AIMEE NIELSEN obtained a Fashion Design degree at one of the worlds’ foremost fashion design schools, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, New York. With an eye for design, Aimee also obtained a UI/UX Product Design Certificate from the Pratt Institute out of Brooklyn, New York and a Motion Graphics Design Certificate also from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Aimee is additionally a licensed attorney in Florida and the District of Columbia.
After releasing her first collection in 2018, The Deco Collection, she was selected to showcase her designs at two New York Fashion Week runway shows, that were recommended by the New York Times. She was also selected to showcase her designs for Raw Artists and FIT Runway 27. Her collection ‘A Tempestade’ was shown at London Fashion Week.
Aimee specializes creating unique designs for men and women utilizing activewear and knit textiles. Her prior training and experience also involves the use of a wide range of textiles and special techniques such as bridal, embroidery, couture, avante-garde, pleating and draping, menswear and womenswear. Aimee maintains a couture & RTW mixed line, Aimee Nielsen, and an active/sport line, Nielsena Sport: https://aimeenielsen.com/ .
Aimee enjoys pushing the boundaries of what can be done with different textiles in fashion design and in fashion in general. Her design aesthetic is shaped by her love of architecture, lines, geometric shapes, art, patterns created by nature, and history.
A TALK WITH AIMEE NIELSEN X SPRING 2022
How did your passion for design start and how your creative process work?
I’ve always had a passion for music, art, and design. However, my pursuant of my passion in design only began approximately six years ago when I couldn’t shake ideas in my head any longer. I felt I was meant to share my creations with the world. It took me some time, courage, and belief in myself to act on these thoughts and bring them to fruition.
How do you think fashion industry is helping independent designers?
I feel there are a great number of people working to help independent designers, however, I feel the fashion industry as a whole could do better in this regard. There are a number of fashion shows and magazines who do not properly credit independent designers in their work. I feel like the fashion industry forgets that everyone starts somewhere, and just because a designer isn’t necessarily backed by a multi-million/billion-dollar investor (yet!) it does not make that designer less worthy of proper credit of their art.
Can you tell us a little bit about your references and inspirations for your garments?
Much of my inspiration comes from listening to music, and looking at photography, architecture, and art. I also love history so I spend a lot of time delving into historical photos to find inspiration. I additionally draw on my personal experiences and emotions a lot of times in finding inspiration as well.
Can you describe your client’s personality in few words?
Independent. Confident. Different. Knows what they want. Open to taking fashion risks.
What do you think it’s your best-selling piece?
My best selling pieces so are my short and long high waist sunshine skirts from my first collection. They are very versatile and made of sweat wicking fabric.
What do you think about the opportunity of selling your products on online platforms, you think it might be a good showcase for your work and your future?
I think as a designer being able to sell products online through a variety of different platforms is a great thing. As a designer I will always have an online presence.
What does fashion industry needs more to grow up and what can be done better for this?
I think the fashion industry as a whole needs to be more environmentally conscious and also more open to change. For so long the fashion industry has been driven by designers being ‘forced’ to a certain extent to create multiple collections a year. All of those collections are then sometimes mass produced with much of the inventory ultimately creating waste to the environment. As a result of this, fashion businesses should be open to revamping business models to reduce waste where it is possible to do so. I think also the fashion industry can be more open to giving independent designers more opportunities. I would like to be a catalyst for these changes in the future.
What is the long term goal for you as a designer and what is the main mission?
My long term goals as a designer are to keep creating designs that inspire people while continuing to grow the brand. Ultimately, I hope to be a position where my designs are widely sold in certain retail outlets and my own store fronts internationally. Partnering with LVMH would be the dream. Additionally, I hope to be in a greater position where I can help independent designers, artists, and ultimately give back to the creative community that inspires me daily. I hope to have a platform to foster positivity in the creative community in areas it is lacking.
What are the most interesting social platforms that can help your label? For me the most interesting social platform is Instagram. It is very visually based and offers many different functions to share your creative work and to collaborate with others. It’s a great platform for creatives. It’s also a great platform for connecting with people in general.
Can you tell us what is the next project?
Right now I am working on completing some custom design projects and some collaborations. Additionally, I am working on generating ideas and inspiration for my next collection which well be released some time next year.
AIMEE NIELSEN
KREEP. 