10 Questions with Designer Nardos Imam of Nardos Design
Michele Iacovelli
Designer Nardos Imam
1) Tell us a bit about your background, where are you from and where are you based now?
I was born and raised in Eritrea—a country in the Northeast region of Africa. After I completed high school in my country, I came to the US for college where I studied Theatrical Costume Design. About 10 years ago, I started my brand in Dallas, TX, and this is where I currently live with my husband and two kids.
2) How did your passion for designing begin?
My passion for fashion design began at a very young age while growing up in Eritrea. My mother was a talented seamstress who loved making colorful dresses for me and my siblings that would often turn heads in the neighborhood. As a child, I was fascinated by my mother’s love of dressmaking. I would often spend hours sitting next to my mother’s sewing machine captivated by all the intricate patterns and stitchwork, and playing with her fabrics and scissors. Having been introduced to the world of fashion as a young adult in college, I was fascinated by the work of Coco Chanel and other glamourous couturiers that pioneered the bespoke fashion market—the admiration I had for their work sparked the hope to one day start my own fashion house.
3) Your mother influenced you as a designer and what did you learn from her that you use today?
Her style and impeccable taste, her attention to detail, and her strong work ethic has certainly influenced who I am today as a designer and a businesswoman.
4) Where did your designing bridal experience begin and who did you design for before opening your own business?
My experience designing bridal began with Stanley Korshak—a Dallas based luxury department store and bridal salon. I was their in-house designer for 6 years.
5) Describe the overall style of design for both eveningwear and bridal?
Most of what I design is very architectural with controlled volume and sleek lines. I love mixing bold colors and prints when the opportunity presents itself. Intricate draping techniques are my specialty, and that translates into all the categories I design for.
6) The fabrics are very expressive, do you design them?
Thank you, we take pride in our fabric selections! Although I am very particular with the fabrics that I use, I currently do not design my own fabrics. However, we do embroidery design in-house.
7) Is the business mostly custom design?
Yes, we specialize in made-to-order custom couture bridal and eveningwear. We also have a made-to-order ready-to-wear line that caters to our client’s daily wardrobe needs outside of weddings, galas, and red carpets.
8) Describe the process working with a customer especially if they are out of town.
A client can book a private design consultation with me and my design team—this can be done in person, online, or by phone. We set aside at least 2 hours to meet with each client in person at one of our salon locations or through a video call. During the consultation, we make it a point to spend time getting to know each client to ensure that we can translate every bit of who they are and what they desire in a garment into their custom piece.
9) What is your favorite part of the process?
My favorite part is when I put the client in their first fit. I love to see the excitement in their face when they finally see their dream gown coming to life.
10) How many stores does NARDOS have?
NARDOS currently has 2 locations. Our flagship salon is in Dallas, TX, and our second location opened a year ago in New York City on Madison Avenue—we are so excited! We hope to open a third location soon.