Catherine Joseph

C JOSEPH ny | website
Huntingdon, NY

I learned to sew from my mother. I made my first plaid coat with matching plaid when I was 12 . Here is a photo of me in the coat. It was a very expensive fabric. My mother was hesitant, to purchase such an expensive cloth, for such a beginner sewer. But she told me that she would make the purchase, only if I matched all the plaid myself. I still remember working on that coat.
I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with an associate and a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design. I received an award from the Sophie and Adam Gimbel Foundation (the founders of Saks Fifth Avenue), and, the Norma Kamali award for design, upon graduation.
I landed a job with Halston in the men’s division as a designer and worked there for seven years. It was not until I attended a retrospective of Halston’s work, many years later, at the Nassau Count Art Museum in 2017, did I realize what an influence he was to me. Halston always wore shirt jackets.
While at my job, I attended an American Women Economic Development meeting in NYC. Donna Karan was one of the speakers and she was so inspirational and smart. Her first collection, on her own, had not come out yet. But I thought that I can do this also. I started my own endeavor in 1986. I left my very good job. I started making clothes that I felt were wonderful and wearable. With my love of woolen fabrics, respect for fine tailoring and appreciation of purity in design, C Joseph NY was born.
My taste leans towards urban simplicity. This all led me to make outer shirts, shirt jackets, and soft jackets.
My designs have been appreciated by many accomplished individuals and they seem to be particularly appreciated by the entertainment industry. My designs have been worn by Tommy Mattola. Ron Perlman Alex and Billy Baldwin, Lou Adler and to name a few. My designs have been used in TV and movie productions.
I make one of a kind pieces as well as ”few-of-a-kinds” {small size ranges, to accommodate various size people}. The line is always softly tailored.
Because I am nearly a one-person operation, I only make fall and winter items. It takes me the first 8 months of the year to make my winter designs and the last 4 months to sell them. I do not do spring shows, usually
The shows I am currently doing this year are The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Craft New York, Craft + Design, Morristown Holiday.