Style Icon - Nina Ricci

There are many designers, movie stars, men and women that I consider real style icons so I thought that I would do a regular post introducing you to the people that influence the way the clothes I wear and in the designs for the collection.

Starting with a designer that like me launched her own collection later in life - Nina Ricci.

Born in Turin Italy she moved to France with her family aged 5 and began as a dressmakers apprentice at 13. She went on to work as designer for Raffin and remained there for 20 years until she moved to create her own line in 1932 aged 49!!!

Helped by her son Robert, she liked to work directly on the mannequin to ensure that the designs had the right shape.  She favoured soft drapes, floaty lines and feminine styles. Her mission was to make women beautiful with a youthful sparkle.

The House of Ricci grew rapidly and by the 40's it had developed leather goods and fashion accessories.

1948 saw the launch of L'Air du 'Temp her first fragrance. The bottle was designed by Robert and Marc Lalique.

She worked until she was 70 and in 1954 the designing was taken over by Jules Francois.

The label continued under different designers and in 2009 is back as a fashion leader with Peter Coping who continues to capture the ultra feminine style that Nina herself loved.

Peter Coping Spring/Summer 2014