NordicLife Culture + Taste + History + Events + Personalities Nina Skarra Fashion Designer G rowing up in Tromsø, Norway, Nina Skarra always had a passion for sketching fashion designs. She launched her fi rst collection in 2008, and now she's dressing royals and celebrities, including Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Her designs refl ect Scandinavian ideals: simplicity, quality and sustainability. " I started creating my fi rst collection in 2008, and within a matter of a few months, I was gaining attention from celebrities and royal families. It was surreal. I feel very fortunate. " " Some collections are inspired by Norwegian heritage, others are inspired by my glamorous grandmother and mother, different parts of the world or even simple shapes. " " Sustainability is a core component of my brand. My designs incorporate only pure nonsynthetic materials; I work with the fi nest materials and ensure each garment has an element of timelessness. " " My free time is always spent with my family-my wonderful husband and two daughters. We love to get outdoors and enjoy skiing. " I see the Nina Skarra brand becoming Scandinavia's fi rst high fashion house. I want to create a lifestyle. " Look for Nina Skarra's Fall/Winter 2013 Collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York this month. Learn more at ninaskarra.com sonsofnorway.com VIKING FEBRUARY 2013 7 PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NINA SKARRAhttp://www.ninaskarra.com http://www.sonsofnorway.com