Kat Von D, tattoo artist, model, author, entrepreneur, animal activist. At first glance, when you see Kat Von D, its hard to believe she is either an animal activist or spokesperson for PETA organisation. But she’s all of those things and stays truly committed to her values.
“We are bold, unapologetic, outspoken and different in our own way. We are artists, poets and lovers. We are the outsiders and the insiders” Kat von D
Artist and Author
Kat von D started off her career as a tattoo artist and got very well recognised via LA Ink, a tattoo show broadcast by TLC. She attracted many people with her astonishing talents and her very outspoken personality.
After gaining a big fan base through LA Ink, she released her first book, High Voltage Tattoo. This compiled her artworks and tattoos, with a foreword by Mötley Crüe‘s Nikki Sixx. When it was released in January 2009 it reached #6 on The New York Times Best Seller list. Through the book she illustrates her love and her passion for drawings and tattoos.
Entrepreneur
In 2008 she created and launched her first ever makeup brand, Kat Von D beauty, through Sephora. This has become a huge success.
Kat is committed to raising awareness and educating her audience on becoming cruelty free. She passionately shares why she has such a deep love and compassion for animals. Kat stands strong about having all of her products cruelty free from 2018, when the full Kat Von D Beauty range will be vegan.
Putting principles ahead of profits, Kat refuses to sell any products in China until the country lifts its requirement that cosmetics be tested on animals. Even at a young age Kat wanted to stand up for her beliefs and she hasn’t changed since.
Kat Von D Beauty
Fast forwarding to now, Kat really works on her beliefs and has embedded her ethos into the products. The range of her makeup line is very different to most of the well-known brands that carry a daintier, softer feel. Kat Von D Beauty can be considered a clever, distinctive gothic design reflecting the values of the brand that grows from the inside out – bold, authentic, individual.
Kat Von D Beauty empowers you with hyper-performance vegan and cruelty-free makeup. The most perfect beauty products imaginable are all tested and worn by Kat herself. She draws inspiration from art, tattooing and activism. This is something unique about Von D, because she mixes her passion with her beliefs and creates something very real for the consumer.
Many of Kat’s beauty lines are dedicated to directly benefitting her charity. She uses her strong social media platform to communicate her brand and ethics.
And Von D is a newsworthy brand. Her brand engagement on Instagram is already strong and growing. Kat Von D has the third-highest number of likes per post. She uses her resources well and many people use her products for their vegan aspect and the overflowing goth feel.
Influencer
Kat Von D is well known for her strong vocal opinions. She celebrates and is inspired by artistry in many ways. In Kat’s book ‘Go Big or Go Home’ she courageously writes about her greatest desires, fears, successes, failures and shares how she has dealt with them. She addresses issues close to her heart; especially individuality, strength, creativity, independence, presence, wisdom, and altruism.
These roots may stem from very different beginnings; however these inspiring stories definitely strike a chord.
Kat Von D, is a controversial character in many ways, yes. But despite all of that, Von D tries to make a change in the world of fashion. Her passion is what inspires people.
Kat became an animal rights activist when she was in high school and was first inspired to become vegan when she watched documentaries such as ‘Knifes Before Forks’, ‘Cowspiracy’ and ‘Earthlings’.
Kat uses her fame to get the attention of the consumer. She wants to educate people about animal cruelty and work towards its elimination.