Catherine Holstein is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur best known as the founder and chief creative officer of Khaite. Through a combination of refined creativity, strong commercial awareness, and a clear understanding of modern women’s fashion, she has developed one of the most respected contemporary luxury labels in the United States.
Her career has not been free from difficulty. An earlier fashion label did not achieve lasting commercial success, but that setback gave her the experience needed to build a stronger business later. Today, Catherine Holstein is admired for turning timeless wardrobe essentials into desirable luxury pieces while maintaining a distinctive New York identity.
Catherine Holstein Quick Bio
| Category | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Catherine “Cate” Holstein |
| Known For | Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Khaite |
| Profession | Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | California, United States |
| Raised In | Southern California and London |
| Education | Parsons School of Design |
| Husband | Griffin Frazen |
| Children | One child |
| Main Company | Khaite |
| Company Founded | 2016 |
| Industry | Luxury Fashion |
| Major Awards | CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year, 2022 and 2023 |
Early Life and Creative Influences
Catherine Holstein was born in California and spent her childhood between Southern California and London. These two environments exposed her to contrasting styles. California offered a relaxed and practical approach to clothing, while London provided access to European culture, architecture, and more traditional ideas of design.
This combination later became visible in her work. Her collections often balance ease with structure, softness with sharp tailoring, and simplicity with sensual detail. Rather than designing clothes that feel overly decorative, she creates pieces that appear modern, wearable, and carefully considered.
Education at Parsons School of Design
Holstein moved to New York to study fashion at Parsons School of Design. Her time at Parsons became an important stage in her professional development because it allowed her to refine her design skills while entering the competitive New York fashion industry.
While she was still a student, her junior thesis collection attracted the attention of Julie Gilhart, who was then the fashion director of Barneys New York. Barneys purchased items from the collection, giving Holstein an exceptional early opportunity. She later left Parsons before completing her degree to focus on her career.
The Start of Catherine Holstein’s Career
Catherine Holstein began her professional journey by launching a womenswear label under her own name. The collection received attention and was sold through well-known luxury retailers. This early success established her as a promising young designer with a strong understanding of sophisticated American fashion.
However, operating an independent fashion company presented major financial and business challenges. The label eventually closed. Although this was a negative period in her career, it became an important learning experience that helped her understand production, finance, retail relationships, and the realities of running a fashion business.
Experience Before Founding Khaite
After closing her first label, Holstein worked with established fashion companies, including Gap and Vera Wang. These professional roles gave her wider experience in commercial design, product development, merchandising, and brand management.
This period allowed her to strengthen the business knowledge that had been missing during her first attempt as an independent designer. Instead of immediately launching another company, she developed a more practical understanding of how a fashion brand must balance creativity with customer demand and financial discipline.
Founding Khaite in 2016
In 2016, Catherine Holstein founded Khaite, a New York-based luxury womenswear company. She created the label to offer refined wardrobe essentials that could feel both timeless and contemporary. The brand’s name is connected to Holstein’s nickname, Cate.
Khaite initially became known for premium denim, cashmere, knitwear, leather jackets, and tailored clothing. The company later expanded into handbags, footwear, accessories, and other luxury categories. Under Holstein’s creative leadership, Khaite developed a recognizable identity based on understated elegance, strong silhouettes, and high-quality materials.
Khaite’s Breakthrough Fashion Moment
Khaite gained major international attention in 2019 when actress Katie Holmes was photographed wearing the brand’s cashmere cardigan with a matching knit bra. The outfit became widely discussed in fashion media and helped introduce the label to a much larger global audience.
The moment demonstrated Holstein’s ability to create clothing that feels luxurious without appearing impractical. The cardigan and bra combination was simple, but it captured a modern approach to fashion: comfortable, sensual, polished, and easy to understand.
Catherine Holstein’s Design Philosophy
Catherine Holstein’s fashion philosophy is based on the idea that clothing can express several contrasting qualities at once. Her work frequently combines masculine tailoring with feminine softness, minimalism with drama, and traditional materials with contemporary shapes.
She does not rely entirely on temporary trends. Instead, she focuses on pieces that can remain relevant across different seasons. This strategy has helped Khaite become associated with modern American luxury and has attracted customers who value quality, longevity, and confident design.
Business Ventures and Company Growth
Khaite remains Catherine Holstein’s main business venture. As founder and chief creative officer, she leads the company’s creative direction and plays a central role in shaping its product identity, visual language, and long-term positioning.
The company has expanded its retail presence through flagship stores and international luxury retailers. Khaite has also entered categories such as handbags, shoes, belts, and eyewear. This growth has transformed the label from a specialist womenswear business into a broader luxury lifestyle brand.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Catherine Holstein received the CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023. These consecutive wins confirmed her position as one of the most influential designers working in the American fashion industry.
She has also been included in the Business of Fashion 500, which recognizes leading figures shaping the global fashion sector. These honors reflect both the creative strength of her collections and the commercial importance of Khaite.
Personal Life
Catherine Holstein is married to architect Griffin Frazen. His architectural experience has contributed to projects connected with Khaite’s retail spaces and physical brand environment.
The couple has one child. Holstein generally keeps her private and family life away from public attention, allowing her professional work and the development of Khaite to remain the main focus of media coverage.
Catherine Holstein’s Legacy
Catherine Holstein’s legacy is closely connected with the revival of modern American luxury. She has shown that a New York fashion company can achieve global recognition by combining quality craftsmanship, practical clothing, and a clear creative identity.
Her career also demonstrates the value of learning from failure. Her first label did not become a lasting business, but the experience helped her return with a stronger strategy. Through Khaite, she has built a brand that influences contemporary fashion while remaining grounded in wearable design.
Conclusion
Catherine Holstein is a powerful example of a designer who successfully combines creativity with entrepreneurship. From her student breakthrough at Parsons to the international growth of Khaite, her journey reflects persistence, adaptability, and a strong commitment to quality.
Although her early career included business difficulties, she transformed those challenges into valuable experience. Her leadership, award-winning designs, and modern interpretation of luxury have made her one of the defining figures in contemporary American fashion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Catherine Holstein?
Catherine Holstein is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. She is the founder and chief creative officer of the New York luxury fashion brand Khaite.
Where was Catherine Holstein born?
She was born in California, United States, and was raised between Southern California and London.
What is Catherine Holstein famous for?
She is famous for founding Khaite and creating modern luxury clothing, including premium knitwear, denim, leather garments, handbags, footwear, and accessories.
Where did Catherine Holstein study?
She attended Parsons School of Design in New York. She left before completing her degree after receiving an early professional opportunity in fashion.
When did Catherine Holstein establish Khaite?
She founded Khaite in 2016.
Who is Catherine Holstein’s husband?
Her husband is architect Griffin Frazen.
Does Catherine Holstein have children?
Yes, Catherine Holstein and Griffin Frazen have one child.
What awards has Catherine Holstein won?
She won the CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2022 and again in 2023.
