Simplicity with a twist – A style interview with Katalin

Katalin describes her style as a mixture of urban, modern, interesting, creative, comfortable, environmentally conscious and economical and she loves to use upcycled pieces in her outfits. She is a true star in creating fabulously creative outfits so I’m sure you will love this style interview as well as the many showcased outfits.

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

My name is Katalin Sule, art historian and personal stylist from Budapest, Hungary. As a child I lived abroad with my family, which was very influential, especially the design and visual culture in Copenhagen in the 70s.

Ever since I am in love with Danish design, fashion, and arts, but it is also about their way of thinking in terms of production, consuming and the afterlife of products.

As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?

I recently stepped into my 60th, so I consider myself ‘advanced age group’. Lot of people see aging as a decay, but I must say I like it more and more. I enjoy helping my own age group, but my personal experience is that it also inspires younger generations.

Can you tell us a bit more about your blog Kati New Look and why you created it?

I started Kati New Look blog in 2006 with the intention to share my upcycled garments via my personal style. As time went by, I became a real fan of ‘destruction’ of clothes and creating something new out of them.

It is also about finding an alternative to fast fashion overproduction and overconsumption. Furthermore, I believe global trends and designing for ‘averages’ totally kills individualism.

How would you describe your own personal style?

Urban, modern, interesting, creative, comfortable, environmentally conscious, money saver. My motto is simplicity with a twist!

What would you consider the most important components of your style?

I love accessories! As an art historian I always look for interesting vintage and contemporary accessories, I adore objects with history and character. I do believe that you must own a few statement pieces in order to have a unique, personal appearance.

Where do you live and how does that influence your style?

The capital of Hungary, Budapest is a very nice city, full of beautiful women. At least this is what men say, once they have the opportunity to visit our capital. Unfortunately most of Hungarian women do not pay enough attention to how they look, they go for  the “average” look, which probably roots in soviet history where goods were limited and individualism was not encouraged.

The influence I have from my years spent abroad, is just to know and be yourself. It’s good to be seen even over 60 and there is no need to be a part of the ‘unseen mass’.

Do you feel you have a signature style?

Not really. As I get older I became more open to style changes, I feel brave and comfortable in most things I wear. But two things you might see on me wherever I go: massive rings and red lipstick!

What inspires your outfit choices the most?

Thoughtful, interesting garments, mixed with my own upcycled items and statement accessories. I dress on low budget and am not interested in luxury or iconic pieces. I usually find those boring.

Do you take things like color profiling or body type into account when you dress?

No, I don’t have any restriction. One might say I am short, but I don’t care..I wear baggy dresses, wide pants, huge shirts. My color preferences changes all the time. My favorite colors now are black & white, grey and silver. I find it easy to mix, and it goes well with my light hair color.

Has your style changed at all after turning 40?

Oh yes, of course. I was more conservative before, but the older I get, the braver I become. I don’t care if people turn their head when I pass by…sometimes it happens! It is a natural process, you cannot wear the same garments when you are 20, 30, 40, 50… Your body changes, your lifestyle changes, you get more opinionated on the world. These all influence the way you dress.

Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?

No, definitely not. All women have to express themselves the best way they can. We should not want to tell them what to wear at a certain age. It kills creativity, and designers will have no inspiration… Women with dignity and self knowledge are the most attractive, they can wear whatever they want.

Would you say that at this stage of your life you are now more, or less interested in fashion, style and the way you look?

I am more interested, because I want to teach the younger generation the challenges of dressing and the art of self expression. Most people think that dressing is a must. For me it is a visual art, a way you express your personality and your opinion to the world.

Why is the way you look important to you?

As I just mentioned, for me it is a very strong self-expression. I remember when I was a kid, I always looked at people’s clothes and I was really happy to see someone wearing a dress that was different than the average.

I immediately decoded the person as “creative” minded. Even in business, where the dress code is strict, you can bring individuality in the way you look. It is not seeking for attention, but feeling comfortable with yourself.

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I follow designers I like, who stand out from the ocean of designers. They are experimental and sometimes shockingly brave. Trends come and go, I pick pieces that are really interesting in color or shape.

Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?

• Wear clothes which are the right size. Sounds trivial, but trust me, a lot of women don’t know their right size.
• Look into the mirror and see your real body.
• Take a look at your wardrobe and don’t be afraid to throw out clothes you don’t wear anymore.
• Be brave to try garments and colours that you have never tried before.
• If you don’t know what suits you, ask a personal stylist to help you.

What are your plans for your blog and how do you see it develop over the coming years?

I want to give more ideas on what to wear by combining existing elements from my wardrobe, as I did this summer with my 30 days 30 outfits project. A lot of women wear the usual combinations for many many years and I would like to inspire them to experiment with their existing garments.

In most of the times there is no need to buy new clothes, it is enough to mix differently or layer the ones we have already at home.

Anything further you would like to add?

I am a founding member of a new service called Soul-Fashion-Beauty Democrats. We give lectures and do workshops for people who feel they like to make a change in their everyday dressing routine.

It is not only about appearance, but we believe dressing also reflects how you feel about yourself, so the team consists of 3 professionals: a beauty consultant, a fashion advisor and a life coach.

Our goal is to deep dive into personalities and wardrobes in order to bring out the most in people. It is a true treat to oneself, a remake from the inside out.

Be sure to visit Kati New Look and @SuleKati on Instagram to see more fabulous style from Katalin!

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