10 Questions With Hamptons Designer Nicole Miller

Fashion designer Nicole Miller move and shakes in the best dressed circles. The Hamptons resident took time from designing her next collection to give Hamptons.com the scoop on her favorite Hamptons haunts, the dish on supermodels, and female warriors.

When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
We opened in 1982 with a dress collection. In 1986, we opened a store on Madison Avenue and started a tie collection. I always knew I wanted to be a designer – I went to the Rhode Island School of Design and École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne in Paris.

Right now Nicole loves her Knit Bunny Snood shrug ($295) and the Druzy Runway Necklace ($395).

Designers always say that travel inspires their collections, what inspired your fall 2014 ready-to-wear line?
My Fall 2014 collection was inspired by strong women. The collection took on the hashtag ‘#NMwarrior’ and was inspired by all different types of strong women/female warriors.

You’ve had all of the supermodels – Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss – walk in your shows, I’m sure there’s plenty of drama and fun going on behind the scenes during those pressure-packed moments.
They were all great to work with! Back in the day, everybody smoked and sipped champagne. Not anymore!

Your Bridal Collection is so timelessly beautiful and fashion forward. Bridal style changes with the times – what are some of the bridal trends (think big shoulders and Princess Diana trains) – that you’ve loved/loathed over the years.
Big shoulders were the worst – that 80’s look was the worst!

You design for every woman and price point, from your JC Penney line separate that start under $30 to your Artelier and Collection lines with dresses and gowns that average $500. How do you decide what to create for each line to keep them so identifiably your design yet so different?
I just have their own looks figured out. JCP is always pretty colors and happy prints. Artelier more edgy but still colorful, and evening is always its own story.

We know you love the Hamptons and are so glad to see you out and about all summer long. Where are some of the places that you enjoy your time on the East End in the fall?
Well I certainly miss the pumpkin maze now that my son has outgrown it! But I love all the farm stands and farmer’s market – I waterskied until last weekend, and also kiteboarded in Napeague – It’s nice to go to Montauk now that it’s quieter. We recently went to Dave’s Grill which was great!

Tell us about the philanthropic causes, like the Peconic Baykeeper and the Group for the East End, that you support in the Hamptons.
I have been involved with both for a long time. Since I spend a lot of time in the water, it is really important to me to keep the Hamptons unpolluted.

Pop Culture Quiz: What are you reading? Movie you’re looking forward to watching? Favorite song(s)? Where are you going on your next vacation?
I’m going to Aspen for skiing this year. I’m currently reading “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt. Lately I’ve been listening to Seasick Mama. And, I can’t wait to go see “Gone Girl.”

We love your accessories – handbags,scarves, jewelry. What are your favorite pieces for fall/winter?
I love my bunny neck shrug and cashmere wrap. And lately I’ve been wearing my warrior necklace.

When you’re not wearing Nicole Miller, who’s clothes, jewelry, and accessories are you wearing?
I have a lot of Nick Von K jewelry from New Zealand, Margo Manhattan, and King Baby. I have a fabulous MCM backpack, I also like Martin Margiela bags. I don’t wear a lot of other designer clothes other than t-shirts and jeans. I like Vic Matie, MSGM, and Laurence Dacade shoes.