Nicola was the son of Alexandre Benois, an influential artist, critic, historian and stage designer.

He was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where his father was the costume designer of the Mariinsky Theatre, the imperial opera house.

[2] After working as scenographer and set designer for several of the Mariinsky opera and ballet productions, he emigrated from Russia to Paris, France in 1923.

[1] Nicola later moved to Italy, following his father Alexandre Benois, and was invited by Alexander Sanin to design Khovanshchina at La Scala.

There he collaborated with Luchino Visconti, the powerful producer of La Scala, who insisted on genuine period jewelry and costumes for the performing stars.