In a world dominated by fast fashion and disposable goods, Nomadic Knots stands as a quiet rebellion rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and intentional living. Founded in 2021 by Alyssa Baker, Nomadic Knots creates sustainable handcrafted leather goods that redefine what it means to buy less and buy better, with pieces designed to last for generations rather than seasons.
Behind Nomadic Knots is a maker who understands both artistry and practicality. Working primarily from a studio space, she spends her days cutting, dyeing, stitching, and molding leather by hand, often over the course of a full week for a single piece. It’s a process that prioritizes patience over speed and longevity over trends.
“I felt like I was getting pulled into this buying culture where nothing lasted,” Alyssa explains. “The quality wasn’t good, the materials weren’t good for us or the earth.” That philosophy became the foundation for Nomadic Knots.
Fashion Week Spokane – Fall 2025
Behind the Name “Nomadic Knots”
The name Nomadic Knots reflects both material and meaning. ‘Nomadic’ evokes movement travelers, creatives, and those who live life on the go yet stay grounded. ‘Knots’ nods to the macramé and knot work featured in many designs, while also carrying a deeper symbolic significance.
“We’re all interconnected,” she explains. “We’re all knotted together in some way. I wanted my designs to reflect that.”
Even the brand’s logo tells the story: an anvil representing the strength and structure of leatherwork, paired with a delicate hanging knot that nods to softness, connection, and craft.
Where Sustainability Meets Handcrafted
At its core, Nomadic Knots creates functional leather goods: belts, wallets, bottle holders, bags, and the brand’s most recognizable product, custom leather harnesses. Each item serves a purpose while honoring aesthetic expression.
Nomadic Knots uses vegetable-tanned cowhide leather, a natural byproduct of the meat industry and one of the cleanest leathers available. Free from harsh chemicals and plastics, this leather ages gracefully and eventually returns to the earth without harm.
“I think everyone should visit a landfill at least once,” she says. “When you really see the waste we produce as a society, it changes how you think about buying something that’ll be tossed in a few years.”
That awareness drives every design decision from timeless silhouettes to neutral tones that won’t fall out of style. The goal isn’t to encourage constant purchasing, but rather mindful ownership.
“If you buy something from me, I want you to love it for decades,” she says. “Style-wise, durability-wise, practicality-wise.”
One-of-a-Kind Leather Products
Custom work is open to the public and begins by starting a conversation!
“People usually reach out and ask if I make a certain thing or if I’m open to custom,” she says. After discussing details like size, materials, function, and fit, she provides a personalized quote.
Reach-out methods are intentionally accessible through the website, Instagram, or email, all routes lead directly to her.
Why Sustainable Fashion Takes Time
A single belt can take up to seven days to complete. Each hide, often half of a cow, is stripped, cut, hole-punched, stamped, edge-finished, dyed, dried, and sealed entirely by hand. Most pieces require six to eight coats of dye and finish, each needing six to eight hours of drying time in between.
“That time is what people are investing in,” Alyssa says. “Not just the material, but the skill, the process, and the intention.”
Where to Find Nomadic Knots This Season
Because Nomadic Knots does not operate from a traditional storefront, events are the best way to experience the work in person!
One of the events being, “Not Your Grandma’s Craft Fair”, hosted inside the Guardian space. The venue itself adds to the experience, creating a unique atmosphere for one of Spokane’s most talked-about alternative craft fairs.
“These events are really important,” Alyssa says. “They give people a chance to see everything I currently have, since my website isn’t always fully up to date.”
What’s Next for Nomadic Knots?
As Nomadic Knots settles more firmly into Spokane, the focus is shifting toward deeper local connections, finding new events, collaborating with fellow makers, and continuing to build community through shared values.
In 2026, Nomadic Knots will lean further into themed markets, renaissance fairs, pirate festivals, and immersive events spaces where bold, sculptural leather designs truly shine. Expect stone-set belts, molded tops, lace-up backs, and modular garments that can be mixed, layered, and worn multiple ways.
In an era of mass production, Nomadic Knots is a reminder that slowness can be powerful and that well-made things still have a place in our lives.