Our Team
Our team is the heart of our company. We believe in creating a community of women who feel confident & empowered - that includes our customers, collaborators, and manufacturers. Welcome to the beach party!
LAURETTE
Laurette is the Founder & Co-Designer of Walker&Wade, (her two son’s middle names) a resortwear brand rooted in barefoot luxury, vibrant color, and the artisanal spirit of Bali. The idea for the brand was born during a family trip to Bali, where her sons spent their days surfing and she found herself inspired by the island’s effortless beauty. Sketching the dresses and coverups she wished she had packed, Laurette returned home to Connecticut and began wearing her designs locally—quickly catching the attention of women asking where they could get their own. Soon after, she returned to Bali to create a full collection, and Walker&Wade came to life.
With an art degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and a career as a textile and fabric designer for companies like Waverly, Martex, and Schumacher, Laurette brought decades of creative expertise into the brand. She also launched her own company, Laurette Design, where she created original fabrics, before channeling her love of pattern, color, and texture into Walker&Wade. Her signature aesthetic reflects her deep appreciation for artisanal techniques and easy, joyful living—whether at home or by the beach.
MOLLY
My bio: Molly is the CEO and co-designer of Walker&Wade, a resortwear brand known for its barefoot luxury aesthetic and commitment to artisan craftsmanship. She joined the founder, Laurette Kittle, in early 2016 and built the company from the ground up, growing it into a nationally recognized name carried by over 150 retail partners. Walker&Wade blends vibrant color, effortless style, and the soulful artistry of Bali into every collection, offering women pieces that feel as good as they look.
Molly began her fashion career at BCBGMAXAZRIA, where she led wholesale sales and new business development in the Northeast. There, she gained firsthand experience inside one of the largest fashion empires in the world, developing a deep understanding of the industry and what it takes to scale a brand.
Diagnosed at age 13 with a severe form of ulcerative colitis, Molly’s health journey instilled in her a fierce resilience and a unique perspective on life, balance, and entrepreneurship. That perspective—rooted in intuition, grit, and holistic thinking—became the foundation of her business philosophy. Her approach to growth has always been personal, purposeful, and deeply connected to the people the brand serves.
Molly's favorite style in the collection is the Athena Kaftan / Sunrise Ombre becaue it reminds her of her favorite things: sunrises and sunsets!
VIRGINIA
As Marketing Director at W&W, Virginia leads all aspects of digital marketing campaigns, e-commerce sales, product launches, website management, social media, & more!
Virginia graduated from College of Charleston, with a degree in Communications. Working at W&W was her first job out of college & she has grown with the business ever since!
Virginia's favorite style in the collection is the Alexis Dress / Cheetah, since she lives life on the wild side!
ANA
Ana is a recent graduate of SMU, and is a new member of our team! Ana assists in many different aspects of the business including customer service, marketing, operations, in person events and more.
KELLY
Kelly handles all aspects of our direct sales division. She also assists with in-person sales, trunk shows, events, warehouse support, and more!
KYRA
Kyra manages all day-to-day warehouse operations including shipping online orders, wholesale orders, inventory management, sample organization, & more!
