GETTING TO KNOW NOVA LORRAINE

CREATIVE TEAM: Photography: Vital Agibalow for Hensel @vitalphotony, wardrobe: grand showroom ny @grandshowroom.nyC, Amnesia @amnesiaamns, Leo and lin @leoandlin, barbrara bela @barbarabela, Jvlaurnt #jvlaurnt, manuela de la cruz, Alex stone @alexstonecollection, stylist: jane studios @jijanestyle, asst. stylist: emannuela blanc @emmanuela.bb, makeup: Artist Makeup academy @artistmkupacademy, Elisa bailon @makeupbyelisa, hair: Ashia richardson @mr_ and_ mrs_salon

Q & A

Nova Lorraine is a creative, lifelong learner, founder and mother. Nova started her career in medicine and holds a Masters degree in clinical psychology. She later pivoted to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Just recently, Nova was named for the Top 50 in Fashion, Apparel and Beauty Award. Early in her career, Nova received many accolades for her design sensibility, including Haute Couture Designer of the Year and multiple Rising Star Nominations by the Fashion Group International. In addition, her designs have graced the big screen, and television, as well as in the pages of Italian Vogue and Essence Magazine.

In 2007, Nova launched Raine Magazine, an international media platform that features the next big names in fashion, culture and technology. Over the past 12 years, Nova has interviewed some of the world’s most interesting entrepreneurs, socialites and cultural innovators, such as Priyanka Chopra, Mark Cuban, Nicky Hilton, Ben Carson, and Kendall Jenner, to name a few.

Nova recently launched the Unleash Your SuperNova podcast in which she interviews the gutsiest creatives from around the globe. Currently Nova is entering back into the performance realm with acting and improv and recently landed a role in her third theatrical stage production. In her free time, Nova enjoys lecturing at universities, public speaking and writing poetry.

MEMORIES

RAINE: From an early age your love for fashion and performing flourished allowing you to become a dancer, fashion designer and actor. Can you describe your experiences and how they helped fine-tune your crafts?

NOVA: I never had any formal training in dance, just a passion for expressing myself through that medium. The opportunity presented itself in college, when I was asked to join a dance team to compete for a championship title at the university’s talent competition. Our dance team won and was also invited to compete on MTV. Excitedly enough, we won that competition as well. Both of those experiences gave me the confidence to audition for a professional dance company in Boston. That was such an incredible time in my life.

In terms of fashion, graduate school was cut short when I opted to leave after getting my Masters in clinical psychology in order to go to New York to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It’s funny how unpredictable yet thrilling life is.

RAINE: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself 5 years ago?

NOVA: Keep a journal, especially of your dreams. Really pay attention to what you eat and always prioritize exercise in part of your daily routine. As the days go on, I find myself more in awe of the wonders of life, it’s synchronicities and the funny places inspiration comes from. I have gotten some of my best ideas from my dreams. I have also learned a lot about how much food really is a part of who we are. Things I used to love to eat, my body now naturally rejects, most of these are things I really shouldn’t be consuming anyway. Also, being an athlete most of my life, I took for granted that I would always look and feel fit, even if I put working out on the back burner. Well, after years of not rigorously or regularly getting something into my daily routine, may it be running, yoga, dancing or weights, it started to show both in my energy levels and how I felt about myself. I am now back on track but boy was it hard getting there. Looking back, I wouldn’t have allowed myself to let the habit of doing something physical everyday ever go away.

MINDSET

RAINE: How would you describe a creative entrepreneur in your own words?

NOVA: I believe a creative entrepreneur is someone who uses their creative gifts to produce something that helps better a community of people, no matter how big or small.

RAINE: If someone asked you how could they stimulate their creativity, what advice would you give?

NOVA: I believe that having a clear mind, healthy body and fulfilled soul all help to maximize one’s creativity. If any of these three things are off balance, it’s hard to find the energy that is required to produce something that comes from within.

RAINE: What three traits do you feel are most needed to pursue entrepreneurship?

NOVA: 1. Positivity 2. Perseverance 3. Imagination.

FITNESS / WELLNESS

RAINE: Have you ever faced the issue of burnout in your career? If so, how did you overcome it?

NOVA: Shortly after having my fourth child, I opened a store in New York. This was in addition to running my design company, consulting for other entrepreneurs, and launching Raine Magazine. When my youngest turned two, I started to feel the mental drain of it all. It became harder and harder to want to go into the store, create new designs, or publish new issues for the magazine. I realized that I was becoming burnt out. I didn’t love what I was creating anymore. I knew I needed a drastic change, especially in my environment to reinvigorate that spark that was once there. Something that I thought would never go dim. About a year later, we moved our family to coastal Florida to be near the beach. I knew that by being near the ocean, I would be able to replenish myself and find a new source of inspiration. The relocation led to growing Raine Magazine and getting my passion back for both fashion and performance.

RAINE: What wellness tips do you swear by?

NOVA: I am an unofficial foodie and wellness obsessed so that combination often helps me discover hacks for eating healthy yet tasty and fun foods. For general health maintenance, I strongly promote Vitamin D, natural inflammatories such as pineapple, aloe vera juice, turmeric, etc.,  in addition to herbal and green teas such as moringa, matcha and peppermint. Also, don’t forget  a daily dose of Vitamin B, which I love getting from a variety of berries.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

RAINE: What major project coming up are you most excited about?

NOVA: I am very excited about publishing my book about bridging the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship, growing the Raine Podcast Network, and releasing more of my creative writing to the world.

MENTORS / ADVICE

RAINE: Word to the wise: What advice would you lend to a budding talent on the rise in your chosen field?

NOVA: Before embarking on any journey, really take the time to examine your why. Your why is your north star for guiding your path. It’s good to do this check in every six months to help keep you on track. Sometimes we create opportunities or projects because we can not necessarily because it brings us the most joy. It’s important to know the why for how you are spending your time. This will help keep things in perspective along the way.

OBSTACLES

RAINE: What is your viewpoint of failure and how best to deal with it?

NOVA: Failure is a form of learning or refinement as a friend once shared with me. Welcome the failures. They help make you stronger and wiser, if you allow them to.

THE REAL YOU

RAINE: Describe yourself in five words or less.

NOVA: Creative, passionate, compassionate, imaginative, and curious.

RAINE: What are your superpowers?

NOVA: How have they helped you excel? Intuition, empathy and storytelling. I like to use my gut to guide me, my sensitivity to better understand people, and my passion for teaching through words and pictures to inspire.

TECHNOLOGY

RAINE: What has been the most valuable tool in your arsenal of apps, gadgets or software?

NOVA: LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Adobe Spark