Living in New York City with limited closet space has taught me the importance of quality versus quantity, and purchasing clothing that I will actually wear and like. In addition, an increased awareness of the impact that changing fashion trends has on the earth has instilled a desire in me to decrease my own clothing waste. As a result, the clothing that does make it into my closet is there because it's a necessity, or because I have respect for the craftsmanship that went into making the garment.
Decreasing the amount of clothing that I go through has changed the way I think while designing ready to wear clothing for Kate Stoltz NYC, or create custom Kate Stoltz pieces for clients. As a fashion designer living in Manhattan, I am in one of the world's fashion hubs. I do love keeping up with fashion trends. However, what I wear is much more personal than following the wide variety of trends that disappear before you can adequately wear out a high quality garment. My personal experiences with clothing greatly influences the choices I make while choosing textiles and producing clothing for clients that order custom pieces, along with the ready to wear collections on my website.
I recently created a custom dress with a removable black lace collar, embellished with Swarovski crystals, for a client. The dress can be worn with or without the black lace collar. The removable collar can be worn with the dress it came with, or with any of her other pieces that are already in her closet. The collar edge was finished with a tiny baby hem. It was then attached to a carefully pleated satin ribbon, sculpted to fit the natural curve around the neck. I then attached the crystals by hand, finishing the collar with a crystal on each ribbon end. The collar itself can be purchased here: Kate Stoltz Black Lace Collar .
Creating individual pieces for clients allows me to work with my hands, and allows me to control the quality and quantity that I produce. My goal is not to design and create large quantities of products, but rather, carefully crafted pieces that individual clients can enjoy.
XO, Kate Stoltz
How many pieces of fabric are used to make a dress? It highly depends on the design of the dress. The Kate Stoltz NYC Mermaid Dress has 92 pieces of fabric plus the zipper. The paneled dress is made to hug the figure, using custom measurements to tailor the dress. Fully lined with 100% silk, the Kate Stoltz NYC black lace dress has two layers of silk. One layer for the lining, and another to back the black lace exterior. Each seam is finished with a French seam to finish the dress, and to prevent fraying. The Kate Stoltz NYC dress takes approximately a week to create, starting with the pattern. Each seam is pressed and trimmed as the dress is sewn to achieve a polished look. Finally, the dress is finished by a hand sewn hem and label. All this work is done in New York City in the design studio of Kate Stoltz NYC.
The Kate Stoltz NYC distressed shirt has been created to match the beach mood. I used a light and cool pastel fabric that can be worn on a hot day, or layered with a tank top on a cooler beach night. First I stitched the ends of the fabric with a tiny stitch to secure the fibers that I wanted to keep. I then removed the loose end fibers to create a frayed look. The ends of the two-tiered shirt, and the front detail on the shirt are finished with the resulting bespoke fringe. However, not all the ends are 'coming undone'. As I do with all Kate Stoltz NYC garments, I carefully finished the inside seams, this time using a 1/4 inch French seam.
For an hour after sunrise, and an hour after sunset, windows in the distance glisten like gold. The waves shimmer and capture the golden light that is beginning to flood the sea, turning the waves into liquid gold. The breeze cools the earth, and the world is quieter. Natural light isn't too harsh, but there's enough light to see. It's relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful. There's a reason why this hour is called 'the magic hour'.
Sunrise on the beach in Southampton is especially beautiful- The caps of the waves glisten in the sunlight, and the beach settles the restless souls of the overworked humans that visit. I wanted to capture the feeling I had, leading to the design and relaxed fit of the Kate Stoltz NYC gold silk kimono dress.
The Kate Stoltz NYC gold silk kimono sleeve dress is as comfortable as silk pajamas, but can be worn during the day or the evening. I finished the simple look with a pair of metallic sandals for a daytime look. Layer it with a longer sweater and lace up black patent leather shoes, and you'll have a trendy fall outfit that can be worn to work....
Kate Stoltz NYC Gold Silk Dress Details
Sandals: Vince Camuto
Kate Stoltz NYC gold silk dress
Bows have been seen a lot lately on the Resort 2016 runways, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I love the feminine silhouette. The many different ways designers have been incorporating them into dresses, shirts and pants is adorable without being overwhelming. -(Anyway many of the looks I have been seeing.) An easy way to 'bow down to the bow trend' is to tie a light scarf in a bow around your neck.. Neck scarves are chic, and trendsetters such as Kendall Jenner and fashion bloggers everywhere have been seen wearing cute neck scarves lately. Scarves are my favorite way to complete an outfit. They add color, movement, and can be used in a variety of ways to spice up an outfit. While some people think of scarves as something to wear to keep warm, there are many lighter options that won't make you break a sweat. Light organza, lace, cotton or silk scarves are all wearable in the summertime. I designed a matching pastel organza scarf to the latest Kate Stoltz NYC summer crop top instead of attaching it to the crop top pattern. The removable scarf can be worn around the neck, or tied around a handbag handle as a cute accessory. While I love the bow trend, trends have a tendency to disappear within a couple of weeks or months. Because of that, I wanted to create a top that can be changed based on the Kate Stoltz NYC customer's mood.
The look was inspired by my last visit to the Hamptons, in early July. I saw a couple of breathtaking sunsets. One tinted the ocean water almost the same color as the organza used in the crop top. The whitecaps of the waves, the breezes and calm serenity relaxed me and I wanted to create something that reflected that mood and scene <3
To shop or browse the look, click on the links:
Kate Stoltz NYC white lace skirt
Kate Stoltz Nyc CROP TOP WITH MATCHING SCARF
XOXO, Kate Stoltz
Kate Stoltz NYC crop top, scarf and skirt
Kate Stoltz Black velvet neck choker
Chokers have grabbed a large number of teens and twenty to thirty year old's by the throat.. If you walk into any Manhattan hot spot, you're probably going to see more than one or two girls wearing a neck choker. No, it's not just a S&M bondage collar. The neck choker actually has a glamorous history. Wealthy women in the 1780's started wearing jeweled neck chokers. Since then, it has been trendy on and off. Based on the large number of fashionable women wearing neck chokers right now, it's safe to say that the trend is back in full force. It's a cool way to complete your outfit, especially if you have one that compliments your skin tone. I personally started wearing them, and decided to add them to my website after countless people commented on the chokers that I made.
A great gift under $50.00 for a friend
In addition to being fun to wear, chokers are a great gift under fifty dollars for a friend. There is no need to know her or his size, since the Kate Stoltz NYC chokers come with an adjustable neck chain. I added the 'Made With Love' tag at the end of the tag, since I want people to feel special when they put the choker on. Each choker is made individually in New York City in my studio. I love creating items like this, so the 'made with love' tag just felt right.
To purchase or simply browse the available choices on the Kate Stoltz NYC website, simply click on the photos.. -XO Kate Stoltz
Kate Stoltz NYC gold neck choker
Fashion Designer Kate Stoltz wearing the asymmetrical silk dress
A recent trip to the Hamptons inspired this sea green Kate Stoltz NYC asymmetrical silk dress. I wanted the dress to flatter the figure, but wanted to be able to wear it during the day. I designed a body hugging dress with an asymmetrical 'wave'. I loved the frayed edges of the silk, so I used the edge on the hem and the edges of the layers. This helped elevate the asymmetrical layers and complete the beach inspired look. To finish the look, I made a white choker that reminded me of the rope on a lifeguard buoy. I slipped on neutral wooden-soled shoes, staying in my pastel 'beach' color palate. 
No tolerance for racial or religious hate
While I was at the Museum of New York City, I was struck by this poster. There is so much going on in the world today.. Our fight for religious and racial equality is far from over, we need to keep fighting for EQUALITY around the world. We ALL deserve to be treated as equals, no matter what our background is...
XO- Kate Stoltz
An outfit you can run in! Living in New York City requires a lot more walking than most people realize- especially if you take the subway to avoid rush hour traffic. I am always running somewhere- to a meeting, to pick out textiles or drop something off. If I need to travel from one location to the next while working, I will most likely be running part of the way. Partly because I always have somewhere to be, and partially because it's a great way to stay fit. Since I run so much, I LOVE the women's patent leather dress shoe trend. It's a great way for women to be on trend, dressy, and comfortable at the same time. You don't have to wear heels and you can wear socks. (I think you can be more productive if you are wearing comfortable shoes, so that's another plus.)
Stylist Lauren Abbondola dressed up the shift dress by adding megawatt Laruicci earrings and Guess women's black patent leather dress shoes. Adding a jacket would have made it appropriate for the office, but the styling made the Kate Stoltz shift dress feel young, fun and appropriate for a stroll around the neighborhood. Hairstylist Katie Albright added a 'bend' to my hair, using her magic to make my hair look amazing. Photographer Matt Licari waited till the lighting was perfect and not to harsh, then proceeded to shoot the look in the McGolrick Park location in Brooklyn, New York.
What is your favorite '
day to night dress' option and how do you like to dress it up? Let me know in the comment section below :)
XO, Kate Stoltz
I'm always aware of my visual surroundings, sometimes to the point of neglecting other important details (like cars and other pedestrians). This cotton candy #colorsoftheyear street art on 10th Avenue and 50th Street in Manhattan caught my eye. The massive art stood out from the grey and brown sidewalks, sky and moods of the people around me. What a cheerful and artsy but unexpected encounter in the midst of Hells Kitchen in New York City! :)
Skirt: Kate Stoltz pencil skirt
Shirt: Tory Burch
Dog: Victoria Stoltz instagram
Occasion: Victoria's 2nd Birthday
Location: 50th Street and 10th Avenue, Manhattan
The pencil skirt is a one of a kind piece that I (Kate Stoltz) designed.. If you really like the skirt but are a different size or want a different fabric, I make skirts upon special request. You'll need your waist, hip and preferred length measurements. The skirt is your oyster when you order a custom piece :) XO -Kate Stoltz
Sunsets are my favorite part of day. I always take a moment out of my day to appreciate the magical colors in the sky at that magical hour. Sometimes I will leave work and see that the sun is starting to set, and will run a couple of streets where I can take in the view.
I took a stroll out to Riverside Park yesterday evening after work, which runs from 72nd street to 125th street on the West Side in Manhattan. The cotton candy sky and the lights on the New Jersey side of the Hudson made the walk worth while.
The dress that I was wearing is a bespoke custom made Kate Stoltz piece that you can purchase here: www.katestoltz.com . The sleeveless, cream colored brocade dress is a versatile staple that can be worn in many different places. You can wear the Kate Stoltz dress with a jacket, tights and heels like I did, or pair it with tall boots and a statement necklace for a younger look. The high quality brocade and the silk lining feels luxurious and comfortable while looking sharp enough to wear to an important interview or dinner.
Stay warm and enjoy your day!
XO, Kate Stoltz
The colors in the sunset inspire me when I am designing or painting, but no matter how creative humans are, we are no match for nature's beauty.-Kate stoltz
I recently created a custom dress with a removable black lace collar, embellished with Swarovski crystals, for a client. The dress can be worn with or without the black lace collar. The removable collar can be worn with the dress it came with, or with any of her other pieces that are already in her closet. The collar edge was finished with a tiny baby hem. It was then attached to a carefully pleated satin ribbon, sculpted to fit the natural curve around the neck. I then attached the crystals by hand, finishing the collar with a crystal on each ribbon end. The collar itself can be purchased here: Kate Stoltz Black Lace Collar .
An outfit you can run in! Living in New York City requires a lot more walking than most people realize- especially if you take the subway to avoid rush hour traffic. I am always running somewhere- to a meeting, to pick out textiles or drop something off. If I need to travel from one location to the next while working, I will most likely be running part of the way. Partly because I always have somewhere to be, and partially because it's a great way to stay fit. Since I run so much, I LOVE the women's patent leather dress shoe trend. It's a great way for women to be on trend, dressy, and comfortable at the same time. You don't have to wear heels and you can wear socks. (I think you can be more productive if you are wearing comfortable shoes, so that's another plus.) 
