Meet Kat Williford | Owner and Designer at Pamut

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kat Williford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kat, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design, I got a job as a designer at a fast fashion brand. I would sketch out a style, pick the fabrics, and then once it went into production I wouldn’t see or hear about it again until I saw it in the store. I desperately missed the hands-on aspect of fashion design… The cutting, sewing, and detail work that goes into making an individual garment. So two years in, I quit that job and went on a journey around the world to figure out what my next step would be. I settled in Budapest, Hungary, where I started making t-shirts from sustainably sourced fabric in my tiny flat. Budapest is an amazing city with a buzzing community of creative entrepreneurs, and I spent three years there experimenting with different sewing and production techniques. My little t-shirt operation evolved over the years into a full-on clothing business based in my hometown of Raleigh. We offer inclusive sizing with a made-to-order business model, so we never have excess inventory that we have to mark down or throw away.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My mission is to craft classic garments that fit different bodies perfectly. At Pamut, we cut and sew styles to order, giving us the ability to tweak sizing and customize our styles based on customer measurements. I take inspiration for our styles from the fabrics themselves. We use luxe, natural fibers for all of our garments. They all have a unique and beautiful drape, and they tell me what form they want to be shaped into every season. I love functional styles, so you’ll never see a Pamut dress or pant without a pocket. Many of our pieces are reversible or adjustable so that they can be styled in many different ways, and can be comfortably worn even if you’ve gained or lost a bit of weight. The aim is to create garments that will fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle, and can be worn (and washed!) without too much overthinking.

Getting here took a lot of hard work and there were many ups and downs, as Pamut is completely self-funded. The fashion industry is competitive and the perceived value of clothing is at an all-time low. Making clothing and selling it at a profit is a difficult business to say the least. The best thing I’ve done for my business is to control the scale to avoid taking out a loan. To do this, I’m ultra conservative with spending. I found a studio to rent at a great price. I source and buy fabrics carefully, trying not to order too much and be left with unusable inventory. I never over-hire (if things get really busy, I’ll jump in to help with production!).

Speaking of hiring, our team is indispensable to keeping Pamut a successful brand and business. Now that I’m a mom and have less time in the studio, I lean heavily on our employees to get the work done. We have two sewers and an office manager who are all absolutely stellar. We also work with a couple of fantastic photographers to properly document our fabrics and styles. Without their talent, Pamut wouldn’t be the brand it is today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d head to Benchwarmers Bagels straight from the airport for an amazing breakfast sandwich with the best coffee in town. Properly fueled for the day, we’d cruse over to Umstead or Shelley Lake for a nice long hike. If we wanted to make a day of it, I’d even consider driving down to Raven Rock State Park near Angier for a little more solitude.

Since I’m a new mom, I’m not getting out as much as I used to in the evenings. Now, I love frequenting baby-friendly spots that are open and buzzing during the day instead of late at night. Some of my go-to’s for a pick-me-up are Standard Food and Beer, Jubala Coffee, The Optimist, State of Beer, and Lynwood Brewing. If I can make it out at night, you’ll definitely find me at Bittersweet for a cocktail and that S’mores dessert that they do so well.

A walk around the NCMA grounds or a picnic at Dix Park are always on my weekly rotation of activities. After spending time at Dix on the weekend, popping by the Farmer’s Market is a must for some fresh seasonal veggies to prep for dinner.

I always bring my friends by my studio off Peace St. for a little hangout, and if we’re shopping I’ll stop in at Deco and Edge of Urge.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this to my parents, who steadfastly supported my creative lifestyle. They always encouraged me to follow my dreams and I’m forever grateful.

Website: www.pamutapparel.com

Instagram: @pamutapparel

Image Credits
Albright Studio