Profile: Kate Young

Kate and I met years ago when I was showing my Fall 2007 Collection. We instantly connected, and shortly thereafter began working together styling my next one. I had always admired her style, but as I got to know her, loved her personality even more – passionate, witty and very engaging.

She had just found out that she was pregnant with her first son, Stellan, when we began working together, and soon after, I was pregnant with Tanner. She introduced me to the world of cute baby clothes for boys, which I was so thankful for, since I had been convinced that I was having a girl and in a state of shock. We have stayed in touch throughout the years and try to see each other whenever we are in LA or NYC.

Kate lives in Brooklyn with her husband Keith and two adorable sons, Stellan and Leif. Her home featured here is a portion of a mansion in Clinton Hill, but she also has a house in Upstate NY that I hope we can feature next! I hope you enjoy this look inside. XXJKE

 

Beauty

R+T: What are your go-to beauty products? Why?

I use Weleda Cleanser & Rodin Oil on my face. Kerastase Conditioner and Elixir Ultime on my hair. Am super loyal to those products – everything else changes.

R+T: Is there anything special you would like to share about your beauty routine?

I love Joanna Vargas facials – she’s magic. I feel like my skin is clearer and looks tighter since I’ve been going to see her.

R+T: What are the 5 products you couldn’t live without?

Aquaphor (a guilty, inorganic addiction)

Rodin Oil

Kerastase Conditioner

Bath salts from Mad et Len

L’Artisan Passage D’Enfer perfume

R+T: Bath or Shower?

I’d prefer a bath – but a shower is quicker and usually wins.

R+T: What do you sleep in?

A caftan from Emerson Fry, silk pajamas from Equipment, or a slip from Skin.

I wish I could say “nothing” it sounds so sexy… but it’s not unusual for me to wake up with two little boys in my bed…and that’s not at all sexy.

 

Health

R+T: Do you have any health tricks?

Tons…. I love the Neti Pot, swear by Cold fX whenever I feel something coming on. I take a bath with bottles of peroxide and Epsom salts when I feel that way too – and get the kids to get in with me (the alternative pediatrician we go to recommends it). I love essential oils from Young Living – I use the energy one, the peace and calming one, and one called “Magnify Your Purpose”… there’s also one called “White Angelica” which protects from negative energy – so it’s good during Fashion Week.

R+T: What do you do to stay healthy and balanced?

I try to drink a green juice or kale smoothie every day. Take some vitamins when I remember. Take magnesium at night. Get massages. I really try to make time with my friends every week – which is hard because everyone is busy with their jobs and kids – but I love every minute I get with them.

R+T: Do you workout, what do you swear by?

I run a lot – my husband ran three marathons this year, so not by his standards – but by most other people’s standards, I’m a distance runner. I also try to do yoga once a week.

R+T: What do you do to relax?

Read and cook. I love to lose myself in a novel and I like to cook most days – chopping vegetables feels good…and it’s really gratifying to do something with a start and a finish and a real edible product at the end.

 

Decor

R+T: What is your design philosophy for your home?

Modern, eclectic, organic.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house?

I love the two oil portraits of men and the handpainted screen.

R+T: What are your favorite home stores?

Sawkille Co. in Rhinebeck NY, Ochre in NYC, John Derian, ABC Carpet & Home, Green in Saugerties.

R+T: What is your favorite room in the house?

We moved since those photos were taken – but my favorite room in that house was definitely the kitchen. There was a radiant heat floor and it just felt warm and cozy and nurturing.

 

Entertaining

R+T: Do you entertain at home?

Yes!

R+T: What are your tricks for entertaining?

I try to do almost everything ahead of time so that I’m not cooking when there are people there who I could be hanging out with.

R+T: How do you set the scene when you have people over?

Good music, flowers, lots of drinks.

R+T: Are there any tips for what to do or what to avoid?

I like to make things that aren’t too fussy or fancy (unless I’m cooking for my family and then we really go for it). I never want people to feel uncomfortable or to leave without eating, so I just want to make food that will taste good and be uncomplicated.

R+T: What is your favorite song/playlist when you have people over?

I wouldn’t dare – that’s Keith’s arena. We listen to records. He can always make me happy with Terry Reid, Neil Young or Big Star, though.

R+T: Plated, Buffet, or Family Style for a dinner party?

We usually do a buffet because I like to make a still life out of everything and then let people pick what they want to eat. I am also a compulsive inviter, so we rarely have enough seats at the table for all the people who end up coming.

R+T: What are your favorite flowers and where do you buy them?

I usually try to go to the flower market in Chelsea and just buy a few bunches that I like and do it myself. I love branches – dogwood, cherry blossom, eucalyptus. Also really love jasmine, peonies, greenish roses… But if I need to be fancier, then Saipua in Red Hook.

R+T: Who is your favorite florist?

See above – but if I’m sending them I use Angelica Flowers in the West Village (Dior uses them and they send the nicest white roses).

 

Fashion

R+T: How would you describe your style?

Ugh. Boyish…navy, black and white… Edgy classic?

R+T: Who are your favorite designers?

I have a thing recently that I only want to wear clothes designed by women… The Row, Celine, Chloe, Stella McCartney…

R+T: What are the 5 pieces you can’t live without this season?

Navy Stella McCartney single breasted coat, polka dot silk blouse from Chloe, navy sweater from The Row, Vince leather sweatpants, Proenza suede pumps.

R+T: What is your uniform?

Flat black boots from Louis Vuitton, J Brand black jeans, a shirt from Equipment, a thin sweater over top.

R+T: What is your newest purchase?

Isabel Marant black slides that are Birkenstock-ish.

 

Food

R+T: Is there anything about your diet you would like to share with R+T?

I try to be super healthy in the day – vegan/raw ish. No meat, dairy or gluten…but I love good food, so I will eat anything if it’s going to be amazing.

R+T: Do you cook?

Yes, every day.

R+T: What is your favorite recipe?

I have no idea! I like to make all kinds of things and it does really change with the season. This time of year, I like to make stews and chili because they’re warming.

I like to make a kale smoothie that everyone likes in the am too…

R+T: What is your child’s favorite recipe?

The kids love what they call “a feast” which is (all cooked in one pot) – lobster, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, hard boiled eggs and sausage. It must be eaten outside! Basically, you dump a beer and some Old Bay in a huge pot with water and add everything depending on how long it takes to cook. When the eggs are hard, it’s ready. I suggest covering the picnic table with newspaper and bringing out some giant bowls for shells. And, big cold growlers of beer to go with it (not for the kids!).

 

Art

R+T: Who are your favorite artists?

Agnes Martin, Helen Frankenthaler, Louise Bourgeois, Cy Twombly, Ellsworth Kelly.

Living that I want to own: Joe Bradley, Agnes Barley.

R+T: What is your favorite piece of art you own?

I have a Kiki Smith star.

 

Kids


R+T: Are there any kids finds you want to share with Rip+Tan?

I’m much less into their clothes now because they just wreck everything and are starting to look like real boys – so I love them in skinny jeans, high tops and hoodies. I do love Cos and BonTon in Paris and Sweet William and Trico Field in NYC.

R+T: What’s your favorite thing to do/place to go on the weekends with your kids?

We try to go to our upstate house as much as possible on weekends – during winter we ski, and if there’s a good storm, sled in Woodstock at the town hill. In summer, we go swimming at the local hole.

I love a big weekend breakfast – Keith makes amazing pancakes or I make waffles. I love Cup4Cup gluten free flour – I think it makes things that are even better tasting than some with regular flour.

R+T: What is your favorite restaurant to eat at with the whole family?

The Nom Wah Tea Parlor for dim sum. Aita is a restaurant on our corner in Brooklyn that’s a little bit like our canteen so I love it there – very easy and they know us well. My kids would tell you Chuko, which is an amazing ramen place. You can’t believe how much ramen they can stuff in their little bodies and then ask to take more home for the next day.

 

Shopping & Blogs

R+T: What are your favorite stores to shop for clothing?

Net A Porter! I also love Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Scout & Jenni Kayne in LA.

R+T: What is your favorite city for shopping?

Paris.

R+T: What are your favorite sites for shopping?

Net A Porter and La Garconne.

R+T: Are you an impulse buyer, or do you wait to commit?

I usually know what I want at the beginning of the season because I’ve spent so much time working with the clothes. So I buy practical things right away in a calculated way – the coat, boots and top I’ll wear to work all the time. Then, I impulse buy the more quirky and frivolous items.

R+T: What are your favorite sites for recipes?

Yours! Seriously, I cook from it a lot. I love Bon Appetit too – I think Adam has made a great magazine and website that’s inspiring and feels really in line with the way we cook and eat.

R+T: What are your favorite blogs?

Ledansla for kids stuff.

View from the Topp for fashion stuff.

101 Cookbooks for food.

Blood & Champagne for home stuff.

 

Styling

R+T: How and when did you begin as a stylist?

I was working at Vogue as an assistant and realized that I wanted to be a stylist. I worked in market for a while and then started assisting an editor. It felt right immediately.

R+T: What inspired you to begin styling? What are your sources of inspiration today?

I think I was most excited by the idea of getting to see and touch all of the clothes right off the runway. I loved the idea of travelling and coming up with ideas for shoots too. Now, I’m super inspired by people I see around and meet. But also books, art, talking with my friends, Lilli who works with me…

R+T: Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

Yes – I’m working on a book that will come out in fall (if all goes as planned!), plus my usual work styling actresses, shows, and shoots.

R+T: What is your favorite part of your job?

I like that it’s different all the time. This time of year is the best – it’s super busy and I travel like crazy and there are so many gowns and the new shows…

R+T: How would you describe your aesthetic?

Clean and a little edgy/unexpected with a girly wink.

R+T: What is your process when working with a client?

It’s different for everyone – I approach both actresses and designers the same way – I try to figure out how to get the best out of them, to create a visual identity that represents them more than anything else. To really make it clear who they are and what they’re about through their clothes and image.

R+T: Do you have any favorite designers to pull from?

Yes – I hate that I sink into something routine – I try to constantly find new things, but you can’t go wrong with certain ones… dresses from Lanvin, day looks from Stella, Acne and Rag & Bone for more casual, Victoria Beckham for tight day dresses… Louboutin and Jimmy Choo for heels, J Brand jeans.