Nina Garcia | DIVAS WE LOVE Series
A student of impeccable Parisian fashion, Colombian born fashion journalist Nina Garcia has been a quiet force in the world of fashion for decades.
Fashion Journalist, Author and Reality Star Nina wears many hats…. all very fashionable we might add!
Nina at the Fall 2015 Rodarte show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
The Birth of Nina as a Force in Fashion
After earning her bachelor’s degree from Boston University, attending Ecole Superieure de la Mode in Paris, and earning a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Nina landed her first fashion job in the 80’s. And what a start it was as she found herself in the public relations department at Perry Ellis during the exciting years of Marc Jacobs as the brand’s lead designer.
Ms. Garcia began her journey on the editorial side starting out as Mirabella‘s Assistant Stylist and Market Editor and then taking the reigns in 2000 as Fashion Director of Elle magazine, a post she held for almost a decade. But it was in 2004 when Elle’s publisher, Carol Smith, ingeniously tapped into the reality television phenomena and Bravo’s (now on Lifetime’s) award-winning hit television show “Project Runway” was born that Nina Garcia became a household name. With supermodel Heidi Klum as the show’s host, Nina served on the panel of judges with fashion heavy-weights Michael Kors , Tim Gunn, and later Zac Posen. By mentoring young fashion designers, and celebrating the art of good design, the esteemed panel gave the world a glimpse into the creativity, passion, and deft skill behind designing the fashions that consumers would love and buy. This singular move allowed Nina to emerge from the shadows and add another layer to her authoritative position within the world of fashion.
Nina Garcia has enjoyed twelve years as an esteemed fashion judge on the hit show Project Runway
With supermodel Heidi Klum as the show’s host and heavy-weight co-judges Michael Kors , Tim Gunn, and later Zac Posen, on board, Nina and the team created magic in a bottle.
By mentoring young fashion designers, and celebrating the art of good design, the esteemed panel gave the world a glimpse into the creativity, passion, and deft skill behind designing the fashions that consumers would love and buy.
Reality television show Project Runway judges designer Zac Posen (L), model Heidi Klum (2nd L), designer Michael Kors (2nd R) and Columbian fashion journalist Nina Garcia (R) appear before the Project Runway show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2013 collections on February 8, 2013 in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
In another attempt to lend her fashion expertise to the reality TV game, in 2009 Nina also appeared in “Running in Heels” on The Style Network. This show chronicled real-life Marie Clarie interns frantically competing for a chance to be knighted with a position on the magazine’s staff…..can you say “Devil Wears Prada”?!
Running in Heels is a reality television show that follows three interns working at the New York office of fashion magazine Marie Claire. The series debuted on March 1, 2009 on the Style Network
An accomplished fashion journalist, Nina has authored four critically acclaimed fashion bibles all tackling the issue of style and substance for the everyday woman’s lifestyle: New York times best seller , The Style Strategy(2007), The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own (2008) , The Little Black Book of Style A Less-Is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart (2009), and her fourth book, Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion (2010).
Nina, Marie Claire’s Fashion Director at the time hold up her fourth book “Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion”, during her book release party with Marie Claire at Tous Rockefeller Center, August 17, 2010.
The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia 2007
The One Hundred published in 2008
The Style Strategy by Nina Garcia 2009
Nina Garcia’s Look Book published in 2010
During her run on “Project Runway” Nina changed hats again and was named Marie Claire magazine’s Fashion Director in September 2008, a position which she holds today. To maintain consistence in messaging, Marie Claire also came on as the new branding partner to the show when Nina changed seats.
Nina has been at the helm of Marie Claire magazine as Fashion Director since 2008
Actress Jessica Biel (L) and Nina Garcia attend the inaugural Image Maker Awards hosted by Marie Claire at Chateau Marmont on January 12, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Nina Garcia and Alison-Edmond front row at Nina Ricci PFW Fall/Winter 2013 show
A November 2016 issue of Marie Claire featuring rapper Nicki Minaj on the cover was a big hit
Nina Garcia, who is admittedly very shy, is a quiet force for change and empowerment of women within the fashion industry. An outspoken voice for inclusion and diversity in the broader fashion industry, she has used her influence to further the cause of a more egalitarian balance; for her quiet strength and nurturing leadership style Nina Garcia will always be a DIVA We LOVE!
Words of wisdom from Nina Garcia
