About What Katie Did
Welcome to What Katie Did
Hi, I'm Katie. I've always been passionate about 1950s fashion and especially the underpinnings. While it's easy to find true vintage even today, finding wearable vintage lingerie is another story. I started to collect lingerie and nylons from the 1950s but didn't wear them as much as I liked because I didn't want to damage them.
I started What Katie Did in 1999 with just £100. At the time, it was very difficult to find seamed stockings either in shops or online. I built a very basic website and opened a stocking stall in London's Camden Market.
Our Heritage & Hollywood Credentials
Since 1999, What Katie Did has become the trusted source for authentic vintage lingerie for the world's biggest film, television, and theatre productions.
We're proud to be the only lingerie company to have dressed both Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe (albeit fictionally) - our pieces have been featured in The Crown, Blonde, and My Week with Marilyn.
Current Productions (2025-2026): Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, Bridgerton Series 4, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Cabaret (West End & Broadway), A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, and many more.
Celebrity Clients: Our lingerie has been worn by Madonna, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Dame Joan Collins, Kylie Minogue, Victoria Beckham, and more.
View our full Press & Productions credentials →
Who We Are
It's difficult to tell how big a company is online, and I know What Katie Did appears bigger than it actually is. In total there are only 7 of us, all based at our Pangbourne, Berkshire HQ. We don't use a call centre or distribution centre - everything is done in house.
This means that if you do have any questions, you'll be talking to someone who really knows just about everything that's going on!
Where We Manufacture
Authentic UK Manufacturing
Our Fully Fashioned Stockings are made in Derbyshire, England, in one of only 2 remaining Fully Fashioned Stocking factories in England, and one of only 3 worldwide. These stockings are made on original 1950s Reading knitting machines - the real thing, not reproductions.
Our Liz and Trixie ranges are made in a small factory in Nottingham, England.
Italy
Our Glamour Seamed Stockings and Tights are made in Italy, which is renowned for its quality hosiery manufacturing. We've worked with this supplier since day one!
Lingerie & Corsets
The bulk of our lingerie is made in India, in an ISO certified factory that we've been working with since 2002. The factory is a small family-owned facility and we now have our own production area which currently produces lingerie just for us. I spend a few weeks of the year in India sampling new designs, with full access to all paperwork and members of staff.
Our corsets are made in a small, family-owned factory in Thailand.
Environmental Policies
We continually work on minimizing our carbon footprint. We use biodegradable mailing bags, minimal packing with recycled paper, and recycled paper for our delivery notes. Our magazine paper is sustainably sourced.
In 2021 we introduced recyclable packaging for our Glamour Seamed Stockings, with a selection (Champagne/Latte, Champagne/Black, Black/Black) being made with recycled yarn.
Why Productions & Customers Choose What Katie Did
- Authentic Construction: Made using original 1950s techniques and machinery
- Historical Accuracy: Patterns and designs based on genuine vintage pieces
- UK Manufacturing Heritage: Fully Fashioned Stockings made on original 1950s Reading knitting machines in England
- Expert Knowledge: Over 25 years of experience in vintage lingerie reproduction
- Trusted Partner: Supplying costume departments and discerning customers since 1999