I LOVE a good home-grown success story and local scarf brand Bird and Knoll is a great tale. It’s the tale of a chance meeting of two women, of the discovery of a shared passion and vision and a tale of wanderlust.
Bird and Knoll is also a tale of two cities, and a journey that has taken them to the corporate halls of high-flyer Qantas, Australia’s national air carrier.
“Bird” is Macayla Chapman, the marketing wiz who resides in Auckland, and “Knoll” is Natalie Knoll, the photographer and founder, who lives across the ditch in Randwick, south of the Sydney.
Knoll arrives for our interview dressed for the weekend and draped in one of her Bird and Knoll signature cashmere-blend scarves.
“This one is Edinburgh,“ Knoll explains as she unfurls it from around her neck and shows me the image of a cobbled street in the Scottish city.
FROM FINANCE TO FASHION
Born and raised in South Africa, Knoll is a former derivatives analyst who worked in London and New York before settling in to Sydney with her husband Daniel their two children.
Despite a career in the cut-and-thrust world of banking where adverse office vibes is the norm, Knoll finally had enough and quit. She said she never saw herself climbing the corporate ladder. But she always had a passion for photography.
“Photography was fantastic with the kids and great for moving around with Daniel and his work,” she explains. “But I didn’t see myself schlepping a camera bag around for the rest of my life.”
However, it was a chance meeting with Chapman at a local swimming pool with their children where the connection was made. “I noticed Macayla had nice style so we just connected. But then she and her family moved back to Auckland.”
BIRTH OF A BRAND
Ironically, it was during a family holiday in Hawaii that Natalie had the idea of digitally printing her travel images onto a scarf.
“My husband suggested I work with someone to make this happen,” Knoll says. “That someone was Macayla. He was right; I don’t think I could have done this with anyone else.”
And thus the birth of Bird and Knoll, the highly covetable and very collectable, cashmere-blend scarves.
“I’m not a designer and this is not a unique idea,” Knoll says. “The brand is a beautiful juxtaposition between fashion, travel and photography. It’s funny, I grew up in fashion as both my dad and mum were in fashion. So I guess I’ve come full circle.”
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FLYING HIGH
So how does running a business in two countries across two time zones work?
“We play to our strengths, but it’s not always easy to divide our roles equally,” Knoll explains. “It’s all very fluid as the brand grows. We rely on each other to be each other’s wingman and, for the most part, we achieve that.”
From their humble beginnings in 2014 to partnering with Australia’s national air carrier Qantas, Bird and Knoll has grown very quickly in such a short period of time.
“The Qantas connection was quite serendipitous,” Knoll explains. “I happened to be at a dinner party with a Qantas executive who was looking for a fashion collaboration. I mentioned what we did and the rest is history.“
WRAPPED IN STYLE
The Bird and Knoll scarves have become synonymous with great style and well-travelled fashionistas who covet gorgeous pieces.
“Our scarves are investment pieces, they are not fast fashion,” Knoll says. “All our prints are limited edition so once they’ve gone, they’ve gone. You’re also not going to see those images anywhere else. Consequently we have a very loyal customer base who collects our scarves.”
PRETTY AS A POSTCARD
Each image encapsulates the spirit of each destination and provides a sense of escapism whether you’ve visited the place or not. A walking postcard, if you will.
There’s a barber shop in Morocco, skulls in Mexico or the cobblestones of Edinburgh. Or visit the powdery slopes onboard Whistler Blackcomb’s Wizard Express, the white-washed buildings of Santorini or the blue waters of Oahu.
The scarves are also the ultimate travel accessory — they are lightweight, versatile and will fit easily into handbags and beach totes for outfit edits on the run. And this season sees the release of a new silks collection.
“They translate effortlessly from a poolside sarong, to covering your shoulders in a temple, or draping over a simple dress for a date night to an elegant inflight cover-up — versatility and luxury in equal measure.”
WHERE TO NEXT?
Next, Natalie confides, is a collection of easy leisure/lifestyle-inspired “items you can throw into an overnight bag for a trip to Bali, easy pieces that travel well and don’t let you down”.
“We now have more confidence to move into apparel,” Knoll says. “Scarves might be our core, but we can do so much more.”
“Collaborations are the future — people want to know that their favourite brands are talking to one another. So we’re partnering with a boutique hotel group and a well-known jewellery brand to do a few things.
“We’re a little label, but we’re not a one trick pony, so watch this space.”
Watch and learn how to tie the Bird and Knoll scarves six chic and different ways.
A STYLISH LIFE WITH NATALIE KNOLL
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
In the mellifluous tones of Monty Python … “Always look on the bright side of life”.
You are most proud of …?
My children. My two girls are growing into amazing young compassionate people with smart minds and interesting thoughts – they’re starting to really question things with intelligence and put forward their own views on things.
People are surprised that …?
I used to be an investment banker in London and New York. There is a world of difference between fashion and banking but I think both experiences have been invaluable.
What makes you laugh?
My husband … he is one of the funniest people I know. Although we do tease him about needing to get new material sometimes!
When do you feel most beautiful?
When I am with family and friends. Where I see wrinkles, they see laugh lines.
How to dress — and play — the leading lady
How to look fabulous at 50 (and beyond)
What are the skincare products that you can’t live without?
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and Mecca Cosmetica’s In a Good Light tinted moisturiser.
Do you have any beauty secrets?
Not really, I just follow those standard routines my mother started drumming into me as a teenager. Never go to bed with make-up on, cleanse-tone-moisturise and drink lots of water. However, I struggle with drinking lots of water.
What won’t you travel without?
My camera. I see those moments, those vignettes or narratives that just need to be captured. Then those travel experiences and memories get archived and we refer back to them when we are working on our collections.
What is your signature scent (fragrance)?
I love Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede. People often comment on it. I adore Jo Malone fragrances – very fresh and understated.
How has your personal style changed through the years?
I’m definitely more confident with a greater sense of what works for me. I have found that balance of wearing classic pieces but introducing an interesting edge with accessories or the way that I wear something – a confidence or knowledge I didn’t have when I was younger.
Should your bag match your shoes?
The fashion habits that age you
Your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate! I have a Lindt Ball with my tea every morning. And Netflix – there’s so many great shows!
Your style icon or muse?
I absolutely adore Lindy Klim’s style – simple but so beautifully put together. I also think Margaret Zhang has an incredible interpretation of fashion. She really understands how to mix colours and textures.
What is your go-to outfit/your signature style?
Skinny jeans, boots, a well-cut shirt from Equipment or Bassike and a blazer. Anything that’s easy to edit for day into night and comfortable to be in.
You would never wear …?
Crop tops, flares, thigh-high boots. They don’t suit me and I just wouldn’t feel comfortable in them. You have to own (the look) what you wear!
Anything in your wardrobe you’ve never worn?
I have the most gorgeous pair of IRO pants that I bought on The Outnet. I’m a big fan of IRO but this was an impulse purchase. Think I thought I was taller and slimmer when I bought them!
“I dress for comfort most days but can easily smarten up with a pair of heels and a blazer.”
Most treasured item in your wardrobe?
My Louis Vuitton tote. It is the most durable, versatile and elegant accessory and absolutely timeless. I love dressing it up with one of our silk Bird and Knoll scarves tied to the handles.
The biggest mistake women make when it comes to fashion?
Wearing too many trends at once. It makes you just look like a fashion victim.
Your favourite fashion designers or influencers?
We have so many incredible established and up-and-coming Australian designers. Dion Lee, Christopher Esber and Toni Maticevski are all so talented and pioneering. But I am always amazed by my trusted go-to designers – Bassike and Zimmermann.
Favourite style advice?
Garance Dore talks about finding the right balance between dressing for the life you want and dressing for the life you have. In other words, be creative with what you have. I dress for comfort most days but can easily smarten up with a pair of heels and a blazer.
Where do you shop?
Matches, Parlour X, Cos and 23 Albert.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My greatest extravagance is shoes. I don’t have many pairs, but the ones I do are investments.
What’s in your handbag?
A Bird and Knoll scarf, my diary, my iPhone, a couple of my favourite Hourglass lipsticks, hand cream, Rescue Remedy pastilles, sunglasses and my wallet.
How to dress — and play — the leading lady
Is your bra making you look old?
Three things you can’t live without?
My family, my home and a purpose.
Pencil skirt or A-line?
A-Line.
Heels or flats?
Flats. If I didn’t have a bad back I would probably wear more heels.
Skinny or boyfriend jeans?
Both.
What does every woman need?
Someone to make her a good cup of tea at the end of the day, a good beautician and a Bird and Knoll scarf.
Success is …?
Happiness.
Beauty is …?
Everywhere.
Style is …?
Innate and unique.
For more information or just to shop the amazing collection, visit BirdandKnoll.com
or Husk. The Qantas “Feels like Home Scarf”, is available at qantasshop.com.au and David Jones.
Do you know a stylish woman with a stylish life? Maybe a leader in her field or someone you admire and would love to read about? Would love to hear from you. Ever stylishly yours …
