Where a myriad of vibrant hues meet a geometric frenzy of shapes and patterns, works of art are created with a new kind of canvas—the modern silhouettes of shift dresses, blouses, wide-leg pants, and swimwear.
Enter Clover Canyon. Launched in 2011 by Rozae Nichols (left) and her business partner John Parros, the company’s laid-back California vibes have quickly made their mark on the fashion industry.
The line boasts a vibrantly modern California spirit, which is only fitting considering everything the company creates is produced in Los Angeles. Alive with color, the designs conjure up a youthful attitude with an underlying sophistication that is appropriate for all ages, from teens to those in their fashion prime.
Fabrics featuring canyon scenes, exotic birds, and an array of flowers from the South Pacific illustrate Nichols’ inspiration for the line as well as its namesake—the rustic neighborhood in Laurel Canyon where the designer resides.
“Clover Canyon is inspired by wanting to have a voice about California,” Nichols told The Telegraph UK. Whether printed on chiffon, crepe de chine, or stretch neoprene, each seasonal collection echoes Nichols’ imagination as a culmination of color and shape expressing her range of inspiration that varies from nature to vintage photographs and drawings.
After studying at the Pasadena Art Institute, Nichols went on to work for other clothing companies in Los Angeles and Paris and has been designing textiles for over 25 years. Since the debut of her first clothing line Rozae Nichols in 1993, she also produced three additional collections, IAN R.N., ROZAE R.N., and her latest, Clover Canyon.
“We approached Clover Canyon with a new attitude for print and made a commitment to making it about saturated color,” Nichols told Harper’s Bazaar. “Part of the magic is the research we do to make the images very opposite and juxtaposed.”
With her studio emulating the surfer lifestyle characteristic of the coast, it’s evident what drives the line and its creator. As the company website details, “Clover Canyon reflects our long tradition and aesthetic to combine artistic irony with uniquely wearable, streamlined form, while always maintaining our cherished ‘Made In California’ commitment.”
Garnering a lot of attention as of late (and not simply from yours truly), the line has been featured in The Zoe Report, Flare, The LA Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle UK, and Daily Candy. Specialty retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Lane Crawford, and Nordstrom all offer the collection for purchase as well as websites Net-a Porter and Shopbop.