In fashion, true distinction lies not only in creativity but also in the ability to honour heritage while pushing boundaries. Few designers embody this balance as effortlessly as Nikita Karizma. Known for dressing global icons such as Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, and Rhea Raj, Karizma has built a brand rooted in glamour, craftsmanship, and unapologetic identity.
With South Asian roots deeply woven into with her upbringing in London, Karizma’s work reflects a striking fusion of heritage, modern glamour, and a conscious commitment to sustainability. From intricate embellishments inspired by traditional South Asian techniques to futuristic 3D-printed designs, Nikita Karizma’s creations embody confidence, storytelling, and cultural pride. At the heart of her practice is a belief that fashion can be a powerful vehicle for visibility—one that challenges traditional standards of beauty and makes space for a wider range of voices within the industry.
In conversation with Noctis, Karizma reflects on her journey from her childhood days in her grandfather’s saree store to dressing some of the world’s most recognisable figures, revealing how culture, resilience, and creative discipline have shaped the designer she is today.
When did you first realise that fashion design was more than an interest—that it was your calling? And at what point did your personal design language begin to take shape?
Fashion was always part of my world growing up. I spent much of my childhood working in my grandfather’s Indian saree store, surrounded by colour, fabric, and intricate embroideries. That environment shaped my eye from a very young age. It was such a rich and sensory experience watching garments come to life, understanding drape, and seeing how clothing could transform the way someone feels.
My personal design language really began to take shape at London College of Fashion. It gave me the space and freedom to experiment, to test ideas, and ultimately to find my voice as a designer. It was where I began to define my signature style that is recognised today of glamour and a strong sense of identity through design.
As fellow London College of Fashion alumni, this conversation feels particularly special. Looking back, how did your time at LCF shape your creative identity and career trajectory? In today’s rapidly changing fashion landscape, do you believe a formal fashion education is still essential for building a successful brand, or can alternative paths be just as powerful?
My time at London College of Fashion gave me a strong foundation in the fundamentals of design from pattern cutting to product development and really taught me the discipline behind the practice of fashion. LCF also gave me the space to find my voice. It encouraged experimentation and allowed me to explore fashion through a global lens, which shaped the way I think about design today through culture, identity, and storytelling.
I really value fashion education, but I also recognise that there isn’t a single path into the industry anymore. What matters most is clarity of vision, consistency, and the ability to evolve. For me, LCF was a crucial part of that journey, but it’s ultimately how you apply what you learn that defines your path.
As a South Asian woman building a brand in a global city like London, have you ever felt the need to work harder to be seen or taken seriously? How has your identity shaped your resilience and ambition?
My focus has been on design & craft, letting the work speak first. Refining my design language, developing strong silhouettes, and building a brand with a clear and consistent point of view. In an industry as competitive as fashion, that level of discipline and clarity is essential, regardless of background.
Being a South Asian female designer has pushed me to think independently, trust my instincts, and define a roadmap on my own terms. My heritage has given me a strong foundation with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, embellishment, and storytelling but also a sense of resilience. There’s a quiet determination that comes from navigating different cultures & diverse perspectives, and that has shaped both my ambition and approach to building a brand.
There’s a quiet determination that comes from navigating different cultures & diverse perspectives, and that has shaped both my ambition and approach to building a brand.
Do you feel your cultural background has presented challenges, strengths, or both in navigating the fashion industry?
I think it’s been both. My cultural background has given me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, embellishment, and storytelling all of which are central to my design language. It’s shaped my aesthetic in a way that feels authentic & shares a distinct culturally rooted viewpoint.
More recently, I’ve started to share more of my story through my social media. It’s important to me to create visibility and hopefully inspire other designers from different cultural backgrounds who may not feel represented in the fashion industry. I want them to know that there is space for them within this industry, and that they can build a legacy on their own terms.
Being scouted by Nicola Formichetti & Lady Gaga was a significant milestone in your journey. How did that moment change the trajectory of your career, and what did it teach you about your potential as a designer?
Nicola Formichetti was working on Lady Gaga’s wardrobe when I was a student at London College of Fashion, and was the first to discover my designs. At the time, I was balancing my final year at university with stepping into one of the most iconic wardrobes in the world.
Seeing my handmade pieces hanging alongside work from some of the world’s leading designers was a surreal and defining moment. It completely opened my eyes to the inside of the industry as a graduating designer.
We went on to dress Lady Gaga for the launch of her book ‘Channel Kindness’, which she released with her mother. That moment remains one of the most meaningful in my career. It assured me to always design with purpose, and it set the tone for the path I’ve continued to build since.
LEFT – Lady Gaga styled by Marta Del Rio
RIGHT – Gwen Stefani for Wonderland Magazine styled by Nicola Formichetti | Photography by Ellen Von Unwerth | Makeup by Mary Phillips Hair Danilo Dixon
Your first major project with Gwen Stefani introduced your work to a global audience. What was that experience like, and how did it shape your creative confidence as a designer?
Nicola Formichetti styled our chainmail jeans on Gwen Stefani, and we also dressed her in a Nikita Karizma crystal bomber jacket for an appearance at the Rockefeller Center in New York. My muse has always been a glamorous rockstar, and that moment really affirmed that vision. It encouraged me to continue developing my design language particularly my signature use of metal, chainmail, and crystallised embellishments.
Gwen had once visited my grandfather’s Indian saree store in London, shopping with her mum while she was pregnant. Growing up listening to No Doubt and Gwen Stefani, and then later dressing her, felt incredibly surreal and personal.
You’ve dressed iconic figures like Winnie Harlow, Kylie Jenner and Zoe Saldaña, each with a very distinct identity. How do you balance your own creative vision with the individuality of the person wearing your designs?
I love that fashion can be used as a vehicle for self-expression, a way to create an alter ego or to step into a whimsical, elevated world. For me, it’s about inviting my muses into the Nikita Karizma universe, even if just for a moment, and allowing them to fully live that fantasy. I am here for the experience of it all. The moments, the memories & I love that I get to share that with my muses.
Could you walk us through your creative process — from the initial spark of inspiration to the final garment? How do you keep your cultural roots from India present in your designs without feeling confined by tradition?
I get so many design ideas all the time that I like to write them down. I immerse myself in the arts and cultural scene, which continually fuels my imagination. Usually, I begin with a clear idea whether that’s a concept, a fabric, or a specific product. From there, we develop ideas within the studio through fabric testing, toiles, fittings, and pattern refinements, until we sign off a final toile and move into factory sampling. We’re always experimenting and pushing ideas forward in the studio.
I’m very particular when it comes to fabrics and fit. I personally try everything through multiple fittings until I’m really happy with how the design makes me feel. My studio is currently based above my grandfather’s Indian saree store in Wembley, London. We actually enter through his shop to reach it. Being surrounded by Indian culture on a daily basis naturally influences my work through colour, fabric, drape, embellishment, and print.
I see my identity as both being born in London and made in India and that duality allows me to draw from my cultural roots without feeling confined.
LEFT – Winnie Harlow styled by Bryon Javar | Photography by Brandon Almengo | Hair by Davontae’ Washington
RIGHT – Zoe Saldaña for CR Fashion Book styled by Carine Roitfeld | Photography by Emmanuel Monsalve | Hair by Mara Roszak | Makeup by Vera Steimberg
Take your time to find your voice and signature style. Don’t rush that process as true creative identity develops through exploration and consistency.
How would you describe the essence of the Nikita Karizma brand in three words?
Glamour, rockstar & identity.
Building a fashion brand requires both creativity and strategy. What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a designer? What advice would you give to young designers who are just starting out?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a designer is the importance of growing alongside your creative peers. Building a fashion brand is about community, exchange, and shared evolution.
For young designers, I would say: take your time to find your voice and signature style. Don’t rush that process as true creative identity develops through exploration and consistency. At the same time, invest in developing your craft, because strong foundations are what make creativity sustainable.
What does success look like to you today, and how has that definition evolved since the beginning of your journey?
When I graduated from fashion school, I was getting my foot in the door of the industry, making connections and gaining exposure as a young emerging talent. I now see success as having a long-lasting career as a designer, grounded in creativity, culture & craftsmanship. I’ve learned to approach my work with a 360-degree understanding of fashion design. We recently purchased a design atelier for my studio, and we’re now preparing to open the space later this year. I’m incredibly excited for this next chapter of my design journey you’ll have to come visit.
Follow Nikita Karizma on Instagram
www.nikitakarizma.com
Words: Nandini Bhattacharya