KATHRYN THE GREAT
Fairhope’s fashion-royalty, Kathryn White of CK Collection, has the job a million girls would kill for—and having coined that phrase, the cast of the iconic film, “The Devil Wears Prada” would absolutely agree. But for Kathryn, growing up in the fashion business has been a double-edged sword—albeit a beautiful, jewel-encrusted sword that she’s beyond grateful for. Here she shares her tales of growing up CK, her recent role, and a transformation so inspiring that we’re beaming with pride and cheering her on.
By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Felisha Allen, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427
Founded by husband-and-wife team, Lisa and Tom White, the couple just celebrated their 27th anniversary as the owners and operators of CK Collection. Their store has not only stood the test of time, but it is also one of the Coast’s premiere shops for those who know and love fashion. Hanging in the closets of the area’s fashion elite, the team at CK has a keen understanding of the coastal dress code. And it’s also a family affair.
With a front row seat to the fashion world for most of her life, Kathryn fondly recalls, “Growing up with CK as my playground was a one-of-a-kind childhood. My parents opened it when I was just 3 years old, and it’s literally all I’ve ever known. As a child, I would play pretend while my parents worked. The cardboard boxes were my ‘houses’, and the industrial steamer was my old-timey telephone. I would play ‘business’ while my parents conducted theirs.”
Naturally, Kathryn started to tune-in. “As I got older, I noticed what my parents were actually doing, and I took an interest in the work and the beautiful things around me. I couldn’t wait to get older and fit into the big girl clothes. Able to converse with adults from an early age, the girls that worked in the shop were like my big sisters. I was fascinated with their dating stories and gossip! I don’t think you could give a child a better hands-on experience in interacting with others like that store gave my sister, Caroline, and I,” she beams.
All grown up, Kathryn has experienced first-hand just about every aspect of the business. “Growing up in fashion is a double-edged sword. I’ve literally been surrounded by fabulous things my entire life. I am extremely blessed and very aware of the hard work my parents put in that allows me to have those things. On the flip side, I don’t have the same reaction to the beautiful things most girls have. I’m sure most would think that something comes into the store and I’m just in awe and feel like I must have it, but I don’t. I’m used to seeing a lot of beautiful things, but I realize that someone else will probably enjoy it more than I would. So, I leave them for someone else. I’m not jaded, but for me to react it must be something extra special. When I go to market and see how some people in the industry occasionally act, I think it’s kind of silly. We aren’t curing cancer. And while it’s fun, I don’t think people understand how much work it is,” she shares.
Humble, Kathryn also tells us, “As far as impact, I’m not sure I’ve made any impact yet. I contribute to the buying, but my mother and the other buyers have made CK Collection what it is today. My mother is the driving force in the product, and I’ve only recently come into my own with the store. I am finally old enough to know what I must do to learn from them. Before turning 30, I didn’t take it as seriously. I will get it, but not being able to measure up to what they have created is a real fear of mine. My parents’ work ethic and passion is second to none.”
Curious about her parents’ dynamic and whom she takes after, Kathryn shares, “My parents have very different personalities and I’d like to think I have the best of both. My mother is the face. She’s kind, creative, and truly loves working with people. My father is probably the funniest person ever once you get to know him, but he is firmer and more analytical. A fun fact about him is that he is very shy, and his brain never stops. I think I am warm and outgoing like my mother, and firm like my father. I have learned so much from them, and the amount of respect I have for them is beyond words. I only hope I make them proud. I still have so much to learn, but thankfully they are willing to help me.”
When it came to her education, Kathryn knew it had to be fashion at an early age. “I moved to New York City 20 days after turning 18 years old. I did not know a single person. It was always my dream, and I knew from the age of 9 that I was going to move there and go to fashion school. When I was 8 years old, my mom got my sister and I a Mary Kate and Ashley ‘fashion party’ VHS from which I learned there are colleges for fashion. When I was 9 years old, my parents took me to NYC for the first time and I sat in the Dolce and Gabbana and Marc Jacobs Collection showrooms. I knew immediately I’d grow up and work for one of them, and I did.”
Following her childhood dreams, Kathryn went to the heart of the fashion world. “I went to LIM College in Manhattan for a Fashion Merchandising degree. I worked at Marc Jacobs corporate and lived in NYC for almost 5 years before coming home to work for my parents. The rest is history! That experience made me grow up. I finally felt like I was home when I moved to New York, but I was grateful to come back to Fairhope and have the store waiting for me,” she shares.
As for how she describes CK? “Both the women’s and men’s shops are lifestyle stores. From every day to your most special moments, we have something for everyone no matter the occasion. We have college boys getting their game day shirts and first Barbour jackets and girls picking out their homecoming dresses with their grandmothers grabbing a luncheon outfit. When we go to market, we have a general sense of what our clientele needs. Sometimes we see even something that just looks like a certain customer, and we will be like oh, ‘so and so will love that.’ It’s funny because those customers probably have no idea that happens, but it does!” she shares
Taking on a new role, Kathryn explains, “I was the men’s buyer for 8 years. It was such a fun learning experience and really gave me the space I needed to spread my wings while still under my parents’ umbrella. Now I am being moved on to the women’s team and I’ve handed over the men’s to Eric Sparks. He is so knowledgeable and customer service oriented. He, like me, believes that every man needs a well-fitted sports coat, crisp clean shirts, pants that fit properly, and the accessories to tie it all in!”
When asked about the new spring trends, Kathryn replies, “Dressing up! People want to dress up again. Suiting is huge. Trousers over jeans. Pattern on pattern. Matching sets. Lots of color and bold looks.” With a look of her own, she adds, “I like to push the boundaries and mix edgy pieces with classic items, while not being too trendy. I love mixing and matching men’s and women’s clothing like your boyfriends’ pants with a button down. My mother and I have very different styles, yet we agree on a lot. Other than pink!”
It’s been a busy year for Kathryn, both personally and professionally. “I am recently engaged to Gary Chilcutt. He’s the sweetest man that came out of nowhere and I could not be happier. I am 16 months sober. And while I wouldn’t say I had a problem; I was a party girl and when I decided that wasn’t adding anything to my life really great things started to happen. I have never been happier,” she beams.
A mental health advocate, Kathryn adds “I want to break the stigma and talk about it. Everyone struggles and giving up drinking and having ‘my year of self-discovery,’ completely transformed my life in a very short amount of time. I am in therapy and my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders. I am not ashamed to talk about that. I also eat super healthy, and my mental health is night and day. I think who I am now was always in there, but it was covered up by pain and bad decisions. I just wanted to be better and find happiness within myself and I found that. Being clear headed has been incredible and I wouldn’t have found Gary without doing the things I’ve done to be who I am now.”
As for their post wedding future? “We love to travel, and I want to keep CK going for as long as possible. I only hope that I can keep the legacy alive. Gary is the most supportive partner when it comes to the company and my parents are the greatest teachers, and of course there to cheer me on!”
CK Collection | 320 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, 36532 | 251.990.9001 | CKCollection.com
