Kate "Kato" Lambert | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Fashion model, Fashion designer and Entrepreneur |
| Label | Steampunk Couture |
| Website | http://www.steampunkcouture.com, http://www.steamgirl.com |
Kate "Kato" Lambert is a British model, fashion designer and entrepreneur. A native of Wales, Kate emigrated to the United States in 2007. Kate has been called "the supermodel of Steampunk."[1] Featured in countless books and websites, for many, "Kato" is Steampunk's "it" girl.[2]
Career
editModeling and inspiration
editEarly in her modeling career, Kate modeled for Toxico clothing with Ulorin Vex, and later with Chad Michael Ward.[3] In 2004 she began designing and making outfits that had a Neo-Victorian and post-apocalyptic vibe, then modeled them herself and posted them on MySpace.[3] Her inspiration at that time was the 1800's meets Mad Max and Tank Girl,[4][5] but she didn't know what to call her style until former Abney Park vocalist Magdalen Veen noticed her work and pointed out "how Steampunk" her illustrations and style were.[4][6]
Fashion design
editA few months later, in 2005, Kate founded the first steampunk clothing company, "Steampunk Couture",[7] producing high-quality, custom-fit clothing and accessories catering specifically to the steampunk genre.[8] Her designs incorporate post-apocalyptic and tribal influences as well as sci-fi, shabby chic[9][7] and Harajuku/Mori girl elements.[5][3]
In 2006, Kate, then head of Doctor Steel's fan club, the "Army of Toy Soldiers", founded Toy Soldiers Unite!, the club's website.[10] Besides running the site as "Sergeant Kato", she also designed all the club's uniforms, as well as creating the security guard and nurse uniforms worn by Steel's stage performers. In 2011, when Dr. Steel retired, Kate turned over control of Toy Soldiers Unite to its current administrators.
In 2013, Kate designed the outfit for the character "Enki" in John Soares' dieselpunk action series, The Danger Element,[11] as well as playing the voice of the car.
Current projects
editIn 2013, Kate started Steamgirl LLC, a multi-media neo-Victorian fashion erotica site and the first subscription site for steampunk erotica.[2] Besides designing the clothing the models on her site wear, she also builds steampunk and neo-Victorian furniture, props, and hardware for the shoots. Kate is also a writer for Ladies of Steampunk and LoSP Bronze Age magazines,[1] and was featured in LoSP's premiere issue.[12] She is currently also working on a graphic novel.
References
edit- ^ a b "2014 Calendar Store". Ladies of Steampunk Magazine. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b Frame, Wilhelmina (May 28 2013). "An Interview with Kato". Steampunk Chronicle. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ a b c Reese, Danailya (02/18/2014). "Kato (aka, Steamgirl) – Steampunk Never Looked So Good". Yell Magazine.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Kato interview". Ladies of Steampunk Magazine. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b "Interview with Kato from Steampunk Couture". Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Vain, Veronica (Nov 27, 2011). "Designer Spotlight: Steampunk Couture". The Vanity Directory. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b "Company Spotlight: Steampunk Couture". Steampunk Journal. February 20, 2014. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ J3SS (October 28, 2011). "Geek Girl: Steampunk Kato". GEEKPR0N. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Interview: Kato of Steampunk Couture". Hollywood Noir Makeup. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Toy Soldiers Unite: About (archive)". Toy Soldiers Unite. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Miss Kiddo (2013-07-09). "The Danger Element". Legion of Nerds. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Ladies of Steampunk Magazine: Volume 1, Issue 1". Steampunk Magazine. 1/16/2014. Retrieved 04-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help)