Meet Karina Nasywa Bakri | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karina Nasywa Bakri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karina Nasywa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always been drawn to color and texture from a really young age. I observed how people around me dress, especially my family, at celebrations, birthdays, weddings, and other gatherings, and I used to put those observations into drawings. My father was an architect, and he taught me how to draw. I learned how to turn observation into expression. Pursuing a creative career feels natural to me by capturing these memories, processing them, and eventually turning them into something tangible that reflects how I see the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work speaks about materials and memory. I primarily work with discarded textiles, which I see not as scraps or limitations, but as a starting point. Having a background in textiles allows me to really push texture and structure, and to let the material lead the process. I’m interested in fabrics that already carry history, wear, and imperfection, and in finding new ways to give them form and meaning through manipulating their color or texture.

What sets my work apart is how material experimentation intersects with personal narrative. Many of my designs are inspired by my childhood drawings. There’s a sense of play and curiosity in those early drawings that I try to hold onto, even as the work becomes more refined. I enjoy finding the balance between whimsy and utility, allowing the pieces to feel expressive while still being intentional.

Professionally, my path has been gradual rather than linear. In 2019, presenting my first collection at the World Ikat Textiles Symposium was a major milestone and the first time my work felt truly public. More recently, my 2025 New York Fashion Week show marked a turning point where I finally felt clarity around what I want to make and how I want my work to look and feel. That clarity came after years of questioning, especially during COVID, when I struggled with defining my personal identity and visual direction as many creatives did.

My progress came from lots of trial and error, and I’m glad I didn’t go through it alone. Conversations with mentors, friends, and peers have been just as important as time spent making and experimenting. I maintain my curiosity when I’m approaching new projects and allow the process to shape the outcome.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First things first, I’d take them to karaoke! I like Winnie’s Bar in Chinatown (though it can get pretty crowded by Friday night) and Seventh Heaven in Bushwick. I try to keep up with Seventh Heaven’s monthly schedule. They have a lot of movie screenings and karaoke afterwards. Kopitiam on East Broadway for Malaysian food to go before Winnie’s, Jiang’s Kitchen for Northwestern Chinese food, Patacon Pisao for cachapas, Abuqir for fresh seafood, and Raku (multiple locations) for Udon are some of my favorite food spots. Visiting the Met Cloisters is a must for me. It’s quite a trip uptown, but it’s a nice walk in Fort Tryon Park, especially when the flowers bloom in spring. Hotpot in Flushing, Queens is a must during colder months!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father, Chairil, and my uncle Karel, who supported my journey and believed in my potential from the very beginning. My mother, my sister, and my close friends in Jakarta and New York, who carried me through different chapters of my life. I’m deeply grateful to my mentors and collaborators for shaping my instincts and practice. And finally, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, for kick-starting my imagination and teaching me to always ask, ‘what if?’

Website: https://karinasywa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_karinasywa_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinanbakri

Image Credits
David Warren /Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images), Zach Bergren, Meidiana Tahir, Nabila Paramita, Rocky, Madison Voelkel /BFA