30 December 2014

time to think..

Merry Christmas

It's hard not to get reflective when a year comes to an end, especially on those days between Christmas and New year when you have a little time to breath out and put your feet up (if you are lucky that is..). This year has been a busy and challenging one for me and my family but for all it's highs and lows I'm grateful as it has brought us to where we are right now.

Life keeps moving on..

I regret that this space has not been used for personal posts lately and vow to do my best to rectify this and bring you fully up to speed. It seems our life has been moving so fast this year with move after move that it has become tiresome to even recall the events and changes in our lives let alone tell the story. I think my head is still spinning trying to pin down where now is, if that even makes any sense.? But I feel blessed to have landed in a beautiful quiet countryside village that is making peace and grounding all together possible. If you are following @nadinooclothing on instagram you will already be familiar with this charming little place we now call home. The first few weeks we spent wandering the village awestruck by how idyllic and characterful it all is, never mind the joy of having open fields just around the corner. It feels like the perfect antidote to busy city life and we are gratefully soaking it all in. I'm starting to feel like we have found a place we can spend a number of years but I'm not one for getting ahead of myself.. who knows what adventures are waiting round the corner!

Photography by Nadinoo

Little Nadinoo in Frankie issue 63

Hello Frankie bits

I don't think there will come a day when seeing our Nadinoo wears in Frankie Magazine will not induce a merry jig and a hearty yahoOO!! Especially when they insist on writing up such flattery and throwing it our way..

Thanking you Frankie x

Drifter & the Gypsy + Nadinoo + Warby Parker

Could not resist sharing this cute little film by Micaela from the Drifter and the Gypsy, I think we all need this injection of retro colour today. She makes trying on glasses look all too much fun!.. especially when pairing them with the perfect Nadinoo.

By The Drifter & the Gypsy

An interview with me..

Rewind a few months back and you would find me sewing away in our little Nadinoo studio/workshop in Manchester's Craft & Design centre. I loved this space as it allowed me to meet so many inspiring people, some of which had been following Nadinoo since the early days. I always feel humbled to meet anyone who gets my label so it felt pretty special to be interviewed by Emma Lavelle from Kisses & Cross stitches who put this beautifully written article together.

by Kisses & Cross Stitches

I first discovered Nadia Izruna’s work through the blogging community, when she launched her Nadinoo label in 2009. Entitled after her childhood nickname, Nadinoo swiftly became worn and beloved by vintage-loving gals the world over, seen on an array of high profile fashion bloggers and featured in a several notable magazines (most recently, Betty).

When I met Nadia in her studio/store one of the first things I asked her was about this link with the blogging community. “For me it’s been vital,” she replied. “I was fortunate that my first collection was noticed by some influential fashion bloggers who were happy to share my work and thankfully continue to write about each collection we produce. All of this wonderful exposure has fed into other social media channels, enabling customers from all over the world to find us online.”

Once settled into a comfortable spot perched in the centre of the shop at Nadia’s work table, I soon found time trickling away as the conversation became diverted by chat about subjects as diverse as her Manchester roots, Air Bnb, our mutual appreciation for beautiful furniture and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Nadia has an infectious, welcoming personality that is radiated throughout the bright and cheerful space that she previously created and sold her designs from. Having opened her studio in Manchester’s prolific Craft and Design Centre in the midst of the bustling Northern Quarter in April, she has relished the “opportunity to connect with the local creative community and befriend fellow crafters who are in the same position.” When asked what it has been like to have been part of such an innovative environment, she spoke passionately about the other traders that she shared the space with and the accomplishment of her dream to combine a shop with a working studio. “I’ve always dreamed of setting up an open workshop where customers can purchase what is being crafted before their eyes. The Craft & Design centre provided the perfect setting for this with 20 other talented makers to showcase alongside.”

It’s refreshing to see such a design talent returning to her hometown to open the studio she always dreamt of. Having moved around and lived in places including London, Germany and South Africa, it was Manchester’s creativity that drew her back. “It’s always a good place for music with my favourite bands frequently passing through. There’s a cute Art house cinema around the corner from my home for my indie film fix and a constant rotation of inspiring exhibitions in the galleries across town. The Northern Quarter houses a great selection of artisan cafes and bars that offer the perfect place to relax, meet friends and soak up the creative vibes of the city.”

It is a sad reflection on today’s recession-afflicted society that the store closed its doors mid-September; although Nadia is adamant that it will only be a matter of time before she opens her next store space. “I think online retail is a wonderful addition, allowing you to purchase from all corners of the globe but I’m always happy to seek out or stumble upon a beautiful little shop and see the products and setting for myself”, Nadia pondered when asked if she thinks that the future of retail is online.

One thing which strikes me about Nadia’s work is that she doesn’t adhere to seasonal trends, instead producing vintage-inspired, beautifully printed designs that will be loved for life. When asking where she draws inspiration from, my attention was drawn to the simple sensibility that when purchasing a garment, one should think about the longevity of that piece and whether it will stand the test of time: “If I am honest, I feel a little exhausted by fast fashion and chasing the next trend. Perhaps I’m just getting old but I love finding a garment or item and thinking about how much I will love and enjoy it for years to come.”

Inspiration instead comes from a fusion of the past and the present and certain design elements that catch Nadia’s eye. “I’m currently obsessing over Modern Japanese designs with clean lines and fun silhouettes developed through experimental pattern cutting,” she told me. “I also don’t think I will ever tire of classic vintage fashions from the 1900s, so there will always be a vintage inspired element to what I create.”

Prints are obviously one of the most important factors of Nadia’s creations. From colourful ladders to delicate rain drops and intricate flowers, Nadinoo uses striking Liberty print cottons that perfectly complement the clean silhouettes of her designs. I asked if Nadia would ever consider collaborating with a print designer and was delighted to learn that she is currently developing a new range of prints with talented illustrator Genevieve Godbout who illustrates children’s books. “She is a huge fan of Nadinoo, so understands our consumer and the look that we are trying to achieve. We have teamed up with a local print house to digitally print our fabrics onto soft cotton woven fabrics”.

The fusion of such streamlined silhouettes with punchy prints has made Nadia a name to watch amongst a herd of designers who prefer to play it safe and offer the same regurgitated trend-led styles. She has created beautiful spaces, both online and in the Craft & Design centre that allow platforms to showcase her talents.

It makes you proud that she’s a Manchester girl.

Interviewed and photos by Emma Lavelle

from Kisses & Cross stitches

Little Nadinoo

Oopsy daisy dress

I'm absolutely thrilled to share with you our very first Little Nadinoo collection. I don't know what it is about seeing a design in miniature that makes us all turn to mush. We shrunk down a few of our favourite pieces from the Play by numbers collection, so you can now match your little lady if (like me) you love playing dress up together. This really is just a mini teaser collection with very limited stock, most designs only have 1 available in each size so be ready on Friday 12th for the big launch..

Colour me in dress

Paint by numbers

Right as rain dress

Animal Kingdom dress

Animal Kingdom shirt & Playtime pants

Up Ladders Playsuit

Up Ladder dress

Photography by Iann Ivy

Models Emily, Lauren & Lula

Hair + Make up by Lucy Blake

Shoes by Young soles

Styling by Nadinoo

A huge thank you to Iann Ivy for taking these lovely photos and to the mothers of Emily and Lauren for lending us your adorable girls! My daughter Lula also played a small part making the perfect little boy stomping around in our baby shirt and playsuit..

Young Soles were amazing to offer us their adorable shoes to shoot with, I can't imagine a better quality shoe that looks this cute! They are a brand new London based company with a great offering of designs for boys and girls. Now we just need them to start making them in grown up size..

A fond farewell to our Workshop/Shop

Watch the space..

We will sadly be packing up and closing the Nadinoo Workshop/Shop on the 15th of September. Thank you to everyone who came by and supported our little venture, I'm very happy we gave it a try! I can't tell you how amazing it's been to set up this dream space and meet you lovely people, your kind words will keep me smiling for years :)

We will continue with all things Nadinoo online and even have a few fun projects up our sleeve to share with you real soon.

Photography by Nadinoo

www.nadinoo.com

Join us on instagram

@nadinooclothing

Although our blog posts are pretty slow these days, we keep you updated with regular goings on via instagram too. Join us @nadinooclothing if you want a daily dose of all the things we love.

Featured shop on Etsy

READ OUR FEATURE ON THE ETSY BLOG

It was huge honor to be chosen as featured shop on Etsy, over the years I have admired all the talented sellers featured. It was nice to tell my little story again and take stock of what an exciting few years it has been since designing the very first Nadinoo collection back in 2009. There have been many ups and downs but my love for what I do makes it impossible to imagine doing anything else.
To celebrate the past 5 years we are offering a few of your most loved styles from collections gone by. It has been such a nostalgia rush to sew these pieces again, I hope you enjoy them too.

SHOP ETSY

Amber Mahoney for Betty Magazine

When Photographer Amber Mahoney got in touch about contributing some Nadinoo garments for the Betty Magazine Summer shoot, I knew it would result in something special.

Staring: India Salvor Menuez of Next model management

Photography: Amber Byrne Mahoney

Styling: Hannah Kristina

Makeup: Allison Perlstein

Hair: Rubi Jones