I apologise: I have been tardy (that word always reminds me of the film Clueless – I was a child of the 90s after all) with my posts lately, let alone my Beautiful People interviews. But here at long last is another Beautiful People interview, with the funny and intelligent Katherine Stark. Read on; it is a particularly touching interview. I love how grandmothers and mothers figure heavily in our attraction to beauty.
1. What is your first memory or experience of beauty?
My first memories and experiences of beauty came through my grandmother. I am her only granddaughter and we used to love doing ‘girly’ things together, even when I was only very young. My family is in horse racing, so I was always allowed to get a bit dolled up for the races. When I was about seven, she bought me a set of hair rollers. I remember sitting at her kitchen table on a Saturday morning before the races, rollers in my hair, and we were painting our nails. We sat there with all of my Grandmother’s nail polishes, discussing which colours would best suit our outfits. I was in heaven.
2.What was the first beauty product you ever used and how old were you?
I think it was probably nail polish – by the time I was about six, I had a few bottles of my own. I also had quite an extensive and enviable collection of Avon bath & body products when I was seven or eight – including all the Christmas limited edition talcum powders! Santa obviously had his own Avon lady.
3.What have been your favourite outfits or items of clothing through the years? Why?
Ahhh, see, clothes have never really been my thing. I’ve always had weight issues, so while I experienced the beauty industry as being warm and welcoming, I always found fashion to be hostile and exclusive. Nonetheless, throughout the years I’ve had my love affairs with several items – usually dresses. I had (and still have!) a black ruched cocktail-length wrap dress which my Grandmother (again, the Grandma influence!) bought me from one of those bridesmaidy shops – I think it was Mr K. It looked plain on the rack but in person it hugged every curve. I also had a beautiful Country Road day dress which I bought at age 19. It was probably the first ‘expensive’ item I’d bought for myself. It was a black and cream floral print, with a halter neck. More recently, I wear maxi dresses to death. I have a simple black one which I wear to death and always feel confident in.
4.What is your favourite beauty product or activity and why?
Oh wow, this is WAY too hard! My favourite beauty product is probably mascara. I have short pathetic eyelashes and I never feel myself without oomphing them up. And my favourite activity would have to be pedicures – not because I truly enjoy the process (I don’t) but because I hate unkempt feet.
OPI, Benefit and DuWop products available from Adore Beauty.
Vintage hair products available from Etsy: click on image links for more information.
Have a peek here for more interviews. Want to submit a Beautiful Person interview? Copy and paste these questions into the contact form below and insert your own answers, along with your name and state or residence or postcode, and, if you are feeling particularly beautiful, a photo of your lovely self.
Posted on April 16, 2010
0