Meet Nadia Nimalan

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nadia Nimalan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nadia , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I think success is achieved by investing in yourself, such as how you choose to behave, the way you treat people and the company you choose to keep close. I believe it is important to have strong personal boundaries so that you can have the space to be creative and connect with like-minded individuals. One person cannot change the world alone, but a team of people can make a significant difference. I learned early in life that if I wanted to achieve something I had to think for myself. I came from a town made up of simple, hard working, small minded people. As a result, I was always criticized for having big dreams. It was hard to relate to my peers who did not share the same perspective as myself because I dreamed of something that many cannot achieve. I knew that there will always be time for travel and leisure in the future, but to achieve genuine success you have to make choices that other people normally would not. When I started to travel for work and I met other talented individuals in the fashion industry, I was able to see eye-to-eye with my peers. We all come from different walks of life, but we have one dream in common: create and design art that makes a difference in the world. It no longer mattered what my ethnicity was, it became more about what I am able to bring to the table as a professional in the fashion industry.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am focused on bringing inclusivity to the fashion industry through the garments I create and the events I host. I have learned so much about other cultures from working with fashion professionals that come from different ethnic backgrounds. Fashion is so versatile because no matter what your ethnicity is, we can all relate on the fact that we each want the perfect outfit that makes us look good and feel good. Sometimes people who do not fit the “model” look feel ostracized from the industry and I want to change that perception. Beauty is not defined by height, weight, nor ethnicity, The most beautiful Greek Goddess Aphrodite was depicted with fuller arms and a pouching belly, which many love and admire till this day. At Truly Debonaire we offer a range of sizes in our garments, so that women of all body types can wear our clothing and feel the energy of being confident in themselves.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Try your best and do not be discouraged by setbacks. There is a lot of unpredictability in the fashion industry because the idea of what is considered fashion is constantly changing. One day a trend is in style, the next day it is out. Go with the flow, you may not like the changes that are happening but look for positive alternatives that can help. The process can be stressful but worth it in the end for both a designer and a model who is trying to present a fashion vision. Back in February 2025 Truly Debonaire debuted it’s second Times Square Billboard, but before this amazing advertisement came to life, there were challenges our team had to work with. Our model had prior commitments, and as a result had to cancel the morning of the billboard photoshoot. Our photographer travelled to Times Square with all of his equipment for this photoshoot, for a shoot that was almost not going to happen. Sarah and I were sending DM’s to other models for hours right up until the shoot was supposed to take place. In the last minute, our original model was able to fulfill her commitment to our brand afterall. In tough moments, you should try your best, go with the flow, and allow the Universe to work it’s magic because in the end it truly always works out for the best!

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The most helpful person I have worked with in the fashion industry is Truly Debonaire’s event DJ, Ben. I got the chance to work with him when I started working for Truly Debonaire’s first runway show back in 2024. From the first moment we met, we instantly clicked and worked well together. What makes us such a great team is that whatever I envision, he manifests it into reality. Ben would spend hours chopping and editing songs that I would select to create the perfect runway mixes. If Sarah or I disagreed with him, he would consult with other DJ’s to get help to create the best performance possible. He noticed early on that Sarah and I have many responsibilities, so he decided to help us with extra errands, he assisted with the manufacturing process of the garments, and he helped to market the brand by speaking to influential people in the fashion industry. He did everything in his power to create a great show while also making sure we had what we needed. He taught me that, anything that is worth something in life, starts from scratch. No short cuts, only hardwork. As of today, we have created three wonderful runway shows together and the success of these shows is because Ben always encouraged Sarah and I to do our best, while he worked hard behind the scenes to bring our fashion vision to life!

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