Khaite, Up Close
How Cate Holstein turns “basics” into cherished pieces, and why I chose her show for my first NYFW seat.
Strength, Meet Ease
I remember stepping into the Khaite boutique in SoHo. Located in the most fashionable part of the city, it felt almost discreet. I was pregnant with my second - blessed and proud, but also on the verge of another identity shift. Who was the me that was emerging, and what would she want to wear? I saw the Nevada boots and, when I tried them on, it just felt right. This is what Holstein means by strength with ease. I didn’t need a reinvention - just pieces that could carry me as I change. It fit my season of life.
The Five Year Dream
I moved to the city in February 2020. By March, the city went silent - empty streets, shuttered windows. It felt like a ghost town. Then, slowly, New York did what it always does: it came back. Fashion was part of that return. NYFW felt synonymous with the city’s heartbeat again. For years, I’d carried a small dream of sitting in a show - just once. This year, I decided to make it real. *(I’ll share how to get a ticket and where to look, at the end.)
The Choice: Why Khaite = Why Cate
Looking at this year’s calendar, it wasn’t a hard decision. I wanted a New York-based brand, and Khaite felt obvious. It’s widely talked about as the brand that captured the “cool‑girl” crowd and plenty of street style receipts.
Once I’d decided and confirmed I could actually get a ticket, I felt the urge to learn more about the brand. With each article and interview, I was surprised for the better - it clicked.
What Women Reach For
Khaite works because Holstein treats “basics” with respect. She won’t call day-to-day clothes basic; she calls them cherished. She understands clothes, and she understands women, so her designs are elevated yet made to be lived in - and that clicks for me. That’s the wardrobe I want to build; it’s how I move through my days and the city.
Longevity as Sustainability
Ever since I watched The True Cost and realized how much fashion contributes to water use, emissions, and textile waste, I changed - how I shop, and mostly where. Khaite prioritises responsible sourcing and is serious about shrinking its footprint. Holstein’s focus is longevity, creating timeless pieces meant to be cherished and worn on repeat. For me, that’s the practical translation of sustainability - wear, repeat, keep.
“Clothes are a feeling” -
Holstein says. For someone who only recently ventured into investment pieces, I love that her north star is wearability. These pieces aren’t meant to sit in the closet; they’re designed to be lived in every day. My Nevada boots prove it: an investment, yes, but nothing precious, in the best way possible. I wear them to dinners as often as I wear them on errand days.
NYFW tickets
Most big‑name shows are invite‑only. The few public seats - General Admission (GA) or VIP - drop late (often 1–2 weeks out) through the official producers.
Where to look: Fashion Week Online ticket hub and The Bureau Fashion Week. Check the tier (GA = seat + show; VIP usually adds lounge access, drinks, photo ops) and note arrival windows.
Pro tip: Combo passes bundle two or three shows and can cost less per seat, and emerging‑designer showcases are easier to book.
Let’s finish with Three Quick Facts About Cate Holstein:
She dropped out of Parsons - yet now leads a brand reported to exceed $200 million in annual revenue.
Won the prestigious CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award twice (2022, 2023).
And here’s a little treat for you - she barely wears any makeup but this is the concealer she uses and can’t live without.
Drop a comment if you’ll be there - and tell me which brand has your heart right now.