TENDER ISOLATION-A GATA x Kitten Editorial
Kate Bowman is a NY raised and currently LA based designer, model, photographer. She’s also the founder of Kitten, a slow fashion brand created with “the modern flirt in mind”, with heavy emphasis on chiffon, berry pastels, and signature “naked” diaphanous gowns, sheer enough to show your entire figure with a lingerie-like feel.
Kate shot by Madeleine Ray at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo
After modeling for 10 years and being a defining style muse of what 2010’s NYC style was all about, her next steps as a designer through Kitten’s first collection “Strawberry Swing” have already made an impact, becoming wardrobe staples of a whole new generation of rockstars, party people, and dreamers.
GATA shot Kitten’s newest pieces on a rainy overcast afternoon in the Park Hyatt Hotel, Tokyo, a city special to Kate's heart and in an equally precious location, the same room featured in Sophia Coppola's cult film Lost In Translation where its most iconic scenes unfold.
GATA presents “Tender Isolation” an editorial in collaboration with Kitten. A spread that makes your surreal, bittersweet dreams come true. As a bonus, we sat down with Kate to discuss starting her own brand, some of her favorite things, and the enduring allure of Lost in Translation.
Kate and Hellen shot by Madeleine Ray
GATA: Thanks for sitting down with us Kate! For those who aren’t familiar with you, can you introduce yourself to Gata Magazine readers?
KATE: My name is Kate Bowman. I grew up in New York City, but I'm living in Los Angeles currently. I modeled for ten years before starting my brand Kitten.
GATA: Since you were in your late teens, you’ve been in the public eye and a bit of an “it girl” and a muse especially when it came to representing “New York ”style to actual New Yorkers as well as people abroad. How did you deal with that level of attention from a young age and while being a full time student? Did you learn anything from that time in your life?
KATE: My first proper photoshoot was for Purple Magazine photographed by Olivier Zahm. The concept of the shoot was to show him my favorite parts of New York. I styled myself, wore my ripped jeans with the new Gucci collection, and didn't wear any makeup. It was very special to represent myself like this as my introduction to the fashion world. I've tried to stay true to myself while remaining outspoken on what I believe in. My main takeaway is to protect my privacy and to keep my most special relationships to myself.
GATA: Do you have any advice for a younger version of yourself, or girls just entering into adulthood?
KATE: Don't let everyone in. Write everything down. Savor your youth, but get out as fast as you can.
Helen shot by Madeleine Ray
GATA: Tell us a bit about your brand Kitten, was there an “aha” moment when starting the brand, and shifting focus from modeling to design? What does Kitten do differently from other brands?
KATE: Kitten is for dancing in, kissing in, taking photos with your friends in. Kitten girls are fearless, sexy, cool, and wide-eyed at the world around them. Kitten girls are full of crushes, wonder, and curiosity. Kitten practices slow fashion to introduce timeless silhouettes to an otherwise trend-based market. I believe in creating garments that don't need to be replaced every few months, and can live with you throughout the special moments in your life.
GATA: Kitten features a lot of dreamy night-gown inspired garments in pastel shades. What were the specific influences behind your first collection?
KATE: I've studied the wardrobes of Isabelle Adjani, Bianca Jagger,Yasmeen Ghauri, and the women in Dario Argento's films. Kitten is my love letter to them.
GATA: The fashion world has become a lot more open in general this past decade, but nonetheless did you encounter any hurdles as a young woman starting her own brand? What were some of the hardest hurdles to move through?
KATE: The personal may be political, but it is ridiculous to politicize the way women dress. Everyone should be able to wear whatever they want, whenever they want without the fear of shame or harassment. If you are going to critique someone for wearing what makes them feel their best and sexualize it, I think you’re boring and stuck in the past. Fashion is about liberation, self expression, and building confidence. My body, my choice, etc.
GATA: You’ve cited the movie Lost in Translation as a big influence on you,what is it about the movie that sticks with you and why did you decide to stay in the very same hotel room the movie was shot in?
KATE: The fantasy of a Tokyo love story is so romantic. I feel safe with the character of Charlotte. She isn't quite sure of where she is meant to go or who she is meant to be, but still, she has so much conviction and power within herself.
GATA: In general, during your travels it seems like you make it a point to go to locations featured in your favorite films and books? How do you track down these specific locations and what's the rationale behind these “literary/cinematic pilgrimages”?
KATE: I'm drawn to the Hollywood settings of Eve Babitz books, Polanski films in New York, the Italian seascapes Antonioni paints us and of course, Truffaut's Paris. Seeing a location from my favorite film in person is demystifying and wondrous all at once. A place is just a place until someone lights it up and shows you how magical it can be.
GATA: What book are you currently reading? And what’s one you recommend that everyone should read?
KATE: Everyone should read about love by bell hooks. I'm currently re-reading Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion.
GATA: What’s something/someone who’s underrated, that you think other people should know about?
KATE: Donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds is an American responsibility. https://abortionfunds.org/.
GATA: Lastly, what are you excited about in the near future? What are your next moves?
KATE: I'm moving to London in May. I'm excited to spend time in England. My goal is to expand the world of Kitten and find out more about myself.