Designer profile: Nova Dando

Responsible for the finest mix of music and fashion in her roles as designer, stylist and DJ, Nova Dando frequently collaborates with musicians and performers, specialising in creating individual pieces for some of the world’s biggest pop stars. 

Having graduated from Central Saint Martins with a degree in knitting, Nova began to work for Mandi Lennard, ‘the queen of fashion PR’; assisting with show productions and fashion events internationally and eventually moving onto big editorial fashion shoots. From this she decided to take the opportunity to reveal her own flair for styling by creating her own fashion movement. 

Simultaneously, she made a name for herself by being one half of the female DJing duo, Lou&Nova, which lead her to combine her interests in the fashion and music industries. Having Saam Farahmand, a music video director, as her flatmate was a bonus, as she soon began to style and create designs for the stars. 

Nova also found the perfect context in pop videos, where she could show off her unique and energetic style. As well as designing pieces for popstars to wear, she also began styling entire videos, working with the likes of La Roux, M.I.A., New Young Pony Club, Lady Gaga and, most recently, Kele Okereke. 

In terms of design, Nova’s first collection, entitled The Disco Collection, has been featured on the pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Dazed & Confused and i-D. It is safe to say that her designs are made for the stage; outrageous, innovative and incomparable showstoppers with an abomination of fluoro and exaggerated features. 

The Rainbow Collection soon followed and was previewed at London Fashion Week with a party hosted by La Roux. Nova decided to take to the streets and did guerrilla catwalk shows outside other show venues to entertain the crowd, adding a street performance element to the way the clothes were shown. 

Her influence has continued to spread into the mainstream, featuring on NME’s Cool List, and Nova has also moved into the role of directing videos such as Feelings Have Changed by The New Sins. 

Nova’s unique and distinctive style continues to make sound waves through the music and fashion worlds, with designs that are made to perform, whether they are on the catwalk, TV or the stage. 

Helena Strutt