Kate Lambert facts for kids

Kate Lambert, known as "Kato", is a British model, fashion designer, singer, and business owner. She was born in Wales and moved to the United States in 2007. She became a US citizen in 2019.

Kato is very well-known in the steampunk world. People have called her "the supermodel of steampunk" and the "it" girl of the genre. The comic book hero Lady Mechanika was even inspired by her style. Kato's work has appeared in many books about steampunk art and fashion. Her photo is on the cover of International Steampunk Fashions.

Kato has also been on the cover of several magazines. These include Bizarre Magazine in August 2014, where she was called a "steampunk idol." She also appeared on the covers of FEY Magazine (Spring 2012) and Phantasm Magazine (July 2016). In Phantasm, she was called "The Queen of Steam."

Kato often speaks at steampunk events. She has been a guest at Wild Wild West Con in Tucson, Arizona and Salt City Steamfest in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Early Life and Inspiration

Kato is one of four daughters. Her father, Terence Lambert, is a wildlife painter. Her mother was a school principal. Kato grew up in an old Victorian house next to a 13th-century cemetery. She says this is why she loves Victorian style so much.

She left school at 16. She then went to a college where she could focus on fine art. After that, she studied fashion and textiles. After finishing her studies, she started her first business called Moshka. She made and sold hair accessories online and at craft fairs.

Career in Steampunk Fashion

Modelling and Discovering Steampunk

When Kato first started modelling, she worked for Toxico clothing. Around 2004, she began designing and making her own clothes. These outfits had a Neo-Victorian and post-apocalyptic feel. She would model them herself and share the photos online.

Her early designs were inspired by the 1800s, mixed with movies like Mad Max and Tank Girl. At first, she didn't know what to call her unique style. Then, a singer named Magdalene Veen noticed her work. Magdalene told her how "Steampunk" her designs looked. This helped Kato discover the steampunk genre.

Creating Steampunk Couture

In 2007, Kato started "Steampunk Couture." This was the first clothing company made just for the steampunk style. She creates high-quality, custom-fit clothes and accessories. Her designs mix post-apocalyptic and tribal looks. They also include sci-fi, shabby chic, and Harajuku/Mori girl elements.

One of her popular outfits is called the "Vex" outfit. It was named after model Ulorin Vex, who wore it for the Steampunk Couture website. In 2014, her Steampunk Couture clothes became available through DraculaClothing. Kato also brought all her businesses together under the name "Lambee Co." She also worked with designer Vera Iam to create shoe lines.

Other Creative Projects

Kato has also been a writer for Ladies of Steampunk magazine. She worked with photographer Chloe Barcelou to start Mori Girl Clothing. This was the first company outside Japan to sell Mori Kei style clothes.

In August 2015, Kato became a judge on the GSN reality television show Steampunk'd. On this show, contestants competed to create steampunk designs.

Music with DK-Zero

In July 2017, Kato started a punk/industrial band called "DK-Zero." She formed the band with Derek Brown from Abney Park. In 2018, they released their first album, From Nothing. The band performed at big festivals like Wave Gotik Treffen and Wasteland Weekend. Kato is no longer with the band.