Sawako Muraoka
Merchandiser
Karla Huang
Jewellery Designer
Andrea Challis
Bookkeeper
Adam M
Web Admin
Get to know our team
Nadia Minkoff
Design Director
What does your role entail?
Too much to write, but apart from dealing with the everyday logistics of running a business I head up our design team, which I love! I still design all our handbags and curate our look.
How long have you been working in the industry?
30 years.
What’s the best thing about working at NM HQ?
We’re a great team; worldly, supportive, friendly, interesting, it’s a pleasure coming in to work.
Which NM handbag is your favourite to date?
Has to be The Rena Bag, I designed it in memory of my mother so it’s a special one for me
Where is your favourite place to shop in London?
Am I allowed more than one favourite?? Current fave is Marylebone High Street.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Aeolian Islands, Italy.
Can you share a hidden gem with us in London?
Members Café balcony at The Tate Modern, I could sit there all day watching London and people watching.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee all the way.
This season’s top 3 from the current Nadia Minkoff collection?
Perfectly shaped and proportioned, I love the matt gunmetal plating and the cut of the crystal.
How can you not love this purse? Not only is it cute and practical but the colour is gorgeous.
Sawako Muraoka
Production Manager
What does your role entail?
A bit of everything! I mainly oversee the processing of orders and make sure everything is delivered on time.
How long have you been working in the industry?
It’s been around 14 years now.
What’s the best thing about working at NM HQ?
I love being surrounded by creativity and sparkly things, and still always feel excited to see the new ranges come in. Opening a box of new samples is like opening presents.
Which NM handbag is your favourite to date?
I’m going to say the Mayfair midi which we made a few years ago. It’s a small cross body doctor bag in red leather. Maybe I can persuade its comeback…?
Where is your favourite place to shop in London?
At the moment I’m going to say Covent Garden. It has most of the main high street brands as well as interior shops, a garden centre (!?) and most importantly, lots of good places for coffee breaks.
What is the last concert or show you saw?
Hamilton – I could watch it again any time. It’s so uplifting and I loved the music.
Where would you like to go on your next holiday?
Columbia
Can you share a hidden gem with us in London?
The Pergola on the border of Golders Hill Park and Hampstead Heath. I think the Instagrammers have found it now, but it still feels very hidden.
This season’s top 3 from the current Nadia Minkoff collection?
I already have this in moss green so I know this is a practical and light bag to carry. The new colour is perfect for the summer.
This is so smart and the leather is so soft, it is the perfect accent to an all-black outfit.
Karla Huang
Jewellery Designer
What does your role entail?
I design all the jewellery.
How long have you been working in the industry?
14 years.
What’s the best thing about working at NM HQ?
Friendly and caring colleagues.
Which NM handbag is your favourite to-date?
The Borough.
Where is your favourite place to shop in London?
Sloane Square.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
To move from one country to another.
What is the last concert or show you saw?
Aladdin.
Where would you like to go on your next holiday?
Iceland.
This season’s top 3 from the current Nadia Minkoff collection?
I always wanted a bucket bag that is easy to wear everyday and can fit lots of stuffs in one bag.
Andrea Challis
Bookkeeper
What does your role entail?
I deal with the boring stuff – accounts. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t look at all the samples and final products. Coming to the office makes my day very interesting, it’s not just about numbers.
How long have you been working in the industry?
I’ve been a bookkeeper for 16 years and NM has been my client for over 9 years.
What’s the best thing about working at NM HQ?
It is a privilege to see all the bags and jewellery before we show it to the customers. Recently, I participated in our new workshop. You can choose from so many colours, shapes, crystals, beads, charms… and suddenly you let yourself forget about people around you and let your imagination go to work… and that is magic.
Which NM handbag is your favourite to-date?
I love my white Goldbourne bag, big enough to put my laptop in when I go to work, and when I’m traveling it holds all the items which I prefer to have with me.
Where is your favourite place to shop in London?
Shopping means trouble for me, usually I know what I want and of course I can’t find it, most of time I buy on line. Favourite shop? I really don’t have one.
Where would you like to go on your next holiday?
Vilnius in Lithuania
Can you share a hidden gem with us in London?
The Hindu temple in Neasden is where I go to relax, it’s so peaceful and gorgeous.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee, definitely!
This season’s top 3 from the current Nadia Minkoff collection?
The more I look at this bag, the more I like it, and actually love it. It is a little evening bag which stands out on its own. You can wear a plain dress but with this bag you suddenly look more glamorous.
The shine of the crystals is visible even if the earrings are hidden behind your hair, there is always a little sparkle which can light up your face.
I have just two words to describe this ring – it doesn’t need more: Simple but powerful.
Adam Mountstephens
Web admin
What does your role entail?
I have the honour of curating this very site. The general design, layout and content is my responsibility. It’s an ever-evolving project where there is always something to do.
How long have you been working in the industry?
I have been in the field of design for more than a decade and working with Nadia for more than four years.
What’s the best thing about working at NM HQ?
It’s a place where colleagues are like family and the office is more like a home. There is always something interesting or new taking shape which piques my creative interest.
Which NM handbag is your favourite to-date?
There are many I like, but I think it would have to be The Richmond. It’s been around a while now, the design has evolved and there are many colours to choose from.
Where is your favourite place to shop in London?
Regent Street, it’s a beautiful road, especially when they have closed it to traffic. Being just a stone’s throw from Savile Row and Carnaby Street are also big pluses.
What is the last concert or show you saw?
The Book of Mormon. It’s been around a while now but is still every bit as good as it was when it first arrived.
Can you share a hidden gem with us in London?
The vegetarian restaurant known as Tibits. It is adjacent to Regent Street and offers a relatively unique pay-by-weight system. The food is good, the desserts can be fantastic and it’s a novel way to ensure you don’t waste a thing. It’s also an ideal place if you’re in need of a very quick bite, as you can be in and out in minutes depending on how fast you eat.
Tea or Coffee?
They both have their merits.
This season’s top 3 from the current Nadia Minkoff collection?
An excellent design in a very fashionable colour right now. The straps in tan leather and the adjustability are two things that really add to the quality of the bag. Pictures don’t quite do it justice!
I love the Fitzrovia in Grape & Burgundy, but I love it in Tan & Copper even more! Another bag that is so much better when seen in reality. I hope to see more bags in this colour scheme as it really works!
A great looking bag that is just the right size for the warmer months on the horizon. I prefer it in the Beige & Black, but it looks good in Blush too!
