Meet the Designer: Kati Lanhe of KM by LANGE

Tell us a little about yourself and the story behind your brand.

I’m Kati Lanhe, founder and creative director of KM by LANGE, a Ukrainian-born designer based in Barcelona. My childhood was shaped by the transition from the Soviet to the post-Soviet period in Ukraine. At that time, my mother often didn’t have the possibility to simply buy the clothes she wanted for herself or for us. Instead, she designed and made them herself, together with a circle of incredibly skilled women around her. They would share fabrics, ideas, techniques and knowledge, creating garments with their own hands. Growing up surrounded by these resourceful and truly artisan women had a profound influence on me. I learned very early that clothing could be much more than something we buy — it could be an expression of creativity, identity, resourcefulness and care. Years later, this became one of the foundations of KM by LANGE. I created the brand as a way to explore the relationship between women, craftsmanship, culture and conscious design. We work with small workshops and skilled artisans, particularly in Ukraine, combining traditional techniques with contemporary silhouettes and an appreciation for natural, artesanal, vintage and upcycled materials. Each piece is designed to be timeless rather than seasonal — something to live with, wear repeatedly and keep for years. Our collections often carry subtle references to Ukrainian culture and heritage, while remaining contemporary and open to different influences. For me, supporting craftsmanship is also about preserving knowledge and giving value to the people behind each piece. The women I grew up around taught me that making something with your hands can be an act of creativity, dignity and independence. At KM by LANGE, we like to say that we are not offering fashion, but a philosophy: respect for materials, respect for craftsmanship, respect for people, and the freedom to dress in a way that feels genuinely your own.

What made you decide to start the label?

The idea for KM by LANGE was born while I was working for a large multinational retail company. Being part of such a big system made me realise that I wanted to create something more meaningful — something with purpose, connected to my roots and to the values I truly believe in. I gradually understood that I didn’t want to be just a small piece of a much larger retail machine. The way the industry was operating increasingly felt disconnected from what mattered to me: craftsmanship, individuality, people, and creating things with meaning rather than simply contributing to a cycle of constant consumption. That was the moment the idea of KM by LANGE started to take shape.

I wanted to build a brand that could connect my Ukrainian heritage with a more conscious approach to fashion. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to work with small Ukrainian workshops and communities, particularly with skilled women artisans, creating opportunities while supporting the local economy and preserving their knowledge and craftsmanship. In many ways, KM by LANGE became my way of creating the kind of fashion system I wanted to be part of — smaller, more human, more meaningful, and deeply connected to people and place.

How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?

Authentic. Minimal. Timeless. I believe in pieces that don’t need to follow trends to feel relevant — designs with a strong identity, quiet details and the ability to remain part of your wardrobe for years.

Where do you usually find inspiration for your collections?

My inspiration usually comes from very unexpected places. I never really sit down and try to “find” inspiration — it tends to arrive when I’m in movement. It can happen while I’m riding my bike, dancing, travelling, sitting on a flight, waiting at an airport, walking through a new place, or simply having a conversation with someone. Sometimes it’s a shape, a colour, a texture, a person, or just a feeling that suddenly stays with me. I think inspiration is very much influenced by your lifestyle, your experiences and the places you move through. For me, travelling and being curious about the world naturally become part of the creative process. It’s quite a random and intuitive process — and I like it that way.

Is there one piece or collection that feels especially important to you? Why?

I would say the piece that feels most important to me is our Vyshyvanka blouse. It is my reinterpretation of a traditional Ukrainian garment, combining a contemporary silhouette with handmade embroidery.

The sleeves are embroidered by hand by Ukrainian craftswomen, around 80 years old, using the traditional Reshelie technique. Knowing that these women, who have carried this knowledge for decades, have their hands in each piece makes it incredibly special to me. The Vyshyvanka is one of the most recognisable symbols of Ukrainian culture, but for me it also has a very personal meaning. My grandfather was born and lived most of his life during the Soviet period, and he always wore Vyshyvankas. He had a huge collection of Ukrainian handmade pieces and treated them almost as his signature. Wherever he went, he would wear a Vyshyvanka — sometimes with a suit, sometimes on its own. He never hid his connection to Ukrainian roots. Growing up with that image has stayed with me. For me, the Vyshyvanka represents freedom, resilience and pride in where you come from. This blouse is my way of carrying that heritage forward and giving it a contemporary life, while keeping the hands, stories and traditions behind it alive.

How do you approach materials and production?

I have always been drawn to natural, sustainable materials such as silk, hemp, raffia, cotton, linen and wool. I love the character and imperfections of natural fabrics, and I try to choose materials that have a story and can be appreciated for their quality and longevity. Some of the fabrics we use are vintage, while others are completely handmade. For example, in our Hanoi Capsule, we worked with handspun and handwoven fabrics created by small artisanal communities in Vietnam. We also incorporate upcycled materials whenever possible, giving existing fabrics and materials a new life. When it comes to production, almost everything is made in Ukraine. We work with small workshops and skilled artisans, which allows us to keep production more personal and maintain a close relationship with the people who make our pieces. For me, conscious production is not only about choosing the right material. It is also about knowing where it comes from, who makes it, how it is made, and creating pieces that are designed to last.

What do you want people to feel when they wear your pieces?

I want people to feel like themselves. For me, clothing should not disguise who you are or tell you who you should be. It should help you feel comfortable in your own body and in harmony with your thoughts, your emotions and your individuality. I want my pieces to give people a sense of freedom — to express themselves naturally, without feeling that they have to follow a trend or fit into a certain idea of beauty. Ultimately, I want someone wearing KM by LANGE to feel more connected to themselves.

What are you working on next?

For the past year, I’ve been working on a new capsule originally conceived for men. But as the collection has evolved, I’ve realised that it may be less about menswear and more about creating something truly unisex.

I’m interested in pieces that are not defined by gender, but by attitude, silhouette, material and the way they make you feel. It feels like a natural next step for KM by LANGE — expanding the language of the brand while staying true to its philosophy. I’m very excited to finally launch it soon.

Photographer for all photos: Bela Adler