Niurka Encarnacion was born in Dominican Republic and raised in New York City. In 1988 she was hired at Banana Republic as a part-time sale associate. There she learned about fabrics, trimming, and reasons why the product she selling was really worth buying.  She also attended to customers such as Danny Aelo, Whoopi Goldberg, Christopher Reeves, Peter Jennings, Dustin Hoffman, Sigourney Weaver, and James Woods. This environment inspired her to pursue her dream in fashion design.

In 1990, after graduating from John F. Kennedy High School she was accepted to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.  She graduated with a 3.5 GPA and her work was often used for display.

While in college she was always active in the different projects the students and instructors put together. Niurka volunteered to work for most notably, Todd Oldham and Ghemma Khan. She also did an internship for Savvy Swimwear and Anni Kuan, worked full-time for Butterick Vogue Patterns as Quality Control and obtained roles for Music Videos, Bad Boys Entertainment (No One Else Remix), and Loud Records (Boricua, Morena) by the way she styled herself.  Shes also worked as a stylist for Michael Keels and James Davis (photographers).

Currently she assisted as a stylist in the commercial for The Museum of Sex.  She is also the costume designer  for an independent film "Get A Grip" and works with the Visual Team at Banana Republic.