How TMU architecture degree led one alum to launch a fashion brand
Katrina Klemmer (B.ArchSc ‘18) never expected her architecture degree to lead her into fashion.
But when the TMU Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) grad began building Kataleya (external link) , her own womenswear brand, she noticed the two fields shared the same core skills.
“It’s not just a piece of clothing, it’s a system,” said Klemmer. “There are tops, pants, layering pieces and accessories. Everything comes together.”
That systems-first thinking comes straight from her time at TMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Architectural science, where she studied from 2014 to 2018.
Klemmer’s Canadian, woman-founded womenswear brand, Kataleya, is built around one idea: fewer pieces should create more ways to get dressed.
Designing a wardrobe like a building
The idea for Kataleya started with a familiar problem for Klemmer: a closet full of clothes that didn’t work together.
“I would spend 10 or 15 minutes every morning trying to pick out an outfit,” she said. “One piece wouldn’t go with another. I thought, ‘Why did I buy this? This goes with nothing.’”
So she designed a collection the way she’d design a building: as one connected system, not a pile of separate pieces. Every item is meant to work with the others, cutting down on decision fatigue and, she hopes, overconsumption.
Rather than releasing frequent product drops or responding to rapidly changing microtrends, Kataleya’s focus is on “slow fashion” and plans to introduce two capsule collections each year: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. Each collection will focus on timeless pieces that can remain useful for years.
Material selection is also central to the brand. Kataleya currently avoids polyester and uses higher-quality natural, or semi-natural fibres wherever possible, like lyocell, cotton, or wool, and with the long-term goal of producing collections entirely from natural materials.
“In architecture, you consider functionality, efficiency, longevity and aesthetics, and how every component works together to create a better experience,” she said. “I found myself approaching clothing in exactly the same way.”
Why architecture and not fashion?
Klemmer chose architecture because it mixed creativity, math and physics. Partway through the program, two things stuck with her: courses on sustainable design, and the project management skills she picked up in her final year.
“I really like complex systems, simplifying things and detail orientation,” she said.
After graduating, Klemmer spent several years in construction project management. She built strong organizational and leadership skills, but she missed the creative side of design. Eventually, she decided to combine her two passions.
“Eventually, I thought, ‘I also love fashion. Why don’t I put that all together and start my own company?’” she said.
What architecture school taught her
Beyond technical knowledge, Klemmer said TMU’s architecture program taught her discipline, resilience and how to respond when an idea needs to be reconsidered.
“The architecture program is a tough program,” she said. “You doubt yourself, you question your ego and you get harsh critiques from professors. They do it on purpose because that is the reality of the real world.”
That training prepared her for something architecture school can’t simulate: running a business alone.
“Every day, there’s a fire to put out,” she said. “You learn to be scrappy. What is plan B? If plan B doesn’t work, what is plan C? You have to keep problem-solving and pushing through.”
Her project management background now helps her coordinate manufacturers, track timelines and adjust when plans fall apart.