Conversations with Katrina Hilty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Hilty.

Hi Katrina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always enjoyed creating arts and crafts. Creating is a part of who I am.
I reflect fondly on moments watching my maternal grandmother sew custom clothes for the locals in her small community. The care and skill she took making each garment and seeing how delighted her clients felt in their new clothes left a lasting impression on me.

After earning a degree in Business Administration, I followed my passion and studied Fashion Design at FIDM. I’ve since worked throughout the fashion industry as an assistant designer, product coordinator, fit technical designer, and a personal stylist. My deep understanding of garment construction was developed during hands-on collaborations with designers, pattern makers, cutters, and sewers.

As I moved through these many stages of my career, I realized just how essential fit is in a world of mass-produced high fashion where the standard sizes do not actually fit all.

Through years of imagination and planning, using my background in business and passion for fashion, the opening of Mika and Kamila’s studio is the culmination of a life’s commitment to finding the perfect fit.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s no road map to being an entrepreneur. It’s constantly pivoting with trial and error.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I worked in the fashion industry for private label companies – about eight jobs in a decade. I was burned out and left the industry after I got married. I transitioned into being a personal stylist. Then we had two girls. I was a stay-at-home mom for several years (which I felt was so much harder than having a job). During the pandemic, I had an urge to open my business and went back to work after my second daughter began preschool. Everything that I learned from school and having gained experience in the fashion industry all became so pivotal in starting a clothing alterations business.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
It’s strange but things unexpectedly fall into place when it’s the right time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mikaandkamila.com

Image Credits
Photographer – Dottie Evans