My name is Nika L. A. Hollingsworth, formerly Nika Jones. I'm originally from the west side of Detroit, Michigan . I moved to Boston in 1990 when my mother fell ill with advanced stage pancreatic cancer. She died in 1991 from her illness, rendering me an orphan (my dad died when I was a todler). Luckily, one of my mother's sisters took me in until I graduated high school. To cope with stress, tragedy and dispair, I'd draw or paint. That has been my way since I can remember. I recall when I was around 7 years old picking up a fashion magazine my sister had left in my room. I'd trace the models on the fashion pages - then erase the lines in places I felt they did not belong. Then eventually I started drawing without tracing. My mother caught on to this and bought me fashion plates and art supplies. She also used to drag me to art camps and gifted and talented programs. I hated all the walking and bus transfers but once I got to school, I was in my element. Funny how with such enthusiasm as a young girl, I didn't pursue fashion in college. I was made to believe I wasn't good enough and that it wasn't practical. My mother never told me to pursue it nor did she ever tell me she was proud of my talents, but she pushed me and encouraged me in her own way. I'm sure she hated the commute as much as I did and then had to listen to me whine about it the entire way -- go home and wait for my classed to end to only come back to get me and then do it again....that was 2 round trip commutes a day for her. I didn't look at it that way until I was older. Anyway, I graduated from Lasell College in 1998 with degrees in Business Management and Hotel Management. After going against the perpectual grain, I realized what was truly impractical; Not doing what I love to do.
Fast forward to today. I AM a fashion designer. Once upon a time I would have never made such a proclamation but...it is what it is and I am what I am. To deny it is to deny who I am. I am best known for my fashion shows and charity events in the Boston and surrounding areas. I am married to Dale Hollingsworth who also acts as my event photographer and is also my business partner (although he calls me "boss").Actually, everyone I work with calls me boss -- I have a hard time embracing that title. I would rather be looked at as a leader. That's my hang up and I am dealing with it --so don't judge me! But I realize the term is out of respect and it feels great to have such respect from my peers and loved ones.
I developed Nilanjo! (nee-lawn-joe)in 2000 and launched the fashion company in April 2001. This spring will be my 12th fashion birthday!I am working on our 22nd independent show case (May 11, 2013). My responsibilities includes everything from producing and directing the events to booking performers and models. I also network to obtain sponsorship for the events. This all in addition to planning, designing and sewing the clothing for the showcases. One of the most important tasks I have is scouting charities that are personal to Nilanjo! Fashion Entertainment and that encourage the betterment, rebuilding and continual support of the community and those within- especially children, in an effort to encourage and promote charity and giving. I added plus size fashions to my portfolio in 2004. And most recently I have added girls' designs.
My Fashion Show Credits Include:
• Spring 2001 – First Nilanjo! Fashion Show - Untitled
• Fall 2001– Ghetto Glam
• Spring 2002 – Spring N2 Fall
• Fall 2003 – The Fall Masquerade
• Winter 2003 – Neo Soul Fashion Show
• Winter 2004 – Hair Show with B&B Hair Salon (designer & stylist for B&B Hair Design models)
• Spring 2004 – Evolution Fashion Show
• Fall 2004 – Fall N2 Fashion
• Spring 2005 - Spring N2 Fashion
• Summer 2005 - Organized Gear Fashion Show (featured designer)
• Fall 2005 –It’s Like That Yall
• Fall 2006 – Black & White Fall Fashion @ MIT
• Spring 2007 – A Spring Fashion Preview
• Winter 2007 - Fashion Revue
• Spring 2008 This is Why We’re Haute! @ The LimeLight
• Fall 2008 – Flip The Runway
• Fall 2009 - Cause 4 Fashion (Spotlight on Breast Cancer)
• Spring 2010 – I Am…Fashion
• August 2010 – My MIC Sounds Nice
• Fall 2010 – Funk ‘N’ Fashion (Spot Light on Children’s Hospital)
• Spring 2011 – TGIFashion! (Spot Light on Diabetes & Peace Boston)
• August 2011 – My Mic Sounds Nice PT2
• October 2011 – Haute Pink Breast Cancer Fundraiser
• November 2011 – I Work – Networking Mixer
• March 2012 – HOT IN THE CITY – Promotional Mixer
• May 2012 ----RED HOT! Pre-Mother’s Day Fashion Bash
• Aug 4 2012 – MY MIC SOUNDS NICE III
November 3, 2012 marked a successful fall fundraiser entitled THE MASQUE to which some of the event's proceeds was donated toward Domestic Violence Awareness. Mt team and I worked very hard to pull off this event and we were able to exceed our fundraising goal. My team is comprised of my husband Dale, Marquis Miller, Team Captain & Liaison - Alicia Jarvis, Make Up Artist and Hair Stylist - Venetta Rochelle and our Positive Mental Attitude Enforcer - Angel Scott. We are in the process of team building because our message is a good one and needs to be spread around quite a bit more. Nilanjo! was also featured in MIT's annual KATwalk charity fashion show (run by sorority Alpha Kappa Theta - Zeta Mu).
Where I am today is no accident. Nor is it the end of the road. There is more for me to accomplish and as long as the fire of passion is burning strong, I must continue. I am not a world known designer but to those that do know me, I am known as a innovator, motivator, encourager, insprirer, a go-getter and I've been told I am a very nice person too (LOL)! Like I said once upon a time, I'd never boast my accomplishments. I try to stay grounded and humble. No one likes a show off afterall. But those who want me to suppress my talents and to tuck away my dreams....to ignore my accomplishments and quiet my creative voice are people who don't appreciate what I do, why I do and who I am. Those that get me encourage my light to shine and those are the people I have to focus on. Their voices and cheers are what guide me through the mountain of haters. And all it takes is one voice...one voice that is louder than the any others that says "keep going....you can do it".... And that voice is the only one that matters. May you listen to your own voice. Dream on.
Our links are:
FASHION: www.nilanjo617.com
PROMOTIONS: www.nilanjofashionent.webs.com
MOBILE: m.nilanjo617.com
