Kat Von D UK Launch

I really did only have a few scant minutes with Kat – but it was enough time to get questions from BBB readers when I did a Twitter call out answered as well as a couple of my own. She had a very good reason to be dashing off – she’s laying a scavenger hunt around London for her fans who follow her on Instagram. Which seems like a very kind thing to be doing and putting so much effort into as well – she could just as easily got someone else to do it!

So, questions from Twitter:

Where does the inspiration for the product names come from? “Everywhere! Art, music, architecture, bands, people and pets.” This question also tied into my own question about whether Kat is a ‘wake up in the middle of the night with an amazing idea kind of person or more of a slow burn, long thought process gal. “I don’t have kids so I can and do get up at 3am because I want to compose a song or write down an idea.” Although she is obviously a spontaneous and creative woman, running your own businesses requires organization and she’s also comfortable with that. You should also know that Kat has had criticism for some product names such as Underage Red and Celebutard.

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Have You Any Stand Alone Stores Planned? Stand- alones are much more common in the US than in the UK/Ireland where they’re just starting to appear in volume so while Kat has no plans for a stand-alone in the UK (the range launches into Debenhams in October), she told me that there is a concept stand-alone under construction in LA right now where it’s all about the store experience. When you’re under your own roof you can do as you please, so Kat has creative space workshops planned. We talked a little about Covent Garden turning into London’s ‘beauty area’, and quickly turned to talking about London weather! “I love the rain and the creative energy of London which is a lot like LA. Many great creators come from the UK and Ireland so I always like to be in the UK, and I have lots of friends here, too.”

Are There Any Christmas Gifts To Tell Us About? I actually thought I wouldn’t get an answer to this question but Kat was very happy to tell me that there’s a bundle of all her ‘must-haves’ to put on your list. There is also a special product coming for the UK/Ireland market only, but I couldn’t squeeze any more info on that one!

Which is Your Favourite Product That You’ve Ever Made? “There are so many!” Her first products, however, were four red lipsticks in the Tainted Love collection. “I made them in my quest to find the perfect red lip, so they’re special and the shades still exist.”

Even though Kat is surrounded by an army of ‘people’, she seemed very genuine and excited to be here. When you’re with someone with tattoos all over their face, dropping the F bomb into every sentence and still just can’t stop thinking how beautiful she is, that’s quite something.

It matters to me what the person at the end of a brand is like – it’s one of those things that we don’t really think about and yet, it’s so important. Kat’s range is vegan as is she, she’s got a dark and gothic personal style, just like her products, and she’s tense and relaxed at the same time in her demeanour and that shows through in the product range too, somehow. You need more time than my 5 minutes to truly get the measure of someone but I didn’t have any doubts about the fact that her beauty brand is her absolute passion. She is a talented tattooist, sketch artist and musician although quite where she gets the time I’m not sure!

I’ll have plenty more information on product lines in the forthcoming range as we go along – October is a way off yet. If you have recommendations for me please do let me know.. I’m keen to discover and share more about this brand.