Profile: Nina Miner

Nina and I have been friends since high school, and since then she has always had the most impeccable style. She grew up with a wonderfully creative Italian mother who had the same keen sense of style – both in terms of wardrobe and decor – and together they frequented all the best vintage shows, amassing a stunning collection of clothing and antiques. Her mother artfully incorporated these treasures into their home, creating a space that you always wanted to visit. No one could ever pinpoint it, and I wish you could all experience it, but there was always the most amazing scent that welcomed you the minute you entered the door.

Not surprisingly, Nina’s love and appreciation of style led her to a career in the industry – she is Head Designer of the Women’s Collection at MONROW, and also has a small personal shopping and styling business. She lives in Santa Monica in a home that, much like her mother’s, is warm, welcoming, and filled with a collection of incredible finds. I hope you enjoy this look inside. XXJKE

 

Beauty

R+T: What are your go-to beauty products? Why?

I use coconut oil everywhere. I like to mix it with my Epicuren Kukui Coconut After Bath Moisturizer. I also use it as a leave in treatment for my hair.

I put Castor Oil on my eyelashes and brows before bed it actually makes them grow and feel thicker!

Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner is amazing I also use Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo a couple times a week because I like my hair to be an ashy, white blonde.

Regime Des Fluers scent, Floralia. It smells like tuberose and honey, basically a romantic tropical vacation in a bottle.

R+T: Is there anything special you would like to share about your beauty routine?

I exfoliate my skin every night and just rinse with water in the morning. I get facials once a month and try not to pick!

R+T: What are the 5 products you couldn’t live without?

– Dr. Bronners Magic ALL-ONE fair trade and organic Coconut oil

– Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner

– Epicuren Kukui Coconut After Bath moisturizer

– By Terry Baum De Rose

– Regime Des Fluers scent, Floralia

R+T: Bath or Shower?

Both! I shower every morning and take baths at night a couple times a week before bed to relax.

R+T: What do you sleep in?

Soft vintage t-shirt and undies.

 

Health

R+T: Do you have any health tricks?

Yoga, sleep, travel whenever possible and lots of time with friends and family.

R+T: What do you do to stay healthy and balanced?

I try and look at the ocean a couple times a week even if it’s just for a moment and when it’s warmer I go in as much as possible. The ocean is really healing for me. I eat healthy, drink lots of water and try not to worry too much.

R+T: Do you workout, what do you swear by?

Yes, yoga and long hikes. I travelled to India twice to do Ashtanga Yoga trainings. In LA I practice Vinyasa Flow. My best friend Kyle Miller is opening a Love Yoga studio in Venice in May. Nothing is better than practicing with friends. Yoga is amazing and I don’t know what I would do with out it, it keeps me balanced and has taught me so much. It is so much more than just a work out!

R+T: What do you do to relax?

Smells help me to relax I have lavender pillows all over my apartment and a custom flower essence spray by Leeta at One Love Beauty in Topanga Canyon. I get massages and go to the Korean spa for scrubs. Laugh! Baths after work help me relax; I soak in Dead sea salts and essential oils a couple times a week.

 

Decor

R+T: What is your design philosophy for your home?

Clean, comfortable and beachy. Most importantly that it feels welcoming.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house?

Matching chairs covered in indigo batik fabric that my mom had made for me.

R+T: What are your favorite home stores?

Indigo Seas on Robertson, Calvin Klein Home and salvage yards around LA.

R+T: What is your favorite room in the house?

My living room because it feels like a tree house

 

Entertaining

R+T: Do you entertain at home?

Not as much as I would like. I don’t have a ton of time to entertain. But its something I love to do.

R+T: What are your tricks for entertaining?

Prepare everything first. And always make sure you have enough food. There is nothing worse than leaving a dinner party hungry.

R+T: How do you set the scene when you have people over?

Lighting is very important it makes people want to stay and be cozy. Lots of candles.

R+T: Plated, Buffet, or Family Style for a dinner party?

Family style!

R+T: What are your favorite flowers and where do you buy them?

I love almost all flowers but plumeria and tuberose are my favorite. I buy tuberose and other seasonal flowers from the farmers market in the Pacific Palisades. Also fresh Eucalyptus branches for the bathroom.

R+T: Do you do them yourself or do you use a florist?

I usually arrange myself.

R+T: Who is your favorite florist?

The Woods.

 

Fashion

R+T: How would you describe your style?

Classic, Romantic and Californian.

R+T: Who are your favorite designers?

Miuccia Prada, Dries Van Noten, Romeo Gigli, Isaac Mizrahi, Rifat Ozbek, Alexandra Cassaniti.

R+T: What are the 5 pieces you can’t live without this season?

Simone Rocha feather trim shoulder bag

Celine pom pom trousers

Summer Bummer printed t-shirts

Vintage Courreges sweaters

Cropped vintage jeans

R+T: What is your uniform?

Jeans and a MONROW t-shirt, Belgian loafers.

R+T: What is your newest purchase?

A vintage Jill Sander oversized grey cashmere coat I found in a store in Sun Valley, Idaho.

 

Food

R+T: Is there anything about your diet you would like to share with R+T?

I eat healthy meals with clean ingredients. I love to eat and love trying new flavors!

R+T: Do you cook?

Yes. At home I’m not very adventurous and I cook mostly healthy comfort food and big salads.

R+T: What is your favorite recipe?

I love the Barefoot Contessa’s Italian peasant style cooking. I make her Italian wedding soup and perfect roast chicken often. Both are simple and delicious recipes.

 

Art

R+T: Who are your favorite artists?

Mary Weathorford, Louise Lawler, Richard Serra, Helen Frankenthaler.

 

Shopping & Blogs

R+T: What are your favorite stores to shop for clothing?

A’maree’s in Newport Beach, Scout, RTH, Maryam Nassir Zadeh in NYC, IF Boutique in NYC and flea markets in any and every city.

R+T: What is your favorite city for shopping?

Los Angeles.

R+T: What are your favorite sites for shopping?

I’m not much of an online shopper but I do browse eBay and have found some really cool things.

R+T: Are you an impulse buyer, or do you wait to commit?

I rarely impulse buy. I am a big believer in quality over quantity so my purchases are very thought out.

R+T: What are your favorite sites for recipes?

New York Times Cooking and Rip+Tan.

 

Design

R+T: How and when did you enter into the world of fashion?

After graduating from Parsons I went in to styling for films. I wanted to be back in California and was drawn to wardrobe styling because of the story you can tell simply by the clothing. I was ultimately led back to design when I started a job at a footwear company called LD Tuttle.

R+T: What inspired you to become a designer? What are some of your sources of inspiration today?

My personal style has always been an important form of expression for me since I can remember. It was natural for me to go in to working with clothing. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in my mother’s closet which at that time was filled with 1990’s Dolce and Gabanna, Isaac Mizrahi, Rifat Ozbek, Calvin Klein, Norma Kamali, these are all my reference points. My mother has great personal style and she continues to inspire me today. I draw inspiration currently from so many different places; films, nature, art, other cultures and countries…I look a lot to the past for inspiration I’m sort of a nostalgic person.

R+T: How would you describe your aesthetic as designer?

I’m all about perfecting the basics.

R+T: What is the most rewarding part of your work?

Feeling that people trust my ideas and creativity and also learning how to trust myself.

Photos: Yayo Ahumada