Q&A: India Hicks – Appetite for Design

Photography by Seth Browarnik, Tyler Loy on June 11th, 2014 in Culture, Editorials

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India Hicks

Miami, FL – June 9, 2014 – What happens when you mash together creativity, passion and innovation? An appetite for design. On Monday afternoon, Miami socialites joined together at the Rubell Family Collection in Wynwood for the very first Appetite for Design luncheon presented by Cultured magazine and Tod’s. This was the first in a series of intimate luncheons bringing together creatives from art, architecture, real estate and design. Hosted by Cultured’s editor-in-chief, Sarah Harrelson, the fabulous luncheon was held to explore the creative processes of special guests Chad Oppenheim and India Hicks. Attendees included Miami notables such as Yolanda Berkowitz, Trudy Cejas, Sara Colombo, Pablo De Ritis, Miky Grendene, Andrea Noboa, Soledad Picon Fernandez, Susan Richard, Ines Rivero, Martin Rozenblum and Mera Rubell.

We were fortunate enough to catch up with special guest India Hicks, where she gives us an inside look to her life as a model, designer and entrepreneur.

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India Hicks

WRE: What encouraged you to transition from modeling to the design/business aspect of the industry?

IH: It took many years before I dared to call myself a designer. Being the daughter of David Hicks, and the sister of Ashley was quite a shadow to come out from. But, moving to The Bahamas, leaving the world of modeling behind and living so far away from home meant I felt a new chapter opening up

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WRE: How has your life in the Bahamas inspired the pieces in your collections?

IH: I live a less than ordinary life on an out island in The Bahamas. An adventurous but real life, where there is room to breathe and time to think. In turning my island sensibility into fine jewelry, bedding and beauty products I embraced the colors and textures of the islands nature. Bleached coral and sea biscuits, my affinity for the sea and its creatures, the pink sand beaches and turquoise waters are powerful elements that inspire and infiltrate these collections. I always say Mother Nature did all our homework for us.

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Ines Rivero & India Hicks

WRE: Aside from designing, are you also a buyer?

IH: Yes, all the time, for my store The Sugar Mill on Harbour Island. I go to the Miami swim show each year and send three days being hermetically sealed into the convention center.

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Seth Browarnik & Yolanda Berkowitz

WRE: Do you buy exclusively from other brands?

IH: If so, which ones? I don’t buy exclusively from any one, but I do often ask designers if they will create something exclusive for my shop. Roberta Freymann, Melissa Odabash, Lem Lem, Day, and of course the Miami designer ALEXIS who’s sexy sultry look should be in every girl’s closet.

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Fernando Wong & Brandy Coletta

WRE: Which department of your lifestyle brand is your favorite to work with?

IH: From so many places, my mother’s extraordinary British heritage or my father’s great archive of daring designs, but mainly from the small island I live on where you never know what unexpected discovery can lead to a new collection….a few months ago I was on the beach, walking my dogs as dawn broke, a couple of Sandpiper’s took flight above my head and the first rays of sun turned from burnt orange to pink. I looked down and in the small rock pool at my feet something glistened. I picked it up and saw a tiny lonely fishing hook. And I realized at once what my next collection of jewelry would include.

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WRE: Tell us about your personal clothing style? Home decor style?

IH: My wardrobe and interiors are very similar, modern classic in earthy tones with pops of colors.

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WRE: What is a good day-to-night look for Summer?

IH: Floor length kaftan with bare feet, add a pair of flip flops for the evening!

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WRE: Can you give us an insider view of a day on Harbour Island?

IH: Wander into ‘town’ for a traditional breakfast at the Dunmore Deli where you cold also get a local Kalik Beer if you needed it after a late night dancing at DADDY D’S. Or go to SYBALS BAKERY for local Bahamian breakfast of grits and stewed fish.

Walk off the beer and breakfast by heading up Gustie’s Hill at the top of which you will come across The Sand Dollar Shop. After a morning lying on the pink sand beach you will want to wander into SIP SIP for lunch where you will hear all the gossip, local and otherwise and see anyone who’s anyone. You can rent a boat from Duke, take a trip with Captain Bob, or snorkel for sand dollars and sea biscuits and then head down to Bottom Harbour to watch the turtles darting about and keep a look out for the family of Dolphins who live here.

For a little more adventure go scuba diving with Valentines Dive Center. You can do a resort course in the morning and be 30 foot beneath the surface by the afternoon. For a late afternoon snack head down to the PLP dock, watch the fisherman bring in the day’s catch, witness an aggressive game of Domino’s, on your way to The Queen Conch shack next door. Here local conch salad is made, the conch is pulled from it’s shell, chopped and mixed with the juice of limes and sour orange and local tomatoes, onions and green peppers. Beware, ask for tourist strength, anything else might blow your bikini off.

Meander down the bay past the Loyalist Cottage built in 1800 to The Sugar Mill, my shop! Here you will find an eclectic mix of treasures found from my travels round the world, everything from $1,000 embellished evening kaftan to a child’s bucket and spade. You will of course want to wear your newly purchased kaftan when you head off to the recently renovated Dunmore Beach Club for dinner, on the terrace, under the stars, overlooking the ocean before you head off to Humphrey’s for a cocktail. And tomorrow I am sure will be another day in paradise.

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