The team behind Nicholas K dress eco-conscious 'urban nomads'
The brother-sister team behind the brand Nicholas K aren't typical fashion creators.
Christopher and Nicholas (who's also known as Nicole) Kunz say their flowing, draped, often loose-fitting designs are suited to the "urban nomad." They don't believe in — or follow — trends. They prefer seasonless clothes to ones that are designed for spring or fall. They'd also rather see customers buy one really great sweater or pair of pants than four or five pieces of clothing that will be discarded within months.
Denverites will get to view Nicholas K's latest looks on Aug. 5 at the Urban Nights fashion show, which benefits Urban Peak and two other youth charities. The Cherry Creek North boutique Garbarini is the presenting boutique for the show. Owner Terry Garbarini says she has been selling the line since the company started in 2003 because it's unlike anything else on the market.
The collection, which includes oversized pieces that wrap and drape, is edgy when shown as head-to-toe outfits, but is more versatile when viewed as indivdual items. "We'll have customers for the crazy pants that wrap and buckle, but we sell more pieces like sweaters and wraps," Garbarini said. She also lauds the designers' use of natural fibers and the quality of finished garments.
"From the beginning, her detailing has been impeccable," Garbarini said of Nicholas, who leads design and production for the collection.
Among the pieces Garbarini will have in her store for fall are velvet cargo pants that tie at the ankle. "As wild as that sounds, with boots and a sweater, they will look incredible," she said. Boxy jackets, metallic leathers and oversized shirts are among the other pieces that will be in the store — and on the runway.
The Kunzes are based in New York City. Nicholas has an extensive fashion resume, starting with an internship at Donna Karan and then helming the DKNY denim division for men's and women's wear. She also consulted for a variety of brands before starting her own company. Because she worked on both men's and women's collections, there's a gender-bending utilitarianism to her designs. Christopher's eclectic background includes work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He's also a craftsman and product designer and has a master's degree in finance and marketing. He handles the business and customer relations aspects of Nicholas K.
The brand's edgy styles often are in dark or desert-inspired neutrals and have military-style details. Their father was a flight surgeon, their brother a Navy SEAL, and they grew up in Arizona doing a lot of outdoor activities where clothing and equipment had to function.
"Nomads don't need a lot of stuff. They have a minimal lifestyle, and they're transient, like a lot of people today," Christopher said in a phone interview. "Travel is booming, and people like traveling with fewer things. Just as what your phone does for your life — having a lot of functions and uses — you want clothing that looks good but is versatile and transitional."
Underscoring Nicholas K's design philosophy is a desire to step lightly on the planet. The company uses use only natural fibers, including cotton, silk, linen, vegetable-dyed leathers, silk velvet, alpaca and wool. "Most of our dyes are non-toxic and we have an artisan program where we're trying to convert to all organic dyes," Nicholas said.
The designers enjoy taking their collection on the road for good causes, as they will do for the Denver show. Earlier this summer, they went to Serbia for a fashion show for disadvantaged youth that was held at the U.S. ambassador's residence.
"Events are a great way for us to show what we are doing and what changes are being made in the fashion industry," Christopher said.
Christopher and Nicholas (who's also known as Nicole) Kunz say their flowing, draped, often loose-fitting designs are suited to the "urban nomad." They don't believe in — or follow — trends. They prefer seasonless clothes to ones that are designed for spring or fall. They'd also rather see customers buy one really great sweater or pair of pants than four or five pieces of clothing that will be discarded within months.
Denverites will get to view Nicholas K's latest looks on Aug. 5 at the Urban Nights fashion show, which benefits Urban Peak and two other youth charities. The Cherry Creek North boutique Garbarini is the presenting boutique for the show. Owner Terry Garbarini says she has been selling the line since the company started in 2003 because it's unlike anything else on the market.
The collection, which includes oversized pieces that wrap and drape, is edgy when shown as head-to-toe outfits, but is more versatile when viewed as indivdual items. "We'll have customers for the crazy pants that wrap and buckle, but we sell more pieces like sweaters and wraps," Garbarini said. She also lauds the designers' use of natural fibers and the quality of finished garments.
"From the beginning, her detailing has been impeccable," Garbarini said of Nicholas, who leads design and production for the collection.
Among the pieces Garbarini will have in her store for fall are velvet cargo pants that tie at the ankle. "As wild as that sounds, with boots and a sweater, they will look incredible," she said. Boxy jackets, metallic leathers and oversized shirts are among the other pieces that will be in the store — and on the runway.
The Kunzes are based in New York City. Nicholas has an extensive fashion resume, starting with an internship at Donna Karan and then helming the DKNY denim division for men's and women's wear. She also consulted for a variety of brands before starting her own company. Because she worked on both men's and women's collections, there's a gender-bending utilitarianism to her designs. Christopher's eclectic background includes work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He's also a craftsman and product designer and has a master's degree in finance and marketing. He handles the business and customer relations aspects of Nicholas K.
The brand's edgy styles often are in dark or desert-inspired neutrals and have military-style details. Their father was a flight surgeon, their brother a Navy SEAL, and they grew up in Arizona doing a lot of outdoor activities where clothing and equipment had to function.
"Nomads don't need a lot of stuff. They have a minimal lifestyle, and they're transient, like a lot of people today," Christopher said in a phone interview. "Travel is booming, and people like traveling with fewer things. Just as what your phone does for your life — having a lot of functions and uses — you want clothing that looks good but is versatile and transitional."
Underscoring Nicholas K's design philosophy is a desire to step lightly on the planet. The company uses use only natural fibers, including cotton, silk, linen, vegetable-dyed leathers, silk velvet, alpaca and wool. "Most of our dyes are non-toxic and we have an artisan program where we're trying to convert to all organic dyes," Nicholas said.
The designers enjoy taking their collection on the road for good causes, as they will do for the Denver show. Earlier this summer, they went to Serbia for a fashion show for disadvantaged youth that was held at the U.S. ambassador's residence.
"Events are a great way for us to show what we are doing and what changes are being made in the fashion industry," Christopher said.
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