Today we’d like to introduce you to Lillian Starr.
Lillian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
A couple years ago, I was on the road with my fiance’ and we noticed that What Katie Did was hiring for Los Angeles. I was already very familiar with the company as I owned a few items and I modeled their lingerie for an art event a few years back. I sent in my information and had an interview with Katie. Luckily, I got the job and was hired on as Boutique Manager. I have learned so much and this has been the best opportunity. It can be a little bit of a challenge when your boss lives in the UK and we have the time difference, but we all work so well together. I have to be her eyes and ears for the shop since she is not here. I have fallen in love with this little shop though. I love seeing my customers gleam with joy when they get a new set or a corset for the first time. They get so excited and you can see how good they feel by the big grin on their face. They walk out a little taller. I model and perform on the side, and having that experience has helped too. I just hope to continue to grow with the store and I have a lot planned for this year.
Has it been a smooth road?
Actually, it has. I mean you have good days and you have bad…but for the most part we have a smooth oiled machine. We have had made a few changes like with our website, which in a perfect world could go a little more smoothly, but we have amazing customers who understand and evolve with us. Even with most of the What Katie Did staff being in the UK… It still has that family feeling. We all work together and want to help make this company the best it can be.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What Katie Did is a very well-known vintage inspired lingerie boutique. We have 2 shops; one in London and one in Los Angeles. You can also order online from anywhere in the world. So even if you are unable to visit us in person, you can get that perfect set for any occasion. WKD is vintage inspired, so we have everything from bullet bras, cone bras, garter belts, girdles (yes, the ones like your grandma used to wear), high waist knickers as well as the little knicker that most women are used to wearing today, and of course our corsets. We have an overbust style as well as the popular underbust corset that is used for waist training. Waist training has been getting a lot of press lately so I get a lot of people coming in never having ever worn a steal boned corset. This is where they rely on us and the information we can provide to correctly wear and care for their corset. In my opinion, we are mostly proud of the fact that we stick to the vintage looking lingerie for the modern woman. Besides what we offer, what sets us apart is our personal customer service to every individual. We cater to the everyday women of all ages, men, drag queens, burlesque performers, pin up models, you name it, we get it. Everyone of those requires specific attention and information.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is a wonderful place for our shop to be! Luckily for us, L.A has a huge vintage/rockabilly/pin-up scene. We have customers ages 18-80 and we love it when we get new customers curious about the vintage look. They always end up enjoying our undergarments, especially the bras. They find them to be more comfortable and they work for everyday wear. We also get a lot of movies, magazines, and models coming in to use our stuff…so yes, Since Los Angeles is a place that everyone in the world wants to visit, so we get a lot guests from all over the world stopping in.
Pricing:
- Bras: $50-$90
- Garter Belts: $45-$80
- Girdles: $60-$110
- Knickers: $28-$60
- Steel Boned Corsets: $200-$265
- Stockings: $15-40
- Loungewear: $45-$125
- Gloves: $28-$30
Contact Info:
- Address: What Katie Did
3420 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505 - Website: us.whatkatiedid.com
- Phone: 1-877-221-2472
- Email: Boutique: [email protected] Online Questions: [email protected]
- Instagram: @whatkatiediduk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatkatiedidla ; www.facebook.com/What.Katie.Did.HQ
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatkatiediduk
Image Credit:
Jorge M Vargas Jr (JMV-foto)
Danielle Bondanza (MDC Photography Studio)
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
