Katharina Mildren, founder of Sydney-based fashion brand Katharina Lou, shares her journey from launching her label amid the pandemic to experiencing significant growth and community engagement.
Katharina Mildren, the founder of Sydney-based fashion brand Katharina Lou, has been making strides in the fashion industry since launching her label in 2020. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, Mildren began her journey into the world of fashion with a degree in 2019, and despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she leveraged her time at home to realize her dream of creating a fashion brand. “Having a brand was just something I always wanted to do,” she stated. Mildren took advantage of the pandemic-induced downtime to kickstart her label, which has steadily grown over the past few years.
The brand’s success can be attributed to its vibrant visual aesthetic, a strong commitment to sustainability, and a community-oriented approach that embodies the spirit of ‘girlhood’. Mildren has been proactive in fostering a sense of community through organized dinners and events, engaging customers beyond the transactional aspect of fashion.
Currently, in 2025, Katharina Lou is experiencing significant growth, with Mildren having recently made her first full-time hire to support the brand’s expanding operations. Reflecting on this transition, she noted, “I’ve gone from sewing and running a new business, and now I’m responsible for someone’s income.” This milestone marks an important step in her journey as a small business owner.
A standout element of the Katharina Lou collection is the OllyRose dress, which Mildren describes as the “hero piece” of her lineup. Launched during one of her early collections, the dress gained traction and demand rapidly escalated. “When I started getting a little bit of traction with that dress, I couldn’t physically keep up with the demand,” she recalled, having produced 77 dresses within a manic nine-day period.
Managing the intricate details of a growing business has not been without its challenges, particularly on the financial side. To navigate these complexities, Mildren has relied on the accounting expertise of her parents, who have provided support as she learns the nuances of business management. Additionally, technology has played a crucial role in her operations. Mildren praises Xero, a financial management software, for its user-friendly interface that has facilitated various functions in her day-to-day business operations. She remarked, “Xero has been amazing… it’s very user friendly and I could understand it quite quickly,” and credits it for easing the burdens of expense tracking and cash flow management.
With the addition of her new employee, Mildren finds the payroll function of Xero invaluable, stating, “The payroll tool has been amazing since hiring people, because I have no idea what I’m doing with that.” This tool simplifies employee payments, including superannuation and tax filings, allowing Mildren to focus more on the brand’s growth.
Looking to the future, Mildren has ambitious plans for Katharina Lou. She expressed her commitment to sustained growth and longevity in the fashion industry, stating, “I feel like I’m in it for the long run and I’m really putting in the work to be around for 20, 30, 40 years.” Her vision suggests a dedication not only to her career but also to making Katharina Lou a lasting presence in the fashion world.
Source: Noah Wire Services
