Welcome to Threadlines, our monthly blog where we celebrate the incredible individuals who bring Mansawear to life. This month, we’re thrilled to feature Briana Bendlin—an inspiring elementary school teacher by day and a radiant Mansawear (and ESL!) model by heart.
With a presence that’s as grounded as it is graceful, Briana carries a quiet strength that lights up both the classroom and the camera. Whether she’s teaching history to 5th graders or showing off a bold print on the runway, she does it with calm confidence and effortless charm.
From Leadership Summit to Model Muse
Briana and I first crossed paths at the RCSD Leadership Summit last August. She instantly fell in love with a Mansawear mash-up worn by her colleague and mentor, Ruth Turner. Curious and inspired, she stopped by the boutique to pick up her first Mansawear piece—and as they say, the rest is history. She didn’t come alone for long either—soon her mom, Margo, was a regular too. Before we knew it, Briana was modeling for Mansawear, and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better face of the brand.
Rooted in Education, Driven by Purpose
Briana is a certified elementary and special education teacher with Rochester City School District (RCSD), with most of her classroom time spent teaching 5th grade. While she teaches all core subjects, her heart beats loudest for Social Studies, History, and English.
With over a decade of experience, she currently serves as a Teacher-on-Assignment with the RocRestorative Team—a group of educators, counselors, and community partners trained in restorative practices. Their mission? To build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and repair harm within the school community.
Model, Mentor, Mission-Minded
When she’s not in front of the chalkboard or camera, Briana keeps a full plate. She recently returned from her first trip to the continent—a mission to Sierra Leone with her church, Living Word Temple of Restoration. The purpose? To dedicate a new 3-room school building in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Though currently used for tutoring and Sunday school, the dream is to expand it into a full school serving the local community.
And yes—Briana has TikTok game too. You’ll find her posting light-hearted, affirming content for her students and followers. Follow her @btbendlin024 for a mix of humor, wisdom, and joy.
Weekend Vibes & Family Ties
When she’s not teaching, traveling, or modeling, Briana and her mom, Margo, are regulars on Rochester’s arts scene. From exhibition openings to gallery nights, they show up in style, often in Mansawear, of course. And while we’re keeping some details under wraps (😉), she and her husband of 10 years also playing board games, entertaining friends, and cheering on their respective football teams (Go Steelers!)
Here’s to Briana!
Let’s raise our glasses to Briana—equal parts poise and power! Whether she’s rocking the classroom or striking a pose for the camera, her calm confidence always steals the show.
To see Briana’s favorite Mansawear styles, check out the flounce skirt and other made-to-measure pieces at https://mansawear.com/collections/womens-bottoms/products/pencil-skirts.
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