Ultra Feminine and Uber Chic Womenswear

View recent Nina Maya Collections on Australian Fashion Review Blog.

Introduction to the Nina Maya Fashion Label

Australian fashion designer Nina Maya Skrzynsk completed a Textiles degree at the prestigious College of Fine Arts Sydney, before moving to London to begin her career with an internship at a leading textile film. Following her internship, Nina relocated to Italy to work for a luxury fashion house, where she was asked to design her own range, which was in turn picked up by Australian department store, David Jones.

Armed with the skills she had learned from her work overseas, Nina returned to her native Australia and launched her namesake womenswear label ‘Nina Maya’ in 2006. The fashion label was founded with a design philosophy against the modern day trend of disposable fashion, instead focusing on sustainability by creating high quality investment pieces that transcend seasons. It is undoubtedly this philosophy that has led to the label’s great success throughout the world.

As of 2012, the Nina Maya fashion label remains 100% owned, designed and made in Australia with product lines ready-to wear, bespoke and accessories, as well as offering vintage finds, beauty accompaniments and home lifestyle brands through the label’s online boutique.

Nina Maya Fashion Label: Key Dates

• 2003: Australian-born fashion designer Nina Maya Skrzynski moves to London for a four month internship at a leading textiles firm.
• 2006: Nina launches her namesake womenswear label ‘Nina Maya’.
• 2008: The brand launched the ‘Nina Maya Diffusion Collection’, which focuses on trans-seasonal day pieces in signature Nina Maya prints, as well as a select few key accessories.
• 2009: The Nina Maya fashion label was selected by Australian department store MYER to be included in their impressive designer band profile.
• 2010: The online boutique, entitled the ‘Nina Maya Emporium’ is launched encompassing ready-to-wear, luxury accessories, vintage finds, beauty accompaniments and home lifestyle brands.
• 2011: Nina decides to pull her label’s collections from MYER department stores and 40 boutiques throughout Australia. Instead Nina chooses to use the power of crowd-sourcing, allowing the public to choose what pieces they want to go into production. The chosen pieces are then sold through the Nina Maya online boutique.

Aesthetic of the Nina Maya Fashion Label

“Nina Maya projects strong, bold silhouettes that are contemporary and relevant whilst simultaneously carrying an air of ageless, timeless, grace which appeals to all,” – Nina Maya

The Nina Maya collections are well renowned for the use of luxury fabrics, unique prints, handmade embellishments (featuring Swarovski crystals and intricate beading), and strong contemporary silhouettes. Each collection is super sleek and polished creating an ultra feminine and uber chic aesthetic. Dedicated to pushing the envelope, Nina recently completed a study into the technique of ‘Moulage; – a skill mastered by the Ateliers of Paris’s Haute Couture houses. It is this training that has allowed Nina to create the finest pleats and drapery within her collection.

It is Nina’s desire to push the boundaries and her unique design aesthetic that has enabled the brand to from strong working relationships with a select group of stylish celebrities. The Nina Maya fashion label has created one-off ref carpet pieces for Delta Goodrem, Jennifer Hawkins and Rebecca Twigley.

Social Networking and the Nina Maya Fashion Label

In the spring 2011, Nina Maya made the shock decision to pull her namesake label from six Myer stores and 40 boutiques throughout Australia. Instead Nina decided to attract a greater number of customers in a more-cost effective manner through crowd-sourcing. This means that Nina will release images of her designs through Facebook and allow customers to vote for their favourites online. The most popular designs will then be out into production and sold through the Nina Maya online boutique.

This strategy puts the power in the hands of her customers, rather than being dependant on the selection of a department store buyer. Nina said of her decision: “The whole point of stopping wholesaling is to deal direct with my consumers and make the most of that relationship. It’s about asking them what they want and allowing them to sit in the buying seat and edit the pieces they want… ultimately they are the ones purchasing the product.”

Visit the official Nina Maya website, here.

If you like the look of Nina Maya, check out fellow Australian labels Sass & Bide, Casper & Pearl and Andrea Moore.

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