As a super busy Mom of three small girls, Noelle Nikas balances being a graphic designer, an avid photographer, and interior space designer of children’s rooms and playspaces. In August 2009, Noelle launched her SILLYGUTS website and product line which ranges from organic cotton clothing, to waterbottles and tote bags – eco friendly products with a twist. Noelle is also a graduate of the Industrial Design program at Emily Carr University and has her own greeting card line that is carried in 4 locations.
Most recently Noelle was featured in TV Week Magazine (British Columbia Edition 8/09), AVA LIVING Webzine (9/09), and a full page newspaper article in The Humboldt Journal Newspaper (Saskatchewan 10/09). TCL Fashion Magazine (Vancouver 11/09) and The Province newspaper (Vancouver) has also featured Noelle, her products, and her illustrations. Her bright and energetic designs have been used on a variety of products throughout British Columbia and have appeared on several television shows including Breakfast Television and Urban Rush.
Noelle has been a Fluevog Fan for 18 years, and was extremely thrilled to be voted as the second Official FluevogCreative! In fact she is probably still in shock and needs to be pinched once or twice. “I entered the competition because to me… Fluevog shoes are the greatest shoes on the planet!!! To have the opportunity to be part of the Fluevog culture was exciting and a once in a lifetime chance!”
Late one evening when Noelle stumbled across FluevogCreative, she knew she had to enter. She wasted no time and worked until the wee hours of the morning on her submission. Exhausted the next day, Noelle put the finishing touches on her winning design (powered by two lattes in quick succession). Her inspiration for the design came from the fantastic design and eye catching color of the Zaza shoe. As Noelle says, “my cartoons just HAD to be wearing these shoes!”
“My inspiration comes from what surrounds me. More specifically, I have a passion for almost anything Vintage, and my work takes on that aspect – whether it’s 60’s or 70’s architecture, fabrics, and products, or pop culture from that period such as Cher, The Brady Bunch, I Dream of Jeannie, or Bewitched. I collect Vintage Barbie and Blythe dolls, the sensibilities of which often find their way into my designs. My overall goal is to bring a smile and giggle to everyone’s face who encounters my work.”
Keep an eye out in Theme, CITY, and Inked magazines for Noelle’s winning design in print.
