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FASHION DESIGNER: NIRVA
Waiting for the up and coming designer Nirva Derbekyan in the Starbucks on South Molton Street I slowly sipped my hazelnut latte. At just
after 2pm she arrived and soon we settled down with our hot drinks. I took my first look at the youthful looking 28 year old. I couldn't believe
that such a young person had successfully begun her own fashion house only in 2003. Once we got talking, I quickly realised
that the Armenian designer exuded the kind of rare quiet confidence and friendliness that is usually
non-existence in the competitive fashion world.
Born in Turkey, the well-travelled designer confided in me that the reason for her noticeable American accent and creative views was
becaus eshe grew up in Canada and Boston, MA. It was in America that the budding designer studied her trade at Massachusetts College
of Arts. After graduating from university, she applied for the Holiday Maker programme and soon found herself in London working for a
manufacturing company. What did she gain from this experience? "Well, I found that I was allowed to come up with my own designs and
this helped me think beyond couture." The next question was what did she think of London as one of the fashion capitals of the world? "I
was attracted to London as a fashion city and was very much inspired by the fashion style that takes place
here. This is because I find that the American fashion that I grew up with was all about practicality. I find that
fashion in London is all about not being afraid to be different."
Moving on, we start talking in depth about her collection. "My mum helps me when I go home. I usually do between 10- 20 pieces in
different designs such as A-Line, Pencil Skirt and Wrap Skirts." NIrva tells me that "my skirts come in sizes extra small, small, medium,
and large. Prices range between £120.00 - £240.00. I know that the prices sound expensive for a skirt but I do aim my designs for 25- 40
year old professional women who value how the skirt is made more than the price."
I wondered who inspired Nirva. Who did she admire in the fashion world? "That's a hard question. Well I really admire Alexander
McQueen and Jean Paul Gautier for their lack of fear when it comes to pushing their creative boundaries.
When I take a look at their work I find that they manage the impossible- to express their thoughts through their work. Also, I love Valentino
for his timeless classic pieces."
Taking on a serious tone I questioned Nirva on where she sees herself in the next five years. With hope appearing in her eyes she replies,
"Ideally, I would like to reach profit level in three years, although sometimes I wish it was now but I am trying to remain patient!"
Lastly, I asked the young designer what her favourite piece out of all her collections was. "A pencil skirt that I made of different shades of
colours, and with a fabulous ruffled trim. It reminds me of a bird." As the interview came to an end I quickly asked the bubbly designer what
her fashion forecast for 2005/6 was. "I would hate to see anything from the early 1990's come back into fashion." Then laughing and
wrinkling her nose at her own statement she then added, "fashion for now, will continue to celebrate the feminine and colourful look and I
am happy about that." On that note the interview came to an end in my opinion, Nirva skirts should be part of every respectable Fashionista's
staple wardrobe.
By Muchaneta Kapfunde and images courtesy of Nirva.
after 2pm she arrived and soon we settled down with our hot drinks. I took my first look at the youthful looking 28 year old. I couldn't believe
that such a young person had successfully begun her own fashion house only in 2003. Once we got talking, I quickly realised
that the Armenian designer exuded the kind of rare quiet confidence and friendliness that is usually
non-existence in the competitive fashion world.
Born in Turkey, the well-travelled designer confided in me that the reason for her noticeable American accent and creative views was
becaus eshe grew up in Canada and Boston, MA. It was in America that the budding designer studied her trade at Massachusetts College
of Arts. After graduating from university, she applied for the Holiday Maker programme and soon found herself in London working for a
manufacturing company. What did she gain from this experience? "Well, I found that I was allowed to come up with my own designs and
this helped me think beyond couture." The next question was what did she think of London as one of the fashion capitals of the world? "I
was attracted to London as a fashion city and was very much inspired by the fashion style that takes place
here. This is because I find that the American fashion that I grew up with was all about practicality. I find that
fashion in London is all about not being afraid to be different."
Moving on, we start talking in depth about her collection. "My mum helps me when I go home. I usually do between 10- 20 pieces in
different designs such as A-Line, Pencil Skirt and Wrap Skirts." NIrva tells me that "my skirts come in sizes extra small, small, medium,
and large. Prices range between £120.00 - £240.00. I know that the prices sound expensive for a skirt but I do aim my designs for 25- 40
year old professional women who value how the skirt is made more than the price."
I wondered who inspired Nirva. Who did she admire in the fashion world? "That's a hard question. Well I really admire Alexander
McQueen and Jean Paul Gautier for their lack of fear when it comes to pushing their creative boundaries.
When I take a look at their work I find that they manage the impossible- to express their thoughts through their work. Also, I love Valentino
for his timeless classic pieces."
Taking on a serious tone I questioned Nirva on where she sees herself in the next five years. With hope appearing in her eyes she replies,
"Ideally, I would like to reach profit level in three years, although sometimes I wish it was now but I am trying to remain patient!"
Lastly, I asked the young designer what her favourite piece out of all her collections was. "A pencil skirt that I made of different shades of
colours, and with a fabulous ruffled trim. It reminds me of a bird." As the interview came to an end I quickly asked the bubbly designer what
her fashion forecast for 2005/6 was. "I would hate to see anything from the early 1990's come back into fashion." Then laughing and
wrinkling her nose at her own statement she then added, "fashion for now, will continue to celebrate the feminine and colourful look and I
am happy about that." On that note the interview came to an end in my opinion, Nirva skirts should be part of every respectable Fashionista's
staple wardrobe.
By Muchaneta Kapfunde and images courtesy of Nirva.
| All images, words, site design Copyright © Soma Soma Scene 2005 unless otherwise stated All Rights Reserved |
Getting serious I asked her what she found to be the hardest hurdles to jump. "I found that is it harder then I thought to crack the fashion
market, especially since I am aiming my designs at the high end side of fashion. I wish that when I was at university they taught us more
about the business side of fashion instead of just the practical side. I have come to realise that fashion isn't just about
designing great clothes, it's also all about being able to sell your work."
market, especially since I am aiming my designs at the high end side of fashion. I wish that when I was at university they taught us more
about the business side of fashion instead of just the practical side. I have come to realise that fashion isn't just about
designing great clothes, it's also all about being able to sell your work."
We then approached the subject of how she got into fashion. The
twenty-something designer gave me a big grin and explained, "My
grandparents were fabric store owners and my mum was a seamstress so I
guess I was always destined to be in fashion. My mum told me that I always
loved shoes growing up, and that the only way she could get me to do things
was by promising me a new pair of shoes! It was at the age of five that I started
to draw, and it was by seven that I knew that I would definitely want to be a
designer."
twenty-something designer gave me a big grin and explained, "My
grandparents were fabric store owners and my mum was a seamstress so I
guess I was always destined to be in fashion. My mum told me that I always
loved shoes growing up, and that the only way she could get me to do things
was by promising me a new pair of shoes! It was at the age of five that I started
to draw, and it was by seven that I knew that I would definitely want to be a
designer."
I found it amazing to find out that Nirva at such a young age already knew what
she really wanted to do in life and this astonished me. It was probably her
surety at such a tender age that was the making of a very promising fashion
career. So I was intrigued and wanted to find out more! Continuing our chatter
I asked her how she came to find her niche. "Well I specialise in making
skirts, although I can make other things too. I love to use natural fibres such
as wool, cotton and silks." Smiling at her, I wondered out loud whether she
ever considered using the cheaper fabric polyester used by many today.
Laughing out loud to my mutter, she answered, "Sometimes I use
mixed fibres but mainly I prefer natural fibres."
she really wanted to do in life and this astonished me. It was probably her
surety at such a tender age that was the making of a very promising fashion
career. So I was intrigued and wanted to find out more! Continuing our chatter
I asked her how she came to find her niche. "Well I specialise in making
skirts, although I can make other things too. I love to use natural fibres such
as wool, cotton and silks." Smiling at her, I wondered out loud whether she
ever considered using the cheaper fabric polyester used by many today.
Laughing out loud to my mutter, she answered, "Sometimes I use
mixed fibres but mainly I prefer natural fibres."