Everyone has a Katies story. In the 1980s, you couldn’t visit a shopping centre in Australia without seeing one of its stores, where well-trained staff (remember those?) would sell affordable clothing in inclusive sizes to women mainly aged 40 and over.

But this week’s announcement by Katies’ owner, Mosaic Brands, that it would close the brand’s 80 stores, citing poor trading conditions, has left many Australians eulogising the one-time fashion icon, and nearly 500 people out of work. So, what happened?

A quick reminder of its history

Katies started in Adelaide in 1954, offering women, who were joining the white-collar workforce in droves, a place to buy “smart” workwear. It’s a model that was emulated by other great Australian brands such as Cue, which launched in 1968.

In 2016, the brand attempted a relaunch to bring its in-store experience into the 21st century, including a range of “luxe” items in silk and leather. But the honeymoon didn’t last, and the brand was hit hard by COVID lockdowns. Mosaic went into administration in October owing creditors $249 million. At the time, Mosaic described Katies, which was once owned by Coles Myer, as a “core brand” in the portfolio. But, ultimately, a decision was taken to shut the brand by January 2025.

Why was it so central to retail folklore?

At its peak, Katies had more than 150 stores across Australia, from regional high streets to mega-malls, and in the CBD of most capital cities.

Existing before the era of celebrity ambassadors (though one advertising campaign starred a young Marcia Hines), Katies’ advertised in The Australian Women’s Weekly, and its “K-K-K-Katies” jingle was an earworm for that generation.