Ingwa Melero

Ingwa; Melero is crafted by the design team of Nike Ingwa Clausing and Tina Hernaiz Melero. Nike and Tina's love of design began as childhood friends in a small town in Germany. Inspired by their mothers' handcrafting books from the 70's, they began making their own clothes at an early age. Soon, their hobby became obsession and they spent all of their free time designing outfits for themselves and their friends.

Nike's passion led her to study tailoring at an haute couture house in Hamburg, Germany. She then went on to receive a degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Tina also pursued her dream, receiving a master's degree in graphic design from Fachhoch-schule in Duesseldorf, Germany. The draw of the New York fashion scene soon took hold of both Nike and Tina, leading them to move to NYC permanently in 2001, where they founded Ingwa; Melero

By the following year, the unique, sexy look of Ingwa; Melero had attracted industry praise. In May, GenArt honored Ingwa; Melero as a finalist in the GenArt Styles 2002 Competition. In August, Ingwa; Melero was selected to participate in GenArt and Chrysler's PT Studios Program as one of three emerging fashion talents in New York City. Ingwa; Melero went on to be nominated for the Fashion Group International Rising Star Women's Apparel Award in recognition of their work in 2002.

Ingwa; Melero's incorporation of traditional handcrafting techniques, with fitted feminine silhouettes, continues to capture attention of the New York fashion scene, as well as the rest of the nation. Ingwa; Melero can currently be found at Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman and numerous specialty boutiques in New York and Los Angeles.