Tania Mackey

History with The Curio:

Tania Mackey (NICZKA) participated in our Fashions Night Out 2023, Behind the Seams 2024, and hosted a Pop-Up Shop at NICZKA Design House.

Recent News:

Nominated for a Fashion Group International Rising Star Award 2024.

Tania Mackey was featured on WGN 9 News, check out the interview here.

Designer Bio:

Mackey, a proud Chicago native with deep Ukrainian roots, is a graduate of the International Academy of Design and Technology—Chicago. Her brand, NICZKA, is a heartfelt nod to her childhood nickname “Taniczka,” a Ukrainian term of endearment inspired by the word for “nighttime.” More than a clothing line, NICZKA is a reflection of Mackey’s heritage, creativity, and community-driven spirit.

With a lifelong passion for design and making, Mackey credits her mother for instilling a creative foundation—from crafting boxes to reading patterns and showing her that sewing wasn’t as intimidating as it seemed. Her grandmother has been her emotional backbone, always showing up with groceries and love, one breakdown at a time. Her father taught her self-reliance, and her community has been a constant source of support—donating sewing machines and materials that now power the classes she teaches.

Mackey sees fashion as both personal and expressive. NICZKA offers ready-to-wear pieces as well as custom garments tailored to each client’s measurements. In the future, she plans to launch a “design with me” program, allowing customers to co-create garments in real-time—blending tradition with innovation.

Her entrepreneurial journey has been deeply influenced by books like Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson, Quit Your Day Job by Eleanor C. Whitney, and Manage Your Day-To-Day—each helping her shape NICZKA into a brand rooted in intention, discipline, and creativity.