NAME: Nina Karina Nikicio
AGE: 26
WHAT YOU DO: Head of Designer and a Creative Director for Nikicio
WHERE YOU FROM/ LIVE: Jakarta
URL: www.nikicio.com
WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY TO HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE:
try everything you can. be spontaneous. never be afraid. you only live once baby.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING FOR THIS PROJECT:
will make a short film based on selection of dreams I had. I store a selection of dreams I had when I woke up and even have sketches or stories from those. During dream(s), it feels like I’m familiar with my surroundings but I cannot control it. Sometimes it moves very fast and sometimes very slow. Sometimes it was very intense and I wish I woke up but I couldnt.
WHAT’S THE OVERALL FEEL AND DIRECTION DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR THIS FILM:
The collection is all black as I wanted it to be, as I cant remember the colors in my dreams. Black also symbolizes the time. Like there is no certain time during your dream nor any genre. It is subtle and strong in presence at the same time. I wanted the audience to feel the collection as I wanted it to be: sort of weird, sort of beautiful, and personal. When you are sharing your dreams with someone, it is very personal and intense, and I want it to be like that for the film and overall collection.
HOW DID YOU CONCEPTUALISE THIS:
It was more of spontaneous moment when we filmed this. I know from the start that I dont want to print another lookbook pictures. It became stagnant and boring for me after 3 years kept doing the same thing. So I called my good friend, Evelyn Pritt, and we brainstormed. She wanted to do a video lookbook. So I went forward with the idea. The shooting was spontaneous as well, once we did the make up and put on the clothes to the models, it just flows. I believe in spontaneity, it makes your works feel more honest and personal. Nothing was scripted. When the models wanted to kiss I said go ahead and kiss. It was some kind of fate when I found out both models are dating and in love with each other. It makes the film in the end feel more (again) personal.
WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING FOR THIS PROJECT:
Read above. But to be completely honest, I didnt quite grasp the whole concept until I tried “Inception” application from my iphone. Yes, I watched the movie and I love it but it didnt quite strike me at first. When I plug it in everything makes sense. From the collection to the concept and inspirations and what kind of story I wanted this to be and so yeah, sounds unbelievably cheesy but I wouldnt lie about it.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR COLLECTIONS:
Below is the official write up for the collection:
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” / Eleanor Roosevelt
There is neither definite beginning nor an ending to a dream. No matter precise or blurry fragments of mementos; NIKICIO presents MIXTE Vol: 06-Untitled.
An all black ensemble of 28 designs incorporating varieties of textures from knitwear to nappa leather, from organdy to tencel, the collection evokes what NIKICIO stands from day one; a premium surrealist. Inspired by the “Inception” movie application found in iPod touch, the trip takes one to be in a limbo; a state of
static but knowing everything is revolving. The unisex collection spoke of dreams realized in designs; tank tops in the collection feature double layers, which represent the illusory qualities of dreams. The collection also features a limited rectangular acrylic-made transparent clutch. Standing on the primary concept
grounds that MIXTE is a collection that banishes barriers that fashion should not be defined by gender or a season, the Untitled collection brings its own perception of the future; black, undefined, beautiful.
WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR DESIGNS:
Fabrics, mostly. I love picking fabrics the most, like what kind of designs I would be able to do with certain type of fabrics. But concept and inspirations and all usually come from whatever close to me at that point. I love when inspirations come naturally, like you dont need to do anything much about it. From something so simple but you are confident that it will be awesome in result without all the pretentiousness.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DO WHAT YOU DO:
The challenges of this business. It is very easy to start a fashion brand, i think anyone who put their mind into it can. But whether the brand can last and can gain acknowledgement from customers (even strangers) are another story. I also love the opportunities this business has brought me. I would love to explore a lot of things that can be incorporated with fashion. As I believe fashion is not something that you just wear. It has to do about the way you live. It’s a lifestyle, either you in it or not.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO:
Enjoying my life so far. Nothing much.
SHOW US A COUPLE OF LINKS/VIDEOS THAT INSPIRE YOU:
I know this sounds very different from the film and the collection; I went to Sydney and a good friend bought me a ticket to watch Hubble 3D in IMAX Theatre. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I cant give you the link as all the videos available about Hubble 3D doesnt give you anything. It was the most humbling, thrilling, and touching experience. Other than that, here are some videos that I’ve been watching again and again.
The Unseen Sea from Simon Christen on Vimeo.
TRIMAPEE – BIRTH from TRIMAPEE on Vimeo.
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