Nina Midi with Sleeves

Diane Nelson of resort fashion brand D Heart D spends several months of the year in her beloved second home of India, soaking up its culture and creating fine block-printed fabric and clothing including flowy, easy-to-wear dresses. 

The designer and former wardrobe stylist and model’s best-selling Nina dress is tea-length with a tiered skirt, body-skimming waist, and subtle ruffled detail. It, as well as Nelson’s flatteringly cut kaftans, are available in a variety of colors, from subtle to vibrant. All showcase her signature hand-blocked patterns, which she learned to create during her first visit to India. 

Nelson recalls hopping from factory to factory to experiment with color and printing on raw fabrics. “I would take my samples back to the hotel and tip the staff to wash and dry the fabric so I could see the results,” she says. “I remember immediately falling in love with the process and the people … My love for India is huge. The art and the people, everything about it. It’s an incredible place.”

Nowadays, Nelson visits India twice a year. She stays in an apartment for a few months at a time before returning to her studio workroom in the U.S. to create her clothing collection. For the past few years, she has released seasonal collections and color stories once a year for individuals, retail stores, and wholesale clients. Now that she has her own printing factory in India, she will release more collections throughout the year