Nina Ricci
Claude Bitton had a vision that if he brought his ideas and innovative designers to Toronto he could help create something big. Being born in the Mediterranean, he had a flair for Nina Ricci’s designs and therefore chose her as one of the lines that he would bring with him to Toronto. Claude Bitton’s vision - to make Toronto even bigger than Montreal in the fashion industry.
In 1904 Nina married a jeweler named Luigi Ricci and changed her last name from Nielli to Ricci.
Nina joined the house of Raffin as a designer in 1908 where she worked for the next 20 years. Her hard work paid off as she became Raffin’s partner and in 1932, Nina decided it was finally time to move on and create her own design house.
With the help of her son Robert, The house of Nina Ricci was founded. Nina was the designer and “dress architect” while Robert handled the finances and business side of things. Nina had a different approach to the way she came up with fittings for her fabrics. She would sew the fabrics for her dresses while they were on the mannequins. She felt that this ensured that her creations would have the right shape when they were finished.
Throughout the thirties The House of Nina Ricci grew from a one-room maison to 11 floors in 3 buildings, expanding into leather and fashion accessories. In 1948, The House of Nina Ricci expanded further into the world of fragrances. International attention and success were brought to Nina Ricci with the Jules-Franll ois Crahay’s collection.
Nina Ricci passed away on November 30, 1970 but her vision still lives on as The House of Nina Ricci is considered one of the most prestigious names in the French luxury goods industry.
Nina Ricci became one of France’s leading exporters in the 1970’s. Claude Bitton was one of the first people to bring Nina Ricci to Canada, more notably to Toronto. He imported and distributed for Nina Ricci, Thierry Mugler as well as Claude Montana and helped make Hazelton Lanes one of the most prestigious shopping malls in Canada by doing so.
In 1979 Nina Ricci moved from their location on the Rue des Capucines to Avenue Montaigne, which is one of Paris’s most prominent areas. This location was five floors of offices and included design studios, workrooms, salons, boutiques and a number of showrooms.
Chanel, Dior and Balengica are some of the founding names of Haute Couture, followed by Yves Saint Laurent and Lacroix. Many designers have also branched off into ready to wear lines and accessories. London, Milan and New York have become side runners with Paris as being considered the Fashion Capitals of the World.
Today, Nina Ricci has shops all over the world and continues to have success in the fragrance, make up and skin care world.