NINFA by Nancy Donato
NINFA Outerwear is distinguished by interesting and unexpected detail - big chunky, hand knitted collars that add a bit of drama by their scale, frame the neck and face for warmth or blocking out the wind; oversized bellows pockets that stand away from the body and have ample space for hands, gloves, your phone or all of these at the same time; voluminous cashmere sleeves that are gathered at the wrist to emphasize the soft drape of the fabric; goods chosen for the distinct sense of luxury they portray when incorporated into designs – all details for garments intended to be worn in day to day life.
Most recently Nancy Donato has been working with wool double cloth, cashmere, a bit of Harris tweed, and some interesting coated cotton twill. Yarns are primarily merino wool and blends of merino and alpaca.
Nancy Donato, biography
I love clothes. I always have. For as far back as my memory will allow me to go, I’ve been aware of clothes. No surprise. In my early youth while other families went to church and read the Sunday paper for world news, mine hovered over fashion magazines discussing the latest fashion trends on 5th Avenue. They were Italian immigrants who made their way in the industry and fashion became their ticket to naturalization. Through them I became aware of clothes.
I learned to appreciate the textures of fabrics. I developed a love of color in all of its innumerable variations. I became aware that different shapes and angles can be formed by how a line is placed on the grain of a piece of cloth. I came to understand that quality is at the top of the list of priorities in choosing what to wear. And alongside of that is great style and, of course, a good fit.
Given that the aesthetic of the process of making clothes is, to me, a definitive part of the final piece, each garment made at NINFA Outerwear is hand sewn or hand knitted, one at a time. And with that same aesthetic in mind, it becomes possible to create pieces that are individually unique, elegant.
Named after my paternal grandmother, NINFA is a work in progress. NINFA represents not only the years I have spent developing an understanding of the key elements of great style but pays homage to those immigrants who have found their ticket through fashion.
