Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path as an artist has never been linear, and I’ve never been able to commit to just one medium — I’m driven by curiosity and follow ideas wherever they want to live. That openness has shaped everything I do.
I began by studying special effects, which gave me a strong foundation in materials, illusion, and transformation. About two years after graduating, I discovered belly dance and immediately fell in love with it. I continued dancing for eight years, performing with troupes as well as in solo performances. That experience deeply influenced how I understand movement, performance, and the expressive potential of the body.
I later became self-taught in sewing, drawn to the tactile and experimental nature of working directly with fabric. A major turning point came when I met Naomi Grossman, actress from American Horror Story. Through our collaboration, I began repurposing her shirts into dresses, which helped crystallize my love for reconstruction and storytelling through clothing.
That passion was further shaped by working for the sustainable company Knotzland, where reuse, intention, and ethical making were central. Around this period, I also worked as an art model for over twelve years, an experience that profoundly influenced how I think about form, presence, and being both the subject and creator.
These threads eventually came together in my brand, Revenant Wares, which is rooted in resurrection and reuse — transforming overlooked or worn materials into wearable pieces that feel personal, intentional, and a little haunted.
Most recently, I received training and worked in wardrobe for an independent horror film, bringing my background in special effects, garment work, and storytelling into a collaborative production environment.
Rather than defining myself by a single discipline, I see my practice as interdisciplinary by nature. Whether through fashion, performance, special effects, or collaborative work, my art is about transformation — of materials, bodies, and the stories they carry.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and I don’t think meaningful creative paths ever are. Working across multiple disciplines often means not fitting neatly into existing categories, which can make it harder to be understood or supported early on. I’ve faced periods of financial instability, self-doubt, and the challenge of balancing creative integrity with practical survival.
There were also moments of uncertainty that came from following a nontraditional path — teaching myself skills, building opportunities through collaboration, and trusting my instincts without a clear blueprint. Choosing sustainability and repurposing over faster or more conventional production methods has required patience and persistence.
That said, every obstacle reinforced why I do this work. Each challenge sharpened my problem-solving, deepened my relationship to my materials, and strengthened my sense of purpose. The roadblocks never outweighed the fulfillment — they clarified it. Even in difficult moments, the process of creating, transforming, and continuing forward has always felt worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the heart of my work is Revenant Wares, my independent brand focused on designing and creating repurposed garments and wearable pieces. I work primarily with reclaimed and overlooked materials, allowing the history of each piece to guide its transformation. I’m deeply drawn to the idea of resurrection — giving new life, intention, and meaning to something that might otherwise be discarded.
Designing through repurposing requires intuition, patience, and respect for the material. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and shaped by what already exists, which makes the process both challenging and deeply personal. I’m most proud of creating work that feels intentional, wearable, and emotionally resonant, while staying rooted in sustainability rather than mass production.
In addition to my own design work, I’ve spent over twelve years as an art model, serving as a muse for painters and artists. That experience has deeply influenced how I understand form, presence, and visual storytelling, and it continues to inform my creative practice from both sides — as the subject and the maker.
While Revenant Wares is my primary focus, I don’t create in isolation. I value being part of a wider community of artists and makers, and I continue to work across other mediums including sewing, wardrobe, special effects, and collaborative projects. Supporting small businesses and fellow artists — whether through collaboration, shared labor, or mutual encouragement — is an important part of my practice and my values.
What sets my work apart is the combination of craftsmanship, storytelling, and care. I don’t see sustainability, artistry, and community as separate things — they inform and strengthen one another, and together they shape everything I create.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is adaptability, paired with curiosity. I approach my work with an open mind and a willingness to learn, which allows my practice to evolve naturally rather than remain fixed.
Because I have multiple passions, I’m constantly learning through new mediums, collaborations, and experiences. Instead of seeing that as a distraction, I treat it as a source of growth. Each skill and influence informs the others, keeping my work responsive, thoughtful, and alive.
That curiosity helps me adapt not only creatively, but practically — finding new solutions, building connections, and staying open to unexpected opportunities. It’s what keeps my work expanding rather than stagnating.
Pricing:
- Worn Again Dresses- $120
- Collars- from $40-$70
- Jewelry- from $20-40
- Bustle Belts (coming soon) from $95
- Custom orders and modeling- by project
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.revenantwares.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revenantwares?igsh=bnZhdGUydG16c251
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morbiddelusion?
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbehanna?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
