Designer Kat Traveller from Katherine Victoria. Image supplied.
Kat Traveller made her New Zealand Fashion Week debut last week with her beautiful womenswear label Katherine Victoria, which caught our eye on the runway for its feminine style and vibrant colours. Kat established her brand in February 2016 in her hometown of Wellington and is becoming known for her love of texture and winsome aesthetic.
We caught up with Kat to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
The inspiration for AW18 was drawn from the original illustration style used in Aesop’s Fables. The textures explored throughout these illustrations are simply divine & timeless, particularly the botanical textures through so many of his fables, such an enchanting place to be taken. I’ve explored these ideas through fabrics and detailing throughout the collection. The morals and philosophies behind these stories really resonates with me so it was just right. Aesop’s No.226 is the fable of The Tortoise and the Hare.
What made you become a designer?
I feel so fortunate to be one of those people who’ve known their dream since childhood. Making my first top from a pillowcase at our beach house when I was about seven; it never stopped and I never strayed. I fell in love with that empowering feeling we can get on repeat every day in the simple art of dressing. An addict at seven haha. I think since I learned if we weren’t going out on the boat at Kuratau that day I had to entertain myself, and there the old sewing kit came out whenever the rain did too and so it begun!
What inspires you?
I draw inspiration constantly; every time I step out of the house or take a break from the studio there’s always something to feast my eyes upon. Inspiration strikes in forms not only physical but even just taking a deep breath, a break and truly feeling the atmosphere you’re in; whether it be hovering over the morning coffee mug or feasting upon the Niagara falls! I find myself heavily inspired by travel and exploring other cultures, the colours, the people, the stories, the craziness and landscapes.
Gardening is my true calm from the storm where I find the textures always astonish me, botanical exploration never ceases to pull me in and it always takes my mind to my elegant, kind and incredible grandmother, a truly inspiring woman.
Of course last but NEVER least – my Mum – there are no words, she is EVERYTHING!
Looks from Katherine Victoria’s AW18 collection on the runway at NZFW 2017.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
Fun, elegant and comfortable (shhh) sums it up. I’m a shopper who falls in love with the piece and doesn’t style the wardrobe in order to make sensible decisions that go together, this often results in me wearing an array of outrageous pieces but feeling fantastic about all of them. Clutter can be stunner but this ridiculous shopping habit has really influenced my designing in that there are what I call ‘killers and fillers’ and both are equally important. After styling for Trelise Cooper for many years I know there need to be key pieces that will work with all those ‘fillers’ to create an effortless morning in the wardrobe and make you come out on top everyday! The details in clothing that other people can’t even see but make the wearer smile make a difference to me; Loving what you wear and feeling fantastic in it is always the end goal in my designs.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
I would have to say my big fat Moschino teddy bear phone case – I know, so silly but brings me so much joy so many times a day no matter what I’m wearing! Also my Trelise carousel ring, best piece of jewellery I’ve ever bought, I will wear that bad boy FOREVER. Tied at no.1 fav purchase.
What wardrobe item should every woman invest in?
Something that she wants to pull out of the wardrobe constantly, something that delights her and makes her feel a million dollars, no matter what it is. Mine would be (typical Wellingtonian) my long black fur and leather Trelise Cooper ravenclaw coat, doesn’t get better than a stunner long coat.
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
Proportions are key for sure; if the pieces don’t go together in the right proportions I just can’t handle it.
Looks from Katherine Victoria’s AW18 collection on the runway at NZFW 2017.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
100% highlight was showing at NZFW last Tuesday and securing our first international stockist as a result! Bring on KV NZ to the world stage.
To accompany this I’ve been asked to show at three absolute dream international fashion weeks early next year, Milan, London and Vancouver; so more highlights to come very soon for sure… watch this space!
What can’t you live without?
Definitely my slippers, slipper obsessed.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
A cap, just can’t do it. Wish I could but I can’t. Cap envy. (Also high heeled sneakers, just a no for me).
Runway images by James Yang Photography.