Nia
Los Angeles–based T-shirt lines are manifold, but designer Nia Nguyen trusts that the fabric quality of her line, Nia’s cotton tees with seam finishing details, will keep the customers coming back.
Nguyen originally used her creative talent as a hair and makeup artist for 12 years on various film, television and commercial projects. She first dabbled in T-shirt design as part of the design and sales team at Major Delema and refined her T-shirt construction skills at Ron Herman by designing the More knits line with Herman for his stores.
At Ron Herman, Nguyen said she gained a client base of repeat customers for More’s basic cotton tees because the T-shirts did not shrink or twist after several washes. After More merged with 7 For All Mankind denim last year to form More 7, Nguyen branched off to launch her own line, Nia.
“I learned a lot designing with a retail eye,” Nguyen said about working at Ron Herman.“I learned how to merchandise a line [and not] over-design.”
The majority of the line is composed of basic shapes in slim-fitted sheer cotton, striped cotton/polyester jersey, ribbed cotton Modal and pointelle cotton. Though the styles are basic, Nguyen pays special attention to the seam finishing by using self trim for the collar and hem, and a cover stitch on the shoulder seams.
A group of novelty designs include raw-edged cotton fleece blazers with intricately embroidered roses and fleece appliqueacute;. Nguyen keeps the embellishment subtle, for example, by using yellow and white thread embroidery on a yellow shirt. “It’s about personality. The clothes don’t wear you. You wear the clothes,” said Nguyen.
Wholesale price points range from $19 for a tank to $80 for a fleece jacket with embroidered detail. Nia will debut at the Fashion Coterie trade show in New York this month.
For more information, call (213) 239-0669. —Rhea Cortado
