Nadalyn McNichols launched Puka from Bali in 2020 after leaving her job at Kate Spade in New York — trading city life for island roads, a scooter, and rolls of locally sourced fabric. Every piece is finished with a signature puka shell and made in small batches by Balinese artisans, and the result is destination-ready resortwear that feels as effortless as the island that inspired it.
You were living in Bali when you launched Puka in 2020, "roaming the streets on a scooter with fabric over your shoulder, sourcing from local artisans." What made you start a brand there, and what does your design process look like now?
I studied fashion design at Parsons and worked at Kate Spade in New York, but I always knew I wanted to start something of my own. It wasn't until I went to Bali for a wedding that everything clicked. The trip itself was so incredible that I couldn't wait to get back, so I found a factory, broke my lease in NYC and moved there to make it happen.
The timing was wild because Covid had just started and Indonesia closed its borders, but I'm so grateful for that chapter. Roaming around on a scooter and figuring everything out as I went forced a slowness that I think shaped everything about the brand.
I'm still very hands on with the design process. I travel to Bali a few times a year to source fabrics, work on samples and shoot our collections. That connection to where everything is made has always felt really important to me.
If you could only pack one Puka piece for a weekend trip, what would it be, and where would you be going?
I would pack the Gili dress in white feather for a trip to Cartagena. I like to style the Gili dress as a high neckline when I travel. It's easy to throw on, looks put together and you can wear it all day into dinner.
What's one lesson you'd share with another brand owner?
Patience. One of the first dresses I designed became our best-seller but it took a few years before it really took off.
Tag three Instagram accounts you love right now (brands, people, places, anything). Who's on your radar?
@harolds_finishing_touches - Aaron Bourne. His garden is everything!
@sviridovskayasasha - Sasha Sviridovskaya. My favorite way to see how the most stylish people in Paris are actually dressing.
@meganalidastrachan - Meg Strachan. Meg, the founder of Dorsey, is at the top of my list. I'm a huge fan of her jewelry and love her sense of style.
Anything else you'd like to share?!
We're launching Puka Littles next month and I couldn't be more excited! The timing feels so special because I'm expecting my first baby in May. We're starting with a kids' version of the Gili dress and I can't wait to grow the line from there.
