Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Andrews.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in La Jolla, California. My earliest and fondest memories consist of playing at the beach, exploring the canyons in my neighborhood, and getting into mischief with my 10+ cousins. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in an intellectually diverse family that encouraged and normalized having all sorts of interests. My dad is one of eight children, and his mother, Tillie, was an exceptional singer, pianist, and violinist. She was vibrant, free-spirited, and nurtured a household that welcomed people from all walks of life. For all the chaos that ensued at their house, there was just as much love. Her interests trickled down to my aunts and uncles and eventually to my cousins and me – creating a family of medical professionals, engineers, musicians, artists, and more.
My artistic journey began in La Jolla, California, where my earliest and fondest memories were shaped by the local beaches, scouring early YouTube tutorials in my bedroom, and the mischievous escapades shared with my 10+ cousins. Growing up amid a large extended family, I was immersed in a world of boundless exploration and creativity.
With my dad being one of eight children and my grandmother, Tillie, an exceptional singer, pianist, and violinist, we were enveloped in an environment that exuded vibrancy, freedom, and acceptance. Despite the chaos that often reigned in their household, there was always an abundance of love and acceptance. Tillie’s passions for music and the arts-infused our family lineage, inspiring my aunts, uncles, and cousins to pursue diverse paths—be it medicine, engineering, music, art, or beyond. Her legacy instilled in me a deep appreciation for exploration and experimentation, laying the foundation for my eclectic array of hobbies and interests. Whether it was making potions out of old perfumes and lotions, creating songs in GarageBand, shooting music videos with my dad’s VHS camcorder, coin collecting, guitar, piano, singing – I tried it all.
While I was supported in both my fleeting interests as well as more serious passions that developed, I struggled deeply with feeling unsatisfied from a young age. I had a deep craving to uncover my purpose and why I am here, and I had (and still have) a massive fear of being mediocre. This led me to narrow my experimentation as I had to excel at everything I was doing. I pursued academic excellence, enrolled in just about every extracurricular activity you could think of, and forced myself to be in student council (even though I couldn’t care less about school spirit and dances). I neglected my creative instincts to focus on goals that felt tangible, in my control, and that gave me external validation. I allowed myself to become highly motivated by negative self-talk and anxiety.
My high school achievements led me to attend business school at USC. I pondered changing my major countless times and attempted to pursue multiple minors, but eventually found myself thriving in the entrepreneurial program. The program was competitive, intellectually stimulating, diverse, and I was encouraged to pivot when my instincts said so. Around my sophomore year of college, during COVID, I took the lax academic course load as an opportunity to regain my creative confidence. I began freelance graphic designing, worked for a tech startup doing UI/UX, dabbled in film photography and videography, and eliminated any exposure to social media content that did not inspire me. I started sketching clothes late at night and realized that designing garments came more naturally to me than really anything ever had in my life. But at this point, I didn’t consider fashion design a sophisticated enough career. Once I graduated, I developed a creative portfolio, but I was still not at the point of calling myself an artist. I accepted a sought-after job in tech sales and struggled to convince myself that I was just as excited as the people around me. Only a few days into the training, I felt like a complete fraud. Cold calling sounded like my worst nightmare, I was socially exhausted, and had whole body discomfort fearing that I would stay stuck doing things I didn’t want to do. I woke up on the fourth day of the job and resigned – something I would normally never do, but I knew I had no choice. Afterwards, I immediately called the nearest fashion design school and applied. Two weeks later, I was in – and that’s where my artistic journey officially commenced.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely not been easy, but I find solace in this journey as I reflect on those I admire most, who bear scars of heartbreak, addiction, mental health challenges, and self-doubt. There are no metrics when it comes to your growth as an artist, and there is an inherent trust you must have in the universe that it is okay to lean into the present moment.
I’ve struggled significantly with anxiety and panic attacks, starting as young as 7 years old. I’ve found myself caught up in relationships that tried to dim my light and spent a long time on autopilot—self-medicating by partying, binging online media, etc. I’ve realized that anything instantly gratifying in large doses is ultimately harmful to my mental health and creativity. I’ve had to retrain my brain to have patience, to follow through on projects that require long-term concentration, and to simply go for it rather than overthinking. The hardest part is sitting in the chair, and the rest—I can handle.
I’ve come to understand that I can’t think my way out of anxiety, depression or into actualizing an idea. I have to tap into the power of my able body and mind that I was blessed with. I’ve also realized that I am not unique in my struggles, and I feel enriched and empowered by surrounding myself with people from all walks of life. Rather than putting my energy into self-criticizing, I hope to channel that energy into understanding others. Professionally, I’ve learned that the majority of people are just winging it and that there is no right age to achieve success. My dad once said that he and most creative people will always feel unsatisfied, and it is something that we just have to come to terms with. Perhaps that never-ending pursuit is what keeps me going, what makes me stay curious, and what shapes me to evolve in ways I would’ve never imagined.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Naaliyah studios is a fashion brand aiming to transcend the traditional boundaries of a transactional clothing store by becoming a purveyor of conversations, emotions, and unique expressions. Our essence is woven into the fabric of every piece we create, designed to resonate with the multifaceted personalities and emotional landscapes of our distinguished clientele. A significant part of our commitment to sustainability is our use of deadstock fabrics. Through our dual approach of core and collaborative collections, we cater to our ever-evolving customer, ensuring that each one finds a piece that speaks directly to their soul and enriches their creative spirit. We offer both core collections (designed by Nicole) and artist collaboration collections. With the core belief that everybody is an artist, naaliyah studios collaborates with experts in all kinds of fields, not limited to traditional artist titles.
Our latest artist collaboration was with the floral artist Hannah Tacher. We created an immersive questionnaire to understand the customer better and then used that input to create unique flower prints – handmade through the lumen printing process on deadstock fabric. Each mesh top was one-of-a-kind and a surprise upon delivery, designed to be a second skin that celebrated the customer’s idiosyncrasies and made them feel understood. This hands-on approach is at the heart of our design process, and we believe that the synergy from collaboration makes the clothes more innovative and intentional.
The uniqueness of naaliyah studios lies in our unwavering commitment to sparking dialogues through our designs. From integrating found objects and soliciting customer insights for inspiration to crafting garments with adaptable functionalities, every design aspect is intended to initiate conversations and have a purpose. Our creations are more than just clothes; they are narratives woven into textiles, inviting discussions around creativity, sustainability, and the essence of individuality. This fusion of storytelling and design not only deepens the bond with our audience but turns our pieces into conduits for organic discussions, spreading the ethos of naaliyah studios and the compelling stories of emerging artists.
We are currently working on launching our new online store, where our online presence shares our testament to our dedication to building genuine connections within the digital landscape. We will offer our core collection pieces that echo modern minimalism with an edge of deconstruction and wabi-sabi, as well as our limited-edition collaboration pieces that keep you inspired and informed about new and emerging artists. We will also be sharing detailed interviews with our collaborators and cultivating dynamic spaces that offer more than just apparel—they provide inspiration, foster engagement, and serve as a resource for aspiring artists/designers. As we continue developing our new site, stay tuned by following our design process on social @naaliyahstudios (on both IG and TikTok) and check out our upcoming collaborator – Vineta Rendler (@vinetarendler).
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was playing in an afterschool program called Kids Creations. It was offered at my elementary school on half-days and was open to everyone. We would decorate oddly shaped cakes, make scented candles, create soap molds that trapped sparkles and tiny figurines, and even learn how to make our own paper. It allowed me to get my hands dirty, exposed me to craft-making techniques I didn’t even know existed. I wish I could enroll in a class like this now and believe that all kids deserve for such the opportunity to have such experiences integrated into their education. This afterschool playtime gave me confidence, helped me, as a shy kid, bond with my peers, and forever influenced me to create an artistic community of my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: naaliyahstudios.com
- Instagram: naaliyahstudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-andrews-profile719
Image Credits
Hannah Tacher
Britton Sear
Vineta Rendler
