Meet the founder of womenswear label Silk Laundry.
Meet the founder of womenswear label Silk Laundry.
We caught up with Katie Kolodinski, the Founder and Creative Director of Silk Laundry, an Australian womenswear label. Known for its elegant staples and timeless ’90s-inspired slip dresses, Silk Laundry mirrors Katie’s considered fashion philosophy. Katie talked to us about her Silk Laundry and her time living and working on the GC, including her years as a Metermaid.
Tell us a little bit about your time as a Gold Coast local.
I moved to the Gold Coast when I was 18 with $800 I had saved up and two suitcases. I won’t say it was easy, but I look back on my life and laugh at myself about many of the choices I made and the places I worked, to make it work.
When I first arrived, I worked at a steakhouse, then was fired because I couldn’t open a bottle of wine properly. After losing my job, I walked every day, all day from Southport (where I was living) to Mermaid Beach and back, trying to figure out my next step.
This led me to keep seeing Gold Coast Metermaids and wondering who they were and what they did. Finally, I gained the courage to ask if they had any job openings as I was desperate to make ends meet. I had an interview the following day, got the job, and ended up “metermaiding” for a couple of years. Which was fun, sometimes embarrassing, but it also gave me courage and strength and the opportunity to connect with so many different people.
I learned a lot about humans during this time. We were also given free lunch at several eateries and free rides on the Sling Shot so I never went hungry while wearing that gold bikini, nor was I ever bored.
For me, the GC was a huge learning curve. It was where I continued and completed my Psychology degree, where I learned to pour a beer, where I had my real first love and long-term relationship and subsequently my biggest breakup. It’s where I brought up my little pug until she passed at 13. It’s where I bought my first home and where Silk Laundry started with my husband. It’s also where my kids were born.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
The sunshine, beach walks, tropical fruits, lizards, Springbrook National Park, feeding the lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and some of my oldest and best friends are all there. I love my loved ones there the most of all.
What inspired you to start Silk Laundry?
Silk Laundry began from a combination of personal experiences and a desire to create wardrobe staples missing from my closet that were both comfortable and pragmatic. As a teenager, I developed a penchant for customising old slips sourced from second-hand shops. However, at the time, I struggled to find slips made from natural fibres, as most were made from environmentally harmful materials like polyester or nylon. Frustrated with what was available – I decided to create my own.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My inspiration is drawn from a range of sources that reflect my personal values and experiences. Growing up in a family with Eastern European roots instilled a sense of practicality and an aversion to wastefulness. Living in diverse climates—from the blistering cold of Canada to the heat and humidity of Australia, also shaped my approach to clothing design and has inspired the pieces that I design for Silk Laundry; making them functional for a multitude of landscapes.
Travel, books, advocacy work, a deep love for storytelling and a range of other random sources inspire my approach to fashion. Whether it’s drawing inspiration from my teenage years in the ’90s or considering the environmental impact of agricultural farming through the work of J Henry Fair like in our upcoming collection, every decision I make is rooted in a desire to create clothing that sparks conversations about the world around us. Fashion can be a visual way of expressing important messages and advocating for causes close to my heart, which through Silk Laundry, I hope to communicate.
Tell us about the process of creating a Silk Laundry collection.
With every collection, I hope the piece that I am creating will stand the test of time beyond trend cycles. This typically corresponds to classic silhouettes that can be worn on rotation, stand-alone and complement an already established wardrobe.
Storytelling is one of the other main components behind all of our collections. Each collection is deeply rooted in a range of themes about our world that translates to the prints, styles and colourways. Through Silk Laundry, I’m creating pieces that hopefully make individuals feel good but also items that spark conversations and encourage people to engage with the world around them.
What’s your proudest business moment?
I have many!
What kind of person wears Silk Laundry?
I think a lot of different kinds of people wear Silk Laundry. We have professional corporate workers wearing our pieces, creatives like musicians and artists and more men are even gravitating towards the brand now. I think the common thread between our customers is an innate care about the world around us. They see Silk Laundry as meticulously crafted, comfortable and luxurious clothing, but also resonates with our ethos. Our community is comprised of conscientious people endowed with a deep curiosity and a thirst for understanding the intricacies of the world. Through Silk Laundry, I hope to create a space, both online and offline, that reflects our dynamic customer base and fosters openness. Through this, we can embrace new experiences with our community and work towards building a better future.
What’s next for Silk Laundry?
I’m excited to continue my journey of learning and advocacy in the field of conservation. My experiences with Project 166 and my involvement in wildlife conservation efforts have deepened my commitment to protecting our planet. I’m also excited about exploring fresh creative possibilities at Silk Laundry, whether that involves collaborations supporting significant causes or showcasing the talents of local artisans and creators. Ultimately, my vision for the future is to create a more conscious world through fashion and environmental initiatives. I want to leave a positive legacy for future generations and believe fashion can be a powerful vehicle for positive change.
What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café: Good Day Coffee. I love the coffee, the toasties and their cookies are heaven.
Restaurant: So many places have changed recently that I don’t know anymore. But I do love going to Goccia Italian in Mermaid or Balboa in Palm Beach.
Bar: My home. I have an apartment with a private rooftop so I usually just invite my friends over. We get wines from Flor Grocer or Quince Cellar, some seafood from Tasman Star and just listen to music and play Mölkky
To do: Feeding the lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s the ultimate 8am joy!
Beach: Palm Beach as it’s in front of my home and easy to bring my beach umbrella, but I also love going to Tallebudgera Creek where it’s calm, and Bilinga and Kirra are still so special to me.
Place to stay: My apartment in Palm Beach. It is filled with many personal objects and memories from my years in Australia and my travels abroad. We rent it out when we aren’t in Australia on Airbnb. If you ever want to stay there, come find me!
