Ninotchka "Nina" Garcia is a Colombian-born fashion journalist and critic, known for her influential voice in the fashion industry. She was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a well-established family; her father was a successful importer. Garcia attended the Dana Hall School in Massachusetts before enrolling at Boston University. She later studied at ESMOD (École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode) in Paris and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.
Garcia began her career in the fashion industry in the early 1980s, working in public relations for designer Perry Ellis. During this time, Marc Jacobs was one of the key designers at the company, which provided Garcia with valuable insight into the design process and industry operations.
Following her early experience, Garcia joined Mirabella magazine as Market Editor and Assistant Stylist. Her tenure at Mirabella paved the way for her next role at Elle magazine, where she held several senior positions over 13 years, including Fashion Director and later Editor-at-Large. At Elle, Garcia helped shape the magazine's editorial direction and became recognized as a leading fashion authority.
In 2008, Garcia joined Marie Claire magazine as Fashion Director. She was later promoted to Creative Director, a role in which she oversaw the magazine’s overall fashion content. Her responsibilities included supervising the fashion department and covering major fashion events, including Fashion Weeks in Paris, New York, and Milan. Garcia's keen editorial eye and distinct understanding of style solidified her reputation as an industry expert and influencer.
Garcia gained widespread public recognition as a judge on the long-running reality TV show Project Runway, a position she has held since the series premiered in 2004. Her insightful critiques and steadfast standards have become a hallmark of the show. In addition to her work on Project Runway, Garcia has also served as a judge for various international fashion events, including the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City in 2007.
Nina Garcia has authored four fashion-focused books. Her debut, The Little Black Book of Style, was translated into Spanish and Portuguese. It was followed by The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, The Style Strategy (2009), and Nina Garcia’s Look Book. These works reflect her design philosophy and offer style guidance for readers, reinforcing her status as a fashion thought leader.
| Birth Date: | 3 May, 1965 |
| Age: | 54 yrs |
| Occupations: | Journalist Reality television Fashion designer |
| Citizenship: | Colombia |
| Birth Place: | Barranquilla |
| Education: | Boston University Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | Colombian fashion journalist and reality TV judge |
| Twitter Id: | Ninagarcia |
| Net Worth 2021: | 3 million |
