Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharine Polk. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Katharine is excited to announce the re-launch of Houghton as ‘Houghton by Katharine Polk’ as we celebrate ten years as a brand. We will continue to push boundaries as Houghton has since 2011. Polk is excited to be at the helm of the brand she once created and to lead it in a new direction with women’s needs and bodies at the forefront. Offering every style in sizes 00-30, made and designed sustainably in Los Angeles. With access to over 26 collection Archives the Houghton DNA will be present in everything we do. Katharine Polk has developed a streamlined and affordable custom bridal business which will be offered under the Houghton umbrella as well as a collection of Made to Order.
Prior to Houghton Katharine was a Fashion Editor and Stylist working with publications like Elle Magazine.
Prior to styling Katharine started her career as the assistant designer at Badgley Mischka Couture after graduating from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Los Angeles. After spending 12 years in New York, Polk has relocated herself and the Houghton business to Los Angeles where the entire collection is designed and produced.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not! Like every entrepreneur there are highs and lows. You’ll be on top of the world one day and doubting yourself and everything you do the next. When I decided to launch Houghton in 2011, I had a very simple idea that Brides and women like me needed a more sleek, modern alternative to bridal. While designing the collection and creating assets that received huge accolades from press and brides, we quickly found that the buyers weren’t ready. We were committed to our mission and truly believed in what we had created. Bridal needed to be shaken up. We changed the business and became flexible but Buyers would come in after seeing the amazing press but weren’t ready to place modern Bridal in their stores. We got sucked into creating Ready to Wear collections so we could get our foot in the door with these accounts. I felt us being pulled in too many directions and accepting all the orders that came our way whether they were right for us or not.
Over the years, more and more “Modern Bridal” boutiques started to pop up in the US and overseas and we were able to start getting some sales traction and quickly grew to 60+ boutiques internationally and exclusives with accounts like Nordstrom, Free People and Net a Porter.
Once I finally felt like we had gained some traction, we were internally crumbling and I decided to part ways with my partner. After stepping away from my company I started in 2011, I had to give up my apartment in NYC and quickly find a new job. I hustled every single day living on a $100/week budget. Having to give up my place in NYC and move to Los Angles to start over was one of the toughest times. I was physically and mentally burnt out and needed rest although I needed to make money. I would get inquiries from brides but had to turn them down as I couldn’t sell Houghton any longer. I decided to start a consulting company where I advise small and large brands in the fashion space providing everything from Creative Direction to Business strategy and helping new brands navigate orders, production/supply chain issues and building a presence.
This gave me the opportunity to save money and get back on my feet. I was able to buy my brand back a couple of months ago and re-launch Houghton as the sole leader. I’m excited to see what’s next and continue consulting and working with amazing Founders as well as leading Houghton into a new era!
Moral of the Story is, don’t believe what you see on social media, that is only a glimpse into the glamour not the struggles. Although I try and be as transparent as possible! I’m an open book and think it’s important to convey what we go through as founders.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Bridal designer who specializes in Non-Traditional, modern yet classic styles. I founded Houghton in 2011 with that simple idea. I felt that brides needed more options than your traditional princess gown. After creating my brand of Designer styles available in white year round for brides and beyond, I stepped away from my company at the height of our business in 2018.
In October 2021, I bought back my brand and have relaunched Houghton as “HOUGHTON by Katharine Polk” as the sole leader. I relocated from New York to Los Angeles in 2018 and have developed a strong foundation with design and supply chain contacts in Los Angeles. We are proudly 100% made in Los Angeles.
I am taking a new approach to our business; We offer a complete collection of “Made To Order” bridal as well as a large Custom Bridal Business. We have the flexibility to create custom looks with our Pattern Maker in Los Angeles at the highest level while working on an efficient timeline for our brides. We can offer delivery of Made to Order in 2-6 weeks and accommodate Custom orders in a rush.
Houghton is named after my namesake and muse, Katharine Houghton Hepburn. I have always been inspired by Katharine and her affinity for menswear as well as her rebellious attitude. Her challenging and boundary-breaking attitude is what inspires me to design for independent strong women.
Houghton is now completely available to shop online. We have switched our focus to our Direct brides rather than wholesale. We have repriced our collection to be more accessible with out a huge wholesale mark up. Gowns that were once $8,00-$12,000 are now a $5,000-$8,000 if you buy directly from Houghton.
We will be hosting a “Tour” of Trunk Shows and Pop Up’s in our hometown of Los Angeles and NYC. We will come to other cities we feel there is a strong need!
The collection starts at $500 for a cocktail dress and goes up to whatever you can dream. The bulk of our collection is between $1900-$3500.
Come see us and shop the collections at our first Trunk Show in over four years. January 7th-9th in Los Angeles. Email for details.
What makes you happy?
I love what I do. Designing and creating is the ultimate happy place. Outside of work, cooking and just hanging out with my animals bring me so much joy. I need that downtime to recharge my mind and body after I pour so much energy into my work.
Pricing:
- $500 – ‘Karmen’ cocktail dress
- $1200 – Corseted and embroidered cocktail looks
- $2000 -$3500 our silk crepe gowns
- $3500-$5000 – Lace gowns
- $5000 – Custom starting price
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://houghtonnyc.
com/ - Instagram: houghtonnyc
- Facebook: houghtonnyc
Image Credits
Images provided by Houghton, photographed by Cassidy Cooper
