Amphitrite Studio Clothing Co. owner and seamstress Katrina Kelley stands in front of a rack of clothes of her own design in her Newcastle home. For the past four years, Kelley has designed and sewed each item in her clothing line, which she sells online. (Maia Zewert photo)
For the past four years, a woman has created a women’s clothing line out of her home in Newcastle.
Katrina Kelley, owner and seamstress at Amphitrite Studio Clothing Co., designs and sews each of the pieces of clothing she sells, including dresses, skirts, tank tops, leggings, tunics, and more.
“I have a signature line of designs I’ve come up with that are functional, but also still stylish,” Kelley said. “The goal with most of the designs is being able to function without having to change your clothes. If you were to change the accessories, you can change the whole look of the outfit.”
Kelley learned to sew at a young age from her mother, who would make matching dresses for Kelley and her sister.
Kelley carried her passion for sewing into adulthood and even designed and sewed her own wedding dress.
“It’s always been a part of my life,” Kelley said. “It’s something I was raised doing and became what I love to do.”
Katrina Kelley, owner and seamstress of Amphitrite Studio Clothing Co., cuts a tank top for her clothing line in her Newcastle home. Kelley uses natural and organic fibers for her women’s clothing line, including linen, cotton, and bamboo. (Maia Zewert photo)
Kelley uses natural and organic fibers, including linen, cotton, and bamboo. Kelley said bamboo has beneficial properties that make it ideal for clothing, such as retaining its shape over time, not holding on to odors, and not wrinkling easily.
“A lot of people haven’t heard of it, but once they try it, they’re hooked,” Kelley said.
The clothes are sold at events around the state and online through the store’s website and Etsy shop. Kelley has received orders from across the country and abroad.
“The farthest order I’ve gotten was from Norway, and it wasn’t Norway, Maine,” Kelley said. “Someone in Norway is wearing a dress of mine, and that’s pretty cool!”
Kelley said the store does face some challenges by not having a physical location.
“I love sending things to California and London, but I want to get more of my people here,” Kelley said.
Amphitrite Studio is part of the Maine Made program, which Kelley said has really helped the business.
“People see the Maine Made stickers and tags and know its something quality-made,” Kelley said.
In addition to making clothes for the online store, Kelley also does tailoring and alterations, a side of the business she hopes will grow over time.
Kelley’s plans for the future include expanding the store to include men’s T-shirts and pop-up shops. One day she hopes to have a brick-and-mortar store, ideally located in Newcastle, where she can sell her clothes and other Maine Made products.
“I would love to support Newcastle and keep the business here if there’s a place for it,” Kelley said.
For more information about Amphitrite Studio Clothing Co., go to amphitritestudio.com. The store can also be found on Etsy, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
