At the heart of this clothing line beats the dream of a young girl from Charlotte, North Carolina. Katherine 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 the Spring of 2007, Katherine opened her flagship store at 324 King Street in downtown historic Charleston. She is proud to be manufactured both domestically and internationally.
Also, in the spring of 2007, LulaKate officially launched a fabulous new line of cocktail, party and bridesmaid dresses. LulaKate offers silk dupioni, shantung, chiffon and seersucker dresses in a plethora of colors and styles. These lovely gowns are locally designed, made-to-order and sewn locally for a truly unique wedding experience. Brides, bridesmaids, graduates, mothers-of-the-bride/groom and all other fabulous party girls can make an appointment to see the collection by calling 843.805.7193 or visiting a Bella Bridesmaid Boutique in your hometown.