Name: Nina Maya

Website: www.ninamaya.com

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One of Australia’s newest sensational young designers, Nina Maya Skrzynski, launched her Nina Maya label in March 2006. It was a dream career start for a young designer – a high-end Italian fashion house offered to produce her first range which was in turn picked up by David Jones.

Nina’s pieces are elegant and stylish, and appeal to those with a sense of occasion. Her burgeoning label is impressing those who matter, including Damian Burke, head buyer of women’s wear for David Jones. “Nina Maya is young and fresh” says the fashion arbiter, who is currently showcasing her Autumn/Winter 2007 collection on the second floor designer level of David Jones’ Elizabeth Street store. “She has a great understanding of print and colour”.

A refined silhouette that creates a polished sleek look, the second Nina Maya collection, Autumn/Winter 2007 is centered on the dress, and for the cooler months, the feature coat. Ultra-feminine, romantic chiffon frocks contrast with more structures hourglass shapes. The main focus is the exquisite high-quality fabrics which include gold linen, finest quality merino wool, embroidered black sateen, silk velvet and Italian printed cashmere.


B&L: How would you describe your designs?

Nina: Feminine and sophisticated. They are on trend but with a unique edge. I am totally obsessed by fabrics, so I spend a lot of time sourcing the most exquisite samples form around the globe!

B&L:  What has been the best moment in your career so far?

Nina: Being picked up by David Jones on my first collection. They were the first client we saw and they bought the range on the spot!

B&L:  How did you get started?

Nina: I started my career designing for a high end boutique fashion house in Italy who ended up producing my very first collection.

B&L:  Have you always wanted to be a designer?

Nina: Yes. I have always been fascinated by fashion. My first words were “shoes” and “nice tie daddy”. Since then it had all been about colours, patterns and shapes.

B&L: What are you wearing this season?

Nina: Key pieces from my winter collection such as the “Florence” coat a pea coat made out of cotton sateen with a beautiful embroidered hem line.
I like to team this back with any of the dresses from the collection depending on my mood.

B&L:  What 3 beauty products would we find in your handbag?

Nina: My Paw Paw cream, Dermalogica mulitivitamin hand cream and my favourite Chanel red lipstick!

B&L:  Where do you get your inspiration?

Nina: I draw inspiration from all over. Art exhibitions, theatre, movies (especially period and art house films) and trims and fabric swatches that I pick up along my travels.

B&L:  Who were your role models growing up and why?

Nina: Both my grandmother and mother have been huge inspiration for me. My mother is very artistic and therefore dresses in a very eclectic manner and loves experimenting with wild colours and prints.

On the other hand my Grandmother grew up in a aristocratic family in pre-war Poland and has a wonderful sense of style, she dresses to occasion perfectly and carries everything off with an air of grace.

B&L:  What has been your biggest challenge as a designer?

Nina: Coping with such a huge amount of growth in such a short time! I haven’t had a second to sit back and take it all in

B&L: What is next for Nina Maya?

Nina: I would like to start exploring other European and Asian markets and aim to open a flagship store in Australia in a few years.

B&L:  Where can we buy your collections?

Nina: You can buy my collections through David Jones as well as in boutiques such as Directions ( NSW) Catsus Jam ( vic)  Franscesa (SA) and Camargue QLD) as well as many others across the country.

B&L:  What does being a woman mean to you?

Nina: Women are like chameleons.  As a woman there are so many hats that you can put on and as such... you can get a way with a whole lot more!