My first career and my passion... fashion accessory design!
Los Angeles | New York City | Spain | Naples Fl.
A graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, 1983. I wanted very much to design apparel, but as luck would have it, my degree ended up in merchandising. Design was natural, so I went with the business side of the industry and minored in pattern making. To this day, I love textiles. the definition of merchandising; the art of putting on display product to bring in buyers to purchase. My degree works perfectly with real estate.
I put myself through school working in production for a high end dress house on 7th street downtown LA. dtla as we called it back then. My first job in the LA Mart was with the dress house, running back and forth, a runner is what we were called.
In 1984 I found myself selling accessories, primarily belts handbags and funky watches. I worked for a Japanese man, Norio Oda, "Chief" as he was called. The art of sales was a natural and I loved the commission. I decided to draw every single item in the showroom to make a catalog so I could sell more. "Chief", was like you can draw? Yep, if we go into a store and I show you something can you go outside and draw it for me? Yep... it was then and there that my design career took off. You see the interesting thing about the Japanese, is they promote by "ability" not seniority, lucky girl, my career was under way and I didn't even know it.
In 1985, Avion International, moved me to New York City as their new sales manager. Within 3 year became their National Sales Manager and designer. Manufacturing in Japan and Spain and selling every major retailer in the USA, as well as other parts of the World.
Fast forward to 1998, I decided to open my own company and design my own collection, Kathi Kilburn accessories, manufacturing still in Palma de Mallorca and as years went on Italy, China and then America where I started Kathi, a luxury sterling silver, interchangeable belt collection.. following the concept of Barry Keiselstein Cord.
Sterling Silver with semi precious gems
I landed in Naples Florida in 1999, just after starting my company and accessory collection.
My second career, Certified General Construction.
It was there also, that they learned I could draw, but this time kitchens and floorpans.
A great time in my life, but ultimately what happened was I introduced home accessories to my collect and grew my business agai.
Life changes, for all of us, and in 2009 I became a Florida Licensed Realtor, my 3rd career
You can take the girl out of fashion but you will never take the fashion out of the girl.
2013 I become certified in Interior Staging & Redesign to help promote my creative side for
Residential Real Estate Sales, creativity blooms creativity... being unlike everyone else helps me sell real estate.
Today I bring back some of my roots in fashion, because I live of Bayshore Drive...
Bayshore Arts District | Bayshore District | Bayshore-Drive
Handcrafted Totes
2025
For the art of it all, I am now handcrafting accessories for you, your home and your pets.
Handcrafted small leather goods
Look for things to come...
As a REALTOR
Naples Luxury Resort Properties group- Coldwell Banker Realty Downtown 5th Ave.
Fairways at Emerald Greens
1096 Woodshire Ln. C210
MLS # 224053874
2.5% compensation paid to buyers broker
https://matrix.swflamls.com/matrix/shared/XXBy80TKXdf/1096WoodshireLN
