It's impossible to ignore the buzz around Kate & Kate, the business founded by sisters-in-law Kate Pascoe Squires (also known as Sydney Kate!) and Kate Pascoe (Melbourne Kate!) last year. Their cotton blankets and throws in timeless stripes, geometric patterns and fashionable colours have appeared in numerous magazines and are stocked in boutiques around the country. 

Did the idea of working together come about over time (we're imagining family Christmases) or was it a lightning bolt moment? 
It was definitely a lightning bolt moment.  We were actually working on developing totally separate and very different business concepts when we met our manufacturers.  Completely by chance.  It took us just a couple of minutes to drop our other plans – deciding on the spot that we would go into business together and blankets would be our thing.

Your blankets and throws are generously sized and you describe them as made with 'big love'. Did this idea arise out of your range for kids and babies? 
I think the idea of 'big love' came out of the comfort and care we hope all our blankets provide… whether it be to babies, children, teens or adults… you name it.  We love the idea of people wrapping themselves up in Kate & Kate blankets and, with that, comes the 'big love' part.



Are you on same page aesthetically? How does the creative process between you work?
We certainly are.  For years, we have accidentally purchased matching outfits, items for the home… you name it.  Knowing this, the decision to work together in a creative space was less daunting.  The creative process between us is very organic.  We constantly send each other images that inspire us.  We then get together to create mood boards and the design process goes from there.  Neither of us is classically trained as designers, so this is the only way we know how!



Since you work in different cities, we imagine email & online is a vital part of the process.  Do you have secret Pinterest boards packed with inspiration, or do you find another way to share?  
We share folders via iCloud that are jam packed with images that inspire.  It's the easiest way for us to share inspiration on the spot.

Your colour combinations and patterns have become instant stylists's favourites and your blankets and throws been featured in lots of mags. What drives your designs?
Our designs are certainly fashion driven and we aim for an aesthetically pleasing combination of colour and pattern.  There are very clear benchmarks for any design we put to market… we are always asking ourselves 'where would this sit in the home', 'who would this appeal to', 'what emotion does this design evoke'?  Of course, our designs are very much driven by our personal aesthetic, but as our business grows, we can't help but be particularly mindful of what will appeal to the Kate & Kate customer.  We also give some thought to how our designs will sit with our retailers as well.  The blanket is always part of a story and we try to keep that top of mind too.



Your blankets are made in India. How important are your relationships there, and what have you learned from the makers? 
Our manufacturers are everything.  They are incredibly skilled and to see them at work is such a joy.  It makes us so proud to be able to work with such talented makers.  We have learnt everything from these people – without them, there would be no Kate & Kate.

What's next for Kate & Kate? Can you see yourselves moving into new territory?
Absolutely.  We have some really exciting new products to introduce in February and we can't wait.  Kate & Kate is all about blankets – and we want to stay true to that – but we feel as though there are many things that can come under that umbrella.  Stay tuned!



Quick fire questions:

Favourite Sydney beach:  Bronte.
Dream collaborator:  Marsha Golemac  (coming soon!)
Most visited Melbourne café: Combi in Elwood
Fashion icon: Helena Christensen.
First jobs:  Kate Pascoe Squires – McDonalds.  Kate Pascoe - Waitress at The Pantry

Portrait by Brooke Holm & Marsha Golemac. Blanket images by Francoise Baudet, styled by Megan Morton.