NYWIFT Blog

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Nikia Nelson

By Tammy Reese

NYWIFT member and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology Nikia Nelson has been working in the fashion and entertainment industries for several years. She started her career working in magazine publishing in the fashion and photo departments. She was able to parlay her experience into working as a stylist & costume designer for fashion, film, and television.

Nikia recently worked as Assistant Costume Designer for the Amazon series The Horror of Dolores Roach. Based on the hit Spotify podcast series of the same name, The Horror of Dolores Roach is a contemporary Sweeney Todd-inspired urban legend of love, betrayal, weed, cannibalism, and survival of the fittest. Dolores Roach (Justina Machado) is released from prison after 16 years and returns to a gentrified Washington Heights. She reunites with an old stoner friend, Luis (Alejandro Hernandez), who lets her live and work as a masseuse in the basement under his empanada shop. When the promise of her newfound stability is quickly threatened, “Magic Hands” Dolores is driven to shocking extremes to survive.

Nikia Nelson is one of 15 NYWIFT members with projects premiering at the 2023 Tribeca Festival! The Horror of Dolores Roach will screen at the festival on June 15 at 8:30 PM (SVA Theatre).

 

NYWIFT Member Nikia Nelson

 

What inspired you to become a costume designer?

I have always loved movies and TV since I was a child. I worked in fashion before becoming a costume designer. I love the idea of building a character. I like to get to know who my characters are and it helps me design for them.

 

How was your experience working on The Horror of Dolores Roach?

HODR is a TV series on Amazon. I really enjoyed working with the costume and wardrobe departments and with the costume designer, Fern. I started during the second half of the season and everyone was so great and welcoming.

 

Still from The Horror of Delores Roach (Photo Courtesy of Tribeca Festival)

 

Who were some of your favorite people to work with on set and why?

I love being on set because I love the camaraderie of it. We are all connected and are stronger together.

 

Why did you become a NYWIFT member and what do you enjoy most about the organization?

The lack of diversity and pay disparity is still a problem across all industries but very prevalent in film, television, and theater. I think NYWIFT is very important for fellowship and support for women in film and television.

 

Nikia Nelson in the costume racks!

 

What is a piece of advice you would have for aspiring costume designers?

I would say education [is key] – not necessarily university, but understanding costumes, different silhouettes, fabrics, fashion history, and technique. These things you can learn in school or through mentorship, assisting more experienced designers, and reading and teaching yourself at home.

 

Connect with Nikia Nelson on Instagram at @TheNikiaNelson and on LinkedIn.

PUBLISHED BY

Tammy Reese

Tammy Reese Tammy Reese is CEO of Visionary Minds PR & Media, and a New York award winning Actress, Writer, and Journalist.

View all posts by Tammy Reese

Comments are closed

Related Posts

Tips on How to Publish on Amazon Kindle

Jean Criss recently designed and wrote her first children’s book and self-published on Amazon Kindle. Once she realized this publishing platform was so simple, she decided to move all her book titles over. She learned how to publish e-books, paperbacks, white paper, articles, and/or other newsworthy information in a quick and easy way. Jean shares her step-by-step digital publishing guide with the NYWIFT community.

READ MORE

Recap: NYWIFT Talks with Julie Taymor and Kimberly Guerrero About “The Glorias” and Getting Out the Vote

NYWIFT blogger Kristin Reiber Harris reflects on our powerful conversation with the team behind The Glorias, including Julie Taymor's creative process, the celebration of Native voices, and how we as women live in constant dialogue with our former selves.

READ MORE

All In: The Fight for Democracy – A Conversation with Lisa Cortés (Part II)

The second part of Christina Kiely's two-part interview with All In: The Fight for Democracy co-director Lisa Cortés, conducted on Zoom in anticipation of her participation at the NYWIFT 2020 Creative Workforce Summit: Documentary Makers, Industry and Funders in Conversation next week. 

READ MORE

All In: The Fight for Democracy – A Conversation with Lisa Cortés (Part I)

All In: The Fight for Democracy is the essential new documentary the LA Times called “an eloquent history lesson on voting rights.” Co-directed by Lisa Cortés and Liz Garbus, the film tells the painful history of voter suppression in America as it traces the story of gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and her 2018 run in Georgia. Oscar-nominated producer NYWIFT Member Lisa Cortés (Precious, The Apollo, Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion) joined NYWIFT Board Member Christina Kiely to discuss All In: The Fight for Democracy, why it matters so much right now, how they pulled it off during the pandemic, and why Stacey Abrams’s story needed to be the spine of the film – apart from the fact that we love her.

READ MORE
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
css.php