Tell us something about the designer fabric that you have launched recently?
Nina: It is called Designer Fabric by Nickie Nina and at the moment we have introduced machine-embroidered fabric. The fabric is mostly chiffons and silks, nothing in cotton or lawn. The fabrics are formal and semi-formal wear. Soon we will be launching our screen prints and block prints and we are also planning on the lines of introducing hand-painted and other kinds of fabric.
What sets you apart as designers in regard to your contemporaries and what is your design philosophy?
Nina: We are among the very few ones who started blending lots of colours and fabrics together. I would not make a simple kameez out of one plain fabric. We would use lot of different textures in one outfit. The same way, we are known to use a blend of colours in one single outfit. So generally, our outfits are more classic — something which has a modern touch also and something that doesn’t go out of fashion. That is what we believe in and that is what Nickie Nina is all about. Whatever we make we don’t make it for one specific age group. Hence a typical Nickie Nina outfit can happily be worn by a mature woman or a young girl.

How would you describe your eight-year sojourn as designers?
Nina: We started our label in’ 98 but we were designing and working as designers for a few brands. Then eventually we started our label, specializing in cotton using ajrak material to create formal outfits which became very popular. Eventually, we gave it our name Nickie Nina and launched our label. With time we switched to bridal wear. In the beginning of our journey, we had to educate the client and make them understand that a particular outfit may or may not look nice on me or them. We have really worked hard to get where we are, to the extent of having our darzis trained by our aunts who knew how stitch ghararas et al.
Nickie: Another thing is that we specialize in cuts and fits. I can very confidently say that they are addictive. Once an individual gets a Nickie Nina outfit, they know what they are paying for. You cannot say the journey was easy. It has been constant hard work.

What has been the highest point in your career so far?
Nina: We have done many shows here and abroad but four years ago when we opened our first Nickie Nina flagship store in Lahore, we felt that was the highest point of our career. The Lahore store is actually our joint baby.
Where do you see yourselves five years down the line? Any plans to diversify as a designer and what about expanding your label internationally?
Nina: Yes, definitely, we would want to diversify but we just want to be sure of what we are doing as we don’t want to jump into something just like that. Like before introducing the fabric, we researched and whole-heartedly went for it. We will introduce new products but slowly and gradually.
Nickie: We do diversify now and then and a lot of people have been asking us to do menswear. As a matter of fact, we do design men’s line for special clients but for the moment it is just limited. So far we have three outlets ,two in Lahore and one in Karachi and two more are on the agenda. As for going international, we have been approached by a lot of people but it isn’t easy because of our family commitments. And secondly, we have taken it easy so far because we both have three children and we have got to spend time with our family which is our first priority.