Going to art shows and galleries is one of my favorite weekend activities. Living in New York City means being close to the pulse of the current art scene, along with a seemingly endless display of iconic pieces in museums. I try to make the most of that. As a fashion designer that is always searching for new ideas, I like to know about new techniques and ideas in art. The techniques and ideas often spark ideas of something new that I can try in the upcoming Kate Stoltz collection.
Scope Art Show is always worth the trip... I wore a dress from the Kate Stoltz Spring/Summer 2018 Collection. You can see it here:
Kate Stoltz Dress
Where do you go to get inspired?
XOXO, Kate Stoltz
Samantha, the writer of style blog 'The New York Blond' wore a Kate Stoltz Blush Silk Skirt while on a staycation in Downtown Manhattan at the Four Seasons Hotel. The pastel blush silk skirt with contrast black fine lace and seam trim was paired with a luxe long sleeved velvet blouse and embellished heels.
Kate Stoltz Skirt: Kate Stoltz Blush Silk Crete Skirt
The New York Blond: New York Blond Website
xoxo,
Kate Stoltz
Kate Stoltz clients, select press and close friends were invited to preview the new Spring/ Summer 2018 collection before a week long Fashion Week Popup in Soho, New York. The fashion designer debuted twenty five new Kate Stoltz pieces during the February showing, which opened to the public the following day.
The Fashion Week popup was done instead of a traditional runway show, giving visitors the opportunity to see and touch the pieces in person. Guests were welcome to pre-order custom fit pieces from the designer, with an assistant on site to take their individual measurements. Attendees sipped champagne and nibbled on chocolates as they shopped, and were given a Kate Stoltz scarf before they ambled on to other fashion week events.
The Kate Stoltz Swarovski Encrusted Silk Gown started with my favorite color: Black. Black is the only color that I always feel comfortable wearing- it's timeless, simple, elegant and flattering.
My personal closet is filled with mostly black pieces that I have designed, or picked up while shopping in New York City or while traveling. It's my favorite color to wear, so it automatically is my favorite color to design with.
Since I was planning to photograph the gown in Santorini, Greece, I added the Swarovski crystals to reflect the light, much like the water sparkles on a beautiful summer day while sailing the Aegean Sea.
After the photoshoot, I was reviewing the photographs with the photographer and makeup artist. We saw that one of the Swarovski crystals had caught the light from the setting sun, glistening like a sphere of light. Isn't nature beautiful?
Overlooking the Southern Aegean Sea in Santorini, Greece
The Kate Stoltz Fluted Gown in Emporio, Greece
The best light I have ever worked with was in the charming village of Emporio in Santorini, Greece. Photographer Matt Licari and Sissi Petropolou joined me in Santorini for the lifestyle/brand photoshoot. The afternoon light combined with the white walls and beautiful Greek architecture were worth the trip. In the process, we as a team created images that not only display the work that I do, but also the very mood and essence of the world that inspire me to continue designing.
The pieces from the Kate Stoltz collection that were used were created specifically for the trip to Santorini, Greece. However, my three weeks traveling to different areas in Greece gave me a solid understanding of what makes Greece so special. I can't wait to work on new pieces, and use photos from Santorini, Mykonos and Crete on my mood and color boards!
Kate Stoltz walking in the charming village of Emporio, Greece
The Abstract Fluted Gown by Kate Stoltz was created by hand sewing bias strips onto the bodice, which is complete with a bustier. The light silk skirt offsets the detailed bodice, giving body and freedom to the flow of the dress.
Kate Stoltz Fluted Gown
To order a made to measure piece for yourself, visit www.katestoltz.com. Select your size, then include your current bust, waist, hip and height measurements in the comment form. Since this garment is made to order, please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. XOXO, Kate Stoltz
Photographer: Matt Licari
Makeup Artist: Sissi Petropolou
Designer, Stylist and Model: Kate Stoltz
Kate Stoltz NYC Black Lace Appliqué Chiffon Blouse
Kate Stoltz Black Lace Appliqué Blouse with the embroidered wool skirt
The Kate Stoltz NYC black lace appliqué chiffon blouse photographed in Santorini, Greece. The black chiffon blouse has hand sewn black rose flower and petal appliqués on the front and back of the blouse, and at the cuff of the 3/4 sleeve. The neck and sleeves are also finished by hand, with the inside seams finished with a small French seam.
The lace applique blouse was paired with the Kate Stoltz NYC Embroidered Wool Pencil Skirt. The skirt's belt is embroidered by hand with thick black embroidery thread. The skirt gently sloped up at the hem in the front, and down in the back of the hem.
Both the hand embroidered wool skirt and black lace applique blouse can be ordered on www.katestoltz.com. Because of the delicate fabrics used for the blouse, it is recommended that you include your measurements, or your correct size. When in doubt, purchase a size larger (not smaller) so that you are comfortable wearing the piece.
I am beyond grateful for my small but fantastic team for traveling all the way to Santorini, Greece for the photoshoot. Matt Licari, a photographer from New York City, did a great job as always scouting the locations. Sissi Petropoulou, the makeup artist, is a rare gem that traveled from Athens, Greece and gave me an unforgettable facial massage that relaxed my facial muscles and prepared my skin for the photoshoot, then proceeded to make me look younger and healthier by applying minimal makeup...
I had the pleasure of attending a friend's wedding in New Jersey at an old mansion that looked like a castle. The gardens on the estate were the highlight of the place, featuring a beautiful lily pond with colorful koi swimming about. The wedding was beautiful, both because of the beautiful setting and the occasion that brought everyone there.
To meet the fairy tale theme of the wedding, I wore my favorite Kate Stoltz NYC gown. The gown has hundreds of bias strips hand sewn onto the bodice in an abstract design. The bias strips were applied in a painterly fashion, starting at the front of the bodice and branching out, eventually covering the entire bodice.
The gown is available for purchase at www.katestoltz.com . Contact Kate Stoltz with questions about the process.
The hem, neckline and seams are all hand finished on the Kate Stoltz Hand Sewn Shimmery Blouse. The gold and black braid trim adorning the center front of the blouse is hand sewn, with each stitch going precisely into the ends of the braid. The blouse was made in New York City, using imported materials.
Packaged in white paper to avoid excessive wrinkling during shipment, the shimmery blouse is then put into a sturdy Kate Stoltz NYC cardboard box.
When the blouse arrives, it is ready to wear and style however you please. I wore mine to the Hamptons on the weekend, since the colors went well with the beach, as you can see below.
The
metallic pencil skirt is made of metallic blush and black jacquard. Fully lined with black 100% silk, and hand finished at the hem, the skirt closes in the back with an invisible zipper, and a hook and eye at the waist belt.
Available in sizes 0 to 24, the
metallic pencil skirt is custom made to each client's measurements if they are entered at the time of purchase.
Photographed in Central Park, Manhattan New York in the Spring.
Central Park is very green in May, creating picturesque reflections in the ponds and streams. The naturally highly saturated green foliage is a welcome sight after months of dreary skies and brown trees. A run in the park is one of my favorite things to do on the weekend, so I decided to take my work there. The image below is only one of the many beautiful spots- you really have to go out and experience it first hand to fully appreciate it...
xo,Kate Stoltz
I shaved one side of my head in the summer of 2014 to experiment with different looks, and the resulting different reactions to those looks in everyday encounters. The bold hairstyle was done in a way that could be hidden, simply by combing my hair over the shaved side. Part of the reason why I wanted to try the hairstyle was because I wanted something new. Part of it was rebellion, and the rest was from simply not caring what other people thought about how I wore my hair.
The way people responded to me when the shaved side was exposed was a fascinating social experiment. People were more casual, less respectful and assumed I was less responsible than when I covered the shaved side. It proved once again that the way you present yourself on the outside is incredibly important to first impressions, and how people assume you are on the inside. While I am 99.999 percent certain that I will never do that to my hair again, I love the edgy photos that New York City fashion photographer Dorian Clive captured as a result.
Be bold, fearless, and don't be afraid to experiment! (as long as you stay safe). You're only young once.
XO-Kate Stoltz
Kate Stoltz in Manhattan, New York City. Editorial series photographed by NYC fashion photographer Dorian Clive.
Going to art shows and galleries is one of my favorite weekend activities. Living in New York City means being close to the pulse of the current art scene, along with a seemingly endless display of iconic pieces in museums. I try to make the most of that. As a fashion designer that is always searching for new ideas, I like to know about new techniques and ideas in art. The techniques and ideas often spark ideas of something new that I can try in the upcoming Kate Stoltz collection. Scope Art Show is always worth the trip... I wore a dress from the Kate Stoltz Spring/Summer 2018 Collection. You can see it here: Kate Stoltz Dress
I had the pleasure of attending a friend's wedding in New Jersey at an old mansion that looked like a castle. The gardens on the estate were the highlight of the place, featuring a beautiful lily pond with colorful koi swimming about. The wedding was beautiful, both because of the beautiful setting and the occasion that brought everyone there.
