Discover Nica’s Inspiration: Time Travel to the 1960s Part Two

I adore most retro fashion scenes but the fun and quirkiness of the 1960s never fails to inspire me whilst I'm designing my handbags. I particularly loved the Mod movement with its innovative aesthetics, colourful fabrics, and bold geometric designs. 

Barracano silk hooded cape by Emilio Pucci, 1965

Source: Emilio Pucci

(Right) Mary Quant Stockings, c. 1960s / (Left) André Courrèges,  Vogue 1969. 

Source: Vogue Archive

“It was a marvellous time. In the ‘60s you were knocked in the eyeballs.

Everybody, everything was new.”

Diana Vreeland – Editor in Chief of US Vogue 1963 – 1971

I really love the swirls of classic and geometric patterns that prevailed within textiles during the 60s. A legendary exhibition called The Responsive Eye, held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1965, greatly triggered the merging of geometric patterns and fashion textiles in the form of Op Art.

Catalogue cover of the Responsive Eye, Op Art Exhibition in MOMA 1965

Source: Cool Hunting  

In particular, dazzling black-and-white paintings by Bridget Louis Riley, a London-based English Painter, whose painting (Current, 1964) was reproduced on the cover of the exhibition’s catalogue, prompted an ‘op art’ fashion craze in the 1960's! Her work greatly influenced the designers of this era, including Pierre Cardin, John Bates, and Mary Quant. 

(Left) Movement in Squares, by Bridget Riley 1961  (Right) Artist Bridget Riley (c. 1960s)

Source: 2 Modern Blog

Mary Quant dress in 1964 

Source: Mary Quant on Tumblr

I actually prefer the op-art fashion trend of the late 1960s, as it was more abstract and less constructed than the early 1960s. 

Op- art fashion inspired textile, photo by André Carrara, 1967

Source: Vogue Italy 

Fashion-trends constantly come back around, and I've already noticed Sixties' inspired playful cuts, silhouettes, and geometric shapes within the 2013 fashion trends but with a modern twist. 

 Model in Kaleidoscope Polka Dot Dress for Dayton, c. 1960s ⓒ Erwin Blumenfild

           Marc Jacobs SS13 Campaign Ruby Jean Wilson

        by Juergen Teller  ⓒ Marc Jacobs

I feel like Op Art's typical geometric form is definitely getting a new lease of life within modern designs. 

Are you ready to enjoy Nica's take on this? 

Love,

Nica Kim

xxx

Festival Fashion History: How to Inspire Your Next Outfit

Nobody can deny that there’s an integral link between fashion and music, and over the years as musical tastes have changed, fashion trends have also followed suit. So, as you can imagine, the music festivals that we flock to each summer have also changed over the years.

For instance, nothing screams Hippie culture more than Woodstock 1969! The feel was relaxed and liberated, and the fashion choices similarly so.

Source: SideStreetStyle

But if we flash forward to the Eighties and look at the fashion choices at the iconic Live Aid concert, the stark contrast is evident. A more androgynous vibe prevailed amongst the women, with artists like Madonna performing in masculine inspired power jackets. Just look at that trend setting print upon her jeans too! 

Source: Live Aid on Tumblr 

Despite the often muddy locations, choosing your festival outfit isn't all about being practical either, it’s a chance to be as creative, or rather, as eccentric as you fancy. 

The general fashion feel of a festival may be different from one decade to the next, but elements from the different eras still appear at today's festivals. Who hasn't bought a Hippie style fringed handbag for a festival, right? 

Actress Sienna Miller's festival style is a prime example of this, as she's often seen channelling that Boho chic vibe, - just as she did at Glastonbury earlier this year. 

Source: Metro

Festival season is in full swing, and we still have V Festival and Bestival to look forward to in the forthcoming weeks, which means that we've still got outfits to plan! Looking back through festival fashion history is definitely inspiring, but if all else fails, we know that we can always opt for that faithful Boho look! 

And nothing completes a Boho inspired outfit better than a fitting handbag, so if you're looking for the perfect piece, then, why not be inspired by Nica's latest Marnie collection?

The owl themed Camera bag or Acrossbody would make the perfect companion to take along to your next festival. 

The Nica Team 
xxx 

Discover Nica’s design inspiration: Time travel to the Sixties

My favourite ever retro fashion era? Definitely the Sixties!

The reason why I am especially fond of this era is because of its pioneering eclectic style, which portrays the iconic youth culture movement, the hippy revolution, and the unique concept of free love, yet still somehow manages to maintain an air of the Fifties' more conservative and constrained style.

Photo by Norman Parkinson, 1963 for LIFE magazine

Source: ShipShapeandBristolFashion

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

-  Coco Chanel -

Vogue Cover - June 1, 1966
 Source: Vogue Archive

Twiggy, 1967

Source: BohoCircus Typepad

The legendary Sixties was the brightest decade in the history of fashion, which was shaped by a variety of radical, forward thinking young Designers such as  Mary Quant, André Courrèges, Mila Schön, Pierre Gardin and Paco Rabbane.

Pierre Gardin’s Cosmos Collection, 1964 
Source: IHT

Metal woven dress by Paco Rabanne - June 1, 1966 
Source: Vogue Archive

Mary Quant’s dresses in 1966

Source: Tumblr

"Wherever the girls went there was silence. Elly was completely blue: blue make-up, blue clothes, blue cap and blue curls. Eva was all green, Del all violet. Some girls were all in black... in their full regalia looking as if they had just left a Fellini set".

- Barbara Hulanicki, 'From A to Biba'.

Biba boutique at Kensington, London in the 1960s

Source: The Pessimiss 

Youths constantly challenged the Status Quo during the Sixties and the concept of subcultural belonging was at its highest with fashion trends predominately bubbling up from the streets. The ‘Mods’ for instance, radically influenced not only fashion trends but also every other imaginable aspects of everyday life.

There were also numerous independent boutiques and designer shops, and each one was famed for its own innovative aesthetics such as Biba with its retro Art Nouveau influenced clothes.

60’s fashion scene in London
Source: YouTube

I've tried to channel the radical, playful and unique spirit of the Sixties in my next range of Nica handbags, so, they all have their own quirky twist. It's been one of my favourite sources of design inspiration. 

I hope you’ll love them as much as I do!

Love,

Nica Kim

X x x 

Behind the Nica Bag: Find out what's inspiring the new Lulu collection

What’s summer without venturing outside and enjoying the great outdoors? It’s the perfect way to enjoy the glorious sunshine that we've been experiencing as of late, and you have to agree that things are at their most beautiful whilst they’re in full bloom during the summer months!

For a Designer, there aren't many other things that are more inspiring than nature itself, and spending summery afternoons at beautiful locations such as botanical gardens like Kew in London can generate a multitude of ideas for new designs. 

Broad walk bedding, Kew Gardens

Source: kewonflickr

Nica’s latest collection, Lulu, clearly has a botanically inspired aesthetic and is positively blooming with floral detail from its exterior leaf shaped charms and flower form hardware, to its unique floral print lining. 

Clear similarities can be drawn between the leaves of the Alocasia Macrorrhizos plant below and the leaf shaped charm upon the new Lulu shoulder bag.   

The Alocasia Macrorrhizos at Kew Gardens

Source: kewonflickr

The pretty shaped petals of flowers just like the Ixora Peter Rapsey inspire charming hardware or even print detail upon handbags and purses. 

The Ixora 'Peter Rapsey' in Palm House, Kew Gardens

Source: kewonflickr

Sometimes just looking at photographs of mixed fields filled with blossoming flowers in a palette of colours side by side can appear to look like a print, so, it comes as no surprise at just how easily they can influence new designs upon both accessories and garments.

Here’s one of our favourite shots of Kew Gardens in full bloom, which could easily influence a new print lining or finishing upon a handbag, wouldn’t you agree? 

Houseleeks in the Alpine House at Kew Gardens

Source: kewonflickr

Why not share your inspiring botanical themed photos with us on Instagram by tagging @nicasnotebook or alternatively tweet us at @Nica_handbags ? You never know who it might influence. 

The Nica Team x x 

Behind the Scenes: Inside Nica's S/S 14 Fashion Shoot

Last week, we were bubbling with excitement as we descended upon the artsy King’s Head Members’ Club in the midst of East London as to shoot our S/S 14 campaign.

If you love Nica’s handbags and want to see exactly how our shoot unfolded, here’s your backstage pass to the day’s events. Get ready for a sneak peak at some of next season’s gems!

The theme of the shoot channelled a geometrical jungle with a Sixties’ bohemian twist, so, nostalgic imagery upon a backdrop of undated quirky patterns were key. 

Make-up Artist Marco Antonio explained that the shoot's make up "emulates that of an old top model with very defined lines around the eyes, a feathery brow, and big voluminous blow-dried hair. This model has amazing skin, so, she doesn't need much foundation but we’re keeping the skin quite matte and the lips too". 

Above, Stylist Aradia Crockett is running through her shoot options with Designer Nica, and explained that the style for the shoot was to be "clean and feminine with a slightly vintage element whilst still maintaining an air of modernity". 

The Photographer of choice was  Rebecca Miller, and the above was an extra shot that wasn't initially planned. She explained that "sometimes those end up being my favourite shots of the day. Charlotte, our model has the most amazing cat like eyes. I was just trying to find the best angle for her. She looks amazing when shot slightly from above. I love all the mix of textures here. I wanted this shot to feel like a lazy late afternoon or hot summery day".

Above, the green geometrical cut out across body Daffodil is being incorporated into a truly retro inspired look. Doesn't this photograph make you feel like you've just stepped back in time? 

It takes a while to get the perfect shot but bags like the new Linda above do make it easier! It's feminine structure and hot pink hue makes it the perfect piece to channel that Hobo vibe. 

And here's another sneak peak of one of the lovelies that you can expect next season in the form of our Sara satchel. The coral Sara was actually one of Stylist Aradia's favourite bags from the entire collection.
Which of the two colour-ways is your favourite? 

The Nica Team  x x