About
Kate Stoltz is an American fashion designer, model, and television personality who first captured public attention on TLC’s reality series Breaking Amish and its follow-up Return to Amish. Since then, she has pivoted from reality TV to the runways and design studios of New York City, building a clothing line known for clean silhouettes, subtle tailoring, and ethical production. Stoltz’s journey—from sewing dresses by hand on her family’s Pennsylvania farm to creating made-to-order pieces for private clients—has become a living example of reinvention. Balancing creativity with a calm, down-to-earth outlook, she champions slow fashion and often partners with nonprofits that empower women through vocational training. Today, her label “Kate Stoltz NYC” reflects both her Amish roots, which taught her patience and craftsmanship, and her city life, which inspires contemporary style.
Before Fame
Born Kate Stoltzfus on September 21, 1991, she grew up on a modest dairy farm in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, as one of nine siblings in a devout Amish household. Electricity was limited, televisions were absent, and most clothing came from fabric bolts rather than store racks. Kate learned to sew at a young age, piecing together simple dresses under her mother’s instruction. While other children played video games, she practiced neat, even stitches by lamp-light. After deciding to explore life outside the Amish community, she agreed to take part in Breaking Amish (2012), a series that documented several young adults experiencing modern life for the first time. The show relocated her to New York, where skyscrapers replaced cornfields and English replaced Pennsylvania Dutch. Although the transition was challenging—navigating subway maps, cultural norms, and the pressure of public scrutiny—Kate discovered that the city’s fashion scene spoke directly to her lifelong fascination with clothing construction.
Trivia
- Runway beginnings: Within months of arriving in New York, Kate signed with Major Model Management and walked in shows for Spring/Summer collections, an impressive feat for someone who had never seen a fashion week before leaving home.
- Design education: Determined to deepen her skills beyond what reality television taught, she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, completing courses in patternmaking and draping while juggling modeling assignments.
- Philanthropic thread: Kate often donates a portion of sales from limited-edition pieces to organizations that help survivors of domestic abuse learn sewing and business basics.
- Media pauses: Despite TV visibility, she has turned down several reality show offers, explaining that focusing on design work feels more fulfilling than constant filming.
- Pet pastime: When not sketching, she relaxes by caring for a rescued calico cat named Buttercup, whose playful interruptions sometimes inspire unexpected design details.
Family Life
Kate’s parents, Lloyd and Katie Stoltzfus, maintained a traditional Amish household where faith and community guided everyday choices. Her father tended livestock and fields, while her mother managed the home and taught the children practical skills—gardening, canning, and garment sewing among them. Kate remains close to her siblings, frequently visiting Pennsylvania for family gatherings and milestone events. While her decision to pursue a non-Amish lifestyle initially created tension, the years have softened disagreements, and she now describes their relationship as “respectful and loving, even if our paths differ.” Kate credits her upbringing for instilling a strong work ethic and an eye for careful craftsmanship, qualities that surface in every hand-finished hem and precisely placed seam. Though she lives in Manhattan, she still likes to phone her mother for advice when testing a new bread recipe or selecting quilt colors for a custom jacket lining.
Associated With
On Breaking Amish and Return to Amish, Kate shared the screen with castmates such as Sabrina Burkholder and Jeremiah Raber, each charting unique courses beyond the Amish world. In the fashion arena, she has modeled alongside names like Adriana Lima during charity runway events and has collaborated with photographer Yu Tsai for editorial shoots. Her design work occasionally appears in magazines featuring stylists who also spotlight emerging talents like Christian Siriano, reinforcing a network of creatives who value inclusivity and craftsmanship. Through philanthropic projects, Kate partners with organizations co-founded by activist Gloria Steinem, using fashion workshops to provide practical skills to women in transition. Whether on television, in a studio, or at a charity gala, she gravitates toward collaborators who share her commitment to authenticity, quality, and purposeful living.
