The Ninachka Couture collections create worlds where a child’s fantasy reigns supreme.

The name means “little Nina,” her grandparents’ term of endearment for Nina Hovnanian, American Armenian designer, children’s book author, home decor innovator and all-round Renaissance woman. Ninachka Couture by Nina Hovnanian and Ninachka Princess are two wondrous collections for children from ages 0-7 that include handmade twirly tulle dresses and hand painted bejeweled silk organza circle skirts that sit atop tulle ruffled layers of silk chiffon. Each delicately finished piece of the Princess collection is inspired by every little girl’s fairy tale fantasies. It also includes Swarovski encrusted tops and hand-stitched items. Every made-to-order  heirloom piece comes with a handmade tiara and arrives in a limited edition zippered satin lined storage case to pass on to future generations. From party dresses and formal wear, sun dresses, separates and swimwear, Ninachka Couture is always all about comfort – and fun.

“I’ve tried to capture all the magic of childhood fantasies and the classic delights of summer and print them onto cool cottons to create super fun collections that literally inspire kids’ dreams to come alive,” Nina tells HCRSourceBook. The European-inspired brand made its North American début at Playtime New York just this summer with bold colors, adorable animal prints and intricate details that enchant buyers all over the world. Also available are clothing for boys, books, toys, gifts and décor items.

Nina’s story is an inspired one. This New Jersey girl moved to Armenia in 2001 to start the Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) to help lift the country’s devastated post-earthquake, post-war economy. In 2005, she created Treasures of Armenia, a specialty shop of artisanal treasures created by Armenia’s master craftsmen. She also formed the Nina Hovnanian Couture brand, creating hundreds of new jobs and breathing new life into Armenian artisanal traditions by marrying time-revered skills and ancient Armenian design elements with state-of-the-art technologies and materials to create designs with a fresh 21^st century appeal. All of Nina’s creations are saturated with her timeless, yet contemporary international flair.

Nina herself has twin daughters, Gayane and Katya, who remind her of how fast children outgrow their clothes, so she designs classic, yet delightful “heirloom” creations that can be passed down from generation to generation.

-Janet Muniz