Daily Inspiration: Meet Zahra Knott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zahra Knott.

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 passion for art and fashion started as a child under the influence of my parents, both professional educators and talented artists. My mother taught me to sew and weave, and my father and I embarked on many projects together, from tie-dye to ceramics. Wanting to continue along a creative path, I studied textile design at the University of Kansas earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Design and Art History. There I gained an education in fiber, fabric, print and dye processes, skills that continue to inform my work today. It was in college that I discovered my passion for knitwear, learning to knit as a way of occupying myself during a less-than-exciting part-time job as a telemarketer. Soon after graduation I began designing custom knitwear and teaching classes in weaving, knitting and design at one of the country’s premiere fiber supply stores. Eager to take my skillset to the next level, I moved to Los Angeles to study knitwear at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. There I learned critical skill like illustration and CAD, and was able to take advantage of the school’s unique resources to learn to program and design on industrial knitting machines. Two months before graduation I was hired to spearhead the sweater department for accomplished women’s contemporary brand WILT. I went on to work for many LA based brands, big and small, Then, five years ago, I launched my own freelance business, building a client list that includes LA based women’s contemporary brand Xirena, and the Tiger Woods / TaylorMade backed golf apparel line Sun Day Red. In addition to serving my clients as a one-stop full-package provider of all things knitwear from development through production, I also create seasonal trend reports and swatch collections that can be purchased by other designers looking for ideas that are both original and relevant to the moment.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m a strong believer in education as a path to success. As I transitioned from the classroom to the office and then to the home office, one of the challenges I faced was learning that the design process is rarely as straight forward and direct as the the one we learn in school. Change is a constant in the creative world, and cultivating and attitude of flexibility and optimism is key. Learning to always look forward and accept the challenges as they come is key to finding in success and joy in what can sometimes be an unpredictable and uncontrollable industry.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My upbringing bestowed on me great admiration for artists and craftsmen. My experience in handwork, such as hand knitting, loom weaving, and embroidery, has given me two great assets that set me apart from others in my field. The first is a deep respect for those who make the things we use everyday. From our clothing to our furniture to our electronics, there are very few things we use in life that were not touched by the human hand. In my business this has helped me build strong relationships with the manufacturers I collaborate with, relationships based on mutual respect. The second way handwork has elevated my practice is by giving me a strong foundation to draw on. Thoroughly understanding knit stitch and construction allows me to be more creative and original as well as a better problem solver.

What matters most to you? Why?
Family, friends and community matter most to me. It’s the people in my life that have taught me, supported me and collaborated with me that I attribute my career and my success to. It is that which I am most thankful for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ZahraJade.com
• Instagram: @zahrajadedesigns
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahra-jade-knott-a4754822/
• Other: zj@zahrajade.com

Image Credits
All images are owned by me.