FOUNDER
Katie Walsh
Born in Canada to an Irish mother and German father, Katie was raised in Dublin before moving to London in 2000 to complete a BA Hons degree in fashion design at Kingston University. After a spell at Alexander McQueen honing her pattern cutting skills, she set up her multi award-winning label Poltock & Walsh which she ran for 8 years showing at New York and London Fashion Weeks. Her designs featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Interview, WWD, FT and worn by internationally acclaimed women including Rihanna, Kate Moss, Florence Welch, Emma Watson, Susie Lau, Róisín Murphy, Sienna Miller, and Alexa Chung. Following the birth of her second child she took a step back from fashion to focus on family.
Six years later, considering a return, Katie began extensive research into how she could use her fashion knowledge towards creating a label that could make a positive impact on the natural world –a journey that has taken her into the heart of the circular economy. Coupled with her unease towards the devastating effects of plastic pollution, she vowed to be part of the solution, launching THE RE-PETE PROJECT community in 2021 and creating RE-PETE where beautifully crafted garments are designed to bring single use plastic waste into circulation. Principles of timeless design, versatility, protection, gender neutrality, circularity and community became the foundation of THE RE-PETE PROJECT.
Six years later, considering a return, Katie began extensive research into how she could use her fashion knowledge towards creating a label that could make a positive impact on the natural world –a journey that has taken her into the heart of the circular economy. Coupled with her unease towards the devastating effects of plastic pollution, she vowed to be part of the solution, launching THE RE-PETE PROJECT community in 2021 and creating RE-PETE where beautifully crafted garments are designed to bring single use plastic waste into circulation. Principles of timeless design, versatility, protection, gender neutrality, circularity and community became the foundation of THE RE-PETE PROJECT.
