Kate Ruth
Kate Ruth knows sexy. She puts it in her drawings, her porno-coloring books, and certainly in her styling of fashion shoots. Just when I needed a new crush, here she is. Ain't nothing better than a talented, pretty girl with an eye for other pretty girls.
Chief: How did you get into the styling game? Do you have a fashion background?
Kate Ruth: I actually studied English literature and philosophy. When I moved to New York I started assisting and got into it that way. I was really lucky to meet an amazing stylist who I was working with for a year. She taught me everything.
You have a ton of images on your website. How long have you been styling?
I've been doing my own styling for about 6 years now on and off.
Sometimes I have an idea of something I want for a shoot and have it made. I also do some illustrating on clothing.
Where do you go when you're looking to be inspired?
Thrift stores, vintage shops, and old magazines.
Do you ever feel pressure to always look different once people know what you do?
Not really. I always say never trust a stylist wearing high heels, because then you know they’re not really working for you. Lots of my job involves running around and carrying lots of bags.
Forgive how this sounds, but... what are you wearing right now?
A men's check shirt and underwear. I just got out of bed.
Page splits here
Do you go through phases of being into specific looks? What are you into these days?
I do. There's always a couple of minor obsessions on the go. At the moment, I love clear plastic coats, and I'm always a fan of little knicker shorts.
How important is it to you to style according to trends?
Not that important. Obviously I am influenced by what's in the shows and what’s around, but I think it's always more fun to try and create something new of your own.
How do you come up with an idea? Ever make it up as you go? Make last minute changes at the shoot?
Lots of different ways. Often I start with a character idea, a film, a particular image or person and go from there. It always changes along the way, and often on the day of the shoot.
Share a stylist secret with us. For instance, I learned that baby wipes remove most stains. You have anything like that up your sleeve?
I'm afraid I have no tricks, but I'll have to try that baby wipe one . . .Have you ever styled bands or non-models?
Yes, I work quite a lot with bands, which I really enjoy. It's nice to work with a group of people over a period of time and really develop a look for them.
What's the best part about being a stylist? The worst?
The best is free clothes, and getting to be creative, collaborating with great photographers; the worst is carrying bags of clothing around all the time.
How often do you use your own clothing or accessories in a shoot?
Quite often, but I've tried to stop. If you put your favorite t-shirt in a photo shoot and then wear it everyone knows you were cheating.
Your illustrations are pretty graphic. Talk to us about the wonderful, dirty pictures you draw.
I've always drawn, but I really started as an illustrator when I put out a series of "adult" coloring books, the first of which was Coloring With Kate. I've always really liked drawing people, and drawing them I can make them naked and can make them do whatever I want, things a model in a fashion shoot would never do (most of them anyway).
Not all your drawings are of celebrities. Who are the crazy kids in your drawings? Looks like your parties get pretty wild.
Some of them are people I know who I've convinced to pose for drawings, but most of the people I take from old porn magazines like Oui and Penthouse from the 60's and 70's. They are amazing.
What do you consider yourself more? A stylist or an illustrator?At the moment, I'm more a stylist, but it always goes back and forth.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up? What's got you pumped?
I just did an illustrated story for a UK magazine called Wig. The theme of the issue is "Americana." I did a series called "American Bush," which I'm pretty excited about at the moment. Lots of naked girls with big bushes.
