Not a face you’d forget in a hurry.

Not Nina, the pretty ballerina, a face among a million others ABBA hailed in their song; but meet the gorgeous Viking diva, who is living her life in full swing batting out success after success.  Celebrity fashion designer, singer, model, and actor Nina Naustal opens up about fashion, charity, music, and more. Read the interview to know how she keeps stealing the limelight.

Leaders: “Normal is boring”. What is normal and what is boring?

Nina Naustdal: That’s my company slogan. But there is no one definition for normal. The word means different things to different people. For me, normal defines an ordinary day. “Boring” is anything that lacks character, beauty, charm or charisma. So my slogan reveals my determination to project character, personality, and confidence in whatever I do. I tell those I’m close to, don’t just be normal. Be unique. Be more than ordinary. Leave a footprint in the corridors of time, and in doing so, be your true self and see where that takes you. 

Tell us something about your grandmother. What is the one vivid thing about her you remember the most?

Ah! (Smiles). She was one of a kind. She inspired me to follow in her footsteps and step out into the world of fashion. I learned so much from her. A Capricorn like me, she is one of the strongest people I admire. I’m blessed to be able to look up to her. She remains my glamour icon right from head to toe besides being the kindest and most humble person I have ever known.

Oh, I remember her super-duper talent for cooking. The delicious taste of her homemade Lobster soup still lingers in my mouth.

Between England and Norway, what do you love about the two countries and why?

Well, I call both home. Born and raised in Oslo, I made wonderful memories there. I love Norway for its breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and its delicious cuisine.  It’s a safe country with a supportive government and high standards of living. We value our traditions and culture. And, we’re down to earth, humble people but also full of confidence, and verve.

London, my second home, is a city with warm vibes and many opportunities, and is very welcoming. It is a melting pot of cultures drawing everyone in, with its business opportunities and its lovely English countryside. From its amazingly old buildings to a history dating back to 6000 B.C, London is a coalescence of the ancient and the modern, culturally rich with fine dining, and exceedingly good times that I’m lucky to be a part of. What more could I ask for?

Tell us a little about your journey into the world of entrepreneurship?

I think from a young age, I had it in me to become an entrepreneur. As a student, model, and sportswoman, I was independent, spunky, driven and ambitious; qualities that were honed further by the track and field competitions I participated in.  By the time I was 19, I had already won over 300 championship medals.

I know now that those competitions taught me discipline and confidence. I learned to remain firmly focused on my goals, cultivating patience, leadership and resilience. So, my sports background became a good starting point for me to start fighting for my dreams.

I launched my business just one month after having my third child with my two other kids, still very young but that didn’t hold me back. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy but I believed in myself putting in long hours, and extra work. Today, I have 8 awards to my credit and it has been an incredibly eventful journey.

What does the word fashion mean to you?  If you were to define your brand in three words what would they be?

The word “fashion” for me is your way of introducing yourself to the world without having to say a word. Make a point about your personality or your convictions just by your style statement. I find that very empowering, especially for a woman. The three words that define my brand perfectly would be stunning, powerful, and classy.