THE SILK WHISPERER

P U R S U I T S

Let’s start at the beginning. You entered fashion, an industry often associated with waste and excess, and quickly established Silk Laundry as a voice for the betterment of the planet. What inspired this focus?

My inspiration stems from a deep respect for nature and a desire to create a sustainable and ethical fashion brand. Growing up, I was always conscious of the environmental impact of things around me. To this day, I don’t understand where all the garbage goes! I find it truly disturbing and mind-boggling. When I decided to enter fashion, I knew I wanted to do things differently—to design beautiful, timeless pieces that were also kinder to the planet. This commitment to sustainability guides the decisions we make at Silk Laundry.

You hail from Canada, once lived amongst Australia’s sandy shores, and now call Barcelona home. How does your global lifestyle inform your vision and work?

I come from Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada. It’s a pretty small, tight knit community that does a lot of sports, fishing, camping and outdoorsy stuff! I left Thunder Bay at 17. Living around the world has deeply inspired me. Montreal's historic charm, Australia’s beachy beauty, and Barcelona’s artistic energy shape my creative vision. Each place has taught me the importance of high-quality materials and a thoughtful approach to fashion. You really need to buy what you truly love and see spending long future years with. Even with all of my global moves, I don’t part with the things I own; I take everything with me, inconvenient it may be.

Let’s talk fabrics. Silk Laundry began with a '90s silk slip dress - what drew you to this material? 

I can’t imagine the perfect slip dress in any other fabric. Silk is also temperature regulating, keeping you cool when you’re hot, it’s breathable, hypoallergenic, packs easily for travel and dries extremely quickly. To me, silk is practical and versatile. I was drawn to it because of its luxurious hand-feel and timeless appeal. The '90s silk slip dress was our starting point because it represents a perfect blend of simplicity and practicality. If you care for your garments properly, it’s also a durable and biodegradable fabric, which aligns with our commitment to sustainability.

Silk has a rich cultural heritage and an impressive environmental profile. For example, the Mud Silk garment tradition in China - which one of our collections draws from - is a testament to silk’s durability and the ingenuity of ancient textile practices. Environmentally, silk production has a relatively low impact compared to other fabrics, especially when produced using traditional methods that minimize chemical use.

How does the natural world inspire your designs?

Nature is a constant source of inspiration for me. Our collections often draw from natural elements, whether it's the color palette of a sunset, the texture of a leaf, or the fluidity of water. Our most recent collections feature endangered species, rare and endangered flowers, and stories of the Amazon.

Is there a piece from Silk Laundry that has an enduring, special meaning to you; something you’ll love endlessly?

The original '90s silk slip dress holds a special place in my heart. It was the first piece we created and it embodies the essence of Silk Laundry - classic, elegant, and sustainable. It’s a piece that I’ll always cherish because it marks the beginning of our journey and continues to be a staple in our collections. I still have my original one floating around. It is worn bare with holes, but I love it so much. Maybe one day, maybe if we make it to a 20th anniversary, I’ll even frame it.

You travel far and wide for work. What are your clothing essentials for travel, and how do you care for pieces while you're away?

It really depends on where I am going. My reasons for travel change significantly with each trip. One trip I will be going to Paris for Fashion week, and another I will be trekking in the Amazon or in the Kalahari Desert working with rhino. This being said, travelling light (very rarely do I pack more than a carry-on) and maintaining the minimal clothes that I have brought with me are crucial.

My travel essentials include versatile silk pieces that can be dressed up or down. I never go anywhere without a couple of slip dresses, even if I am sleeping in a tent. I also love travelling with our silk cotton round shirts, some light wool tanks and long sleeved shirts and twill slouch suits for the plane.

For care, I handwash everything myself, either in the hotel sink or more recently in a bucket of rainwater in Central Africa. Poetica has a mini botanical mist and delicate wash that I take in my carry on. I love the Lemon Myrtle & Cardamom scent for its invigorating, spicy notes. It gives me the mini pick me up I sometimes need and is the ultimate bush luxury. I even offer to wash my friends clothes for them with it; I love it so much. I haven’t tried Poetica’s garment bar soap yet, but I think I would love it, as it wouldn’t count as a liquid when travelling.

R E F L E C T I O N S

What core issues do you care deeply about?

Animals, the state of our environment, climate change, my children's future, human rights, political issues, war, freedom.

What natural landscapes do you find rejuvenation in?

Any and all, as long as there is shade.

What are your favorite scents from nature?

A very hard question to answer. Lilac, lily of the valley, hinoki, the leaves of a tomato, cilantro, anise, cardamom, beetroot, a good old homegrown real rose, fig leaves, puppies feet...

What is a daily ritual that you seek solace in?

This might sound silly, but I really love brushing my hair with a very good brush.

Words to live by? 

Say yes to invitations and opportunities. You never know who you might meet and what beauty might open up for you. 

The legacy I hope to leave is...

I don’t think I am ready for a legacy yet. Ask me again when I reach 80.

T H E  C I T Y  O F  A N G E L S

You’ve recently opened the doors to Silk Laundry’s first US atelier in Los Angeles. What can your community expect?

Our community can expect an inviting, thoughtfully designed space. The atelier will offer exclusive collections and a personalized shopping experience that celebrates our dedication to quality and ethical fashion.

You hand-selected Poetica’s garment care for your LA space. Why is aftercare important to you, and is there a particular Poetica product or scent that speaks to you?

Aftercare is crucial because it extends the life of our garments, aligning with our commitment to sustainability. I’m particularly fond of Poetica’s Lemon Myrtle and Cardamom scent, and I love the Botanical Mist. Its ability to reduce static cling and refresh silk between washes makes it a staple in my garment care routine as a lot of the time with silk, you don’t have to wash it much, and it refreshes easily just hanging in fresh air. The scent, infused with natural botanicals, is both calming and invigorating, enhancing the overall experience of wearing and caring for our pieces.

Learn more via @KatieKolodinski and @silklaundry.losangeles.