In Bed With: Nikki Chasin

Nikki Chasin takes leisure and comfort seriously. As the designer behind her eponymous apparel brand Nikki Chasin, her womenswear collection is just as playfully relaxed as it is timelessly elegant, giving a subtle nod to the laidback attitude of her Miami roots. Shortly after graduating from Parsons, Nikki launched her own apparel brand with a small storefront in lower Manhattan. However during COVID, she sought a quieter life somewhere outside the hustle and noise. Her search for a new home and storefront ultimately brought her to the Hudson Valley. On a perfect fall day, Nikki invited us into her whimsical home in the woods to share how transitioning to a slower pace of life has influenced her business and dish on her favorite local spots that bring her comfort.

Your collections seamlessly combine functional design and whimsical details. How do you approach designing clothes that are both expressive and wearable?

I take a lot of simple and classic shapes and reimagine them in unexpected colors, textures, and materials. The shapes are always wearable, and the expression often comes through the fabrics.

How do you want people to feel when they wear something you’ve designed?

Comfortable in their own skin and outfit. I want our clothes to enhance the wearer’s favorite parts of themselves, physically, emotionally, whatever it is!

What does “slow living” mean to you in philosophy and in practice?

Moving my shop from New York City to Hudson has totally changed my pace of life. Things are not so rushed here, which I love. Not just in the actual day to day, but as a clothing store, I feel like our garments have a longer lifespan here. There is less trend chasing and sale culture, which is more in line with how I want to grow my business.

What role does comfort and rest play in your creative process?

So many of my favorite pieces are comfort driven, like our sweaters and elastic waist Patch Pants. I love looking at vintage pajamas and sleepwear which inspire some pieces, like our Dolly Top and dress.

What’s your ultimate night-in guilty pleasure?

Ice cream from Fortunes in Tivoli, my favorite local spot.

Where’s your go-to spot in the Hudson Valley to find peace and stillness?

Art Omi is an incredible sculpture center, I love walking there with my husband and our dogs!

How does your environment — your home in the Hudson Valley, your studio, or even the city — influence your creative process?

I’m designing a new work studio in Hudson that I’m really excited about. I think having a space that is separate from my home and shop is going to be really nice, I just want it to be a completely creative space. Daniela Araya, an interior designer in Hudson is helping pull in details from our collections to design the space and I’m loving it!

What usually sparks a new collection for you — a color, a mood, a place?

Places can be very influential. I just spent some time in Naples and Ischia, and they are definitely going to show up in my next collection.