Tattoo artist and star of reality television show LA Ink, Kat Von D is a woman on a mission — to bring long-lasting, high-impact make-up to the region. From September, the 33-year-old's eponymous brand will be available exclusively at Sephora across the UAE and online here.
Best-known for her trademark look of a alabaster skin, sharply defined feline eyes and a bold red lip, the entrepreneur first launched her range of cosmetics Stateside seven years ago. Since then, some lipstick shades and liners have become smash hits. Ahead of the Middle East debut of the brand, we caught up with Von D on a flying visit to Dubai, click here to read the full interview in today's Arts & Lifestyle section.
Kat, how would you describe your personal make-up style?
I think I’m a bit of a chameleon. I change depending on my mood, a shoe, a song or just how I’m feeling in the morning. But I guess one of my ‘signature looks’ — and I hate calling it that because it sounds as if I’m so full of myself — but one of my signature looks is clean cat eye and a red lip. And that’s almost how the make-up line started, with Sephora asking me to create the perfect red shades initially and now I’ve lost count of how many there are.
Any plans to develop your online make-up tutorials into a series, like LA Ink?
I don’t really want to do TV anymore but we are in the middle of revamping a YouTube channel. I’ve been filming things exclusively for Sephora, which is great, but I want to do so much more. So, I think it would benefit all parties if I focus on doing a new channel on YouTube that’s not ‘just’ make-up. Make-up is just one symptom of my art. I’m not just a make-up artist, or a tattooist, or a musician — I’m all of it. So that’s what I’d want to incorporate into my tutorials and new channel.
Of your many tattoos, which is your favourite?
Ha! It’s impossible to choose. It’s also impossible to say how many I have and they’ve all turned into one giant one now really. I’ve been tattooed by more than 30 artists internationally, so that might give you an idea — I have a ton. The first one I had was a little ‘j’ for my first love at the time, named James. I still have it and love it. There’s an idea that ‘name tats’ are somehow a ‘curse’ but I don’t see them that way. For me they are landmarks in time. I don’t regret any tattoos, although I have lasered some off to make room for new ones (laughs).
Of the more unusual tattoos people request you to do on them, you mentioned that Morrissey’s portrait is a common one. Has he ever commented on your artwork?
Yeah, a lot of the time people tend get musicians tattooed, as their music really strikes them to their core — lyrics can speak profoundly to people on a different levels. And one of the most popular musician tattoos is Morrissey. I once did a portrait of him on a fan who then went to see him perform in concert. He managed to see Morrissey afterwards and show him the tattoo. I had heard rumour that Morrissey — who can be pretty antisocial — looked at it and said “it’s amazing!”. I was delighted, I love the Smiths and I’ve actually named a bunch of stuff after their lyrics.
If you’re a fan, you should see his recent Larry King interview.
Oh, really? Why?
Well he’s notoriously media-shy and rarely gives interviews. This is his first revealing one in ten years with King.
Ah, that's interesting because I did an interview with Larry King about a year ago. He was the best! It was truly the most amazing experience ever. Being in Dubai I have to pinch myself and similarly when I was being intervewied by him. He wanted me to tattoo him. OK, a fake one! (laughs). So, I took a Sharpie pen and tattooed him while he serenaded me singing The Way You Look Tonight. I ended up drawing a big heart with my name on it for him. It was a dream come true, too cool!
• For more information go to Sephora's website.
