Interview with Janine Nikiforov | Lourens Magazine the Fall & Winter 2025 Edition
Janine Nikiforov was interviewed by Lourens Magazine about the story behind NIKIFOROV®, her first handbag design Double Trouble, and her vision for building an international luxury brand. In the interview, she discusses craftsmanship, timeless design and strong identity, as well as the use of NFC and blockchain technology to help verify authenticity. She also shares what is coming next for NIKIFOROV, including new designs, exclusive editions and new colour variations.
Read the original Dutch interview below, followed by the English translation.
English translation
Janine Nikiforov (39) follows her heart, and that is quite literally reflected in the NIKIFOROV® collection with her debut handbag, Double Trouble. The design consists of two halves of a heart that come together to form a single whole.
“With my brand, I deliberately choose high-quality, iconic and timeless designs with a strong identity.”
Editorial: Marije Smit
What began with Janine being unable to find the right handbag ultimately resulted in her designing Double Trouble herself.
“I studied psychology and in 2024 I also graduated from the Business & Fashion Academy. I am a strong and independent woman who knows what she wants and does not give up until she has achieved her goal. So when I couldn’t find the perfect handbag, I had this carefully considered design made in Florence.
Quality and craftsmanship are important to me. The bags are crafted from high-quality materials such as lambskin and calfskin leather, with accessories made from gold-plated brass.
For me, it is not just about creating a product, but about creating a brand image that reflects who I am and what I stand for: strength, self-confidence and independence.
The NIKIFOROV style is elegant and sexy, sometimes with a touch of edge. The woman who carries it should feel powerful and feminine.”
New designs
Four new designs are planned for launch in early 2026. Every NIKIFOROV handbag is equipped with NFC tags registered on a blockchain, allowing its authenticity to be verified.
“This gives the buyer protection against counterfeiting. You are buying originality and quality.”
The bags will be available for pre-order through the official NIKIFOROV webshop.
Janine: “In the longer term, a flagship store is also planned, together with an expansion into shoes and clothing. But first, following the launch of the four new designs, there will be exclusive editions featuring crystals and new colour variations.
My vision is to grow the brand internationally, reaching beyond fashion alone.”