Everyone is in charge of their own purchasing power. The power in a luxury purchase lies in the consumer’s confidence in the values that propel the brand they’re supporting — values that inspire confidence, and promote equality like passion, empathy, and the desire to be impactful. NANDANIE, the first women’s luxury necktie brand seen in high fashion publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, made its mark with its unique approach to women’s luxury neckties and bows. Designed in New York City with sustainably sourced and meticulously handcrafted materials, NANDanie was nominated for the Accessories Council Design Excellence Award 2 years in a row alongside luxury brands like Prada, Coach, Carolina Herrera, Shinola Detroit, Stuart Weitzman and more!
Nancy Daniele Berman is a mother of 3 from Detroit, Michigan whose childhood school notebooks were filled with fashion designs. Nancy studied in New York but moved back to Detroit before its artistic renaissance had taken place. Nancy started out decorating cakes in her early twenties for fun. With time, Nancy fell in love with the idea that women should feel powerful, capable and strong enough to lead, and after attending a few meetings as the only woman in attendance, Nancy fell madly in love with Neckties. I sat down with Nancy, NANDanie Owner and Founder, to talk about the brand, the journey, and a little bit of women’s basketball.
“I’ve been to a lot of meetings where I’m the only woman and everyone is sitting in their suits and ties like a uniform. Not to say that I want to be a part of that [particular] team — I like that [women] can wear whatever we want and we have so much more expression with fashion — but there is something about putting on that [tie]. It gives you confidence whether you’re in the business world or you’re just going out.”
NANDANIE was started when I discovered that there really was nothing in the market for women’s neckties. People have been wearing ties for years all throughout history and women are some of the busiest people on the planet, with more responsibilities than the average man and barely any time to tie a necktie. So, we came up with [our] concept of the pre-tied necktie for women. I feel like that [product] opened up another category for [women].
As you were creating NANDanie, did you have to brush up on your necktie knowledge, or were you already familiar with that niche market?
Right away, when I got the idea, I started to research where you even sell [women’s] neckties! I went to every store I could think of, I went to every top designer, and there were no ties. It’s interesting, since I’ve started, I’ve seen a few designers who [now] maybe have one necktie in like one style.
Each design speaks to your creativity from the classic to the more intricate designs that look pretty enough to be decorative art pieces! How did the design aspect of this business help you transition from cake decorating to designing?
Baking cakes was a creative outlet. I love to cook, I love to entertain, I love to bake, and I love decorating! So whether I was decorating somebody’s home, their clothing, or a cake, I loved to decorate. I had my kids at home and it was a creative outlet that I could [enjoy] while they were sleeping — I’d stay up all night to bake those cakes! When my kids were a little bit older and I got the idea for the neckties, the timing in my life was right.
What I do tell people a lot is just because you can’t do something right now in life, doesn’t mean you can’t do it later. I thought I gave up my career when I moved back[to Detroit]. Now, Detroit is putting themselves on the map in fashion and there’s a lot of exciting things happening here.
The designs of your neckties are so unique and special- I pretty much dreamed about the tan tie with the embroidered detail!
Nothing exists like [them]. Some of our NANDANIE ties are really artwork. I met someone this week that wants to put our ties in her art gallery in L.A.! We have our everyday ties that are more versatile, but [with] the embroidered ties- with beading, pearls, and embellishments, it’s really like putting on jewelry. They’re all handmade and there’s a lot of attention to detail. They’re for people who want to put something on that makes them feel special and unique. When you see a woman walk in with one of the ties you know she means business, you know she’s confident.
What do you want to tell women who have never worn a tie or think their style doesn’t align with wearing a necktie?
[Neckties] are ‘outfit completers’, they can be versatile. I wear them very often with jeans and a t-shirt. Very often NANDANIE neckties are worn very casually [with] shorts and sundresses. We have every kind of look so you can purchase a necktie with the intention of wearing it with a suit and, you could also wear it the next day when you’re going out with your friends. They’re really versatile and that’s what they are meant to be.
What did it feel like to be able to share your brand on such large platforms like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar? How did that change how you looked at your brand, and your ‘why’?
When I launched [NANDanie], within months, we were in NYFW. My website wasn’t even live yet and we were in NYFW! That was a surreal moment. That was the moment when I said ‘okay, anything is possible’. This coming September will be my third year [at NYFW]. It took me a long time to reflect because it just became a reality. Once I accepted it as a reality, it became a norm, even though it was also a dream. I had to take moments to really appreciate it [all] but it just shows you that anything is possible.
You were recently appointed as the U.S. Commision Member for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. How does this position mirror the passion that you have in other extensions of yourself and career?
I have a lot of balance in my life. I have this creative part of me with things like my cake business so I’ve always found something to use that creative passion of mine. I love to be in creative environments where people think outside of the box. Then, I have this other part of me that equally believes anything can be done. I was never involved in politics, but when I got involved in some preservation projects someone said to me ‘you should get on this commission,’ after certain experiences in [my] life, I was like you know what? I AM qualified to be on this commission. I reached out to our Senator, Gary Peters, and his team [helped] to get me onto this commission which was ultimately a Presidentially appointed position.
The United States is a young country and most people, or their parents or grandparents, or great grandparents came from someplace else. This commission was started in the 80’s after WW2 to preserve the legacy and heritage of Americans abroad. Recently, I worked on a video for my commission about Senda Berenson Abbott, a jewish girl from Lithuania who came to Smith College, broke the rules and became the ”Mother of Women’s Basketball”.
What advice do you have about being intentional with what you’re involved in as a multi-talented person?
First of all, do what you are passionate about. I have things that I’m passionate about that are so completely different. Sometimes I wish I could divide myself so I could focus my attention and do one thing really really well, but sometimes if you only do one thing you could get burned out. So I create a balance. Sometimes when I’m in the fashion space, I [still] see other ways that I can be impactful. I’m involved in a lot of different non-profit organizations as well because that also fuels my soul. Fashion is my day job, which I love, and my non-profit and “government” jobs also fuel a part of my soul that helps me continue to do fashion. I want people to feel proud and confident. I don’t want any person to ever believe they can’t make an impact. That’s what I love about [NANDANIE] and that’s what I love about the other things I do.
What has been your most valuable resource in monetizing something that was a passion for you and growing and expanding that business into something larger.
Open yourself up to talking to everyone. You have to want to learn. I didn’t have a formal education in fashion — I’ve been styling and designing my whole life but I didn’t go to F.I.T. or Parson — I knew that I needed to learn from others. That was the most important thing I did. I went to New York to [see] different shows, I spoke to people and I made connections, I introduced myself to people and shared my story. That is what helped me the most; opening myself up to learning from people.
My inner drive was my best resource. I think it came from being at a different point in my life. I had a very traumatic divorce, my kids went through a lot, and I got to a point in my life when I was like nothing is going to stop me right now. To be completely honest, if I was 30 years old and had NANDANIE, I don’t know if I would have accomplished it because I wouldn’t have had the experience behind me to push me and propel me forward. My motto is: we have one life. I had my own difficult period of life, that drove me to say I’m not letting anyone get in my head to tell me something is not possible, I’m going to make it possible. If there is something that you really believe you want to do. You have to block out the people that are going to tell every single reason why it’s not going to succeed.
…You have to believe in yourself and surround yourself with really good people. Being around people with integrity is the most important thing. Good people; kind people, when you find those people, hold on to them. That’s what I believe and that’s what I’ve always held myself to.
What else would you like our readers to know about NANDANIE?
I love accessories and [the necktie] is something so easy to put on, it’s beautiful, edgy and empowering. When you put on a tie you stand a little taller, your confidence is boosted, and [wearing a tie] does something to you psychologically that I [believe] women need. And that is the driving force behind the brand.
NANDanie aims to be your go-to for innovative and stylish ties and bows, while redefining fashion norms with flair. Committed to meeting evolving fashion demands, NANDanie will be introducing neckties sized for men, reflecting their dedication to innovation.
Original source here.