My Favourite Things: Nadia Niro

(Sunglasses above by Carla Colour)

Nadia is a friend of a friend and it turns out we practically live on the same street so we inevitably have started to cross paths.  That’s fun because not only do I get to visit with Nadia, but I get to check out her adorable identical twin girls.  They are so sweet.

Not only is Nadia Managing Director for Stuart Weitzman Canada, she has a Master’s Degree from Sotheby’s in Business Art, a great sense of fashion and loves great food.

Find out more about Nadia’s favourite Montreal galleries, her low-key facial cleanser and how she stays in shape.

I am born and raised in Montreal. I attended The Study for high school, and continued my studies at Lower Canada College’s pre-university program before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

During my third year of university I studied abroad at Queen’s Castle in East Sussex, England where I fell in love with the country. After completing my Bachelor of Arts (Honours), I decided to pursue job opportunities in London. I worked in new business development at 20/20 Limited, a retail branding and design consulting company and shortly after I decided to continue to enrich my passion for the arts. In 2013 I went back to school full time to complete a Masters Degree in Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London.  At the end of my studies at Sotheby’s and three years of living in London I returned to Montreal to pursue my career.

I found my place at a contemporary art gallery called Galerie Orange in Old Montreal and by 2008 the gallery was under my exclusive ownership and direction. Unfortunately, it is now closed but during my time I represented artists like: Nicolas Ruel, Elmyna Bouchard, Pierre Fournier, Martin Bureau, Alexis Lavoie, Alain Lefort, Pierre Durette, Rafael Sottolichio, Jean-Robert Drouillard, and Ianick Raymond.  After 8 years in the art world, I was given the opportunity to join our family venture in retail. I joined the Stuart Weitzman Canada team and launched the Canadian e-commerce business for the brand in 2011.

Currently, I am the Managing Director for Stuart Weitzman operations in Canada, specifically looking after new business development and e-commerce.

I love to travel, love food and love spending time with friends and family. Upon my return from London to Montreal I met my husband John Anthony and we wed in 2010 at Parisian Laundry.  In 2015, we welcomed identical twin girls Ruby Cara & Freya Leona.

Do you get any special treatments?

The usual mani-pedi. A good manicure can make everything right. Nice, clean painted nails make me feel new again!

How do you ramp things up for special occasions?

I am very minimal with my make up. Usually a little concealer around my eye and blemishes, maybe a little eye shadow (usually bronze or brown) and mascara. What I love is lipstick! And usually it’s red, and occasionally … maroon, bright pink or orangey. I hate reapplying, so I love lip stains. Chanel has a great one (ROUGE DOUBLE INTENSITÉ)… And for the bright glossy lip colors that last YSL (Pur couture or Kiss & Blush) are my go-tos!

What do you do to style and care for your hair?

I wash my hair every two days. Some days I let it dry out naturally, and put a little coconut oil on the ends to dampen any frizz. Most days, I blow dry my hair out straight. I use Kérastase Bain Chroma shampoo and conditioner.

How do you like to start your day?

It’s pretty simple – I brush my teeth & hop in the shower! I have been using Spectro for my face since I was a teenager. Why change what works, right? I use the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Rich face lotion. For my body, Nivea Creme Soft Shower Cream. The scent is great and makes my skin extra soft. I moisturise my body with La Roche Posay Lipikar Baum or Coconut oil (in the summer time or on holiday.) While on holiday in the Caribbean I bought Ligne St Barth Coconut Oil for body and hair. It smells great and feels great after the sun.

Do you have any funny or cute tips you swear by?

Tea Tree Oil on any blemishes. For little rashes or pimples Witch Hazel is a great astringent.

Any beauty pet peeves?

Clumpy mascara. Cakey/powdery foundation. Lipstick on teeth.

Do you have any favourite products for kids or babies? Were there any products you loved to use when you were pregnant?

I loved using Bio Oil on my belly and body during pregnancy. For the girls I use Mustela body cleanser, shampoo and body lotion. I also love the Mustela no-rinse cleanser… it’s great to freshen up the babies face and hands on days when we don’t bathe. And it smells great! For their bums I use Personelle Bébé Ihle’s Paste, and my girls have never had diaper rashes! For chapped cheeks or sensitive dry skin (especially in the winter) we use Personelle Vitamin E Cream. It works like a charm. I probably spend more time pampering, washing, shopping and changing my girls than I do for myself. 

Do you have any favourite jewelry? Either a piece or a designer(s)?

I have a piece I got many years ago by Pomellato. It is a necklace on a brown fabric string, and has 4 small heart pendants that are 3 different shapes and 2 different types of color gold. I always wear it. I also have a Pommelato 67 collection silver mood ring my husband purchased for me. It’s a piece that I wear on special occasions, usually on my index finger.

Where do you like to shop for fashion?

All Saints, Club Monaco, Zara, Urban Outfitters, COS, Aritzia, Wilfred… when I travel to NYC I love to go to Jeffrey, Bergdorf, Barneys, Acne, Rag & Bone.

Do you have any favourite designers? Jewelry designers?

Pomellato and Dodo for jewelry. Hermes for accessories and watches in particular – love the Cape Cod watch. I like and aspire to ALC, Acne, Isabelle Marant, Céline…. I am a big fan of DVF for evening or formalwear. Her dresses fit me so well, and I love her patterns and designs. Miu Miu handbags are my favourite. Stuart Weitzman for shoes. They have the most amazing boots on the market. 

Do you have any favourite galleries or museums?

My favorite galleries in Montreal are: Parisian Laundry, Galerie Simon Blais, Galerie Trois Points, and Joyce Yahouda. I also love checking out DHC, Darling Foundry, Arsenal, The McCord Musuem, the MAC and the MMFA.

I enjoy collecting art and hanging art – particularly works on paper and objects (love crafts, edition prints and embroidery). I am usually the family and friend go-to person to help install works or change things up on their walls! I love it.

What Montreal stores are a must-visit?

Want, Stuart Weitzman, Beige, Nota Bene, Comme des enfants, Style Labo, Librissime, Mimi & Coco, Les Toullieurs… I also, regularly visit the Puces Pop to discover great craft artists and one-of-a-kind objects.

What are your favourite restaurants for breakfast and/or brunch and/or lunch and/or dinner?

I love good food and great ambiance. Staple favourite dinner restaurants are Nora Gray & Tuck Shop. Recently, I went to Foxy and loved the design and food. Same for Montréal Plaza on St Hubert… it has a beautiful design and great concept.

Olive & gourmando for the chicken sandwich or the Cubano! Yum! Lily & Oli for a great coffee and zucchini muffin. My go-to lunch is the Mykonos Sandwich from La Foumagerie on Sherbrooke or/and a December Salad from Mandy’s. I really enjoy the Meatball sandwich at Campanelli’s.

Vin Papillon is great for a hardy veggie meal. Pizzeria Napoletana is our family go-to for Sunday night pizza dinners. Bottega has the best sfizi’s in town.

Do you have any favourite take away places?

Aux Vivres for the Dragon Bowl or Chili. For a fun, easy, yummy, no fuss meal: Sumac falafel plate with two salads. Thali on Saint-Marc for Indian Thali meals. Kazu for the Tuna and Salmon bowl. Snowdon Deli for party sandwiches and smoked meat. I looooove breakfast at: Bagel Etc, Chez Nick, Dépanneur le Pick Up, Beautys… they are all my fave.

Do you have a favourite bakery?

Hof Kelsten… the Babka is to die for! And Le Paltoquet for croissants.

What kind of exercise makes you feel best?

Reformer Pilates and a good jog on Mont-Royal. I love Ashtanga yoga, but have not been for a while, since I have taken up reformer Pilates. That has been my go-to. In the winter my husband and I love to skate. We particularly like the pond at St-Viateur Park in Outremont during the weekday evenings. It’s quiet and so pretty. And occasionally we go downhill skiing.

Do you have a favourite trainer/gym/spa?

Steff Barker is a pilates instructor – previously at Praxis, now at Dita and Vic Park. She is amazing. She has a great reformer workout and is very aware of the body and core strength. I love how I feel after a class.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

DQ dipped cone or blizzard. It’s the best on a hot summer’s day!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Have fun, and don’t worry so much! Stop feeling guilty! Enjoy and travel as much as possible!

Thank-you so much Nadia! 

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