Owl Inspiring: Discover our Nocturnal Design Influences

Why is the owl the bird of choice within the fashion world, and who could actually pinpoint this trend’s origins? There’s been a long standing obsession with the owl, ever since ancient times whereby it was considered a bird of mystery and magic, - a wizard’s compulsory companion if you will!

We guess that it has to be these mystical connotations that’s helped lead to its recent popularity, which has seen the owl dominate everything from statement rings to the prints upon our tea dresses.

So, let’s take a look at how this beautiful creature has been influencing the world of popular culture over the years.

High Fashion Owls

(Source: People Magazine ZA) 

It’s dominated the most sought after of catwalks and its A-Lister attendees during Fashion Weeks, such as Burberry’s, whereby it was even one their key trends for A/W 12.

Owls in Music

(Source: PitchFork) 

British electronic dance music duo Basement Jazz opted for a military styled owl upon the cover of their fifth album Scars.


Owls in Art

(Source: Tate) 

Throughout the decades, it’s been the focal point of many a painting displayed in the world’s leading art galleries such as the Head of a White Owl by the late Artist Joseph Mallord William.

It therefore comes as no surprise that the owl is also inspiring Nica's designs too, from the clasp embellishment of the Marnie Camera Bag (below) right down to the entire shape of the Marnie Mini Crossbody.

Now that you've seen how we've been inspired by the owl trend, why not show us how you're wearing this look? And tag your photos with @Nica_Handbags on Twitter.

Blogged: Find Out How Hello Ella XO is Styling the Alicia Satchel

We were super excited to discover that our beautifully crafted Alicia satchel was set to appear in Joss Stone’s new music video for The Love We Had! And isn’t it just the perfect piece for her? It manages to effortlessly complement her boho infused style. 

The Alicia satchel is most definitely a classic piece that’s versatile enough as to fit into an array of different wardrobes for a multitude of different events, and the extra stylish Blogger behind Hello Ella xo has proven our point exactly! 

She recently scooped Company magazine’s award for the Best Personal Style Blog, and she’s just demonstrated how the Alicia satchel can be incorporated into her vintage inspired style over on her blog Hello Ella xo. Here's a glimpse of exactly how she's been styling up the satchel. 

Above, the satchel increases the vintage feel, as it's teamed with a dainty floral print skirt, frilly blouse, nude mid-heels and an oversized cardigan. 

She particularly loved how the satchel contains an abundance of useful separate compartments and said, 'it's going to be perfect for days out when I have a lot of (unnecessary beauty bits) things'. 

So, why not head over to her blog and read her full review? 

Discover Nica's Design Inspirations: Boho Chic Part One

Despite the fact that we see the same kinds of trends reoccurring throughout the decades, the resurfacing Bohemian trend never fails to captivate me. The term Bohemian fashion is now more frequently referred to as “boho” or “boho chic”, and it is largely influenced by the hippie movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Source: Inner Peace and Harmony 

Source: Favim 

The Bohemian fashion style originated as an American subculture in the late 1960s alongside anti-establishment and anti-fashion movements. It dominated mainstream fashion throughout most of the 1970s with its romantic accents like floral patterns and lace. These subcultures have influenced decades of fashion, art, music, and reflected the moods in different eras whilst transforming over time.

Source: 60s Fashion

Having said that, the history of Bohemian fashion can be traced right back throughout history, and has often been the exotic alternative to the mainstream fashions. Artistic Bohemian culture incorporates elements of Gypsy culture and diverse ethnic clothing styles, which are generally associated with artists, writers, and other intellectuals.

Jane Morris (William Morris’ wife), The Blue Dress - Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1865)

As aesthetics evolved during the late 19th century with movements such as Art Nouveau, a new kind of Bohemian lifestyle developed, which opposed the rigid social restrictions of the Victorian era. It embraced a style based upon the past, which combined elements from historical costumes and oriental designs that promoted a natural and free lifestyle. 

70s Bohemian Fashion

Source: SighsWhispers

Source: Apparelaficionado

In more recent years, fashion has been accentuated by elements of Bohemian style. Various Designers have interpreted it in their own ways and it's become more of a mainstream trend. It's spirit is still alive, though! As it still promotes creativity and individualism, and it's also a major design ethos for Nica Handbags!

Source, left: 60s Fashion 

Source, right: LittleGoonerBigWorld

I really do admire the Bohemian lifestyle, as it’s just so fun and expressive, and that's probably why it's become my latest design inspiration. I hope that you enjoy it too, and make like a true Bohemian girl by having fun with different and unconventional perspectives towards life! 

Source: Adore Vintage 

Love, 

Nica Kim

Xxx

Satchel Crush: How-To Style Yours

With American diner style restaurants and thrift boutiques popping up all over the UK, not to mention Instagram - social media’s hottest trend, vintage revival is everywhere at the moment. And what better way to champion the vintage trend than with a satchel?

Since its humble beginnings as a schoolboy’s textbook holder, the satchel has grown to become a worldwide trend and staple piece in the bag collections of celebrities and fashionistas alike.

At Nica, we are also quite fond of satchels and have created our very own vintage-inspired collection combining pretty prints, intricate detailing and covetable colours. Let’s take a peek at the current collection and how to style the trend: 

The Classic

Introducing our best-selling Alicia satchel in classic tan, beautifully finished with cut out detailing, a floral printed interior and a simple twist lock. This boho bag was even featured in Joss Stone’s new music video, The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind), and you can read more about our Joss Stone collaboration here. 

Style in the day with a printed tea dress, cut out detail flats and a flower hair accessory. The Alicia also comes in bone white, midnight black and turquoise, which one will you choose?

The Agyness

This year’s Great Gatsby film topped the style charts, with main character Daisy donning mauve Charleston dresses, silver accented jewels and embellished hair pieces. Channel vintage glamour with this Agyness mink pink satchel featuring elegant bow detailing and a branded rose gold charm.

Embrace the 1920’s look and style your satchel with a tassled flapper dress, sequinned finger gloves and the prettiest shoes you can find.

The Print

With a spotted bird print design and bicycle motif, the printed satchel is a playful twist on the classic style and perfect for modern girls who want to embrace the trend without looking like they've stumbled into a time warp. Style this day wear accessory with skinny jeans, brogues and a chunky cable knit jumper.

We hope that this selection of satchel bags has given you some style inspiration – click here to view our full collection. 

Look how well our Alicia satchel fits in with Joss Stone's boho infused style. How would you wear yours? 

Nica Team

x x 

Discover What Happened When Nica Went Behind the Scenes on Joss Stone's New Video

We were thrilled to discover that international Singer/Songwriter Joss Stone is a massive fan of our handbags, and all the more so when we found out that our beautiful Alicia satchel was set for a starring role in her much anticipated new music video for ‘The Love We Had’.

We were invited down for an exclusive behind the scenes glimpse of how the video was made, and even managed to catch up with Joss before the filming began, who flattered us by saying  "I love the Nica bags, they're wonderful - I wear them  for everyday use."

Joss has a much coveted Boho infused style that some of our handbags fit alongside perfectly, so, it’s no wonder that she loves to wear our designs so much. We were even more excited when she told us; "My Mum's got one, my best friend's got one, and we just love them!".

 

Her amazing new song and video depict the story of a breakup, and it's definitely a number that you can't get out of your head after hearing it! Plus, you can spot Nica's Alicia satchel several times throughout! Why not watch our special  behind the scenes video of the filming of 'The Love We Had', and see how many times you can find it for yourself? Plus, that comes with the added bonus of an exclusive interview about the song with Joss Stone!

Here's one of our favourite snaps from her new video... Okay, maybe we were a bit biased because we spotted our Alicia satchel in bone hanging in the background! 

And of course, we couldn't end our exciting behind the scenes news without catching up with brand Founder Nica Kim as to see what she thought about her coolest new fan, who told us; "Joss' individuality, passion for creativity and unique sense of style make her the perfect example of a Nica girl, so, I am thrilled that Joss has chosen to feature the Alicia satchel in her long-awaited comeback video."