Meet Nina Cicolo | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nina Cicolo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have worked for various brands throughout my career, where I had the opportunity to learn a lot about the fashion business. But when I became an entrepreneur, I felt truly complete. I really love the feeling of “I did it on my own.” There is always something new to learn and new goals to achieve, which keeps me constantly motivated and inspired. As a designer, having control over the design, vision, and values of the brand is how my voice is heard. It allows me to bring my creative ideas to life in an authentic way and to build a brand that truly reflects who I am and what I believe in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art is essential in my life — it is how I express myself through my work. But the journey was not easy. My profession demands constant inspiration, precision, and countless hours of hard work. In the end, it is all worth it when you see your work come to life on a runway or in a museum exhibition. Moments like being voted first place designer at Fashion Week San Diego, or winning an exhibition at Sotheby’s Museum in New York, make all the effort worthwhile. The audience sees five minutes on the runway, but the work behind it is massive.

Throughout my career, I’ve faced many challenges. I would say the key is simply to keep going. You will make mistakes — many of them — but the beauty of it is that each mistake prepares you more than ever for the next step.

Fashion truly makes my heart beat faster. I hope that everyone can pursue their dreams and find the strength to keep going despite the challenges they face.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them surfing at Tourmaline Beach at sunset, and we’d hike the trail down to Black’s Beach — the views are incredible. For food, we’d grab a great burrito or enjoy fresh poke bowls. When we’re tired but still want some adrenaline, we’d ride the roller coaster at Belmont Park — it’s such a fun, classic San Diego experience!

Of course, we’d also spend time at Balboa Park — I love going there without a fixed plan because there’s always something happening. From outdoor art to museum exhibits, and even organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion — it’s such a beautiful, cultural spot to explore.

And of course, I would bring them to one of my fashion shows — I’ve even had the opportunity to showcase one of my collections right there at Balboa Park. It would be the perfect way to share my art and a bit of my world with them.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I share the same profession as my grandmother, and my mother — who, besides being an economist, is also very creative and talented — was one of my first inspirations to pursue a career in fashion. During college, I had so many great teachers to whom I owe everything I know about haute couture and other advanced techniques. In addition to studying, I also worked at my university helping to organize fashion events, where I learned so much from the coordinator of that department.

Throughout the years working in factories, I am very grateful to the staff — seamstresses, cutters, salespeople, and many others — for helping me build teams that I truly enjoyed working with. Our exchanges of knowledge were always constructive and contributed so much to the collections we developed together.

I am also very thankful to my husband, who has always been a great supporter of my work. We even had the opportunity to work together on a brand we created in the past. He continues to support me with his honest feedback and even mixes the soundtracks for my fashion shows with his broad musical perspective. We make a great team.

I also have to mention Fashion Week San Diego for opening so many doors for me, giving me the opportunity to showcase my work and connect with amazing art galleries, reporters, TV channels, models, photographers, stylists, hairstylists, and makeup artists that I can count on to this day. And, of course, Orange County Fashion Week, for the honor of inviting me to close their fashion week.

And also, the Fashion Program at San Diego Mesa College, where I give talks to fashion students, provide professional feedback, and judge their graduation collections. The students make me feel alive, and contributing to their journey is my way of giving back to all the amazing professionals in the industry who once taught me as well.

Website: https://www.ninacicolo.com

Instagram: @ninacicolo

Image Credits
George Arguelles