About Me (and SEEN)
Hello, I’m Katrina and I am the founder of SEEN Studio.
The idea of SEEN came about in 2022. This was a rough year for me, as I had been diagnosed with and was in treatment for Breast Cancer. My recovery was long and slow, and because of my operation, I couldn’t turn to my first love - playing the guitar. I was a musician and then music teacher for many years, but the surgery made it difficult for me to play my beloved guitar. The recovery was long, and I needed something to do. So, my husband dusted off my old Argos sewing machine. I struggled to find suitable bras post-operation, so I adapted some of my own bras and vests so that I had something comfortable to wear. Next, I decided to buy a pattern and some fabric online and I made my very first piece of clothing – a jacket (I have no idea why I didn’t start with something easier!).
At the beginning, I was making it up as I went along – there was a lot of unpicking and starting again. But I loved it. Even though it sounds cheesy, the sewing saved me. It gave me something to focus on, something to work towards and it was the creative outlet I needed at one of the most difficult times in my life. The more I made and more adventurous I became, the easier it got. Before I knew it, I was making all sorts of pieces, for me, for friends and for family members, and that’s when SEEN Studio was born.
I wanted to make well-made clothes that last, with clean lines and simple silhouettes, so I decided to make my own designs and patterns. Again, there was a lot of trial and error, but I finally made a handful of pieces that I thought were ready to sell. I reached out to a local Norwich shop (Atwin), who kindly agreed to sell my clothes, and I have been working with them ever since! I am now stocked in a range of shops all over the UK, and my brand continues to grow. It all started as a way to distract myself through my cancer treatment, but it has now turned into something I could’ve never imagined.
It’s still just me who makes and designs all of the pieces, but I am so excited to see how SEEN will grow. This spring and summer we (me and my lovely husband Dorian) are taking SEEN on the road, and we will be trading at a number of markets across the UK, so be sure to check out my Instagram page to see where I will be next. My latest spring/summer collection is now live, so be sure to check out my latest pieces here.
When it comes to making clothes, I value simplicity, functionality and a minimalist design aesthetic. But above all, I believe in the ideals of slow fashion. Making clothes that are versatile, always ethical and made to last. All of my designs reflect the philosophy of "less is more" and feature elegant clean lines, with a focus on comfort and longevity. #iamseen