if you already have your own, why not share your style photos by tagging us @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or @nicahandbags on Instagram, and show us how you're incorporating it into your own individual styles. 

How to Style Your Sara Satchel with Tasty Pretty Things Blog

Sometimes reading your favourite fashion blog can be better for picking up style tips than flicking through the leading glossies, as it can inspire more creative and individual outfits. This week, we asked the Tasty Pretty Things blog to review our Sara satchel, and she offered her very own top five style tips as to help us to incorporate the bag into our own wardrobes.

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Tasty Pretty Things' Top Five Sara Satchel Style Tips: 

1) Even though the satchel is very feminine, I suggest styling it with dresses and skirts, rather than masculine items like leather jackets or leather pants.

2) During summer time, tie a nice floral silk scarf to the satchel, to make it more appropriate for that time of year as well.

3) In order to keep the satchel young and fun pair it with colourful sneakers or Converse.

4) Wear it across body for a boho-chic look.

5) Wear it on one shoulder for an 80s inspired, rock chick look.

You can read her full review here. Are you going to try out one of her style tips? If so, don't forget to tag your style photos with us on Twitter or Instagram!