Nicole Hanley Chats About her Latest Fashion Line
Originally Published in #HashtagIngleside | March 2016
The Spring 2016 collection of the fashion line Hanley launched today exclusively at Bloomindale’s in the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Designer and creative director Nicole Hanley spent the afternoon showing her new line and speaking with all of her fans that attended.
“I’m still kind of taking it in. It’s very exciting for me,” Hanley said once her event began.
As models walked the entire third floor in the colorful Havana-inspired line, mimosas and mini salad bowls were being served to everyone while a DJ played in the background. Hanley’s original line launched in September of 2014 and began the tradition of creating each collection as an inspiration from a place in the world she and her team have traveled to.
“What I always love about the collections as a whole is the way our experiences get referenced into it,” Hanley says. “I’m seeing the textures of mildew and these kind of odd color combinations. For me, it’s how the whole [collection] comes together.”
As she describes her inspiration of Havana, Cuba the pieces of the collection reflect it very well. There are mixed patterns, with earthy tones of brown and blue, and splashes of neon yellow and pink in a peacoat or two.
“It was about the layers of architecture and the conversations with people we had,” she continued.
Although the brand is geared toward the adventurous, career-driven women, women and men of all ages stopped by the event. Hanley, very bright-eyed, polite, and excited, seemed to be in her element. About 100 people came in and out of the 3-hour event, and she took photos and spoke with most of them, taking in all of the success.
When asked what gave her the idea to merge her love of travel and love of fashion into one, she answered with no hesitation.
“I thought about how I wanted to live my life and the example I wanted to set for my children and that included travel. So I built the whole plan around that.”
Fans weren’t the only ones in awe of the designer and her collection; Bloomingdale’s associates found it hard to stay focused on work as well.
“The event went really well. We didn’t expect much because of the St. Patrick’s Day parade but things turned out fine. Her clothes are beautiful,” sales associate Andrea Rivera said.
Although sold internationally in department and specialty stores, Hanley will open it’s first freestanding boutique this summer, according to the brand’s website. It will be in New York where the brand is based. Bloomingdale’s in the Westfield San Francisco Centre was the first of many to see the Spring 2016 Collection of Hanley. After happily discussing places she’s traveled and plans to travel to, there was some exclusive information given as well:
“There may be a Greece collection coming up soon, “ Hanley said. “Stay tuned.”
