Womenswear designer Sandra Sandor is no stranger to the peripatetic lifestyle – she was raised in her native Budapest and London – so it’s little wonder that catering to the pleasure-seeking nomad is the modus operandi at her Hungary-based label, Nanushka.
Founded in 2005, Nanushka takes its name from a moniker Sandor’s father gave her as a child. That’s not the only thing about the brand that finds its roots in her childhood: much of her sense of design comes from her mother, who founded a childrenswear line in the Seventies. No doubt you will have noticed Sandor’s very retro and incredibly popular quilted leather jacket and smart tailoring on Instagram on the likes of Camille Charrière, Alex Carl and Caroline de Maigret.
Nanushka clothes are expertly crafted by Sandor, whose well-tailored separates, such as a languorous bed jacket in sapphire-hued satin, are a testament to the technical design skills she learned at the London College of Fashion (she graduated in 2005): ‘It’s not enough for a garment to just be beautiful,’ she says. ‘The fabric is so important. And when I say that travel is a big source of inspiration, that’s about functionality, too.’
The notion of living out of a suitcase may seem stressful to some, but that’s an issue Sandor irons out (literally and figuratively) with carefully selected, innovative fabrics. 'Beauty follows function,' she says, and among Nanushka’s bestsellers are fringe-hemmed jackets and shirts woven from a tech-linen. 'It doesn’t crease like linen usually does, so you don’t have to worry about ironing it every five minutes.' Perfectly suited to being on the move, as the brand’s ambling muse would be.
Nanushka: Best Pieces To Buy
There’s an assured quietude underpinning Nanushka’s take on the wayfaring lifestyle. ‘When you’re far from home, you feel liberated,’ she says. ‘You dare to play with the concept of your style.’ The label’s contemporary price-point certainly allows for that, priced between £79 - £610. There’s also something of the faraway in Nanushka’s muted desert tones (sand, stone, washed pinks), textured jacquards and rope-tie accessories.
This season sees Sandor take that insouciance from the souk to the city. 'I lived in London for four years, and that had a huge impact on my style.' So there’s a funnel-neck parka, washed denim, and black puffa among the opalescent silks and babouche slippers. There’s also a mock-croc fanny-pack for a touch of practical polish. It’s a mêlée suited to the rich cultural mix of the cities Sandor has called home, drawing on the contemporary cool of London, and Budapest’s textile heritage (where the clothes are produced).
There’s already a flagship store in Budapest that reflects her aesthetic and values (a fern-furnished, stone-walled space that makes for Instagram catnip). ‘We’re making it a destination, stocking international and local brands next to a selection of beauty products, homeware and books.’ Yet, despite laying down roots, she still has plans to travel (she recently presented her Autumn/ Winter 2018 collection in New York). Regardless of where Sandor goes, she has no need to compromise on style for the journey. Nanushka makes sure of that.
