After living and working around the world, emerging fashion designer Katherine Mahony of Harding Township creates, manufactures and sells women’s ready-to-wear clothing. Her upscale, bespoke designs are based on more than 15 years of experience as a stylist in the fashion, television and film industries.
But if you want to view her collection in person, you won’t see it at a shopping mall; she works exclusively out of her Morris County studio and her collection is made to order.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Katherine opened a styling business that catered to women’s wardrobe needs soon after moving to the U.S in 2001. Her business helped women develop everyday looks, perform wardrobe overhauls, and dress for cocktail and black-tie events. She began working her way into print, TV and film, where she managed wardrobe, production design, and on-air talent.
But after moving to Shanghai in 2012, she quickly discovered that the expatriate community, particularly European and American women, did not have access to clothing that suited their unique needs.
“While living in Asia, I had access to the biggest fabric expos in the world and used my position as an expat wife to learn and understand the manufacturing process,” she says.
Katherine Mahony began collaborating with international clients to design clothing that used flattering materials for comfort, shape and style. One of her most popular designs, called the Tai Tai (Chinese slang for an expat wife), was an updated spin on the classic Asian Qipao garment. But, instead of using traditional pure silk, she designed her Tai Tai with heavy spandex cotton material, complementing it with ruching to flatter the female form.
Since returning to the U.S. in 2016, her latest focus is women’s outerwear made with tweed, wool and cashmere hand-stitched blends, many of which she showcased at New York Fashion Week 2017. Her inspiration comes from living in five countries on four continents—Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. “I grew up in the British Cotswolds, so I naturally tend to incorporate tweeds, cashmere and wool with the flair of Asia and Parisian blends, kicked up with a subtle NYC city vibe,” she tells me. “I want woman to wear my clothing, not because it is a fleeting trend, but a classic, timeless statement.”
Her bespoke fashion can be viewed at katherinemahony.com and katherine_mahony on instagram.
Photography: Rick Tracy
Model: Taylor Yaegar
Hair: Melissa Castner
Makeup: Kristin Constantino