Debbie Katz

tself to find dresses that are beautiful and comfortable to wear in the hot humid weather. Katz and her mother, an extraordinary seamstress from Italy, started to design dresses that combined old world flair with new world comfort. Not only Cheyenne adored her mother’s creations, but soon the demand that started with just friends coming to her home to buy unique pieces, had grown beyond her expectations. Naturally, women shopping at Debbie Katz for their children inquired about garments for themselves. The idea to create for adults was born, the demand was there. But it wasn’t until Debbie found her “signature fabric” that she poured herself into this new stream. Cotton gauze, highest American quality is all she uses for her pieces. This fabric is amazing, says the designer “it is light but enduring, simple yet elegant and most importantly easier and more comfortable to wear than anything else. It comes in a variety of thickness, which allows for styling from sheer to solid”. What started with a basic collection of beach dresses, drawstring pants and shirts grew quickly into an elaborate array of trendy yet timeless pieces for woman and men. Already a “must have” on the international scene of South Beach (Miami). National and international merchants showed an overwhelming interest in the “Debbie Katz collection”. The production facilities grew, but never at the expense of quality. Inspired by the coloring of the sea, the sky and her daughter Cheyenne, Debbie wanted more than solids, Tie Dye! Numerous tie dyes were assigned to create the look and feel that she envisioned, but nothing could satisfy the designer. Finally she tried herself, hands on, which resulted in the development of a unique technique. Every single tie-dye piece of the collection, which is now sold all over the world, is still hand dyed in this exclusive technique. Today the Debbie Katz collection goes from the simple basic pieces in black and white for men and women to high fashion key pieces like her patchwork styles or her asymmetric skirts. No wonder her garments are enjoyed by models and mothers, miners and seniors, hippies and hipsters. Debbie Katz designs flatter and fit everybody, one of her biggest consumers is 74 year old, Irene, Debbie’s mom. “I would not enjoy creating clothes that only look right on perfect bodies, my collection is for everyone to feel and look great”, explains Katz. What started up with a staff of four developed into a network of more than 60 seamstresses. She uses single unemployed mothers and gives them a chance to work at home.