Nikita Karizma Is Breaking Barriers in Fashion
And she shines while doing so.
In the world of fashion, British-Indian Nikita Karizma is always pushing the limits. A former student at the London College of Fashion, she launched her company after the girl group Little Mix commissioned her designs. Now, her eponymous label has already dressed the likes of superstars Kesha, Paris Hilton, Halle Bailey, Coco Jones, Winnie Harlow, and Julia Fox.
But perhaps the real flex is that Karizma attends events in her own designs — from the 2024 British Fashion Awards in a long black skirt with a 3D crystallized tiger on the top, to the Wicked London Film Screening in a pink silk dress. Whether she's dressing others or herself, the designer is constantly experimenting with techniques and materials, making her a strong force in fashion. Ahead, FIZZY talks with the fashion giant about everything from her sartorial journey to her philanthropic work.
Nikita, what inspired you to start your label?
I am an avid consumer of pop culture & fashion! I love creatively dreaming in my world & dressing talents that are a positive influence on the planet. My label started organically with musicians requesting to buy my designs when I graduated from fashion school. To this day, I still pinch myself knowing icons, like British girl group Little Mix ordered custom pieces from me in the early stages of my career.
I saw that you grew up in a family that owns a saree boutique. Would you say you were inspired by your family to venture into the fashion realm?
Yes, definitely! I grew up working in our three-generation family-owned Indian saree boutique and have many fond memories of traveling to India to work with local artisans and factories. My family encouraged me to further my fashion studies at the London College of Fashion.
How do you incorporate your Indian heritage into your designs?
I love the glamour of Bollywood! My grandparents used to have a home in Mumbai, which they would rent out to the Indian cinema producers for filming. We have been dressing the Indian filmstars in our designs which is such a sweet connection for me to have back to my cultural home. I am really into our new henna art tattoo mesh designs for AW25.
How do you incorporate London’s culture?
London has a rebellious edge to the city, where individualism is celebrated. Our designs are edgy & create a unique moment for you when you enter a room. The creativity here is so forward-thinking and I love being a part of London’s fashion industry.
What is your process when conceptualizing a new collection or design?
I always want fashion to make you feel good! Whether it’s heading to an Ibiza nightclub, or walking down the red carpet, I visualize how I would want to feel in that moment. I think about the fabric, shape, silhouette, how the fabric catches the light, and how it is photographed on camera.
Do you experiment with unconventional materials in your designs? If so, can you share any interesting projects?
Yes, I love unconventional materials, creating something beautiful out of fabrics or techniques that you haven't seen before. We experiment with chainmail, chain, metal wear, and painted PVC. I highly recommend watching this space!
What do you think sets your design work apart from others in the industry?
My design work is distinguished by a deep commitment to storytelling through fashion. I focus on creating pieces that empower and celebrate individuality while staying rooted in timeless themes of self-expression. Each piece is designed not just as clothing, but as a statement—a way for the wearer to feel confident, unique, and part of a larger, inspiring story.
How did you feel seeing stars such as Kesha and Paris Hilton donning your designs?
I love celebrity culture, virality & it-girl style. I feel so honored to have dressed the world's superstars in my brand. Celebrities have access to the world’s top fashion houses' runway collections, so I really appreciate when they want to wear a young designer and independent label.
I’ve seen your British Fashion Awards looks — both the lobster and tiger — and I’ve been impressed. I’m completely obsessed with them. How did you come up with them? Do you have a favorite?
I am so pleased you loved them!! I really wanted to try new design techniques for my Fashion Awards red carpet looks. We explored 3D laser cutting, symbolic shapes & our signature aesthetic with crystallization. I love an expressive design that invokes imagination and has a meaning behind it for story-telling. My favorite is the tiger, it represents me as a South-Asian girl in the wilds of the fashion industry!
Would you explore these embellished shiny animals in a collection?
I love the idea of clothing design crossing over into jewelry and bag details. I am in an experimental creative phase at the moment so stay connected to us on socials for the latest releases and exclusive behind-the-scenes!
How do you overcome a creative block? Or any other obstacles during the creative process?
I love exploring the creative arts regularly in different fields to fuel my imagination. I am always so inspired by musicians, films, festivals, exhibitions & events. I like collaborating with a mix of talent to nurture and stimulate my creativity.
What about the challenges in the industry, how do you try to fight them?
For me, it has been about always producing good quality work and building long-term working relationships. I want a career and business that has a foundation built underneath me. I love being a creative fashion multi-hyphenate and I have made a commitment to my practice.
Can you tell me about an especially rewarding collaboration, and why?
I started my fashion journey by making custom-commissioned designs for celebrities when I left fashion school. These really supported me with my first paid orders and allowed me to start my business. I learned a lot from bootstrapping, working with my first clients and developing product design. I am so grateful to the industry for supporting and nurturing young talent.
What was (or were) your inspiration(s) for the SS25 collection?
We have been inspired by South Asian culture and Bollywood for SS25. We have explored stretch drape details, rust golden tones, henna prints & Bollywood film posters. I really loved exploring my heritage for this collection. It felt true and authentic to me and my upbringing being a British-Indian designer and the daughter of an immigrant family.
Are there any trends in fashion that you’re particularly excited about or that you think will be influential in the future?
I really love Charli XCX's BRAT movement, it felt authentically free to just be you. I see a trend of people wearing more eccentric styles, driven by how they feel. It’s an exciting time for fashion! Chainmail, sheer fabric, Pantone’s mocha mousse, micro-everything, darker lipliner that’s cherry-colored, oversized bags and boyfriend fits are all on my radar.
Is there a certain area of fashion you'd like to explore in the future?
Runway, brand partnerships, featuring talent in our campaigns & collaborations! I am so excited for the future and looking for new ways to grow as a designer.
Any specific star you wish to see donning one of your designs?
It’s my dream to dress Rihanna! She’s my favorite. She has empowered so many of us.
What are your thoughts on the chainmail trend?
Chainmail has been a signature fabric and style in my designs, I love to see it trending! If you are new to chainmail, I would try one of our chainmail tops to wear over jeans for a trendy chic look.
How do you explore chainmail in your designs?
We design our version of a signature chainmail dress for the modern it-girl! I love the '90s and early 2000s and often draw back to this era to look at the supermodels, muses and celebrities for inspiration.
What’s your favorite chainmail look of all time?
It has to be our iconic 90s chainmail dress worn by Paris Hilton to film her music video with her best friend Kim Kardashian. The photos broke the internet worldwide and I am so grateful to Paris for wearing my label for such an iconic moment!
What advice would you give to young designers or creatives who are looking to break into the industry today?
Take your time to study your craft and learn by assisting professionals with whom you are inspired. The fashion industry has been a career for decades, a lot of my idols are in their 60s. It takes time to build your signature stamp, industry network, and brand. Take steps slowly but surely and in the right way.
What inspired you to combine your career in design with philanthropy?
We have a 360-approach to creativity in the studio, where we give back to a variety of charities. The whole team is involved. It feels good and gives us all more purpose in our practice. My late mother always encouraged me to give back with my time and care, serving others can start locally in small, impactful ways.
Can you share an example of a project or initiative that deeply impacted the community you were trying to help?
I was sharing the work of Aarti Naik, the changemaker & founder of Sakhi for Girls Education Mumbai, on my social media channels. She helps to educate girls in the Mumbai slums to help them out for a better future. My Instagram community then fundraised £15,000 to support this charity which deeply impacted the organisation.
How do you choose the causes or charities that you support, and what is your criteria for involvement?
I love supporting & empowering women. I like to visit charities and meet with leaders of organizations to understand the work and impact they are having firsthand. We stay connected, and I like to receive updates and build a long-term working relationship.
In your opinion, what role do designers play in advancing social change through their work?
Fashion designers are at the forefront of designing the image of popular culture, which impacts social change from the statements they create in campaigns, runway shows, and collaborations. As a designer, I feel proud to dress and empower the leaders and changemakers of positive influence.
What has been the most rewarding part of your philanthropic work?
Carving out time in my work schedule to give back and help others. It is deeply rewarding and the only way I genuinely feel good from within. I spend my time developing beautiful products in my career so detaching myself from materialism and connecting myself to a universal picture for positive impact is one of the most gratifying experiences.
How do you see the intersection of design and philanthropy evolving over the next five years?
Designers and the fashion industry are becoming much more conscious in their working practices. As we are seeing a slowdown in luxury consumption, it will allow designers to take more time to use their creativity to help communities and the planet. London designers and my industry peers are sourcing fabrics sustainably, implementing batch production, and developing longer-lasting products. For burgeoning designers, I highly recommend attending the Institute of Positive Fashion Forum sponsored by the British Fashion Council. I love going to further my education in philanthropy.
Find out more about Nikita Karizma at Nikitakarizma.com and follow her on Instagram @nikita_karizma
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