KATHARINE POLK
DESIGNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Katharine Polk’s fresh fashion vision is expressed in her stunning designs for the new luxury label, Houghton.
Drawing inspiration from Katharine Hepburn, Bianca Jagger and Patti Smith, Polk designs for the independent woman who desires a look that is effortlessly chic yet sexy and strong. Her collections combine glamour and grace with an edge, exact tailoring and unexpected fabric selections resulting in a look that is uniquely Houghton.

The 29 year old Malibu native had a remarkable debut year: Katharine was invited to launch her first Houghton collection, for Fall/Winter 2012, at Lincoln Center as part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Katharine was selected by WWD as “New Designer to Watch” and another milestone was reached when she was accepted into the MADE program for emerging designers.

Her second collection, Spring /Summer 2013 was selected by Style.com as “The One to Watch” featured on their front page and called “a perfect collection” by WWD. Her non-traditional “Houghton Bride” Collection premiered in October 2012 and has been highly acclaimed.

Katharine calls upon her previous experiences as a fashion editor, designer and stylist as she creates each new collection. She was New York Fashion Editor for FIASCO Magazine where she was able to create memorable editorials, covers and her monthly feature, ‘Style Mode’.

She established ‘Katharine Polk Stylist’ in 2009, a fashion styling company specializing in editorials, music videos, and high-end celebrity clientele; working with top American and European photographers, models, actors, musicians and magazines.

Originally from Malibu, California, Polk graduated from FIDM in Los Angeles with a fashion design degree and moved to New York City to begin her career as design assistant and in-house stylist for Badgley Mischka Couture. During her tenure there she designed for the Couture Collection, Bridal, and oversaw 22 licensees ranging from handbags to swimwear and jewelry. Her designs and styling work graced the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runways for six consecutive seasons (from 2007- 2009) and appeared nationally in WWD, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, and Vogue as well as on the cover of Brides Magazine.

Polk also dedicates her time and passion to her role as an U.S. spokesperson for the international non-profit organization, Designers Against Aids. She lives in New York City with Jonesy – her supermodel English Bulldog.