Bowtie Boss: Nicole Behanna
Bowtie Boss: Nicole Behanna
Now that the Holidays are over and we’ve all heralded in the New Year, it’s time to kick off 2021 with another edition of our Bowtie Bossez! This month we’re celebrating the 5-year anniversary of our very own Production Manager, Nicole Behanna. It is only right that after all the painstaking hours she’s put into Knotzland, we snatch this opportunity to elevate and recognize her contribution to the powerhouse that is Knotzland!
Happenstance Café.
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Nicole’s love of creativity took her to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh to study Entertainment Design. After studying she worked as a sample and quality control assistant, however in 2015 fate would bring Nisha and Nicole together. In a serendipitous twist of chance, the pair frequented the same coffee shop. It was here Nicole discovered that Nisha needed a Sewist.
Instantaneous Connection.
Nicole was there on the ground level, creating a makeshift table out of a door in Nisha’s apartment to create their production line. Together across the five years they’ve seen Knotzland grow and flourish into the inspirational brand it is today. What started as two has expanded to a team of Sewists and designers, allowing Knotzland to become the collaborative utopia they always dreamed of.
Every Diamond has a Flaw.
From 2016 onwards Nicole has been by Nisha’s side through every trial and every success the women have relied on each other to build a business they can be proud of – a business led by women. Knotzland has helped Nicole gain confidence as a designer and artist, teaching her the power and the beauty of imperfections within the creative progress.
Tenacious D-esign.
By taking risks and refusing to never stop learning, Nicole’s tenacity and flair for design have driven some of the more experimental elements within the company. From 80’s nostalgia to Steampunk all the way to the new Knotzlandia’s loud innovative product lines Nicole has used her eclectic inspirations and ploughed them into the creative process. Understanding that through sustainability and utilizing every scrap it opens the door to opportunity - sparking originality.
Bow-ie et al.
Nicole’s lists of unapologetic icons perfectly amalgamate what inspires and influences her input every single day she’s at Knotzland. *David Bowie* was renowned for his fluid and outspoken fashion refusing to ever conform; *Fiona Apple* renowned for her discord of electrifying sounds and vocals that create something so beautiful and disarming; *Alexander McQueen* high fashion with a twist of the macabre and *Amy Winehouse* the soul and honesty that tinged every lyric (with incredible winged eyeliner). Every element building Nicole as the unique and unstoppable force she is!
Devoted and Dedicated.
What we do is not a quick and easy process, everything is conceptualized, planned and produced - a process that for the past 5 years has dominated Nicole’s time. What truly motivates and inspires Nicole is you, the customer. You are the source of power and energy for Nicole. Knotzland’s customer base is varied and limitless; transcending gender, sexuality and race and it’s through seeing how customers value the designs which make this her vocation not her job. The unknown excites her, affirming that this is what she should be doing every single day. Safe in the knowledge that all work that went into one item is making history, featuring in customers most momentous milestone experiences like Weddings.
Dedication deserves recognition.
Check out some of Nicole’s work on @knotzland and @knotzlandia on