We sit down with Dubai’s well-known TV personality, Nina Zandnia, who now puts author and fashion designer on her long list of achievements. The Iranian fashionista has been working in television since the age of 14 and now has taken on fashion designing as her newest passion. We talk inspiration, style icons and what she would never leave home without.
As a successful TV personality, author and now fashion designer, how do you find time for yourself? Any tips you can give other workingwomen?
I always have been a workaholic and competitor since an early age. Fortunately, my work is my passion in life and I am blessed to do something that I love. In life, no matter what you do or work as or how busy you are, you can always find time for yourself and your loved ones. The most important thing in life is family and friends. Always make time for them.
What led you into fashion? Has it always been a passion of yours?
Since I started working in Television at the age of 14, designers have been dressing me. Being a muse for designers all these years taught me so much - I learned everything for A to Z. I even used to fight with some of the designers when they would make a dress for me and I tell them to change the style or to add or take away certain elements. I always knew what I liked and what looked good on my body. Fashion always has been a big passion for me. Still today I am not calling myself a fashion designer, I am a TV producer and presenter and happen to have fashion designing as my hobby. I have much to learn and a long way to go. I take every day as a blessing and everyday as a learning process.
How do you prepare for a new collection?
I normally travel around the world and get inspired, from going to Fashion weeks to Art Galleries and restaurants and just people watch.
Who are some of your favorite designers? Which ones have influenced you throughout the years?
My Favorite designers are Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Ezra Santos, Michael Cino, Furne Amato, Karl Lagerfeld. I love couture and my style is classy and chic, that’s why they are my favorite designers.
How do you prepare for the countless events and appearances you attend? Do you often wear your own designs?
Sometimes I wear my own designs, but a lot of time I get dressed by different designers, they create something special for me for the red carpets.
Who would you say is your style icon?
My mother is my style icon. I see her as one of the chicest woman in the world. Not because she is my mother but I truly believe that. When I see her photos and videos from her young age in Iran at the same parties as Elizabeth Tailor, Jacky Kennedy and many more stylish woman, she in my eyes was the best dressed. My mother is a woman of class, grace and etiquette, and she taught me everything about style.
What is your typical workday outfit?
If I am not filming my TV shows nor have formal meetings then I like to be comfortable. So my typical work outfit would be skinny jeans, a nice blouse with a blazer and a pair of nice heels.
Do you have any signature style elements you wear regularly?
My signature elements are normally open backs and if I am wearing a dress I like one leg to be out.
What is your most cherished item? Something you may pass down to your children?
A Christian Dior clutch that my father bought for my mother the day I was born. Now I have it and it is the item I will pass to my daughter if I will be blessed to have one.
What do you never leave home without?
My IPhone, my lipstick and my wallet
Yalda Zacca