It is often said that creativity takes courage, and that art purifies the soul from the dust of everyday life. For Robyn Kater, the various parts of her life in art are beautifully tied together by the ribbon of passion. 

“I am originally a trained artist. I studied Fine Arts at Wits. I then went into the Design space, and later found myself in the Creative & Art Direction space which I really enjoy,” she clarified

Born and bred in Johannesburg, the multidimensional creative shared how she grew up as a child who was always in touch with her creative side. 

In an environment where the creative industry wasn’t really recognised as a viable career, she recalls how the important women in her life held space for her creative talent. 

“There were very few people in my life that recognised my creative talent; my mom and my gran. From way back in the day, they told me I don’t have to be a doctor or lawyer. They saw that this thing [art] makes me happy,” she shared. 

Art – a source of healing 

Apart from happiness and fulfillment, Kater’s creative expression has also been a source of healing to her. In navigating a cold and challenging period of her life, she turned to the one place that had always provided warmth and sense. 

“When I was around 17, my dad was murdered. It threw my life completely upside-down. I slipped into such a dark place where nothing actually mattered. 

When I turned to art and worked through my depression using art as a medium, I really realised that I could express myself through this.” 

The creative further shared that pouring out her heart into her art also led to newfound courage and a transformation in her worldview. 

“It really changed the outlook on how I wanted to live my life. My dad wasn’t the most supportive of me doing art, but he was always a supporter of me being happy.” 

A burning passion for fashion 

Fashion and style have also played a huge part in Kater’s creative journey. She has gone from viewing fashion as a distant dream to altering her own clothes as a way of making them a bit more stylish. 

Looking back on her style journey, she reflected on how fashion was initially something she viewed as far-fetched. 

“It used to just mean looking at beautiful clothes on the internet and being in awe. It was always a distant thing for me, but I always loved the visual expression of it. 

I used to bond with my mom and my gran watching Project Runway as a child. I could never afford those fashionable clothes. I mean, I never owned a name brand item until about five years ago.” 

However, when she fully embraced the creative space, Kater realised that finances were not the be-all and end-all of fashion. As such, she started exploring budget-friendly ways of tapping into her inner fashionista.

“I now saw fashion as a way to express myself, and to pour my vision into other people. I started with customising my own clothes. 

My mom gave me an old sewing machine from years ago. I started watching YouTube videos on how to just take in a hem on pants or add trim on a shirt.”

Today, Kater designs items for some of Mzansi’s biggest personalities and her custom pieces get commissioned for shoots by some of the industry’s best stylists.

Her journey in style and creativity has come with many special and unforgettable moments which she holds dear. One of them took place in July last year. 

“I got invited to the GQ Awards as a plus 1. I made my own dress and ended up on the Best Dressed list.”

In a room full of influential people, Kater also took that opportunity to network and pitch her craft by walking up to potential collaborators and showcasing her outfit. 

Confidence, resilience and redefining the idea of success 

Above all, the world of art has taught Kater the importance of redefining success for herself and living life on her own terms. 

“In the creative industry, what is that mark of ‘I did it’? Is it the figure in your bank account? Is it the projects you completed? Is it you putting yourself and your work out there?

I had to redefine my idea of what success is over the years. It is not me having five million followers. As a creative, I’ve had to figure out what is important to me and that’s expressing myself in different ways right now.”

As she continues to work diligently and to embrace various ways of creative expression, Kater encourages the importance of unity and community. 

“This space can be the most amazing community. But sometimes, it can be so full of gatekeeping. 

I never had someone to guide me. It was only through finding my own feet that I connected with my tribe,” she shared. 

Thus, she emphasised the crucial nature of self-belief and being confident in one’s craft, especially as a woman. 

“Believe in yourself because the space is not easy. You also need a level of aggression. You need to command every room you walk into and make that space for yourself.”

 Lastly, the creative shared the attribute of resilience as a necessary ingredient for success in the industry. 

“Be willing to put yourself out there. It’s difficult to hear “no” but you are definitely going to hear many of them. That shouldn’t affect your view of your own creative work.”