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Katie Hillier

Designer, Hillier Bartley

Following the closure of Marc by Marc Jacobs, the established designer now helms her collaborative label with her best friend.

Katie Hillier

With a career spanning over twenty years, Katie Hillier is widely regarded as a pre-eminent accessory designer and creative consultant and counts luxury brands such as Stella McCartney , House of Holland and Victoria Beckham amongst her elite list of clients. In May 2013, Katie was appointed creative director of Marc by Marc Jacobs ; when the label shuttered in 2015, she launched her label with long-time collaborator and close friend Luella Bartley.

A graduate in fashion from the University of Westminster in London, the British designer, began her career in 1999 working alongside Luella Bartley at her newly established brand on a range of accessories that included jewellery, bags and small leather goods. Her work at Luella has often been credited as the start of the “It” bag movement of the early 2000s.

With the launch of her own studio, the designer freelanced as a creative consultant for a number of brands, most notably Marc by Marc Jacobs where she worked for over 9 years within the accessories division. In 2009, Katie was awarded Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, and named one of the top 50 most Influential People in Fashion in Elle magazines Fashion Power List. Shortly afterwards the designer launched her own fine jewellery brand Hillier London — a collection of quirky designs presented with the tagline “Luxury With a Wink.” The collection proved an instant hit with fashion insiders and, in May 2013, Hiller London launched an e-commerce shop to meet demand.

Career History

Marc Jacobs

Creative Director, MBMJ

2013 - 2015

Hillier

Designer

2010 - Present

Luella

1999 - 2009

Education

VITAL STATISTICS

NATIONALITYBritish, UK
LOCATIONUnited Kingdom
MEMBER SINCE2013
Latest News & Analysis
News & Analysis

Marc Jacobs Hires New Designer for Lower-Priced Product Push

LVMH has tapped Baja East's John Targon to lead the company's contemporary team. What does this mean for Marc Jacobs — the brand and the man?

News & Analysis

Marc Jacobs Hires New Designer for Lower-Priced Product Push

LVMH has tapped Baja East's John Targon to lead the company's contemporary team. What does this mean for Marc Jacobs — the brand and the man?


Retail

Marc Jacobs to Close London Store and Other European Outposts

As other luxury brands scale up their direct-to-consumer channels, the struggling LVMH-owned fashion house will significantly shrink its European retail presence.

Retail

Marc Jacobs to Close London Store and Other European Outposts

As other luxury brands scale up their direct-to-consumer channels, the struggling LVMH-owned fashion house will significantly shrink its European retail presence.


News & Analysis

Jonathan Saunders Resigns from DVF

Jonathan Saunders is exiting his role as chief creative officer of DVF, effective immediately.

News & Analysis

Jonathan Saunders Resigns from DVF

Jonathan Saunders is exiting his role as chief creative officer of DVF, effective immediately.


News & Analysis

At DVF, Multitasker Jonathan Saunders Revamps An Icon

A year into his tenure as the label's chief creative officer, Saunders is taking the commercial side of the business as seriously as his design duties. Is he succeeding?

News & Analysis

At DVF, Multitasker Jonathan Saunders Revamps An Icon

A year into his tenure as the label's chief creative officer, Saunders is taking the commercial side of the business as seriously as his design duties. Is he succeeding?


News & Analysis

Will Marc Jacobs Step Back From His Namesake Brand?

As incoming chief executive Eric Marechalle takes control of the troubled LVMH-owned brand, it's unclear how involved Mr Marc Jacobs will be in the company's turnaround strategy.

News & Analysis

Will Marc Jacobs Step Back From His Namesake Brand?

As incoming chief executive Eric Marechalle takes control of the troubled LVMH-owned brand, it's unclear how involved Mr Marc Jacobs will be in the company's turnaround strategy.


Luxury

What’s Going on At Marc Jacobs?

Three and a half years since Marc Jacobs stepped down from Louis Vuitton to focus on his namesake label, the brand is facing big challenges. Where will it go from here?

Luxury

What’s Going on At Marc Jacobs?

Three and a half years since Marc Jacobs stepped down from Louis Vuitton to focus on his namesake label, the brand is facing big challenges. Where will it go from here?


Luxury

BoF Exclusive | Sacai Launches Handbags

Chitose Abe’s 18-year-old brand is expanding into accessories with the help of ‘handbag genius’ Katie Hillier.

Luxury

BoF Exclusive | Sacai Launches Handbags

Chitose Abe’s 18-year-old brand is expanding into accessories with the help of ‘handbag genius’ Katie Hillier.


News & Analysis

Do Diffusion Lines Still Make Sense?

In the face of fierce competition and heavy cost structures, some brands are rethinking the logic of their diffusion lines.

News & Analysis

Do Diffusion Lines Still Make Sense?

In the face of fierce competition and heavy cost structures, some brands are rethinking the logic of their diffusion lines.


Marketing

Little New in New York

The dichotomy between surprising shows and boring clothes explains the conundrum of contemporary fashion in New York and elsewhere, says BoF columnist Angelo Flaccavento.

Marketing

Little New in New York

The dichotomy between surprising shows and boring clothes explains the conundrum of contemporary fashion in New York and elsewhere, says BoF columnist Angelo Flaccavento.


News & Analysis

Top 10 Campaigns of the Season

From amongst the multitude of Autumn/Winter advertising campaigns currently hitting fashion glossies, Internet forums and social media platforms around the world, from Facebook to Tumblr to Pinterest, The Business of Fashion picks the Top 10 Campaigns of the Season. Which fashion campaigns struck a chord with you this season?

News & Analysis

Top 10 Campaigns of the Season

From amongst the multitude of Autumn/Winter advertising campaigns currently hitting fashion glossies, Internet forums and social media platforms around the world, from Facebook to Tumblr to Pinterest, The Business of Fashion picks the Top 10 Campaigns of the Season. Which fashion campaigns struck a chord with you this season?


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