• Website: khaite.com
• Founded: 2016, New York, United States
• Founder: Catherine Holstein
• Ownership: Privately held (Catherine Holstein)
• Known For: Lotus Bags, Cashmere Knitwear, Refined Denim, Leather Outerwear, Sculptural Footwear, Sensual Dresses
• Category Focus: Ready-to-Wear, Denim, Knitwear, Leather, Handbags, Footwear, Belts, Jewelry, Accessories
Khaite is one of America's most influential contemporary luxury fashion houses, renowned for its refined wardrobe essentials, sculptural accessories, exceptional materials, and distinctly New York interpretation of modern femininity. Founded in 2016 by Catherine Holstein, the New York-based label builds its identity around contrasts between masculine and feminine, strength and softness, and structure and fluidity.
Known for combining luxurious knitwear, precise tailoring, Japanese denim, sensual dresses, leather outerwear, and understated accessories, Khaite approaches familiar wardrobe pieces through proportion, texture, and subtle details. The result is clothing that feels simultaneously robust and polished, sophisticated and effortless.
Today, Khaite spans ready-to-wear, denim, knitwear, handbags, footwear, belts, jewelry, and accessories, with handbag families including Lotus, Blake, Cate, Audrey, Olivia, Joan, and Augustina. Its rapid rise has positioned the house among the defining names of contemporary American luxury.
Lotus Bag
Scarlet Cardigan
Eda Bralette
Danielle Jeans
Benny Belt
Dallas Boots
Cate Bag
Blake Bag
Catherine Holstein founded Khaite in 2016 in New York. From the beginning, the label focused on familiar wardrobe foundations elevated through exceptional materials, craftsmanship, proportion, and subtle but distinctive details.
Rather than relying heavily on logos or seasonal novelty, Holstein developed Khaite through recognizable categories including denim, cashmere, knitwear, dresses, leather, and tailoring. These pieces established a distinctly New York form of luxury built around confidence, sensuality, and practical sophistication.
Key Milestones:
• 2016: Catherine Holstein establishes Khaite in New York, creating a womenswear label centered on contrasts, exceptional materials, craftsmanship, and elevated wardrobe foundations.
• 2019: Katie Holmes creates a major fashion moment by wearing Khaite's cashmere cardigan and bralette together, significantly expanding public awareness of the young label.
• 2019: Khaite expands into handbags, developing an accessories business that would eventually produce recognizable families including Lotus, Cate, Blake, Audrey, and Olivia.
• 2020s: Khaite develops into a complete luxury wardrobe spanning ready-to-wear, denim, leather, knitwear, footwear, handbags, belts, and jewelry.
• 2025: Khaite is recognized among a generation of designers defining contemporary American style, alongside houses including The Row, Calvin Klein Collection, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors.
• 2026: Khaite presents Fall/Winter 2026 at New York's Park Avenue Armory, exploring artifice, authenticity, tailoring, sensuality, and self-invention.
Khaite continues demonstrating how American sportswear, sensuality, craftsmanship, and New York attitude can form a compelling contemporary luxury language.
“Khaite defines modern New York luxury through sensual contrasts, exceptional materials, sculptural accessories, and elevated wardrobe essentials.”
Khaite matters because it helped define a new generation of American luxury built around desirable everyday clothing rather than overt branding or traditional European house codes.
Its influence can be seen across:
• Contemporary American Luxury
• Elevated Wardrobe Essentials
• Modern Minimalism
• Luxury Accessories
By combining exceptional materials, strong silhouettes, sensuality, understated craftsmanship, and the practicality of American sportswear, Khaite has developed a recognizable alternative to both traditional luxury and extreme minimalism. Its strongest pieces feel familiar yet distinctive—a balance central to Catherine Holstein's vision of confidence through contrast.
Khaite vs The Row
Khaite vs Toteme
Khaite vs Proenza Schouler
Khaite vs Gabriela Hearst
