Interview With Kato
by Cary
What first attracted you to Steam Punk?
Just as most Steampunks will claim, I was already utilizing this style in my daily life long before I knew there was a term for it, but what has always attracted me to steampunk more than anything else, is the fashion. I've been enjoying fashion and design since I was 12 years old, draping myself in grunge in my early teens and then not being able to escape the grasps of goth later on. At the same time, I developed an obsession with the idea of a post-apocalyptic world, but with a petty focus on "what I'd be wearing" more than "how the hell am I going to survive?" I then subconsciously started taking my favourite elements of traditional goth and combining that with the worn leather and rusted buckles of a post apocalypse style. I looked like a slightly off-model cyber goth...that is until I heard the term "steampunk."
How did you get started with your clothing line?
I'd been designing since I was too young to be fashion-conscious, then began messing around with a needle and thread when I was 15. I had too many design ideas in my mind to stay focused on other things and so began fabricating my designs just to get them out of my head and "clear some file space.” Despite enrolling on a 9-month fashion and textile course at art school, no one ever sat down and showed me the basics of garment construction and sadly, I actually found myself being discouraged by my teachers from persuing fashion for "having too broad an interest in the art world.” I simply wasn’t focused enough for their liking, so after a few years of getting the paintings, sculpture and various crafts out of my system, I returned to my original focus – fashion design. The name was a toss-up between “Steampunk Boutique” or “Steampunk Couture”. My father preferred the latter, so I bought the domain and my cousin and I built the website. Unfortunately, I’m now too involved in other creative projects to find the time to allow SPC to fully blossom, but despite the almost non-existent promotion of the line, it brings in enough orders each week to keep me up to my eye balls in work….and money!
I'm fascinated by the process that someone can see a flat sheet of material and somehow know how to turn it into clothing. Can you explain how that works?
Not really! I’m still just as fascinated by the fact that I can actually do it! As previously mentioned, I’m completely self-taught so have taken many items of my own clothing apart to use as patterns and have made several garments from pure guess-work. Since the launch of SPC a few months back, I’ve constructed and sold around 200 custom orders and am yet to receive a complaint, so I guess I’m doing something right. Once I find the time to put more energy and focus into the label, I’ll definitely be hiring a seamstress though as I actually don’t enjoy the fabrication side of fashion design.
Fetish wear is popping up more and more in mainstream entertainment and everyday life, how do you feel about that?
What I find more interesting is the generally relaxed reaction to this. It's kind of exciting to see boundaries dropping and fetish fashion becoming the norm with the introduction of more risque clothing into pop culture. Personally, I enjoy seeing people push the fashion limit and incorporate clothing, that was once only worn to Torture Garden, into non-fetish environments. It’s brave and unique and creative and is shaping a fashion that is yet to come.
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
I enjoy painting and I also draw and sketch daily and work in photoshop. I’m also a camera woman and a photo editor and I’m a dab-hand at make up and photography, but alas, time is never on my side. There’re so many things I want to do!
Do you think the world of Steam Punk crosses over with the fetish world?
I have indeed noticed evidence of this beginning to happen already with the creation of a military-style latex dress, adorned with brass-coloured gears and cogs that I just stumbled across online one day. The discovery of that made me rather happy as I’m all for incorporating the many aspects of the steampunk style into other styles. As for the steampunk lifestyle crossing over to the fetish world? I suppose it could happen. I mean, the Victorians were certainly into their fetish play so I can easily visualize the cross over that could or is occurring today.
What excites you about modelling?
To be honest, I don’t generally get excited about modelling. I model because people hire me and I put the photos up on my website so that people can buy prints of the images they like. I’m not perusing modelling as any kind of career but I’ve found photo shoots to generally be a lot of fun and It’s always a nice feeling to see how happy the client is with the shots afterwards.
WWhat kind of music do you like?
I like experimental, industrial and vintage jazz. Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Amon Tobin, NIN and Dr.Steel, and I enjoy everything Mike Patton has ever lent his vocals to. One of my all time favourite albums though is actually the sound track to the film “Amelie.”
What do you like to do for fun?
I’m having fun right now! I feel extremely lucky to finally be in a position to do the things I enjoy, but I went through several 9-5’s and many years of frustration to finally end up working a job I adore and feel I was meant to do. Although, when I’m not filling custom clothing orders, I’m running my website toysoldiersunite.com and when I’m giving my eyes a break from the computer screen, I'm driving around with my best friend in his 1935 Auburn Speedster. I have a rather hefty weakness for vintage cars… especially steampunk-looking cars.
See more of Kato at:
myspace.com/kato13
www.steampunkcouture.com
www.thisiskato.com
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