Katharina Lou

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Cool-girl brand known for its plaid and patchwork pieces

Deadstock Fabrics

Katharina Lou is a Melbourne-based fashion label known for its bold patchwork designs, plaid fabrics, and playful silhouettes. The brand creates statement clothing and swimwear. Often blending vintage-inspired elements. It started with made-to-order pieces made from deadstock fabrics. It is now an expanding label while still focusing on limited drops that balance sustainaiblity with a sense of exclusivity.

Sydney, NSW

Sizes 6 – 20

Est. 2021

$$$$

Manufactured in: Australia, Bali, China

Meet the Founder(s)

Katharina Lou had always wanted to start her own label from a young age. She studied fashion and textile design at university while interning in the industry, before launching her own brandj. It came from a desire to create a positive impact in the fashion industry. Katharina credits her move from Sydney to Melbourne during the COVID lockdowns as the turning point for the brand. This challenging period was what pushed her to really focus and go all in on the building her label. Her aim is to continue creating pieces that make people feel empowered and fabulous.

Brand Values

People

The brand works with a mix of local makers and overseas manufacturers. The brand states it maintains close relationships with its Chinese partners. Smaller runs are also produced in Australia and Bali, often for limited deadstock collections.

The brand expresses a commitment to ethical practices. However, there is limited detailed public information on the supply chain. Greater transparency across the supply chain would help clarify working conditions as the brand continues to grow.

Environment

Katharina Lou’s early collections were heavily centred around deadstock fabrics. Many of the brand’s patchwork designs also reflect this approach. Which helps reduce textile waste. As the brand expands, it is moving beyond exclusively using deadstock. While it still releases collections that incorporate these materials, there is less clarity on what proportion of current production continues to rely on deadstock versus newly sourced fabrics.

Production is done in small batches, which the brand states is intentional to reduce overproduction and excess stock, while also maintaining a level of exclusivity. Pieces are designed with longevity in mind, encouraging repeat wear, repair, and resale rather than disposal.

The brand also incorporates some lower-impact practices in its operations. Overseas manufacturers use plant-based, biodegradable garment packaging, and textile waste is donated to Upparel, an Australian recycling initiative that repurposes unwanted textiles.

While these are positive steps, more detail on fabric sourcing, supply chain, and sustainability goals would provide a clearer picture. This is especially important as the brand scales.

Animals

The brand uses some animal-derived materials, including merino wool in parts of its collection. But there is no further public information on its use of animal-derived materials.