The LulaKate Story
At the heart of this clothing line beats the dream of a young girl from Charlotte, North Carolina. Katherine Mullins McDonald began designing Barbie dresses at the age of six. Throughout her childhood, teenage years and into college, Katherine designed and created clothes. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a psychology degree, Katherine ventured off to design school in Atlanta. However, like many young, Southern women, she still pursued a proper path that led her to excel in the doldrums of Corporate America.
In May 2003, Katherine decided she would never be truly happy climbing the corporate ladder. With $300 in her bank account, a heavy dose of stubbornness, and the immense support of her friends and family, she bravely set out as an entrepreneur. Inspired by her great-great-grandmother, “Lula,” and her own would-be nickname, Katherine established “LulaKate” and held her first trunk show in June of 2003.
First working on her own sewing machine in her studio apartment on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina, Katherine designed and sewed each piece herself. Eventually the orders increased and she hired two local seamstresses to assist her. In 2004, Katherine moved LulaKate out of her apartment and into a prime showroom location on King Street in historic Charleston. While continuing to work with her original two local seamstresses, she traveled to India to shop for fabrics and began working with a family outside of New Delhi to produce her designs in their factory.
In 2005, Katherine hired her first full-time employee. Caroline Baker joined LulaKate as a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, where she also received her millinery certification. She attended F.I.T. after graduating from The College of Charleston with a business and logistics degree, and has quickly become a dynamic part of the LulaKate label. Today the duo designs each piece from start to finish and is proud, once again, to be made in the USA. Retaining the original second floor hide-a-way, LulaKate opened its first flagship store on the ground floor of 324 King Street. The upscale boutique is managed by Jessamie Nichols Vincent and is a local favorite for fashion and friendliness.
In the spring of 2007, LulaKate officially launched a fabulous new line of cocktail, party and bridesmaid dresses. LulaKate Bridal offers made-to-order silk dupioni and seersucker dresses in a plethora of colors and styles. These lovely gowns are locally designed and made-to-order for a true LowCountry wedding experience. Brides, bridesmaids, graduates, mothers-of-the-bride/groom and all of the other fabulous party girls can make an appointment with Ellen Gilchrist, the LulaKate Bridal guru, (by calling 843 723 5885). Please visit LulaKate Bridal at the second floor boutique on 231 King Street to view the delightful collection of dress options.
In five years Katherine Mullins McDonald has taken LulaKate from trunk show sales of homemade skirts to designing and producing four collections a year, operating two boutiques in Charleston, as well as launching LulaKate Bridal in 2007. Katherine is an active member of the community, donates nationally and locally, mentors local youths, and regularly visits schools to talk to students about entrepreneurship and encourage them to follow their dreams. Today, LulaKate can be found on stylish women throughout the United States and the World…and right here on King Street where the dream began.