In the heart of California’s vibrant culture, embraced by the sunshine, ocean, and mountains, stands NAHMIAS, a Californian brand brought to life by Doni Nahmias. Capturing the spirit of its surroundings, inspired by the diverse landscapes and rich culture of skate, surf, and graffiti arts, this brand is relaxed, comfortable, and undeniably cool. Doni is deeply influenced by the memories of his youth and the picturesque town of Summerland, a place where the beach is a backyard and the mountains, a majestic backdrop.
INTERVIEWS
His Fall Winter 2024 collection is an homage to the lifestyle of Hope Ranch in Santa Barbara, and the stage for unveiling of “The Ollie” sneaker, a new staple for the brand. In DSCENE exclusive interview editor Pavle Banovic explores into the creative process and the designs with Doni Nahmias. They talk about the collection, with a focus on shoe designs, sneaker trends in general as well as the future of the brand, in a conversation in which the sense of nostalgia, aspiration, and innovation that defines NAHMIAS comes to life, authentically Californian at its core.
Read the full DSCENE Interview with Designer Doni Nahmias below:
How would you define the “Californian” aesthetic? – There really is no place like California. It has a laid back aura to it that you just can’t find anywhere else. There are so many different cultures I have been influenced by within California- from skate, to surf, to graffiti arts. They all have their own world and culture within California which makes it such a special place. The California aesthetic to me is laid back, comfortable, and effortlessly cool.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your brand, particularly your hometown of Summerland? – The inspiration behind my brand is deeply rooted in my upbringing and the memories of my childhood. Growing up in California, I was influenced by various cultures and experiences, which shaped my creative vision. I went through different phases at different ages, but I always find myself inspired by the memories of my youth in Santa Barbara.
Summerland, has had a significant impact on my brand. It’s a small, quiet town with a laid-back feel. The beach is just down the street, and the mountains are behind you. I can vividly remember skating to the beach, surfing, or just hanging out by the water. These experiences have shaped my aesthetic and the ethos of my brand, which is all about capturing that carefree, adventurous spirit of California living.
The latest FW24 collection is inspired by a ranch in Santa Barbara. Could you describe the creative process behind it? – The creative process behind my latest FW24 collection was inspired by the gated community of Hope Ranch in Santa Barbara. I didn’t spend much time there, just driving through or visiting friends occasionally, but Hope Ranch always represented a dream to me—a place of luxury and aspiration, you could say. It is posted on the cliffs overlooking the beach, with houses that had horses in the front or back yards, creating a unique and nostalgic feeling for me, continuously inspiring me to daydream. It’s like a little bubble within Santa Barbara, carrying a western theme of horses and farm life. With this collection, I wanted to translate the essence of Hope Ranch into the designs, capturing the elegance and dreamlike quality of the community. Each piece in a way reflects my childhood desire to be a part of that world, incorporating elements of western themes and farm life to evoke that sense of aspiration and nostalgia.
“The Ollie” sneaker is the highlight of the collection. Could you tell us more about its design and features? – I designed this sneaker in collaboration with my dear friend Connor Tingly, and this sneaker will be a new staple for the brand. The design of the sole is particularly special and it took quite a while to get it perfect—it’s inspired by the ocean waves and mountainous ranges of California. Despite its thick platform, the shoe is lightweight and comfortable, making it perfect for everyday wear. The current upper pays homage to the classic sneaker style worn by skaters and surfers, adding a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to the design while still remaining recognizable as something completely new. What’s special about “The Ollie” is its sole, The sole design allows for endless possibilities in terms of future styles, as we can change the upper while keeping the same iconic sole.
This is the second sneaker you’ve designed for the brand, following the “Five-O.” How do you compare the two? – Designing sneakers has been a learning experience for me. The process is complex and involves a lot of back-and-forth with factories to get every detail just right as there are so many components to it, and it’s not as hands on for me as garments are. With “The Ollie,” I was able to take everything I learned from designing the “Five-O” and improve upon it.
Both sneakers are special to me, but I do find “The Ollie” to be particularly more identifiable for the brand, with its unique sole and clear inspirations. Its design and features really capture the essence of my brand’s aesthetic and vision but in a way that hasn’t been done before.
What trends do you foresee emerging in the sneaker community, and how do you anticipate they will evolve in the future? – There are so many trends it is hard to keep up! I am just going at my own pace now and creating sneakers that feel true and authentic to myself and the brand. I tend to try and stay away from what trends are on the horizon. Although everyone has been doing chunky skate shoes in recent years, I see that maybe fading away into more sleek and simple silhouettes.
It is hinted that this is just the first of many designs to come. Can you share more about what’s next for the brand? – There are so many things to come for the brand and I’m excited for what the future holds- it’s been a crazy journey thus far. We will continue to expand our categories and product offerings. We have some very special collaborations and partnerships in the works as well for the brand.
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