I'm a bohemian chic, a free spirit, ladylike and individualistic-Nikky Khiran, fashion designer

‘Nigerians are the Arabs of Africa, we are naturally flamboyant and love dressing up’

ADAEZE AMOS

Nikky Khiran is one Nigerian fashion designer that has lasted the test of time. She has been in the world of fashion for over two decades and she is still waxing strong. Her view about Nigerian women is awesome but she insists that some of them commit some style blunders that ought to be avoided. “Yes Nigerian women are extremely fashionable, yet it is sad when older women try too hard to dress like young girls. I believe in aging gracefully but we can't all be like Tina Turner who gets away with almost everything! So, don’t step out revealing parts of you that should be covered in the name of fashion. Simply put, you can still be sexy even while covered up,” she enthused.

Relieving her experience in the fashion industry wasn’t difficult. “Yes I've been a designer for over 20 years and putting smiles on the faces of people is worth all the hard work. People buy my pieces and call me later to commend my work. That honestly makes me happy. Yes, my clients call me to talk to me about compliments they get when they wear my designs, that makes me existed,” she stressed.

Her kind of fabrics?  “I love fabrics that have movement! Such fabrics as silk, chiffon ,jersey, net laces to mention but a few. I love clothes that drape and follow the body's curves without necessarily being tight. Fabrics that can cover you up properly and you still look elegant. Reason is that a woman can be covered up and still look sexy,” she nodded.

This style aficionado still remembers some of her business challenges with ease. “The most challenging thing for me is lack of infrastructure. I have to bring in everything, threads, trimmings, beads, zips, fabrics just name it. This jacks up the cost of production. Another challenge is training artisans from the very scratch,” she said

What influences the style of this fashionista is not only the fact that she studied Fashion Designing in England but her exposure in life has contributed immensely. “I've been creative since I was a little girl, and growing up in three continents has greatly influenced my fashion perception. Though I come from a well read family or family of academicians, my dad being a scientist and my mom a college professor, but I insisted on studying Fashion Designing because of the passion I have for fashion. Little wonder even as a student in England, I used to work in fashion related industries before starting my own brand,” she recalled.

Guess what stands this fashion duchess out? “Creativity and delivery at the right time! So, as a creative person, I see things differently, that is why I pay attention to details,” she enthused.

Her fashion put off is copying styles sheepishly. “Fashion should bring out our best qualities, but a lot of people just follow trends blindly whether or not it suits them. Another thing that puts me off in the fashion world is that in a bid to look fashionable, some people overdo it! Too much make-up, too much hair, too much jewelry and slipping into too tight dresses put me off,” she intoned.

The very fashion item she can’t do without is her handbag. “I can't do without a big handbag to carry all my stuff,” she nodded.

What makes this woman of substance happy is “being able to do the things I've been able to do without having a godfather. Some women prefer to wait, look for people to pay their bills, but God has been so good to me, and I hope I can inspire young women to work hard and reach for the stars,” she said, as a matter of fact.

Her style statement is nothing but bohemian. “I'm a bohemian chic, a free spirit, ladylike and individualistic, I love fluid clothes, soft fabrics, silks, jerseys ,Chantilly lace, just name it. I always want to look elegant yet comfortable. I'm very active, I don't sit in one place. I drink plenty of fluid, but I don’t take alcohol nor smoke. I honestly have good genes! Remember they say 50 is the new 40,” she giggled.

Her life philosophy? “I never live beyond my means, if I can't afford it, I don't do it, I don't compete with anyone, God has created all of us differently, and has different plans for us all, and my mom always says whatever your hands find to do, do with all your might! My mom taught me to dream big, have faith in God, and believe all things are possible, and this has worked for me so far,” she enthused.

Her impression about Nigerians is that “Nigerians are the Arabs of Africa, we are naturally flamboyant and love dressing up, honestly the British can't compete, it's just that a lot of times our priorities are all twisted!