Fashion Design
The Meaning and Inspiration Behind the Kate Stoltz Spring/Summer 2018 Collection Posted on 27 Apr 11:57 , 19 comments
The Kate Stoltz 2018 Spring/Summer Collection was designed for urban women living in an environment where square space is as coveted as privacy. Black quickly became the primary color for the collection. Every piece was designed to be easy to style, but with precisely placed details that carried out the inspiration and ideas that tied the pieces together.
While the images that inspired the collection came from a recent trip to Greece, the current events in the world also impacted the decisions made in textiles, style lines, silhouettes and color. Political tensions in the United States and the sobering reality that 'Me too' was more common among women than I had ever imagined prompted a more somber approach. The 'Me Too' movement prompted me to think about women's clothing differently and focus on strength rather than sexuality. A tailored wool dress with a pick stitch, tailored merino wool flare dress pants were designed to celebrate the women stepping forward and taking over industries and defying boundaries in their careers and personal lives. Darker colors, long sleeves, midi skirts and suiting was influenced by the typical well dressed male wardrobe that focuses on presentation and tailoring rather than sexual attraction.
The Abstract Heart Blouse was created with a desire of seeing some love and understanding in the midst of the chaos stemming from the political circumstances. The bright red, an expression of wanting to break away from the heaviness I felt in the midst of an angry protest, or when seeing two sides resort to name calling to defend their point instead of having productive conversations. It's a request for people to see other people's opinions and traditions with an open heart, willing to listen to why they feel the way they do, then making decisions based on facts and the good of humanity. To work together and focus on love instead of hatred.
Maggie Duckworth, a stylist in New York City reached out to me with a request to borrow a couple pieces from the collection for an editorial project with NYC fashion photographer Emmanuel Faure. Together with her style team, Maggie paired the Abstract Heart Blouse with the Feathery Pillar Skirt, a red beret and red shoes. The large team worked together to produce an image that gave the pieces life. It's projects like these that assure me that humans can work together to create something beautiful if we have the patience to openly listen to each other's ideas.
Thank you:
Photographer: Emmanuel Faure
Style Team
Erin Galligan
Ofry Beladona
Saray Franco Lvi
Emma Gorelik
Lee-Ann Laville
Make-up Artist: Gil Aldrin
Model: Stephanie Santiago
Photographer's Assistant: Max McGerry
Designer: Kate Stoltz
Pieces used in the editorial:
To see the entire Spring/ Summer 2018 Kate Stoltz collection, visit:
XOXO, Kate Stoltz
The New York Blond Wearing Kate Stoltz Posted on 8 Mar 06:00 , 222 comments
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 Photographed by Dorian Clive Posted on 6 Mar 06:00 , 296 comments
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
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.
Kate Stoltz in Fashion Campaign Posted on 20 Feb 06:00 , 795 comments
Kate Stoltz featured in New York City fashion designer Victor Luna's campaign. Editorial photography by Brij.
Kate Stoltz Photographed by Lena Shkoda Posted on 25 Jan 13:02 , 51 comments
One of my first modeling test shoots I did was with the lovely Lena Shkoda. Her tireless guidance to a fresh face in the modeling world resulted in the accompanying black and white photographs.
The snapshots remind me of first arriving in the Manhattan and being overwhelmed by the limitless possibilities and opportunities that the city presented to me. The steaming asphalt and summer heat that overtakes the Manhattan streets during the long, hot summer days will always bring back the feeling of youth and freedom. Especially youth, since the feeling of youth quickly becomes rare and out of reach as we become more responsible and invested in careers, which ultimately shortens the time we have left to experience that feeling.
As I ventured about in a city trying to figure out where I was going, I was completely free to be me and not someone else's idea of what I should be. The tough city molded me into a more liberated and cynical, but wiser human. I will forever be grateful to all the photographers, makeup artists, hairstylists, wardrobe stylists, directors and accompanying models that devoted and are devoting their time to working with me. I am still, and will always be, a 'work in progress', but looking at work from a couple years ago is a good reminder of how I got to my current place in life. I still have a lot to learn, but I believe that as soon as learning ends, joy in life ends. For that reason, I never want to stop learning.
XO, Kate Stoltz
Kate Stoltz Photographed by Lena Shkoda in New York City
Kate Stoltz NYC Black Lace Mermaid Dress Posted on 1 Nov 12:57 , 11 comments
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.
Relaxed Beach Vibes in a Kate Stoltz NYC Distressed Kimono Blouse Posted on 13 Aug 06:00 , 17 comments
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.The Golden Hour in Southampton Posted on 8 Aug 06:00 , 31 comments
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
Dress: Kate Stoltz NYC
Sandals: Vince Camuto
Kate Stoltz NYC gold silk dress
The Kate Stoltz Asymmetrical Silk Dress with Coordinating Neck Choker Posted on 19 Jul 11:25 , 207 comments
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