A Legacy of Timeless Childhood Style
Inspired by family, rooted in craftsmanship, and thoughtfully designed to celebrate the beauty of childhood.
Founded by designer Kathryn Thomas, a Birmingham, Alabama native, Alice Kathleen & Company was born from a lifelong passion for fashion, design, and the timeless charm of childhood. Influenced by her mother and grandmother, Kathryn is a self-taught designer who carries forward a legacy of children’s fashion with an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and thoughtful detail.
Named after her two daughters, Alice Kathleen & Co is a quiet luxury brand deeply rooted in Kathryn’s personal world. From the very beginning, the collection has reflected the beauty of family, tradition, and celebrating childhood with intention. Each piece is designed to bring joy, elegance, and a sense of occasion to everyday moments and meaningful milestones alike.
Rooted in Beauty, Designed for Childhood
With an unwavering love for all things beautiful and drawing inspiration from Kathryn's own world of fashion and travel, Alice Kathleen & Company consistently creates timeless pieces with a contemporary flair.
AKC is dedicated to crafting timeless pieces that capture the essence of childhood. Celebrate an unhurried childhood while wearing Alice Kathleen.
Timeline
A history shaped by craftsmanship, care, and a deep appreciation for childhood. Since 2006, Alice Kathleen has grown slowly and intentionally, guided by a commitment to timeless design, exceptional craftsmanship, and beauty in the details. What began as a mother’s love for dressing her daughters has become a brand treasured by families across generations. We are proud of the journey - one rooted in heart, heritage, and an enduring belief that childhood should feel beautiful.
2006
Founding Year
Alice Kathleen & Co. began with two little girls: Alice and Kathleen. What started as hand-sketched designs created by Kathryn Thomas for her daughters quickly resonated with other mothers seeking timeless children’s clothing rich in detail and charm. What began as a personal love of dressing her girls grew into a brand rooted in emotion, intention, and the belief that childhood should feel beautiful.
2007
Into Stores
After first selling to a local boutique, Alice Kathleen expanded into stores across the country, building a loyal following drawn to its distinctive silhouettes, hand-appliqué details, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
2008–2021
Trunk Shows
The brand grew through an intimate trunk show model, allowing Alice Kathleen to connect directly with families season after season. Long before social media, the brand was built through personal relationships, handwritten orders, and generations of mothers who valued beauty in the details.
2009
International partnerships
Alice Kathleen began sourcing fabrics internationally, forming relationships with heritage textile makers and artisans whose craftsmanship had been refined over generations. These partnerships continue to shape the spirit of the brand today.
2016
The Anniversary Collection
Our journey to success was defined by our flagship product. It shaped us into the industry leader we are today.
2018
The Digital World
Alice Kathleen entered the e-commerce space through Maisonette, introducing the brand to a new generation of customers while remaining committed to small-batch production, slow fashion, and timeless design.
2020 - 2023
Changing Times
Like many independent brands, Alice Kathleen navigated the challenges of a rapidly changing world during COVID, adapting while remaining grounded in the values that had defined the company since the beginning.
A defining new chapter began when Kathryn brought Alice Kathleen fully in-house and transitioned the company to a direct-to-consumer model. That same year, the brand introduced its handcrafted shoe collection, made in Spain.
2023 - 2024
Bringing fully in house
A defining new chapter began when Kathryn brought Alice Kathleen fully in-house and transitioned the company to a direct-to-consumer model. That same year, the brand introduced its handcrafted shoe collection, made in Spain.
Alice Kathleen introduced special collaborative projects, including a partnership with Mollie Jane Taylor, continuing the brand’s tradition of intentional design and creative storytelling.
2026
Twenty years of AK
As Alice Kathleen celebrates twenty years, the brand continues to evolve while remaining true to its original spirit: timeless craftsmanship, thoughtful details, and clothing designed with heart. This year marked the debut of a collaboration with Coco Shop, while the brand continues to intentionally remain in its own lane. Through changing retail landscapes, the rise of the digital world, and the challenges of COVID, Alice Kathleen remains deeply personal — still guided by instinct, emotion, and the details that inspired its beginning.
Unlock Membership Access
Created for those who appreciate timeless design and heirloom craftsmanship, Atelier offers a deeper connection to the heart of our brand. It’s a space to step behind the scenes, explore the story behind each collection, and experience what inspires Alice Kathleen & Company.
