Kate Hersh of August Morgan

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, your childhood, your background etc?

I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. I was always creating as a child; writing, designing houses for my dolls, and sewing. Fort Worth has many world class museums and I took advantage of the amazing art I could enjoy on the weekends.

I graduated from the University of Texas with a BA in Art History. I loved Art School. I took many studio art classes. I realized although I was creative I was not a true artist but a lover of arts and the process of creating.

After graduation I moved to New York, where I worked for Sotheby's in the Bid Department. I attended every auction and help clients bid on and win items. This was like a graduate school for me; I learned so much about porcelain, silver, furniture as well as art. Sotheby's stated my love of Decorative Arts and introduced me to a whole new world of beauty in objects.

What’s the story behind August Morgan? How did it all start?

I learned how to needlepoint when I lived in New York. After I married my husband Robert and I moved to Austin. I wasn't working and would peruse thrift stores. I saw the vintage needlepoint and knew how much went into creating the old pillows that were now being sold for a few dollars.

I repurposed the old needlepoint into new pillows; with new backing, down inserts and trim. I began going to gifts shows in New York and Atlanta and sold these pillows to stores throughout the country; including Barneys NY and Anthropologie.

Although August Morgan Pillows were known and loved, they were one of a kind which makes making a lot of money difficult. One day I thought of four clever cocktail napkins, and the rest is history. I now have over 50 designs of cocktail napkins.

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