The Making of Kataleya

Katrina, the founder of Kataleya, has always been drawn to fashion and as a Canadian, she was especially fascinated by the effortless style of European women. Through social media, she followed countless European fashion influencers who showcased chic, timeless outfits. Pieces readily available overseas but often inaccessible in Canada. When these garments did reach Canadian stores, it was typically years later, and they sold out instantly. Compared to Europe, the U.S., and even Australia, Canadian women were left with limited options. Katrina saw a clear gap in the market.

While working her corporate 9–5, she longed for capsule wardrobe pieces that reflected a modern, European-inspired aesthetic. Yet the Canadian retail landscape offered extremes: either bland basics or mature styles dominated by busy prints. Nothing felt truly aligned with her age or lifestyle.

Her personal health journey deepened this frustration. After developing adult acne and eczema, Katrina became intentional about what she put both in and on her body. Cleaning up her diet led her to examine fabrics and she discovered that most retailers offered little beyond polyester, a synthetic plastic, despite charging $100+ for a single shirt.

During the pandemic, with time to reflect, Katrina decided to create the brand she wished existed. If she struggled to find chic, sustainable, and versatile office wear, surely other women did too. From that realization, Kataleya was born.

Kataleya is a Canadian, woman-owned fashion brand committed to eco-conscious fabrics and a strict no-polyester promise. Each year, the brand releases two capsule collections: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter; each featuring 5–6 versatile pieces designed to mix and match. Inspired by European style, these collections transition seamlessly from office meetings to evenings out, helping busy professional women save time while looking polished and confident.

At its heart, Kataleya is more than clothing. It’s a movement toward slow fashion, away from fast fashion and overconsumption, giving women timeless pieces that honor their ambition, their health, and the planet.