Palytte is the Australian womenswear label inspired by the streets of Copenhagen
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GANI STUDIOS
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“Our collections are filled with unique and versatile pieces that seamlessly transition from one occasion to another.”
With its artful layers, clashing colours and penchant for comfortable sneakers, Copenhagen’s eclectic fashion scene is a street-style mainstay. But before our feeds were filled with Ganni-esque embellished denim trenchcoats and bows everywhere, it was all about minimalism.
In the depths of COVID lockdown, Northern Rivers designer Kate Harbinson turned to Pinterest for creative inspiration. “After seeing a lot of beige, white and linen pieces at the time, it made me want to create something different,” she says. She launched her label, Palytte, in 2021, inspired by the “streets of Copenhagen and the people that walk them”.
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Kate made the first Palytte collection by herself in her garage and continues to make the majority of each collection locally using deadstock fabrics. Below, Kate tells us the story of the label so far.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
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I’m Kate, I’m 32 years old and the founder of Palytte. I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember, always whipping up something last minute and getting my grandma to help me understand patterns at a young age. In high school I made clothing from my bedroom and started selling it to friends and at market stalls, knowing one day I wanted to start my own brand.
After school, I studied fashion design with the intention… [of entering] the fashion world, but I found it hard to get my foot in the door so I worked in retail for years until I landed a job at a swimwear company. I was doing all sorts such as graphic design and pattern making, which gave me the confidence to launch my own brand.
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
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I had thought about it for years, knowing when I was ready to give it a good go that it had to be a clear brand with a strong identity. My obsession with Pinterest led me to notice a shift in fashion towards colourful, Scandinavian-inspired themes.
After seeing a lot of beige, white and linen pieces at the time, it made me want to create something different and decided that individuality would be a main focus for the brand, drawing inspiration from the streets of Copenhagen and the people that walk them.
The use of colour would be a major part, and so the name Palytte was born [after a] unique colour palette. I began researching manufacturing in both Australia and offshore… [but it] being the COVID era, things weren’t moving as quickly as I would have liked so I decided to take matters into my own hands and sew the first collection myself.
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I quickly realised how manufacturing a whole collection of eight pieces would take over my garage and life. The sampling process was hard enough but when sales came in after launch I struggled to keep up, calling in help from everyone I could (especially my mum) to help with the fiddly things like sewing buttons and threading elastic.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?
My main focus was to create unique pieces that were filled with colour. I have toned down the use of colour a little since then, but keeping that unique feel is still the main goal when creating new pieces.
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Since launching, I have dabbled in offshore production as well as continuing to make pieces myself. I am just trying to be as transparent as possible with the production process, as I was hesitant to share it all when I first started.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
It’s a fun women’s brand that plays with colour and style. Our collections are filled with unique and versatile pieces that seamlessly transition from one occasion to another.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
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Making pieces that people are excited to wear and that show off their style and personality. I just love seeing how they wear them, it makes me so happy!
What do you wish you knew when you started?
To get help when you need it! Look around and lean on your network of people surrounding you. Also, embrace both the highs and lows of running your own business as they’re essential for growth and learning.
Go-to dinner party playlist?
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‘La Femme Radio’. Loving any French psych-rock mixes right now.
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
I make a lot of my own clothing, but my wardrobe is getting taken over by Ganni at the moment. I love their everyday outfits and fun printed denim.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
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Online and I’ve recently started stocking my pieces at Sucker Store in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Browse the Palytte collection here.
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