Renowned fashion designer Nicole Miller spoke last week at Rise Collaborative Workspace, talking about building her company and her career path to success. While in town, Miller also toured the St. Louis Fashion Fund space and met with the Fashion Fund designers. SLM asked Miller about the future endeavors of her well-known brand and advice she’d give to budding designers.
What is the advice you like to give to other designers?
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In fashion I think it is really important to be focused and have a clear idea of who you want to be and where you want to go. It is really hard in the fashion business to really stick to those goals. So many people start out in womenswear and end up lingerie or they start doing ballgowns and end up in sportswear. You don’t always get to choose where you want to be. Sometimes people lose their jobs and end up in a better place and where they really want to be. You have to be really focused and directed. You can’t let things get you down. You have to be a self starter, and you have to create your own opportunities. You can’t just sit back and wait for them to come to you.
Your style is timeless, can you tell us more about your clothing choices?
There is this thing that is like fashion victim clothing. I have made this mistake many times, and it is something you can really only wear once, because it makes such a strong statement. I just made this mistake recently. I saw this coat online that is camouflage, printed, and quilted at the bottom. I just thought “That is so me!” I got it and was so excited, but I only wore it once. A lot of times you buy these things because they are so different and exciting, but then you kind of go, “oh, that can’t be my everyday thing.”
How would you describe the women that you design for?
I have always been called the uptown/downtown girl. It is always like the good girl/bad girl where she will wear a pretty dress and put the biker jacket on over it.
What would your advice be for women who are thinking of starting their own business?
I think women are very entrepreneurial. I think a lot of time they have more guts than men do in a lot of ways. I just think when there is a job that needs to get done they just get it done. I also think it is great when women are supporting other women. I also think it is great when women are supporting other women [because] I find very often women can also be your worst enemy. I think it is important for women to find ways to support other women instead of stab them in the back.
What is in the future for the Nicole Miller brand?
We have gotten involved in a lot of lifestyle categories. We are really branching out and designing things like rugs, bedding, and tabletops. I am also going to be doing cookware which I am so excited about because I love to cook. I want to do more lifestyle things because fashion is fashion and can sometimes be like a crowded room.
