Honeycomb Salon owner works Fashion Week

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL

Special to the PRESS

What started as a passion for fashion at a young age has led one Port Isabel spa owner to an extraordinary milestone, being featured on the back cover and in a six-page spread of an internationally recognized fashion magazine.

Honeycomb Salon and Spa owner Nicole Kuhlmann’s journey into the fashion world began at the early age of 14, first as a model.  In 2007 she became a licensed cosmetologist and became a business owner in 2020. But in early 2025, her career took an unexpected turn after a conversation with a client who mentioned that her stylist up north had just returned from Paris after working with designers during Fashion Week. Intrigued, Kuhlmann asked for contacts and reached out to a stylist who led a professional Fashion Week hair team. After interviewing, she was accepted to join the team, marking her official entry into international fashion shows as a stylist.

Paris Fashion Week became her first international fashion event and proved transformative. While she had previously walked runways, working behind the scenes as a stylist on such a large scale was entirely new.

“Being behind the scenes and styling the models was a  whole  different side of the shows I had never experienced,” Kuhlmann said. “It was incredible meeting the designers and other stylists that had the same interests as me, and it really pushed my ability and talent to the next level.”

Throughout the week, a dedicated professional photographer documented the team’s backstage work and runway moments. Recognizing Kuhlmann’s natural ease in front of the camera, the photographer invited her to participate in an additional photoshoot around Paris. Kuhlmann selected the Louvre Museum as the backdrop, drawn to its architectural beauty and historical significance. Two shoots followed, one in the gardens during the morning and another in the evening near the iconic glass pyramids, capturing a refined blend of fashion, confidence, and artistry.

After returning home, Kuhlmann learned that the photographer had submitted several of her images to international publications. Soon after, she received news that her work had been selected by Luxia Magazine, a publication known worldwide for showcasing high-fashion photography. Her feature included a six-page spread, with one image earning placement on the back cover, a rare distinction in the fashion industry.

For Kuhlmann, the experience has had a lasting impact. Working with an elite Fashion Week hair team reignited her passion for helping clients feel beautiful, while returning to modeling rekindled a creative spark. From her salon in Port Isabel to the streets of Paris, her journey is a testament to how talent, courage, and opportunity can take local dreams to a global stage.