Nichole Delafield is a designer, artist and award-winning author.

She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Fashion Design. Experience includes work in bridal design with A Perfect Fit and children’s wear with A Child’s Choice. In 1994 she started her own women’s wear label, Nichole Delafield, based in the Washington D.C. area, producing fashion shows and designing collections which showcased stunning, functional pieces. Her designs continue to feature elegant, classic silhouettes using natural fibers and her signature hand-painted silks. Nichole is now based in Florida. Her clothing is exclusively offered at Jarboe on Ivanhoe Row in Orlando.

Nichole’s hand-painted designs start with white fabric, rolled from the bolt and stretched onto a large frame. French fabric paint is applied to achieve a luminescent wash of color. The silk painting process involves guiding the flow of color with brushes and resin on natural fibers such as silk, wool and cotton. Finished fabrics are soft and vibrant. Wall hangings, clothing, fashion and home accessory items made from this stunning fabric become extraordinary works of art.

Nichole’s fine art work has been exhibited and sold in galleries and hangs in private collections. Nature studies, bringing the viewer up close to her subject, are rendered with the soft richness of pastel chalk. Nichole loves playing with color in acrylics or watercolor on paper, and then creates bold abstract collages from her color pages. Her watercolor landscapes capture meaningful places and memorable moments.

Nichole taught elementary school art for 20 years, most recently creating the art curriculum for Orlando Junior Academy. Docent work at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, teaching private art lessons and leading day camps have given her varied opportunities to share her love of art, design, and art history.

Writing is another form of expression. Her award-winning books, Gull Lake Memories: A Kayaking Adventure and Little Wekiva Memories: Kayaking and Other Adventures combine travel adventures, memoir and regional history with beautiful photography. Nichole’s original watercolors are featured throughout the books. The books can be purchased here, through her website, or at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and various small retailers.