Chilean-Swiss designer Nina Christen is set to debut her shoe line in NYC, reflecting on her Broadway roots and her commitment to timeless fashion.
Nina Christen, a Chilean-Swiss designer, is set to make her mark in New York City with the launch of her namesake shoe line, Christen, exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman in May 2025. This new venture is particularly poignant for Christen, who is returning to the city where her career took off two decades ago when she worked on costumes for the Broadway production of The Lion King. Reflecting on her past, Christen noted, “Some of the costumes I worked on might still be treading the boards,” indicating her lasting connection to the theatrical world.
Having established a prominent career in the fashion industry, Christen has worked with several high-profile brands renowned for their accessory lines, including The Row, Loewe, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Celine. Speaking about her experience at Celine, particularly during the Phoebe Philo era, she described it as “intense and interesting,” highlighting the creative pressure to innovate under Philo’s direction. This led Christen to collaborate closely with designer Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta, where she had the creative freedom to explore her visionary ideas, including designs that pushed traditional boundaries.
With her new shoe line, Christen aims to embody “extreme, feminine, chic classicism,” ensuring that her designs retain relevance for years to come. She emphasizes the importance of continuity in her creations, contrasting the current trend of short-lived fashion items. “I hate when things are discontinued. My brand is really about continuation,” Christen stated, indicating her commitment to timeless design.
Yumi Shin, chief merchandising officer at Bergdorf Goodman, has lauded Christen’s work, describing it as “Beautility, the perfect combination of beauty and utility.” Shin’s admiration extends to her own wardrobe; she expressed surprise at having owned several shoes designed by Christen for years prior to discovering the designer’s new venture. “She’s not a copycat. She’s an originator,” Shin remarked, praising Christen’s originality in the fashion ecosystem.
Christen’s initial offerings include a curated selection of footwear such as slouchy over-the-knee boots, shearling-lined slippers, and elegantly shaped stilettos. To complement her shoe line, she will also introduce a few clothing pieces, featuring luxurious T-shirts and a shearling jacket designed to accessorize the footwear.
In a contemporary twist, Christen’s design process is influenced not only by traditional craftsmanship but also by modern technology and market analysis. She plans to engage a data scientist to aid in brand strategy, referencing tech companies like Apple as sources of inspiration for her business model. Notably, her shoes are crafted in family-owned factories located in Italy’s Veneto region, which specialize in luxury production. Christen has cultivated strong relationships with these manufacturers, ensuring high-quality output for her brand.
Later in the year, Christen plans to open a store in Paris, envisioned as a personalized shopping experience for customers to explore her unique creations. As she embarks on this new chapter, Christen is poised to establish herself as a distinctive voice in the accessory domain, merging high fashion with lasting practicality.
Source: Noah Wire Services
