Kathryn Wilson

BLAKE Leader 2014

Entrepreneur & Premier Footwear Designer.

Kathryn Wilson is an entrepreneur and leader of one of the fastest-growing fashion brands in New Zealand. In just a decade, Kathryn Wilson has established herself as New Zealand’s premier footwear designer and as an influential and successful businesswoman.

From a very young age Kathryn Wilson’s dream was to “make beautiful shoes for cool people.”

Today she is New Zealand’s most successful shoe designer, with boutique production houses in Italy, Spain, Portugal and China and is a great example to other young entrepreneurial Kiwis on never giving up despite being told that what you’re trying to build is impossible.

At the age of just 23, in 2003, the Kathryn Wilson label was born. The brand is a now New Zealand household name that has international acclaim, with her shoes adorning the feet of some of the world’s most famous celebrities.

Kathryn’s secret to success has been to surround herself with passion, knowledge and experience and to have fun along the way. A respected figure in the retail industry she is well-known for her generosity in sharing her skills and experience with others.