Women are at the core of the Bianca Spender brand; each piece is crafted for women, by women. We are deeply inspired by the female journey throughout history. We look to empower women to unashamedly be themselves, to start conversations, and to celebrate the juggle of being a woman.
When we met Kate Bell on a recent shoot, we were moved by her perspective on what it is to be a woman and her perceptive on the perception of age. We were drawn to her desire to break the mould, and to influence women to age with complete gusto and freedom.
For this edition of the Bianca Spender Portraits series, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we dive into the bold and creative life of Kate Bell.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
"Hi, I’m Kate Bell. At 55, I’m in the prime of my life, and have been working in the modelling industry for 38 years. I am also a yoga teacher and a writer. My vocations rarely feel like work. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with so many different brands over the years, but I feel particularly privileged to be a part of the beautiful Bianca Spender story.
Though I never married, I’ve shared my life for 21 years with my life partner, Olivier. We don’t have children and live quite simply in Sydney’s Redfern. Creativity and health are the twin pillars that help us navigate our lives."
TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY, CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU RELATE TO THE CELEBRATION OF WOMEN?
"When looking back over my life, it’s more often than not women who have championed me, cheered me on, given me important career breaks, cared for me when I needed healing, and shared the knowledge of their various fields with me. I’m a girls’ girl. I always have been, always will be. I wish every day could be International Women’s Day so that we would continuously celebrate how amazingly incredible women are."
YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT HEROING WOMEN OVER 50 AND SUPPORTING THEM IN MOVING THROUGH THE WORLD WITH STRENGTH AND FREEDOM. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THIS?
"I hope by sharing my perspective on the experiences of the first half of my life, and how these experiences have made me who I am today, it assists others. In particular to help women - as you so perfectly put it - to move through the world, in a lighter way. Sh*t happens no matter who we are and if we share our stories perhaps it helps others to process their own life experiences. Trying to better understand ourselves and others, helps us to care for ourselves because we lose judgment. Judgement separates and never leads to balance and harmony. We are all the same, we all have this experience called life. We can all shine together, we are stronger together."
YOU HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT THIS TOPIC RECENTLY. HOW DO YOU USE YOUR WRITING TO SPREAD THIS MESSAGE?
"Around five years ago, my wonderful modelling agency told me that I must start an Instagram account as part of my modelling work. I had no social media presence up to that point. At first I found it tricky to wave the flag of self-promotion, but I realised that when I celebrated the team effort that led to the creation of the images I shared, plus conveying intel from inside the often covert, illusionary fashion industry, that I could give women and men better understanding of the cultural ideas that pertain to women and age. We’ve had this blanketed acceptance of a male version of what women should look like. The change I’m seeing at the coalface, of more women in positions of influence in the fashion and advertising industries, is changing the way we see and think about ourselves. The delightful and unexpected community and connection between other women my writing has created, warms my heart and makes me feel that we’re in this together."
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OUR AUDIENCE ON FOSTERING A SENSE OF FREEDOM AND STRENGTH- NO MATTER WHAT STAGE OF LIFE THEY ARE IN?
"There’s a few things. Do yoga. Make regular pilgrimages to nature up there with the most important things you do in your life. Join community groups and sign up for courses that interest you. Women are collaborative creatures, and as humans we need authentic connection to really reach our potential."
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BIANCA SPENDER DESIGNS?
"Everything. From the responsible business ethos of the company, putting people and our planet first with fair pay to their workers, and the sourcing and utilising of dead stock fabric across more than 50 per cent of their collections, to the commitment to be carbon neutral, and the fact that it’s Australian made. Bianca and her design team are a valuable asset to the Australian fashion industry, one that I hope continues for many years to come."
